Ok, Come on, Own Up, Who Outbid Me this Morning?

[MilTimeCan]

20 hours ago, SSTEEL said:

Is that auction stealer limited to Canada though?

I didn't see anything that would prevent someone from outside Canada in using it.

[MilTimeCan]

20 hours ago, SSTEEL said:

There's name for that CB, Shill bidding.

Yes, there's a fair amount of that on eBay.

I had been following a watch on eBay and three different sellers had the very same watch, same pictures, same description,

I placed a low bid and in each case, a "private" buyer came at the last minute and placed a bid of exactly 20.50 US. It caught my attention so I followed each watch put up for bid and I would place a bid below 20.00 US to see what would happen and in every case (9 times) a "private" bidder would win at 20.50 US.

interesting no ?      

[SSTEEL]

So turns out the winner of the auction didn't pay, so the seller resisted it, and I have now committed to buying the mis-advertised ETA 7753.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222264854327?_trksid=p2057872.m2748.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

However, just to be sure, I have requested total for the movement shipped via USPS priority, plus I have asked the seller, if the movement pictured in his listing is the actual movement I will receive.  Lets see what happens.

[jdm]

23 minutes ago, SSTEEL said:

priority, plus I have asked the seller, if the movement pictured in his listing is the actual movement I will receive.  Lets see what happens.

I'm sure that you know that already, but note that USPS Priority prices now start at $34, and you will have to pay 24% VAT plus customs handling fees on the declared value.

[SSTEEL]

I know, it still works out less than half the cost for a new 7753 movement.

[SSTEEL]

Seller got back to me, and confirmed that the movement in the listing photos is indeed the movement I will receive.  I requested him to declare low value so I don't get stung by import duty. and he said he will mark package as gift.

Going by the sellers feedback, buying history, along with eBay sellers in his favourites, I am quite suspicious of this deal, but seeing as I will be protected by paypal, I thought I would take the gamble.

Seller has many watch replaced sellers in his favourites on eBay.  Mostly in China.

[SSTEEL]

No things are getting a little interesting, I specifically asked the seller to ship via USPS priority, which he agreed, and he said he would add tracking to the listing.  Well guess what, no tracking added to listing, so I messaged the seller asking if he shipped, and does he have the tracking number for me.

He simply messaged me back this receipt.

US Movement Received Shipping by Micky Aldridge, on Flickr

There is a tracking number on there, but its not working, plus the weight of the package is questionable, don't you think.?

[SSTEEL]

The content description, 10 x 6 cushions, this is probably due to me asking to declare low value so I don't get stung with customs import charges.

[bobm12]

I hope it is still OK...but the description is not very encouraging....packages are usually scanned and a cushion won't show the same as a watch (metal)...IMHO. This is getting more and more interesting Micky. Worst case scenario, you are protected by ebay, aren't we all? I mean, when we buy stuff there?

[jdm]

There is a tracking number on there, but its not working, plus the weight of the package is questionable, don't you think.?

That is because the item was shipped 1st class international, which is not trackable. As mentioned above, USPS trackable shipping (priority intl) starts at three times as much.

The weight of 68 gr. is perfectly appropriate for a watch movement in a padded envelope.

Depending on the country, provenience and other factors, there is no invasive scanning of small packets, often more frequent is the use of sniffer dogs for drugs. However it is always possible that packages are inspected and value re-assessed by customs.

[SSTEEL]

Cheers guys, as said, I should be covered by paypal/ebay should I receive an empty box.  I'm starting to think, the saying, If its too good to be true, then it probably is.

Then again, lets wait and see

[jdm]

Nah, it's ok. You'll have it by the end of next week.

[SSTEEL]

Here's hoping, I'm still waiting on another movement I purchased from a friend on another watch forum that was shipped to me from Holland on the 23rd of September, this is another ETA movement, and again, shipped with no tracking.

[jdm]

23/9 to today is nothing. I shipped "priority" to another EU country and it took 3 weeks. 

[SSTEEL]

I hear you, patience is key

[SSTEEL]

Good news, the ETA BRAND NEW 7753 TURNED UP TODAY, THANK GOODNESS FOR THAT.!

[jdm]

Very quick too. No need to be apprehensive when buying from highly rated sellers. Plus, Paypal protect the buyer even for items lost or stolen in shipping.  

Edited October 11, 2016 by jdm

[chrisdt]

Just a small point on this....Don't forget to check bid history and be suspicious of intermediate bidders who are pushing the price up and have a large amount of retracted bids...

CDT

Edited October 12, 2016 by chrisdt