Man pays $300 PlayStation on eBay, gets a picture of it instead

[kris]

Buyer beware of Internet auction trick


by Bob Hansen


The Internet auction site ebay works on trust. That’s why 75 people around the country feel so betrayed. Jim Brennecke in Riverside is one of them. He thought he was bidding for the popular Sony PlayStation II video game.
“This was for my son, my ten-year-old son for Christmas,” Bernnecke said.

He thought he paid $300 for the game, but “I didn’t get my station in the mail,” he said.

What came in the mail instead was an envelope from Airborne Express, which contained a photograph of a PlayStation system. That’s right. Instead of the actual PlayStation, Jim and his son got a color picture of the game.

I showed my e-mail complaints to Bobbie Hill at the consumer group UCAN.

“This was a very well orchestrated scam,” Hill said. “They thought they were bidding on a PlayStation. At least 75 people thought they were.” Here’s the problem: the description part of the auction says, “You are bidding on the Sony PlayStation II Xmas bundle picture below.” It doesn’t say “pictured below,” just “picture.” And that’s all the bidders got for their money. Is the auction illegal?

“That’s a real good question, because of the way he worded this ad,” Hill said. “We are waiting to hear back from the District Attorney as well as from federal authorities to find out if what he did was illegal.”

The victims of this trick say they mailed their money to a Mail Boxes Etc. on El Cajon Boulevard, and that they were dealing with a man named Anthony Van Dean.

“Victims tell us that Anthony Van Dean was using a UCSD e-mail address and reports have it that he was a former student here. But university officials tell us they don’t know anything about the alleged scam,” Hill said.

So far, the people at ebay say they have started an investigation. And local law enforcement is beginning to hear from the dozens of victims, who instead of an actual video game are looking at a picture.

In this case, a picture is not only worth a thousand words, but perhaps also a criminal investigation. We tried to talk to Anthony Van Dean, leaving a message on his cellular phone, but so far we have heard nothing. If you are a victim of this trick or one like it, you should report it immediately to the FBI’s Internet Fraud Complaint Center. You can find the link at the beginning of this story.

Stolen from http://www.msnbc.com/local/KNSD/NBCFDGG0SVC.asp

[JD@af]

I'm all in favor of forming lynch mobs to eliminate assholes like Anthony Van Dean from sharing the air we breathe

[RazorGTR]

For fuck's sakes. I hope they string that guy up by his balls!

I have never bought anything over the net and this is the biggest reason.

[kris]

Now see, I on the other hand think this is classic! Was anyone given that test in school where the teacher said to read the whole test before taking it, and the last part of the test said to simply write your name at the top and turn it in? Everyone failed. Not to mention if you actually did the test, it took about an hour. Learned my lesson, READ!!!!! People got exactly what he was selling, a "picture". They really deserve what they got. It was clearly stated.

[wickedG20]

Originally posted by kbslacker
Now see, I on the other hand think this is classic! Was anyone given that test in school where the teacher said to read the whole test before taking it, and the last part of the test said to simply write your name at the top and turn it in? Everyone failed. Not to mention if you actually did the test, it took about an hour. Learned my lesson, READ!!!!! People got exactly what he was selling, a "picture". They really deserve what they got. It was clearly stated.

I agree, although this man had intentions to take the money. It was no joke to play with people's money like that.

[RazorGTR]

KB I can see your point, but this was also nothing more than a deception from the get go. That is what needs to be cracked down on also. He never intended on selling the game but used the image of an object to trick people into believing they were actually bidding on an object not a picture.

[RevHappy Cowboy®]

Originally posted by kbslacker
Now see, I on the other hand think this is classic! Was anyone given that test in school where the teacher said to read the whole test before taking it, and the last part of the test said to simply write your name at the top and turn it in? Everyone failed. Not to mention if you actually did the test, it took about an hour. Learned my lesson, READ!!!!!

LMAO, that test was a classic, I took it in grade 7, everyone failed too except me I went to the last question right away and it reads: "put your name on top, stand up and yell 'I'm done', and hand it in" everyone looked at me like I was the idiot until they got to that last question

[RazorGTR]

Yea I had that test way back when to, but at the end of the day the guy was a jack off for the deception.

[jinushaun]

That's why I read the descriptions on EBay very thoroughly and make sure I interpret it correctly. You here about these things from time to time on the local news. One time I wasn't sure if they were selling the item or the box! And from the story, the guy had a very high rating--so you know that that (ie: the rating system) doesn't hold water.

I never took that test, but I've heard about it. It's a great moral: don't rush into battle. However, I take tests backwards anyways, so I guess I'm golden!

[Jay!]

What was the starting bid?

You can argue in court that a ~$300 bid is unreasonable for a picture, and that no reasonable person would place such a bid, or intend to pay such a price.

[kris]

Originally posted by jay@af
What was the starting bid?

You can argue in court that a ~$300 bid is unreasonable for a picture, and that no reasonable person would place such a bid, or intend to pay such a price.

Well, I have seen pictures sell for well over $1,000 before.

[Swonder67]

this is why I buy stuff in stores. you can actually touch with your own hands and see with your own eyes what you are gonna buy

[EightOhOne]

Originally posted by kbslacker



Well, I have seen pictures sell for well over $1,000 before.

pictures of playstation 2?

[RazorGTR]

swonder67 I am like yourself. I just don't trust interenet sales unless I am able to at least view he merchandise or it is someone I can trust.

[kris]

Originally posted by EightOhOne


pictures of playstation 2?

No, just pictures.

I in no way think this guy is right. I just think this serves as a lesson. Always read, then reread, then reread again, before you sign the dotted line.