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Second Chance offer Scams on ebay?

Last night I bid $700 on an amp. the high bid ended up to be $936. there were 3 higher bidders than I.

12 hours later I get an email from someone claiming to be the seller saying the high bidder backed out and is offering me the amp for $700.

While I am not 100% sure this is a scam, here is what doesn't seem right

1. the seller found out the winner could not pay within 12 hours?

2. why not offer the item to the 2nd, 3rd, highest bidders?

3. why not offer the item for what the item sold for? $936?

I emailed the seller direct through his auction to see if in fact he sent me this offer. I will wait for his response

I could have some fun with the scammer, since the item listed is local to me.

I beleive another Audiogon member was the 2nd highest bidder as I recall his screen names to be the same.

Just a heads up to always be on the lookout...
128x128justlisten
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
The email might look like it's from eBay (same form and graphics) Here's how you can tell if it's a scam or real (and don't worry about trying to read all the other "clues"):

Go to your "My Ebay" page and click on "My Messages". If the same message (as you just got in your email) also appears in your Ebay "My Messages" then it's authentic. If it doesn't, then it's not. End of story.
aball
2,018 posts
 
If it is too good to be true...
justlisten's avatar
justlisten OP
489 posts
 
Nsgarch

you are correct, there was nothing within my Ebay Messages folder. ..
ghostrider45
449 posts
 
I got one like this on an eBay item a couple of days ago. The first tip-off was that it came from the individual, not eBay. The second clue was that it didn't include my actual final bid amount. The third clue was that it directed me to contact the seller directly.

You've got to be careful these days.
rwwear
2,868 posts
 
While some can be scams, I have a friend that sells on ebay for other people and often has multiple items that he will offer to the second highest bidder to keep from having to list them.
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