SCAM ALERT: PINBALL MACHINE SCAM AUCTIONS : eBay Guides

Scam Alert: Pinball Machine Scam Auctions

                    By: Collectiblegalaxy

Recently I was looking to buy a Arcade Style Pinball Machine on Ebay. I mean why not I buy everything else here. Well many of them were priced as you might imagine at $1000-4500. However I found one seller who was starting his auctions at $1.00 and free shipping. He had about 20 up and my first thought was scam but when I read the auction it was professionally done and he talked about machine specifics. He even told how he cleaned all the parts and replaced belts, but starting at one dollar, come on. So I chose to watch the auction and to my surprise they started going up in price. $10.00, $100.

Now I thought ,well maybe he was smart. I mean everyone is going to be in a bidding war for these things. And I was right. They kept going up. But still I had a nagging suspicion. He had alot of feedback but hadn't bought or sold in over a year and now has a bunch of Pinball machines.

Well sure enough Ebay caught wind of it and contacted the seller. Seems someone got the guy's password after seeing he hadn't sold in awhile and put up a ton of bogus 3 day auctions using a Paypal account that he probably would have shut down after everyone paid.

Sure Ebay caught this but imagine if they hadn't. This guy would have raked in 20 or 30 Grand. Ebay can't always be there to help stop these cons. So you have to be aware that if something looks too good to be true it probably is.

I'm not saying distrust everyone because 99% of sellers are Great people. But there are always going to be the scammers. If it looks too good do a little leg work. See the seller,s activity. Email him. Ask questions.

Remember this doesn't just apply to Pinball Machines. These people probably do this kind of thing with all sorts of high ticket items.

We are all part of a big family on Ebay and I don't want to see anyone get rooked for tons of money from scams like this. Beware when bidding on high price items. A little caution can save you alot of heartache...and cash.

Thank you.