Egregious eBay Fraud Alert!

[lbgradwell]

I just stumbled onto this eBay posting...

MASTERCRAFT PROFFESSIONAL MULTIMETER AS GOOD AS FLUKE ! (http://cgi.ebay.ca/MASTERCRAFT-PROFFESSIONAL-MULTIMETER-AS-GOOD-AS-FLUKE_W0QQitemZ110392303170QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_2?hash=item110392303170&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1 |293%3A1|294%3A50)

This is the single worst outright lie I have ever seen on eBay (and eBay is no stranger to misrepresentations). It really pisses me off what a lying sack of shit this guy is!:mad::mad::mad:

Please note where he states: "THIS UNIT SELLS BRAND NEW FOR $279.99 + TAX"

All Canadians on this board will know that multimeter (now obsolete, BTW) likely sold for $50-$60 when new and came with a warranty and, obviously, the now-missing test leads...

All Canadians will also know that the unit would have regularly been available on sale at Canadian Tire (Mastercraft is CT's house brand) for about 35% of that $50-$60. In other words, somewhere in the neighbourhood of $21.

I want to report him.

Has anyone ever reported a Seller for such flagrant fraud before? What will eBay do?

[Rigmaster]

Ebay won't do much, but it's easy to report (click the link on the auction) and if alot of people do it (hint, hint), they are more likely to take notice and *maybe* do something about it.

[Stuey]

If someone orders from a seller with such poor grammar and spelling (simular??) who writes in all caps and demands the terms (ALL SALES ARE FINAL! NO RETURNS!! NO REFUNDS !! NO EXCEPTIONS) deserves what they get.

I'm sorry, but negligence due to one's ignorance is a lesson that some consumers have to learn the hard way. I have no pity for anyone that believes they're getting this at a 90% discount. Then again, maybe the seller was misled when he bought this and "5 similar ones."

[Major Ramifications]

He didn't say it was as good as a Fluke, but that is is "simular". He sounds like English is his second language. He also sound like a lying moron.

[lbgradwell]

Caveat emptor, by all means, but that doesn't mean that a Seller should be permitted to outright lie.

If eBay fails to act against such disreputable Sellers, they are complicit in the fraud and breaching their own rules.

I don't for a second believe the Seller was misled (so universally is Mastercraft known here), but, even if it was so, the Seller has a duty to list his/her product accurately. Anything else is fraud, pure & simple.

[lbgradwell]

He didn't say it was as good as a Fluke...

Yes he did, Major; in the title...

I don't even really take exception to the claim that this low-end unit is "as good as Fluke". That may very well be an opinion, and opinions are subjective.

That doesn't mean it's right, of course, and it would fall into the same category as spurious claims along the lines of "AllTrade mechanics tools are the equal of Snap-on"... Just isn't true.

But I object strongly to his outright lie as to the product's original price. That is just outright deception.

[Skyline]

By using the brand "Fluke" in the title (for an item that is not Fluke), the poster is violating an eBay rule. This is referred to as "Keyword Spamming" and it forces someone searching for a Fluke meter to pull up this listing.

So when you report him, Keyword Spamming is what you want to report. Improper use of key word / brand name.

[CraigFL]

I think the problem is that we have such a hard time finding the truth in our court system so how would ebay realistically ever be able to control truth in the ads that others post on their system? Isn't this just a classified ad system that you as the consumer have to do the leg work. Same as as-is car sales...

[Mr.Nutcase]

damn scum.......

[Snappy]

Yes he did, Major; in the title...

I don't even really take exception to the claim that this low-end unit is "as good as Fluke". That may very well be an opinion, and opinions are subjective.

That doesn't mean it's right, of course, and it would fall into the same category as spurious claims along the lines of "AllTrade mechanics tools are the equal of Snap-on"... Just isn't true.

But I object strongly to his outright lie as to the product's original price. That is just outright deception.

I don't think ebay would have much trouble removing this BS ad. My ads have been removed for what I consider a lesser violation. I used to state in my auction that Snap-on had a lifetime warranty and they didn't like that .Actually a long story w/Snap-on and their increasing bullcrap. Even though almost everybody already knows and most truck dealers don't question warranty claims within reason.


By using the brand "Fluke" in the title (for an item that is not Fluke), the poster is violating an eBay rule. This is referred to as "Keyword Spamming" and it forces someone searching for a Fluke meter to pull up this listing.

So when you report him, Keyword Spamming is what you want to report. Improper use of key word / brand name.

I hate keyword spamming. People will list Mac,Matco ,Snap-on together in the title when they're only selling one brand.

I think the problem is that we have such a hard time finding the truth in our court system so how would ebay realistically ever be able to control truth in the ads that others post on their system? Isn't this just a classified ad system that you as the consumer have to do the leg work. Same as as-is car sales...

Ebay is pretty good with their policies. I have dealt with ebay and paypal customer service and had issues resolved.

[Major Ramifications]

Sorry, my formerly eagle eyes are in need of glasses. I missed where he said it was as good as a Fluke.
I also see that the listing has been removed! Hooray!

[Bolster]

YOU GUYS DID IT!! IT's REMOVED!!

Good job!