BTW: To get the positive rating he sold just enough $10-20 items, those not related to photography. To hit the lottery he sells a $2800 camera that he doesn't have six times. Bells should go off on that one. If he makes it to FM Forums, let us know.
I asked the seller two questions a week ago when I saw the listing.
1. Are you a Canon dealer?
2. If not do you have sales receipt?
He never reply so I send again and no reply, by then they were all sold out. I won't jump into this type of deal, so I snooze I loose. If $hit happens I don't have to deal with my credit card company or Paypal.
I'm sorry you guys aren't used to identifying a hijacked account on eBay. Yes, it happens and it's easy to spot and report to eBay and it is removed. I've done so at least half a dozen times of the last couple years. You need to be an alert buyer and use the reporting system to make positive changes.
Yes, Paypal, or your credit card through Paypal, offers you protection.
I feel bad for anyone duped, but you have to keep your eyes open.
Regular Ebay lost my business unless I'm buying from a reputable storefront. What is funny is that I have gotten two surveys from them in the last 6 months asking me why I don't trust them anymore. I know it may be difficult for them to monitor the scam listings 100% of the time but even when they are told it sometimes takes hours for them to remove the frauds. I know they must review each listing with some type of 'bot' software and I think with some tweaking the frauds could be flagged and reviewed by a human before going live so that the obvious scams could be blocked beforehand. Something is broken in their system that so many get through and I won't use them until this gets fixed.
I have never had any problems with eBay, other than once winning an auction for an incredible low amount on a no reserve auction and the seller refusing to ship it (or take my money for that matter).
I certainly would not buy or bid on anything that did not include the "eBay buyer protection" though.
While I have never had a need to use it, I guess I sort of take it for granted that along with proof, they will honor the guarantee.
One practice that I do follow is that when I am selling something, I photograph the packaging process for my records. When I am buying, I actually video tape the package opening process on any items costing a lot (or fair) amount of money.
