Is this a scam?

[Billip]

I was just poking around Ebay and I came across this item. It's a Roland Fantom X8, which is exactly the music workstation I want to buy. I was planning on getting it from a local music store, and expected to pay around $4000 including taxes. However this one on Ebay has me very interested. Seems like it's gonna go for pretty cheap (I realize the last day or two will be crazy bidding).

But it kinda seems like a scam to me. They guy has no feedback. This keyboard JUST started to ship (press release was about 3 days ago that it was shipping). The ad says he ships worldwide and that he accepts COD. He also has a Yahoo email account. The price seems VERY VERY low to me... that must be below dealer cost (he says he wants $1200US for it... still very cheap). I don't know... I'm not an Ebay expert. If you guru Ebayers can have a look and let me know what you think that would be awesome.

I've also sent the guy some questions about it and I'll see what kind of response I get.

[Kor]

Re: Is this a scam?

I was just poking around Ebay and I came across this item. It's a Roland Fantom X8, which is exactly the music workstation I want to buy. I was planning on getting it from a local music store, and expected to pay around $4000 including taxes. However this one on Ebay has me very interested. Seems like it's gonna go for pretty cheap (I realize the last day or two will be crazy bidding).

But it kinda seems like a scam to me. They guy has no feedback. This keyboard JUST started to ship (press release was about 3 days ago that it was shipping). The ad says he ships worldwide and that he accepts COD. He also has a Yahoo email account. The price seems VERY VERY low to me... that must be below dealer cost (he says he wants $1200US for it... still very cheap). I don't know... I'm not an Ebay expert. If you guru Ebayers can have a look and let me know what you think that would be awesome.

I've also sent the guy some questions about it and I'll see what kind of response I get.

It might be that he is simply a new dealer of this product.... but I personally stay away from people with low feedback on major purchases.

A careful ebayer can never be scammed. If you are in doubt, simply use an escrow service. Basically how it works is that you pay the escrow service, then they confirm with the seller that your money has been recieved. The seller then has to deliver the item before the escrow service releases the funds. Usually the charge for this is a couple of percent.

You can also get a real address and phone number and confrm them before doing business. If he is actually a "dealer" and business owner, he should also have a business number or business license or something like that which you can confirm with his state/city/etc.

If someone is reluctant to give you such information or use an escrow service, it is better to not take the chance.

--
Kris

[Kor]

Re: Is this a scam?

I also noticed that it says COD under acceptable payments.

If you're paying on delivery, then its not too much of a problem. Item gets delivered, you open the box, check it out, then pay. If its not delivered, you don't pay. Never actually dealt with COD before, but I am guessing that it is arraged through the shipper such as UPS/FedEx etc.

Also he is in Canada (free shipping in Canada) so it would be easier to deal with any problems vs the US.

[Aleks]

Re: Is this a scam?

Agreed with Kris..COD is your friend in this case, so you really can't go wrong!

[Khyron]

Re: Is this a scam?

It might be that he is simply a new dealer of this product.... but I personally stay away from people with low feedback on major purchases.

A careful ebayer can never be scammed. If you are in doubt, simply use an escrow service. Basically how it works is that you pay the escrow service, then they confirm with the seller that your money has been recieved. The seller then has to deliver the item before the escrow service releases the funds. Usually the charge for this is a couple of percent.

You can also get a real address and phone number and confrm them before doing business. If he is actually a "dealer" and business owner, he should also have a business number or business license or something like that which you can confirm with his state/city/etc.

If someone is reluctant to give you such information or use an escrow service, it is better to not take the chance.

--
Kris

Just a bit further on this - understand that anyone can make a web page that looks like an escrow service. Scammers will often direct you to one of their escrows in an attempt to relax you - but after the money is send, both the seller and the site vanish. Tell the buyer you are using escrow.com (or some other well known big site) and if they balk, run away.

Khyron

[Kor]

Re: Is this a scam?

Also, if you use your VISA you probably have the ability to cancel a payment. Although this can piss off companies like PayPal, but who really cares You can always just create another account.

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Is this a scam?

If you pay attention to the information it says email me BEFORE you bid, so why not shoot him an email and see what he has to say. Could be that he is selling wholesale info or something instead, but it costs you nothing to send him an email to see what is going on.

[Billip]

Re: Is this a scam?

If you pay attention to the information it says email me BEFORE you bid, so why not shoot him an email and see what he has to say. Could be that he is selling wholesale info or something instead, but it costs you nothing to send him an email to see what is going on.

I did send him and email and I'm waiting for an answer back, and I haven't placed a bid yet.

Thanks for the good info guys. Hopefully I can get this for MUCH less than they are at a store in Calgary.

[tex_the_t_rex]

Re: Is this a scam?

I think as long as you use escrow or COD it should be alright.

Hopefully he is just a new ebay user and that's why he doesn't have any feedback. Everyone has to start somewhere.

From what I've found, getting any type of music equipement here in Calgary is almost always gonna be at least 10-25% more then somewhere online. If you don't get this from this auction, definitly get it online.

Watch out for shipping/duty though, I took a big hit with that a couple of times!

Just a thought...

[Smartiepants]

Re: Is this a scam?

Well from my buying/selling experience, your best bet is to get a phone number, and call the guy up, a few minutes of long distance isn't that much to pay. And well then you have at least that if you have to hunt them down.

[Kor]

Re: Is this a scam?

From what I've found, getting any type of music equipement here in Calgary is almost always gonna be at least 10-25% more then somewhere online. If you don't get this from this auction, definitly get it online.

Watch out for shipping/duty though, I took a big hit with that a couple of times!

On a related note, Bill I think I mentioned that my brother was shopping for a Roland keyboard for a while (until he ran out of money due to lack of employment). If I recall, he found that most new ones on ebay were generally 50% less than anywhere remotely local. So I would not be surprised by the price.

This deal in particular looks good because its in Canada, no shipping or duty concerns. If you can get a hold of him and go COD or escrow then I would jump on it.

[Billip]

Re: Is this a scam?

Yeah... I'm anxiously waiting for a reply email back from the seller. Nothing yet... but it's only been about 4 hours. I would be so stoked if I could get a wicked deal on it... and it means more money for other things (like mods).

[Deuce]

Re: Is this a scam?

Yeah... I'm anxiously waiting for a reply email back from the seller. Nothing yet... but it's only been about 4 hours. I would be so stoked if I could get a wicked deal on it... and it means more money for other things (like mods).

Hey Bill,

You can't go wrong with C.O.D. Only problem is, if you get the thing home and then find out it doesn't work. Anyhow, with regards to eBay... I've bought many things on there... including a brand new set of TaylorMade RAC LT golf clubs from a guy with a -1 feedback. Paid less than 1/2 price for them!

Lets' just say... I am a major fan of the "Bay".

Cheers...

P.S. If you can, pay through PAYPAL, make sure you get the item before 30 days is up, check it out to make sure its legit... if not, cancel your payment with PAYPAL and you'll get your money back. Less a small service fee through PAYPAL of course.

Good Luck!