Crazy find... is it a scam?

chris1125 · #1 09-05-2011, 08:28 PM

So I saw an eBay listing for a 59 p bass with some of the most amazing mojo I've ever seen today and I put a bid on it, $1,000 cap, low I know but I figured I'd see where is goes. I emailed the seller since I am about a half hour from where he is and asked if I won if he would accept cash. He said yeah but he would need to do it through eBay for the feedback, understandable. So I go back on to check it out tonight and the listing was deleted. However, there was a new listing by a different account for the same bass for $12,000 bin listed in long island. I checked my email and the guy accepted my offer for $1,000 straight up for the same p bass, which according tithe original auction was located in Ohio.

I can't figure out what's going on but to me this just sounds to good to be true. At the same time I hardly ever see things like that happen on eBay an the guy SUGGEStED that we go through eBay for feedback and return policy, on top of that it's a top rated seller!

What is going on???

**nostatic** · #2 09-05-2011, 08:30 PM

account hijack

chris1125 · #3 09-05-2011, 08:33 PM

Can you elaborate?

Tigger Bangdang · #4 09-05-2011, 08:34 PM

Yep. Report to eBay and run. If it smells like a turd it is a turd.

chris1125 · #5 09-05-2011, 08:38 PM

It's wierd that he would still accept a pikup cash sale... Is there an actual reason for doing something like that?

bongomania · #6 09-05-2011, 08:48 PM

Yes: He has what "looks like" a 59 P bass, that cost him $100 plus some time with a sander, that he will happily sell you for $1000 cash. He will have an agent meet you with this bogus 59 P bass at a location like a cafe or parking lot.

To be clear, the scam deal is NOT being perpetrated by the person with perfect feedback; that person's account was hijacked by a professional scamming organization.

chris1125 · #7 09-05-2011, 09:26 PM

That's Something I'm curiouse about, how do you tell if a bass is original? I do think it's a scam, otherwise I wouldn't have anounced it on talkbass. The pictures ARE of a real 1959 p bass, which were stolen from a different listing in NYC for $12,000. I just don't understand why somebody would do that. It doesn't make any sense, obviousely if you show me a 59 legit p bass then hand me a relicd mim I'm going to see the difference...

RobJ · #8 09-05-2011, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris1125

That's Something I'm curiouse about, how do you tell if a bass is original? I do think it's a scam, otherwise I wouldn't have anounced it on talkbass. The pictures ARE of a real 1959 p bass, which were stolen from a different listing in NYC for $12,000. I just don't understand why somebody would do that. It doesn't make any sense, obviousely if you show me a 59 legit p bass then hand me a relicd mim I'm going to see the difference...

....and perhaps robbed of your money for showing up...

nashvillebill · #9 09-05-2011, 10:16 PM

I've decided that if I ever buy a truly collectible bass or guitar, it's going to come from a well-known place like Gruhn Guitars who really know their stuff. Sure, I won't get a '59 P-bass for a grand, but then again I won't get ripped off.

Case in pont: another local used music store (not Gruhn's) had a replica Gibson guitar (Les Paul knockoff). They identified it as such, and priced it accordingly, but to the casual (or even moderately experienced) observer it looked just like the real thing. I mean just like it, felt like it, looked like it, no obvious poor workmanship. It would've fooled me for sure.

Here's Gruhn's site for those who care to drool over expensive old axes. Gruhn Guitars Check out the Gibson stuff, unreal. I shoulda bought a few old LP's when I was in college in the 70's...oh wait, I was broke then...

VanillaThundah · #10 09-05-2011, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobJ

....and perhaps robbed of your money for showing up...

+1

I wouldn't go, but if your curiosity kills you...bring some heat and a few friends that carry as well just to be safe. It might sound excessive but believe me, it's better safe than sorry. I've heard horror stories about some deals going pretty sour here in H-Town.

Spinal Tapper · #11 09-06-2011, 09:51 AM

Its probably a scam. Especially if you see the same pictures posted on another auction in another place. It happens all the time.

The email about him saying it was cool to meet in person and take cash is really weird. Might have been a robbery waiting to happen...or some idiot scammer not knowing the "rules" of wire-transfer-only type scams.

BUT for the record, great deals DO go down sometimes....I got a 1962 Precision for $950 w/ hard case from a dude off CL in April 2010. Although, it's a refin and has a Jazz PU routed, but other than that its all original, guy didn't know what it was worth...and I didn't tell him, either.

**nostatic** · #12 09-06-2011, 10:35 AM

Greed and the desire to "score a deal" usually leads to heartache. I actually have little sympathy for many that are scammed as they asked for it.

A deal almost never is a deal. It's either a scam or it is a stolen article. Either is bad juju.

metlman72 · #13 09-06-2011, 11:08 AM

Also remember they know you are coming with cash. On Long Island and NYC they were running scams in Brooklyn for cars and such. When you got there you got your a%& kicked and they took your money.

RobJ · #14 09-06-2011, 12:07 PM

Bad Juju indeed.

and I thought I was the only guy who used that phrase.

john grey · #15 09-06-2011, 02:01 PM

That sort of thing happens quite a bit! And not always with garbage. MANY people can put together a very good copy of an old Fender. Some company in China was selling Fender decals (amongst others) to "beautify you old equipment" and there are several web sites that explain how to "vintage" your guitar, etc.....Showing what paints to buy how to mix your nitro to yellow faster, what type of micro-air-brushes to use, etc, etc.

There are people who make a living off of "being taken" by selling very good counterfeits. Straight up thefts are a reality but more often are various attempts at selling outright. If it looks too good to be true, it is. Antique dealers have professional associations and they have people who can date all sorts of instruments. When scammers see those people; they run. A large antique dealer will often have a reference for musical instrument appraisers.

Tupac · #16 09-06-2011, 02:14 PM

Obvious scam. Report and walk away.

trunkshope6 · #17 09-08-2011, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nashvillebill

I've decided that if I ever buy a truly collectible bass or guitar, it's going to come from a well-known place like Gruhn Guitars who really know their stuff. Sure, I won't get a '59 P-bass for a grand, but then again I won't get ripped off.

Case in pont: another local used music store (not Gruhn's) had a replica Gibson guitar (Les Paul knockoff). They identified it as such, and priced it accordingly, but to the casual (or even moderately experienced) observer it looked just like the real thing. I mean just like it, felt like it, looked like it, no obvious poor workmanship. It would've fooled me for sure.

Here's Gruhn's site for those who care to drool over expensive old axes. Gruhn Guitars Check out the Gibson stuff, unreal. I shoulda bought a few old LP's when I was in college in the 70's...oh wait, I was broke then...

There's a local shop by me called jammin jerseys, great shop and repairs but I noticed that some of the fenders they have are obvious rebadged squiers, or fender necks on bogus bodies. The worst is seeing vintage fender necks on brand spankin new looking bodies...the prices are top dollar and to a unsuspecting buyer they can be buying a very expensive squier or fender neck. Its kind of disheartening to see and don't know if I should say something

Jim Carr · #18 09-09-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanillaThundah

+1

I wouldn't go, but if your curiosity kills you...bring some heat and a few friends that carry as well just to be safe. It might sound excessive but believe me, it's better safe than sorry. I've heard horror stories about some deals going pretty sour here in H-Town.

You wouldn't go, but you recommend packing heat and bringing some concealed carry pals if you are curious?

Hmmm...isn't that a recipe for getting jailed, shot, dead, or all three???

**nostatic** · #19 09-09-2011, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

You wouldn't go, but you recommend packing heat and bringing some concealed carry pals if you are curious?

Hmmm...isn't that a recipe for getting jailed, shot, dead, or all three???

but you might score a *deal*! Obviously getting a *deal* on a bass is worth risking life and limb. What's a little blood when a *deal* is out there to be had?!?

gnjpowell · #20 09-09-2011, 11:56 AM

"No one ever went broke underestimating the stupidity of the American sheeple". JC Fields?