Be careful of ebay motors scams...
 

A significant number of the newly listed Corvettes for sale on ebay are fraudulent listings, signified by a) 1-3 day listings, b) absurdly low "buy-it-now" prices, c) only allowed to bid after emailing the seller, d) no real location given for seller, e) broken english descriptions, f) "non-standard" email addresses (e.g. XXX@yahoo.es (Spain)), YYY@yaho.com, etc.). I saw a tip-off of this on a Corvette forum, and I can't believe ebay's letting blatant fraud go on (buy it now from a hijacked ebay account, wire the deposit money, "seller" never heard from again). Maybe they're not on the ball on a holiday weekend, or maybe they just don't care. I don't know if MB listings are experiencing something similar, but this is bad news. Be careful and, as always, if it's too good to be true it isn't.

Example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6168&item=2489099884&rd=1

Same in the computer sales boards on Ebay. Always a closed auction, always a Western Union wire to someone who is a "friend" you are sending money to so they don't pay taxes, always overseas and always a "deal" too good to be true. There is a recent thread describing the exact same MO with a Vespa moped. I found one with a G5 Power Mac with a load of other very costly peripherals that would ordinarily go for close to $10k, selling for $3K. I contacted the seller and asked enough questions to get the same MO down, then reported it to Ebay. I got a load of hogwash back about the disputes procedure. I think it was an automaton that sent the message back. Anyway, beware of closed auctions, and especially ones that require Western Union wire transfers to people who want you to call them your friend. Jim

For laughs, I contacted the "seller" of one of the Corvettes (it's been pulled now, so I don't remember which, but I think it was a mint 62 for a $9k buy it now). Here was the chump's response:

Hello Sir,

I am glad you are interested in my vehicle.

I want to let you know all the details about this deal so everything will work fine.
Some words about the car:
First of all the car is fully restored and looks just like in the pictures.It is in imaculate condition and has no scratch on and hasn't been involved in any accident.The motor runs very well. This is a classic car that has a lot of the original parts and the tires are almost new.The title is clear ,it is not a salvage one. The car belongs to my grandfather.He is very old and can't take care of it anymore.He put me to sell the car.I have legal documents by wich I can transfer the title to your name.

The car is now in England as my grandfather lives here.He loves this kind of cars and he collected and restored them.The car is mostly garage kept and rarely used.
Because I can't carry all his things back home I am selling them. I am willing to sell it and ship it to any of the EU countries or to US.I will not ship to any African,Asian or Eastern European countries.I know that the price is low but I have no use for the car and I want to get back home as soon as I sell it.I want to sell the car asap so I am willing to pay 65% of the shipping fees nomatter of the location.The company of my wife works with '' European-Shipping'' and they offered us a disscount for the shipping, so I will support 65% of it and this is the main reason I want to use this company as a shipping service.You will not have to pay any additional taxes.Once again,you will not have to pay all the shipping costs, only 35% of it.
Delivery Estimated Time: 17-21 days
Price: $9,500 - $3000 prior to shipping - the balance after you receive and inspect the car.
Inspection Period:3 days
Shipping Service:'' European-Shipping'' (door to door)
Terms: I offer a complete customer satisfaction guarantee or your money back. This policy means, that if the vehicle is not as described then you may return it for a 100% refund. If the items are returned, they must be returned in the exact condition as shipped and it will return on my costs.
If the car is what you are looking for and if you agree with these conditions then I will be glad to close this deal with you. In order to end this deal I want you to deposit $3000 to a Western Union agent,if you need more details about this please contact me.I prefer money order because in this way I will ship the car in the same day you make the payment.
I will be waiting your email.
Kindly Regards,
Irving Gorn
gorn39@msn.com

I reported him to abuse@msn.com. Apparently ebay dealt with him, but it's hard to find an ebay link/address to report this stuff - they really don't want to know.

28 pages but one of the best scams I've ever seen, I'm sure a whole fraternity was involved.

http://www.p-p-p-powerbook.com/

It gets better - I just got a response from the second Corvette seller I contacted; apparently the scammers are now using the Iraq war as bait - another tragedy Kirk can blame on Bush:

Hello,
First of all thanks for your interest in my car. I must tell you that it is
still available for sale, although I ended the auction on Ebay because some
guy from Michigan wanted to buy it and in the end he changed his mind saying he found some other car and will buy that one. So I guess you could be the owner of the car if everything turns out allright.
Let me tell you a few things about it : the car is in perfect shape , never
damaged, nothing is wrong with it. My husband bought it last year from the
US, it is an american specs car.One owner.Clean title.Tires are like new.
My final price on this is US 8400 $.I know it seems a little low, but I will
be quite happy to get rid of it, believe me.The car belonged to my late
husband who died two months ago in a bombing in Iraq serving in the Greece
Red Cross humanitary personnel detached there. If you will take this price,
I am willing to pay for shipping and insurance to your location.
Presently I am located in Athens, Greece, but I am willing to ship anywhere
in Europe ,Ca or the US, as my father used to work with EuroCargo Express
here and he still has some privileges in the company (great discounts,
priority deliveries...you know...).I preffer payment done after you have
confirmation that the car is shipped,for safety reasons offcourse.
I don't know much about theese cars, but i will be happy to asist you in any
way.Please get back to me asap if you decide to buy.
Best regards.
MRS. Maria Iakis
Address:
3 Mitseon Street
Athens
Zip Code: 117 42
Greece

Here's my response; ironically, my best friend is in Athens right now:

Dear Mrs. Iakis:

My condolences on the loss of your husband. A close friend is currently in Athens visiting family following attending some Olympic events. When would it be convenient for him to inspect the car in person, and the ownership paperwork? Also, I would probably pick the car up in Athens and drive it through Europe for a couple of weeks, and then ship it home from Germany, so no need to arrange shipping for me.

We'll see what the critter comes back with, if anything.