I thought I bought a new in box older version Tamiya Sherman(With T-01 but no MF) off fleabay for $190. I should have known better as the seller did not have any feedback, but since his location came back to NY and not overseas, I jumped at the reasonable bargin. After I won the bid, this guy messaged me and requested immediate payment within three hours or he would relist the item. So I complied and paid via paypal. I then requested a tracking number. He sends a number which clearly shows the package being sent to my city, but USPS does not list the direct address. No biggie right? Wrong! The item came back as delivered a few days later but I did not get any package, so off to the post office I go. I talk to the post master herself who remembered delivering the package to a McDonalds on the other side of town and it was a small parcel, not the size associated with a 1/16 scale tank. So at that moment, I knew I had been had. It seems the new scam is too gleen tracking numbers that are quite real and with the same destination area, but for other people totally unrelated to you. Ebay will not allow you to file a claim as it shows a package delivered to your address and they want you to work it out first with the seller. Ebay doesnt even have a report for fradulent tracking numbers so I had to call them direct to explain the situation. Now I have to wait 23 days to get my money back. I already messaged the seller and relayed how pathetic it is to go through all that deception to steal $215 (shipping cost included) when you can work an honest days labor and receive the same. I hate thieves!!!

Thanks for letting us know about this.

Herman

Thanks for sharing Nate! Sorry this happened to you.

That does stink to get taken like that. I hope you get your money back.

I have been buying and selling on eBay since the late nineties and have learned a few things along the way.

Sellers with new accounts and no feedback selling rare or high dollar items should be looked at with suspicion. If this is the case, ask the seller a question. Maybe ask for a picture of some part of the box. If the seller is legit, he/she will usually be accommodating. If the seller does not respond, is rude in responding, or won't comply with the request for a picture, back away quickly and don't look back.

Demanding payment within three hours or the seller is going to re-list the item would throw up a red flag for me. If this was a buy it now, that is one thing. Payment is usually expected immediately, but if this was an auction, three hours would have had me ready to bail. What if you were not home when the auction ended? The seller had no way to know you were going to be at your computer when the auction ended. He was afraid you were going to figure it out and back out.

I hate to say it, but this would have sent my scam alert screaming.

I learned much from getting scammed once way back in the beginning of eBay. I hope others learn from your misfortune.

Steve

I had a very similar experience Cruiser.... but in my case the post office sent back the package as undeliverable. PayPal sent me my refund promptly. Here is the trick ... (How much did the fake package he sent weight?) .... a 12 pound M4 kit can't be shipped for $7. I can't possibly emphasize how important it is to check EBay seller feedback from his sales. And the his sales should be in the hobby. Not neckties or car parts.

He didnt send anything, he simply scammed a tracking number from another shipper completely unrelated to him. I should have cought it sooner, but the tracking information stated the package originated from CA, when the seller is in NY. How people are getting tracking info from the USPS to use fraudulently is beyond me. I bet he simply is using ID theft from some victim located in NY to generate a name to create a EBAY account. Seems like a lot of work for $215....

There's definitely some creative postage going on lately. I ordered a few laser pointers from a seller in CA, an obvious importer since his selection and info was exactly the same as the ones listed from Hong Kong, just a buck or two more.

He sent them, I watched tracking since I was stuck on a project until I got these and it made it here right up to 'out for delivery' then was removed. I called the PO and they said that there was multiple shippings on the same label, he just changes the address to fit his needs. Pay once, ship 10 items. They were sending it back to CA for evidence against him.

I have seen these "deals" before. Saved the seller and later went to check back and they no longer are a member there.

Figured as much. Remember, a fantastic deal is more likely a scam. Hopefully you will get ALL your money back.







Jeff

Low prices on high end items, low or zero feedback always get a red flag. I usually watch the item and see if there is any other activity or other sales. In most cases if they are only selling one item I'll pass.

Had a problem last x-mas. Picked up a tiger II from Germany. By the time I checked on it, the kit had been stolen from my porch. I must say the German seller helped recover the funds from DHL international. But what a hassle.

I hope Paypal put a hold on the funds, otherwise they are gone.

sorry and I hope you get a full recovery

Larry

Each post office has tracking numbers like a zip code. Everything I have ever shipped from my local post office started with the exact same numbers. I could easily find a package in progress by going to the USPS web site and trying some numbers - especially if I just shipped something to anyone. I'd know what the current range of numbers is.

Otherwise one of three things will happen. Either the number won't be found, the package will have already been delivered (with a date which means I can adjust my guess) or it's in progress.

There's probably a faster, easier way to do it if you're an actual scammer who knows the system better.

Can't the Postal inspectors get involved? Surely they just committed mail fraud?

Nate I would file a complaint with the post office. Mail fraud is a federal offence and has some hefty jail times when catch up with the guy. Trust me the Post Office should want to throw the key away on this guy as it hurts them to no end.