Is this legitimate - sounds like a scam

Jim Culter · 19th January 2007, 18:11

Can anyone in Spain verify this company exists?

Ebay list for AP Evolution Rebreather (180076383061)
bidders are hidden
Quoted me a shipping price from Spain of $68 to Florida with insurance, sounds too cheap.

Add states item is located in Chicago.

Shipping from spain by
VINTAGE SALES
e-sales@vintage-sales.org
www.vintage-sales.org
Calle Basia Blanca No 12 1A,
11002 Cadiz,
SPAIN
Phone/Fax: 0034 610938112

Jim

abowie · 19th January 2007, 19:04

Things that look dodgy are zero feedback, private listing, no trackable payment method offered, no explanation why they're in the US but item is in Spain. $68 for postage for a 30kg item is unbelievably cheap. Should be several hundred dollars in my experience.

Try asking them for the unit's service history if it has one and the unit ID numbers, then ring AP and ask them about the unit.

It's possible that it's genuine but it smells fishy to me.

Micronics · 19th January 2007, 19:24

I beleive if the unit is actully in spain, it should be listed on the eBay page. If he's not following the rules, hiding bids and doesn't accept trackable payments i'd advice not to do business with him.

sddiverrob · 20th January 2007, 02:05

Item location is in Chicago per the ebay page but will ship from Europe? Also check out the payment options, shady payment options such as money order only and no paypal always raise red flags for me.

Rob

empressdiver · 21st January 2007, 03:29

I think the way to handle a risky purchase may be to structure it somewhat like a typical real estate deal.

The purchaser could retain a lawyer or someone from a local dive shop to act as his agent to initially inspect the Rebreather and then attend the closing where the funds are handed over in exchange for the RB which is also handed over to the agent at the same time. The closing could take place at a bank where the purchaser has previously wired the funds to be available to the agent. The agent would take the RB with him and then ship it to the purchaser without any further involvement of the seller.

This procedure could be modified to suit the situation, but basically the safeguard is that the funds and the Rebreather are physically exchanged at the same time and the purchaser has an independent, reliable person acting for him. This procedure will cost, but it will take the risk out of the transaction.

joesympatico · 21st January 2007, 04:09

if there is ANY hint of a scam it is a scan
if it walks like a duck..............................

19th January 2007, 18:11	#1 (permalink)
Jim Culter New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 31	Is this legitimate - sounds like a scam Can anyone in Spain verify this company exists? Ebay list for AP Evolution Rebreather (180076383061) bidders are hidden Quoted me a shipping price from Spain of $68 to Florida with insurance, sounds too cheap. Add states item is located in Chicago. Shipping from spain by VINTAGE SALES e-sales@vintage-sales.org www.vintage-sales.org Calle Basia Blanca No 12 1A, 11002 Cadiz, SPAIN Phone/Fax: 0034 610938112 Jim
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19th January 2007, 19:04	#2 (permalink)
abowie Fighting Girl Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Land of Oz Posts: 574	Re: Is this legitimate - sounds like a scam Things that look dodgy are zero feedback, private listing, no trackable payment method offered, no explanation why they're in the US but item is in Spain. $68 for postage for a 30kg item is unbelievably cheap. Should be several hundred dollars in my experience. Try asking them for the unit's service history if it has one and the unit ID numbers, then ring AP and ask them about the unit. It's possible that it's genuine but it smells fishy to me. __________________ Andrew Bowie Rebreather-friendly Buddy Last edited by abowie : 19th January 2007 at 19:07.
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19th January 2007, 19:24	#3 (permalink)
Micronics New Member Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Ray Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Ray Other SCR Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bennekom, NL Posts: 18	Re: Is this legitimate - sounds like a scam I beleive if the unit is actully in spain, it should be listed on the eBay page. If he's not following the rules, hiding bids and doesn't accept trackable payments i'd advice not to do business with him.
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20th January 2007, 02:05	#4 (permalink)
sddiverrob New Member Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic rEvo Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 87	Re: Is this legitimate - sounds like a scam Item location is in Chicago per the ebay page but will ship from Europe? Also check out the payment options, shady payment options such as money order only and no paypal always raise red flags for me. Rob __________________ "Tech divers are the same all over the world..."
(Online)

21st January 2007, 03:29	#5 (permalink)
empressdiver New Member Current Rebreather/s: Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Other SCR Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 39	Re: Is this legitimate - sounds like a scam I think the way to handle a risky purchase may be to structure it somewhat like a typical real estate deal. The purchaser could retain a lawyer or someone from a local dive shop to act as his agent to initially inspect the Rebreather and then attend the closing where the funds are handed over in exchange for the RB which is also handed over to the agent at the same time. The closing could take place at a bank where the purchaser has previously wired the funds to be available to the agent. The agent would take the RB with him and then ship it to the purchaser without any further involvement of the seller. This procedure could be modified to suit the situation, but basically the safeguard is that the funds and the Rebreather are physically exchanged at the same time and the purchaser has an independent, reliable person acting for him. This procedure will cost, but it will take the risk out of the transaction. __________________ If not now, when?
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21st January 2007, 04:09	#6 (permalink)
joesympatico New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 29	Re: Is this legitimate - sounds like a scam if there is ANY hint of a scam it is a scan if it walks like a duck.............................. __________________ Always dive with a briefcase: Sharks may mistake you for an attorney and leave you alone out of professional courtesy
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