Just a heads up for everyone. I noticed there was yet another possible scammer selling wheels to MB World members, thankfully it appears that was a false alarm and just an honest mix up, none-the-less please be aware of the following new (new to me anyway) ebay/internet scams.

The newest e-bay and internet sale scam is listing and selling a product but instead of shipping the product they ship only a box of rocks, bricks or whatever weighs close to whatever said product should weigh, Fed Ex, UPS or USPS delivers package you sign for it and/or driver confirms delivery and then you're are screwed...it now becomes your word against the sellers, if you attempt to dispute it with CC company or PayPal they will most likely temporarily refund you money while they "investigate" the matter, once they contact the seller and he provides them with a valid tracking number along with delivery confirmation and then they confirm the tracking number and delivery with Fed Ex and it was a 20"x20"x12" box that weighed 25 pounds (could be a wheel...but it was really a couple of old shoe boxes filled with rocks) and you signed for at at 4:37 pm on March 1st you're screwed. It now becomes a battle of pointing fingers, you can not prove that you did not recieve the product and your CC company or PayPal denies your fraud claim and you are out $2500. The worst part about this scam is that the seller does not have to assume a fake name or stolen identity, he/she can do this under their own name using their own bank account to ensure they look even less guilty. The good news is that they can usually only pull it off once, more than one similar claim would certainly put up a red flag...but I guess a quick $2-3K is better than nothing to these crooks.

A tracking number does not mean squat anymore, even a confirmed delivery does not mean squat...Trust me, I know, I just got scammed on ebay this way about two weeks ago. If you guys are buying anything of somewhat significant value request a signature proof of delivery with your shipment and open the package before the Fed Ex driver steps off your front porch.

 

Wow, thanks for this.

 

Heard about this scam three weeks ago when a friend had it happen. Ordered some chrome for his Harley and ended up with gravel. He is currently going through the motions but PayPal said there was nothing they could do as they have a confirmed track. He is now working on his CC company. This probally elevated my uneasiness.

 

Good advice...Thanks!

 

....hmmmm, mine was for Harley stuff as well, talk about a coincidence

 

Sorry to hear about this...but thanks for the heads up!

Tom

 

just wanted to add a suggestion....take a video of your delivery guy delivering the package and you opening the package right after delivery...no disputing that evidence if it is a scam shipment

 

This is nothing new I remember reading a story years ago where a guy bought a PSP or some kind of small device and he ended up with a box with a soda/chips and a an apology card with something along the lines of " I am sorry times are rough I didn't know what else to do etc" It's really hard to safeguard against something like this. I would stick to local pickups/power sellers vendors etc for large purchases.

 

But will the shipping company let you open the package to check before you sign for it?

 

Good question. But I am sure you could sign and then open it real quick. But what JohnMBZ said!

 

Good point, I know those Fed Ex and UPS drivers bust their butts and they are very busy, but from now on anytime I have something of significant value delivered I'm going to insist he/she stick around for a minute while I pop open the box. I would not expect the driver to sit there and wait while I do a 100% inspection of the contents of the package, but if I ordered a set of XYZ brand forged wheels it will only take me a few seconds to verify if that is really what is inside the packages and not a cinder block or an old 16" steel wheel off of a 1988 Ford F-150.

...this really got me thinking about how easy it would be to scam unsuspecting people in various ways. Hell, the possibilities are endless, amazing how smart and creative some of these crooks are getting. Imagine if they used their brains for something useful and what they might be able to accomplish.

 

You guys meant to say that you guys never open and check the item before you sign? I've always open and check before I sign. Usually I offer them a soda then do that. They never complain either. It's only take a minute of their time.

 

 

They usually will not allow you access to the package until you show them a valid ID.... then you are allowed to open the package and check its contents for verification before you sign for it. If you approve the contents, then you can go ahead and sign for it.... otherwise, refuse the shipment.

 

The evil that scumbags stoop to never ceases to amaze.

Thanks for the heads up Jim.

 

Start opening the boxes in front of the UPS driver!!

 

UPS and FedEx will let you open and inspect the package before you sign for it. Last month when I bought my wheel, while the Fedex guy unloading it I just open and inspect the wheels for damaged,. He waited and asked if everything was in order while he wait for me to sign for it. You don't have to ask for permission to open a package to inspect it, they want you to inspect before they leave.

 

Again, PayPal suckzzz,

Just say'n

 

What about disputing "item not as described" w/ Paypal? I've only had two bad c2c online purchase experiences (out of probably 100) - one the seller refunded immediately and the other the seller had vanished and closed his accounts but Paypal made good on fake goods.

 

caveat emptor let the buyer be ware. Check the contents then sign or refuse shipment. Thanks for the heads up.

 

pisses me off how people take advantage of a site dedicated to bartering products that everyone can use. ok i will not get on my soapbox totally - just F'ing annoying. Only takes a few shady people to mess it up for everyone

 

If needed, I dispute with AMEX. Those guys do not F around.

 

Yep, that's for sure! I have never had a case in which that I needed to file a chargeback wasn't successful on my end!

 

paypal has always refunded my money when I filed a complaint. is that no longer the case?

 

You sure about that? I have had an AMEX Plat for years, Horrible and I do mean horrible dispute policies. Do have other perks which I why I keep the over priced card.