fredmiranda.com
Login

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Fuji Forum | Join Upload & Sell

       2       end
  

ot: new ebay scam

  
 
msadat
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #1 · ot: new ebay scam


I wanted to share a cautionary tale regarding a recent return experience on eBay.

I purchased a cheap 28mm finder for my Ricoh camera with the intention of returning it if the quality was unsatisfactory. When I initiated the return, the seller, leggis009i, provided a USPS postpaid return label. I took the package to the post office and had the clerk scan it.

A few days later, I checked the tracking online and could not locate the package. Upon reviewing my receipt, I realized the tracking number did not match the one on the return label. I then printed the label again and found that the barcode and the printed tracking number were different from each other, and both were invalid.

It appears the seller uploaded the label independently rather than using eBay’s official services. The return case is now pending with eBay.

The moral of the story is to always check the validity of return labels, especially on eBay, before dropping off packages.



Dec 14, 2025 at 02:40 PM
EMH2025
Online
• •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #2 · ot: new ebay scam


check out my post yesterday in Light Lens Replicas this forum
a 700$ dollar lens being offered at, hold your hat, 276,276$ on eBay

I gave up on eBay for small and unknown sellers, I will buy from known places with eBay store like well established Japanese camera shops etc ( before tariffs I did) but I ignore all the offerings for the small unknown sellers (and their notifications to me for a discount) and the ratings can be gamed and mean nothing. I miss things I know, maybe even a great buy, I know there are lots of honest sellers, but I also miss out on the stress dealing with it.

Sign of the times and it will only get worse with more AI and more bots.... brave new world it is.



Dec 14, 2025 at 03:15 PM
Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #3 · ot: new ebay scam


Ebay is full of scams these days. I just bought a pair of Beats headphones, and the very next day the seller's account disappeared!


Dec 14, 2025 at 07:14 PM
brick33308
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #4 · ot: new ebay scam


I will not buy or sell on eBay, period end of sentence for those and more reasons.

Only exception is where I recognize a U.S. seller like Roberts Camera who frequently lists on eBay. But even then I call Robert's online store (UsedPhotoPro.com) and often get a better price.



Dec 14, 2025 at 07:58 PM
PixiPhotography
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #5 · ot: new ebay scam


I don't understand a few things with eBay... I who have an established eBay account (which I had to verify my identity) for numerous years and feedback has to wait for funds to clear if I sell. I am capped at $500. Yet, there are new accounts with zero feedback posting $2000-$3000 cameras. eBay has certainly went to the crapper and I am shocked there isn't another national alternative to eBay without the typical ludicrous eBay fees of 15%?


Dec 14, 2025 at 08:36 PM
pmeheut
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #6 · ot: new ebay scam


PixiPhotography wrote:
I don't understand a few things with eBay... I who have an established eBay account (which I had to verify my identity) for numerous years and feedback has to wait for funds to clear if I sell. I am capped at $500. Yet, there are new accounts with zero feedback posting $2000-$3000 cameras. eBay has certainly went to the crapper and I am shocked there isn't another national alternative to eBay without the typical ludicrous eBay fees of 15%?


I had the same problem: 15 years old account, 100% rating and one day, EBay tells me: "you have not been active for a few months so you are capped".
This is not how you fight against fraud and as you said, the fees are outrageous.

But when it comes to alternatives, we have one in France called "Le bon coin". You can find everything because there are no fees at all. They make their money from optional visibility upgrades, etc.
But you can sell something for 5€, met the buyer, hand him the product and keep the entire sum.

Problem: much, much worse than EBay when it comes to scams, claims handling...

But yes, I would like to find a way to buy and sell second hand photo gear that is reliable and reasonably priced.



Dec 15, 2025 at 01:29 AM
johnvanr
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #7 · ot: new ebay scam


PixiPhotography wrote:
I don't understand a few things with eBay... I who have an established eBay account (which I had to verify my identity) for numerous years and feedback has to wait for funds to clear if I sell. I am capped at $500. Yet, there are new accounts with zero feedback posting $2000-$3000 cameras. eBay has certainly went to the crapper and I am shocked there isn't another national alternative to eBay without the typical ludicrous eBay fees of 15%?


I was scammed on eBay several years ago (PayPal saved me) and went through two rounds with the San Jose DA office before eBay delisted my scammer. These large online companies act as if they’re above the law, because they often are.

If you or I did what they do, we’d be held liable for aiding in crime.



Dec 15, 2025 at 05:28 AM
EMH2025
Online
• •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #8 · ot: new ebay scam


Those of you following this thread might find story in today's NY Post interesting

https://nypost.com/2025/12/15/business/facebook-most-cited-in-online-complaints-for-hosting-scam-ads-that-cost-users-billions-watchdog/

two take homes, 1. Facebook, in this case makes huge money running ads that are actually scams, 2, by putting all of interests covets etc on line can be used to make offerings can be made target specific to be difficult to resist. With AI, and bots to deliver the message it will not be difficult to make an individual-specific offer of your heart's desire at a more than competitive price, so that all the "Nigerian Royalty" can have the vapor goods to go with the title. It is a brave new world. I have pulled the plug on dealing with anyone who is not a known entity - cuts down on the antacid costs. It is only going to get worse with more AI and more bots to contact us all.



Dec 15, 2025 at 07:39 AM
PixiPhotography
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #9 · ot: new ebay scam


johnvanr wrote:
I was scammed on eBay several years ago (PayPal saved me) and went through two rounds with the San Jose DA office before eBay delisted my scammer. These large online companies act as if they’re above the law, because they often are.

If you or I did what they do, we’d be held liable for aiding in crime.


100% on this. Do as we say, not as we do. LLC is such a strong protection, that they do get away with anything and get a fine at most.



Dec 15, 2025 at 02:52 PM
Joseph.
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #10 · ot: new ebay scam


If scammers could fly, ebay would be an airport.


Dec 15, 2025 at 07:32 PM
 


Search in Used Dept. 

Abuttolph
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #11 · ot: new ebay scam


EMH2025 wrote:
Those of you following this thread might find story in today's NY Post interesting

https://nypost.com/2025/12/15/business/facebook-most-cited-in-online-complaints-for-hosting-scam-ads-that-cost-users-billions-watchdog/

two take homes, 1. Facebook, in this case makes huge money running ads that are actually scams, 2, by putting all of interests covets etc on line can be used to make offerings can be made target specific to be difficult to resist. With AI, and bots to deliver the message it will not be difficult to make an individual-specific offer of your heart's desire at a more than competitive price, so that all the "Nigerian Royalty" can have the vapor goods to go with the title.
...Show more

Facebook is a scammer's paradise. And you are spot on about what Meta is doing with their AI, bots, and ads. Early last year, I decided to completely pull the plug on FB and IG because of the lack of integrity and ethics by the owner and deleted my accounts. While I do miss contact with people and some of the groups, I don't regret that decision. In addition to the issues already listed, it had become a royal PITA to even scroll through a feed and see all of the stuff that is forced upon you that you are no interested in, as well as the lack of control on what you see (their options for that are a joke).

As for eBay, it seems as though you cannot peruse listings without seeing those posted by scammers. And weirdly, eBay has made it more difficult to report scam listings. I look at a listing very closely before buying, and nearly always only buy from vendors that I know are reliable such as Map Camera.



Dec 17, 2025 at 01:05 PM
brick33308
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #12 · ot: new ebay scam


for what it's worth, I have sold a few things on Facebook neighborhood, but always in person and never had a problem.

But shipping something - either by me to a buyer or vice versa - no I'll never do that EXCEPT on the FM buy/sell board involving someone with good ratings.



Dec 17, 2025 at 01:07 PM
gregfountain
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #13 · ot: new ebay scam


PixiPhotography wrote:
I don't understand a few things with eBay... I who have an established eBay account (which I had to verify my identity) for numerous years and feedback has to wait for funds to clear if I sell. I am capped at $500. Yet, there are new accounts with zero feedback posting $2000-$3000 cameras. eBay has certainly went to the crapper and I am shocked there isn't another national alternative to eBay without the typical ludicrous eBay fees of 15%?


About a year ago, or more, Paypal also started limiting my immediate use of funds after a sale. I've only used F&F a few times for smaller dollar amounts, and have never had a complaint in something like twenty years. I recently tried to make a purchase with a credit card on file with them, and found out they are now charging the buyer a processing fee, and that Citi considers it a cash advance, therefore, more fees. And of course, the buyer wants an additional 3-4% to use G&S. Seems draconian for people like most here who are simply "trading" gear, but the IRS and states want their cut no matter what, and it often involves taxing the same piece of gear multiple times. On top of all that, having a Washington State business license also comes with the added burden of paying a "use tax" that somehow equates to a sales tax.

A lot of the B&S posts are demanding using a "non-fee" form of payment as a result, and I don't blame them, but when it's an item that is costing me thousands of dollars, the lack of buyer protection makes it a non-starter for me. Obviously there are people here with impeccable reputations, and I've always guarded mine like a badge of honor, but you can never be 100% sure without a claim process.

Moral of the story: Local cash is the best option, even if I have to meet someone an hour or two away. Of course, depositing that money (>$600) brings a whole new round of government scrutiny....




Dec 17, 2025 at 01:59 PM
gdanmitchell
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #14 · ot: new ebay scam


Abuttolph wrote:
Facebook is a scammer's paradise. And you are spot on about what Meta is doing with their AI, bots, and ads. Early last year, I decided to completely pull the plug on FB and IG because of the lack of integrity and ethics by the owner and deleted my accounts. While I do miss contact with people and some of the groups, I don't regret that decision. In addition to the issues already listed, it had become a royal PITA to even scroll through a feed and see all of the stuff that is forced upon you that you are
...Show more

I joined FB way back when you needed an “academic email” (as in .edu) email address in order to sign up. After they opened the platform to the wider public it was wonderful. I had literally 10’s of thousands of followers, and I met many new people who became friends in the real world. Back then, it was all about generating interesting content — if you did that, supplying the raw material that FB needed for free, you were rewarded with “organic reach,” meaning followers who were interested in what you provided.

Fast forward and see that the Facebook we once liked is entirely gone — dead and buried. Now it is all about ginning up engagement, which typically means anger, and driving users to paid pages. Oh, and tracking your every move on the internet and not just on Facebook itself. it is not remotely the wonderful thing that we thought it would be back then.

No thanks.

I left over a year ago, leaving behind several thousand reminding followers. Because Instagram is playing the same game, left that platform, too, leaving behind a few thousand other followers. (Then there is Twitter, or X, or Xitter. Nope.)

These days I’m on Bluesky, which isn’t perfect, but is a vast improvement. (I urge you to try it out, though be prepared to learn some of the tricks to seeing the posters you want to follow and not… everything.) I’m also on Mastodon and Spoutible and, after all of these years, Flickr. (“gdanmitchell” on those.)



Dec 17, 2025 at 03:28 PM
SGinNorcal
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #15 · ot: new ebay scam


brick33308 wrote:
for what it's worth, I have sold a few things on Facebook neighborhood, but always in person and never had a problem.

But shipping something - either by me to a buyer or vice versa - no I'll never do that EXCEPT on the FM buy/sell board involving someone with good ratings.


This exactly for both. Ebay for only small dollar items w/o another option. I'll add another, I try to avoid Amazon. I know everyone loves the convenience but I feel it hurts small businesses and lines the pocket of one annoying guy. If I find something on Amazon, I'll try to find it somewhere else first even if the cost is the same. I would rather the supplier make the profit. I guess I feel this way as a small business owner myself. The more middle men we can cut out the better.



Dec 17, 2025 at 03:37 PM
PixiPhotography
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #16 · ot: new ebay scam


gregfountain wrote:
About a year ago, or more, Paypal also started limiting my immediate use of funds after a sale. I've only used F&F a few times for smaller dollar amounts, and have never had a complaint in something like twenty years. I recently tried to make a purchase with a credit card on file with them, and found out they are now charging the buyer a processing fee, and that Citi considers it a cash advance, therefore, more fees. And of course, the buyer wants an additional 3-4% to use G&S. Seems draconian for people like most here who are simply
...Show more

THIS. I wanted to tell people that PayPal is cracking down on F&F by having banks see the transaction as a Cash Advance. At least CapitalOne warned me, but even so, they both say that it "may" be considered a Cash Advance. Come on, is it or is it not? Because the interest on a Cash Advance from a credit card is insanely high. And some might say "why not use debit?" because #1, its for business, and #2 I get protections vs debit, like obviously fraud protection, but the less known extended warranty on new items purchased with the card. I'm with you. I'd say 95% of people are selling their equipment at a loss, so it shouldn't be taxed or burned for you to prove it. I swear, when you look how many taxes people pay in America: Sales Tax, Federal Tax, State Tax, County Tax, City Tax, Property Tax, Capital Gains Tax... we have no room to say Norway or Denmark is bad in terms of taxation.

Edited on Dec 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM · View previous versions



Dec 17, 2025 at 04:13 PM
PixiPhotography
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #17 · ot: new ebay scam


How is this allowed lol new user, joined ebay December 2025 and zero feedback, yet can post a clearly bogus well spec'd Mac Studio for $2399

Mac Studio M3 Ultra



Dec 19, 2025 at 12:13 AM
brick33308
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #18 · ot: new ebay scam


SGinNorcal wrote:
This exactly for both. Ebay for only small dollar items w/o another option. I'll add another, I try to avoid Amazon. I know everyone loves the convenience but I feel it hurts small businesses and lines the pocket of one annoying guy. If I find something on Amazon, I'll try to find it somewhere else first even if the cost is the same. I would rather the supplier make the profit. I guess I feel this way as a small business owner myself. The more middle men we can cut out the better.


that's admirable, it never occurred to me. I'll try that going forward. Would be very nice to support main street even if the cost is a bit higher.



Dec 19, 2025 at 06:16 AM
stgrove
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #19 · ot: new ebay scam


brick33308 wrote:
that's admirable, it never occurred to me. I'll try that going forward. Would be very nice to support main street even if the cost is a bit higher.


I'll second that.



Dec 19, 2025 at 07:57 AM
msadat
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #20 · ot: new ebay scam


PixiPhotography wrote:
THIS. I wanted to tell people that PayPal is cracking down on F&F by having banks see the transaction as a Cash Advance. At least CapitalOne warned me, but even so, they both say that it "may" be considered a Cash Advance. Come on, is it or is it not? Because the interest on a Cash Advance from a credit card is insanely high. And some might say "why not use debit?" because #1, its for business, and #2 I get protections vs debit. I'm with you. I'd say 95% of people are selling their equipment at a loss, so
...Show more

i stopped making sense of ebay!



Dec 19, 2025 at 01:12 PM
       2       end






FM Forums | Fuji Forum | Join Upload & Sell

       2       end
    
 

Welcome back
Log in to your account