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Marantz Esotec SM-1000 amp. Fraud ALert Ebay

An Ebay auction I was watching is a little sketchy for a 30 year old amp still sealed in box ?
A Marantz Esotec SM-1000 amp. Hey it's possible to have a sealed amp for 30 years , isn't it.

High Bid was at around $1500 for the last several days. So I had inquired a few questions showing interest to the seller and received no answer. I offered to buy at $1800 and he e-mailed me back and accepted my offer it.

I wake up this morning and the bid is just about at $4K.

Plus they changed and kept all the bidders private. I e-mailed and wanted an explanation and no response.

Something smells Bad on EBAY. I made a motto to stay away from buying anything on EBAY. Between this situation and the $50K for used B&W speakers on EBAY. I see EBAY attracts a lot of scam artists.

Here is the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-Marantz-Sm-1000-ESOTEC-Power-Amplifier-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ5872386439QQcategoryZ71547QQcmdZViewItem
lawyerman
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
I'm never one to defend flea-bay on anything. But, that being said, I have done business with the seller on the retail level and was very satisfied.

I would be a little suspicious of the run up in the bids, but I don't think TFTA is doing it. They may have someone "shill bidding" on their behalf though, without them being aware. My guess would be an bidder with a lot of capitol who likes collecting vintage Marantz products, possibly from overseas or maybe Asia?
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
I bought my Audioprism Mantissa tubed preamp from these guys right here at Audiogon...no problems.

I think Slipknot1 is guessing right. I wonder why if they took your offer...they did not end the auction?

Dave
stevespatz
3 posts
 
Last week on EBAY, there was a Marantz SA-1 being auctioned (not by me), which I had purchased on Audiuogon approximately one month ago. The pictures were hijacked from Audiogon and inserted on EBAY. The seller had "0" feedback and would only take a cashiers check for payment.

I contacted EBAY administration and complained about the hijacked pictures and the apparent fraud. Ebay for there part was mostly dis-interested and did nothing to stop the auction.

Steve
rwwear
2,867 posts
 
I bought my first Krell amps from these guys out of Stereophle back before eBay and the internet.
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