Just a quick warning to those of us who would like to explore the world of wooden Boehm flutes.
There is “seller” on ebay currently advertising a “Yamaha Handmade Grenadilla Wood Flute Sterling Keywork 874W E mech” on a 24 hour sale. From my observations this is at least the third time this advert has appeared. Each time it is with a different seller ID in a different part of the country (UK). The last price bid on this £8K flute was around £600, I hope that the buyer has spotted the scam!
If the deal looks too good to be true it probably is.
Perhaps he’s made a Freudian slip with the email provided: rob55bert ( and anyone else he can ) @gmail.com ?
On a more serious note - Do you think ebay UK should be notified about your suspicions ?
Here it is again: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272128031680
Same description wording, photos (including the contact card) different seller name and location (Glasgow).
Hope no-one’s getting conned.
This genuine (I have contact with the vendor) US completed listing looks likely to be the source, if this is indeed a scam: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321998272125
Given the Stamford vendor had no previous eBay sales or other recent activity and has not received feedback on the flute “sale” and that the current Glasgow one has only ever sold two things on eBay (and not recently) and has only one recent purchase, I strongly suspect these are hacked accounts.
STOP PRESS. It just ended on £1,015. I do hope the winner is careful!
I’ve reported the situation to eBay. Dunno what action they will take, but have done what I could. Hopefully it’ll save the most recent purchaser from getting conned as it was within minutes of the listing ending.
Help Chat transcript:
2016-02-09T16:36:01Z
Contact Reason: Want to report repeat fraudulent listing of high value item at silly price. Have not bid but am concerned for winners . Note the contact card in the photos for both listings. Presumably accts hacked.
(AGENT) Ravi: Welcome to eBay Live Help, my name is Ravi. I would be happy to help you today. Please stay connected while I review your query.
(AGENT) Ravi: Hello Jem . Good evening.
(AGENT) Ravi: In order to assist you with this concern, I’ll need to transfer this chat to our specialised team. May I?
(MEMBER) jemtheflute: Yes, please do.
(AGENT) Ravi: Thank you. Please wait while I transfer chat.
(AGENT) Alex: Welcome to eBay Live Chat, my name is Alex. Please give me a few moments to review what you’ve discussed with the previous representative.
(MEMBER) jemtheflute: OK
(AGENT) Alex: Hi Jem.
(AGENT) Alex: I understand that you are reporting a member selling item with a high value
(AGENT) Alex: No worries I’ll take a look into your concern.
(MEMBER) jemtheflute: Looks like hacked accounts to me. Item worth £7-10k being offered.
(MEMBER) jemtheflute: Here’s an ended genuine (vendor known to me) US listing for similar - could be source of current/recent UK scam listings: 321998272125
(AGENT) Alex: I appreciate the information you have provided.
(MEMBER) jemtheflute: Be sure to look at the listing photos of the two UK ones, ostensibly from different UK locations
(AGENT) Alex: We appreciate the time you spend. please note that I have finished my investigation and I guarantee you that we have documented the details you’ve shared regarding the listing please note that I send this to our specialized team.
(MEMBER) jemtheflute: Thanks. I hope the “winners” do not lose their money! It seems highly likely this will recur…
(AGENT) Alex: You’re welcome, Just be reminded that most of the actions we take are not visible to other members or evident immediately but this doesn’t mean that we haven’t taken any. For your reference, here’s the number xxxxx
(MEMBER) jemtheflute: Understood. Thanks. If I see another similar dodgy listing, I’ll report/come back on it.
(AGENT) Alex: You’re welcome we appreciate your time once again.
(AGENT) Alex: Is there anything else that I can Help you with for today?
(MEMBER) jemtheflute: That’s it, thanks. Cheers.
(AGENT) Alex: I’m glad I was able to explain the situation clearly for you. Thank you for using eBay and have a good day.
Well done. Hmmm. I suppose they couldn’t have told me they already knew about it - one hopes their systems would have shown up a previous report! But they let the listing run after your report…
I wish there was a like button or karma system here, so I could give thumbs up for the fact that you probably saved someone a lot of money. Well done, jemtheflute and Flutesoftheforest!
As there are only nine hours to go and the highest bid is at £2,019.00 I thought it best to phone ebay authorities and notify them. They are currently investigating post-haste. Let’s hope it comes down before someone gets stung.
This flute has appeared again under the same listing title with a different account but the another photo from the original listing that jemtheflute highlighted. It’s running for 24 hours only and is supposed to be in Dartford and has been listed since reporting the earlier one this morning (which is STILL running) Beware!
Cheers.
Hmmm. I suppose they couldn’t have told me they already knew about it - one hopes their systems would have shown up a previous report! But they let the listing run after your report… 