Odd EBay Experience

[Harryc]

I have done hundreds of transactions on EBay in the 12 years I have been a member there, but nothing quite like this one. In the pit of my stomach I am feeling scam, scam, scam....but I can't figure out the angle, so it might be legit, What do you think? Read on ...

So I put a bid on and won a Thinkpad T60 for $99.50 shipped. It was described as follows;

IBM Think Pad, Lenovo T60 with battery. Sorry, but it has been dropped one too many times. The upper left corner is badly cracked on both the front and back cases. The last time I tried to use it, it just would not power up. I took the hard drive out to retrieve my files so that is no longer included. The battery is good and holds a charge for about 90 minutes or a bit longer. The screen is clean and scratch free and the power cord is included. On the back, there is a tag with the number TYPE 2007-73U S/N L3-9B88T. Other than that, pretty much what you see. Thanks for looking.

The reason I bid on it is because the LCD was described as clean, and I 'knew' it was an IPS flexview via the model #, 2007-73U

Two days after I won the auction I received a private email from the seller. It read;

Dear Harry C,

I made a serious mistake in selling the IBM Think Pad Computer and am humbly requesting that we reverse this transaction. The computer is the property of the company I work for and although it sat here for months with nobody asking for it to be returned, they asked for it today. I was informed in no uncertain terms that I must return to computer. I am hoping that you will allow me to do so. Of course I am willing to refund all of your funds plus any expenses for inconvenience. This is serious and in today's job market, I should not have been so foolish.

I am thanking you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,
XXXXXX

First I told the seller that any future communication needed to be through EBay or I would not reply, and evidently he had already shipped the laptop via USPS parcel post. So (via EBay now) I informed the seller that I would return it if he refunded my full cost up front (this was funded via Paypal) and if he paid return shipping. So he agreed. A day later I receive my full refund plus an additional $50 A week later (today) the machine arrives. Although it was described as dead, and it was, I did the power button trick and it powered right up. To be fully usable it needs a keyboard bezel and a bottom case...no big deal.

Anyway, by returning it I am obviously morally doing the right thing and I want to do that, but I keep getting that 'I am being scammed' feeling. I took several pictures of the laptop to protect myself prior to shipping it back, and I told the seller in detail the damage I saw, again through EBay so there was a record of it. Can anyone think of anything I missed? Can you think of any way that I may be scammed? It's just such a bizarre situation ...

Currently I am preparing to ship it back via USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation and insurance so that I get a signature on the far end.

[georgelam]

This is off topic, but what is the 'power button trick' that you mentioned? I tried to do a search and this is the only post that comes up.

[Neil]

Funny thing, I saw that very machine and wanted to bid on it, just because I can't help myself. But, I was able to resist, because I really...really, don't need another ThinkPad. Now, I'm even happier I didn't bid.

In today's world when something is not quite right, we have trained ourselves to go into protect mode because of all the scams out there. But, people still make mistakes and do dumb things without thinking it through. That seems to be the case with this seller. How does the sellers feedback look? Any warning signs there?

[Harryc]

... @ georgelam, remove the battery and unplug the Thinkpad. Press the power button down for 10 times at 1 second intervals. On the 11th press, hold it down for 30 seconds, then release it. Reinstall the battery and plug in the power adapter and try to power up. I have revived maybe a half dozen Thinkpads over the years with this trick. It is also well known on the forum ...

[Harryc]

@ Neil, the seller has (27) 100% positive feedbacks, The only thing that made me hesitate initially was that his last sale feedback was a year ago, and his last purchase feedback was November of '10, but I just checked again and he bought something else within the last week.

[ajkula66]

I understand where you're coming from, but I really feel that this is not any type of scam.

People do *really* dumb stuff on occasion, even smart ones...this might have been a simple case of that.

I'd ship the machine back, but it's obviously your call...

Keep us posted.

[NorrisCell]

I don't get the scam sense on this one either. This seems like an honest "oops" moment, which he's trying to resolve.

[Harryc]

Well, I am getting some good feedback here from some folks I respect on the forum basically telling me to cool my jets . Sounds good, and thanks! It will be shipped back on Monday.

[AMATX]

be aware that delivery confirmation is NOT the same thing as w/signature. Confirmation just indicates it was delivered to the P.O. Box or address. It does NOT guarantee that anyone received it, and it not proof of delivery to the intended person. For that matter, not even stuck in the correct P.O. Box, for example. For that, you must select signature required, which you kind of/maybe indicate you were doing.

I've read of ebay issues with the seller using confirmation, but the buyer claiming to not receive it. No telling of what happens once the item hits the P.O., so that's why I always use confirmation w/signature on these deals.

That said, you're probably ok; sounds like you're doing a good CYA here.

[AMATX]

Also, look up his id, click on items for sale, and when the list comes up, select 'completed auctions' on the left and see if he's sold anything lately for which no feedback has been received....just one more check...

[Harryc]

I made note of 'signature required', thanks!

[Harryc]

Also, look up his id, click on items for sale, and when the list comes up, select 'completed auctions' on the left and see if he's sold anything lately for which no feedback has been received....just one more check...

Good one...yes he is actively selling motorcycle parts, but no laptops.

[Majestic]

For a little more peace of mind, consider taking insurance out on the mailing. That way any claims of damage on the return shipment will be his dispute with the P.O..

[Mike Blake]

I'm late to this party, but I wanted to point out that only 27 feedbacks is, in my opinion, a very small number.

Of course, while it may be a possible red flag, it can also be an indicator of someone new to the game who is more likely to make a "rookie mistake."

[Harryc]

To finish the story, the laptop was returned to the seller with no issues.