Baroque violin on eBay

[new_england_amateur]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...me=STRK:MEWA:IT

Two questions --

1 - I know, I know. No Paypal = bad. Any red flags other than it’s a re-list AND the seller is going private auction AND has no Paypal? If an experienced eBayer tells me to run away screaming, I will. These questions because of #2:

2 - This instrument looks clean and would certainly suit my purposes (at the right, low price) of having a baroque to experiment on to see whether I’d want to invest more. Not looking for comments on value from experts on pieces for sale, BUT if anyone sees anything that jumps out at them (bad or good) from the photos, I’d be grateful to know before potentially doing something dumb.

Thanks

[bean_fidhleir]

The real problem is that you don't even know whether he owns it. We've all seen scammers who post pics from someone else's past sale (in one recent case they did it immediately the other sale closed). You send the money, they disappear, you're sunk.

If you want to buy it, tell him you need to do escrow for your own protection. If he's honest, he'll understand that.

[jaf67]

Also, ask for the seller to forward a picture of an area not posted on the auction. You may also ask if you can come out to look at it, (they dont know where you live, or if a good friend lives in the same town.)

[elidatrading]

Tell you what, I'd like to know who makes these ....

Liz

[jaf67]

I agree, the work is vary clean, nice lines.

[raspritz]

This has pretty much every red flag there can be. Relist but no ebay history of prior failed transaction (you can search this, you know), private auction, minimal feedback, all feedbacks on untraceable transactions), etc., etc. Caveat emptor!

[GlennYorkPA]

On the other hand, it is possible to contact the previously listed buyers, e.g. dalechmd ( 39) and ask them how they fared with this seller. This particular buyer purchased a cello recently.

Speaking as a concerned 'emptor' I bought an item several weeks ago and paid instantly by PayPal. Since then, I have received virtually no communication from the seller. At what point can I cancel the transaction and get my money back? (Just as winners are expected to pay within a certain time, I assume that sellers are supposed to ship within a certain time. 30 days?).

[MisterMcDario]

I know the seller of the above mentioned Baroque violin. He is a very honorable man who has had some rough events in his life which have forced him to sell the violin. I have seen this instrument and it is a very good one. I didn't get it because I don't play Baroque violin. I have also examined the photos- and they are for the same instrument that I have seen. I hope this helps.

[Regis]

Quote: "I have received virtually no communication from the seller. At what point can I cancel the transaction and get my money back?"

Several weeks is too long. I'd notify the buyer via the ebay's "Ask Seller Question" link. Then ask ebay for phone contact information and call the seller. If no rapid and satisfactory response, contact PayPal to get payment back. Afer that long, I would do this today! I would have suggested that 2 weeks ago. I believe paypal has a 30 day limit for this sort of thing..... but, I'm not positive.

Regis

[fiddlecollector]

If you have used a credit card with paypal you can reverse the charge anytime.Though i`m not a paypal fan!

[Claire Curtis]

Regis said (regarding eBay seller non-communication after several weeks) :

Quote:

---

I'd notify the buyer via the ebay's "Ask Seller Question" link. Then ask ebay for phone contact information and call the seller.

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I had a bad purchase on eBay.

Go to eBay's "Security Center". There is a link in the small print at the bottom of the home page. There is a complaint form and several helpful downloads. There is also an insurance form to fill out to get partial reimbursement.

In my case, the seller took a powder with my money (ran off with it), and had done so with several other folks in the last couple of weeks. He had a hundred or so reasonably good feedback marks, then suddenly reneged on a bunch of big-ticket items. EBay ended up reimbursing me about half my purchase price via their PayPal insurance program. And that was more than 30 days later; the seller had specified a shipping date several weeks away so I did not get suspicious until about 6 weeks had passed.

Hope this helps. It was an unpleasant experience, regardless, but eBay was really quite helpful.

--Claire

[Singingmaple]

I bought an item several weeks ago and paid instantly by PayPal. Since then, I have received virtually no communication from the seller. At what point can I cancel the transaction and get my money back? (Just as winners are expected to pay within a certain time, I assume that sellers are supposed to ship within a certain time. 30 days?).

---

If you fill a complaint with Paypal within 30 days of payment you will receive 100% of your money back after a 7 day wait for the seller to explain.. If you wait until after the 30 days has expired you will have a tougher time collecting.

[kessi]

Hm, I am by no means an expert but on my baroque instrument which is around 4 years old, the fingerboard shows clear signs of age from daylight (and use!).

This violin looks new to me, not anywhere near 15+ years old.

My fingerboard is from mulberry, this one probably from maple? On such light-colored wood this should be obvious to see, I think. But perhaps it was not played and stored in a case for 15 years?

[raspritz]

No you cannot. Visa has a 90-day limit on disputing credit card transactions.

[jackc]

Looks like a nice brand new Chinese baroque fiddle. What do you want for $200? Anytime you buy on ebay you have to be prepared to lose your money. That's just how it is. I'm not saying that you will, just that you might, anytime, unless you know the seller.

[henrypeacham]

Yup...new Chinese. Saw a few just like it at NAMM last week....

[elidatrading]

Any chance of dropping a few makers' names into the conversation?

Liz

[Andres Sender]

Glad to hear the Chinese comment, that's what I was thinking. The neck is not really baroque, it's more transitional in style (partially angled). I agree it doesn't look 15 years old.

So Mr. McDario knows the guy. Huh.

[GlennYorkPA]

I'm very appreciative of all the advice.

I have reported the fact that my seller is unresponsive but I wasn't able to fill out a form. The 'Security Center' just came up with drop down menus of standard gripes so we'll see what happens.

The seller sent me an email last Saturday saying that the goods had been shipped but that the tracking number was in the office and he would send it on Monday (yesterday). Needless to say, nothing. And the odd thing is that when I hit reply to respond, it comes back as undeliverable.

This also happens if I use his email address listed on PayPal.

The seller is tune_bass_maniac and I notice from his feedback that he has a habit of keeping his buyers dangling.

[Lundberg]

If nothing else, I'd get to any email channel- the one I know for sure is spoof@ebay.com, or fraud@ebay.com is another I think. Iwould just write in HEHHHEELLLPPP! and I am very positive they will either make sure it goes to the right departmant, or they will direct you on how to do that yourself. They have NEVER FAILED to answer me within 24 hours.

Also, I have nver heard anybody here mention that they have used the "live help". I realize that it's not always available, but on the weekend afternoons, I have never missed it when I have needed it. The link is in the upper right hand area- all it says is "live help" in small print, but it is fantastic, and I have never waited longer than three minutes when I have had a question... AND THEY MAKE SURE it gets handled before they sign off with you.

If you click on it at 2 AM and they are not there you get a message with "submit your inquiry here" and have to go through the ridiculous menu, but when you get to the end and the last option, I think you can send the email directly to the support team. You will be answered in a timely fashion. They are very good about that. Here at this forum we do more complaining than we need to, but heck, eBay is so cool regardless..worth the aggravation for the community it is.

AND, in case that might not be sufficient, you can address the president directly. In his own words:

..... "my e-mail address is billcobb@ebay.com. I promise I'll read every e-mail. And most of all, I'll listen. "

I don't know how long he wil keep that email address if he gets all of the support issues directed to him (he offered the address to give people the chance to offer suggestions to make ebay safer and better, not for individual inquiries) but he would surely pass it on....

[GlennYorkPA]

Thanks Liz. That's very reassuring that one can actually get to speak to someone at eBay. Sounds like you've been in the same situation.

[Fellow]

As long as you bid low, the violin looks playable.

I don't see anything wrong with it for $200-$300, a price

for a student instrument.

As far as payment exchange for the violin, there should be an escrow account to show you are in good faith. I don't know how this works, to be honest. /yuen/

[Skreechee]

sorry but there was a crop of them the other month on ebay and I am sure they where going for $80 or around that figure. I can't remember who the seller was.

[new_england_amateur]

Thanks for all the input -- I'm surprised it went for over $700, a fair amount more than I was willing to pay given some of the issues.

[GlennYorkPA]

Liz, just to let you, and everyone else who was so helpful, know that all ended happily.

Just as I was about to call ebay, the Fedex man arrived with the violin and it's a knockout.

I've been playing it for four solid hours so it was worth waiting for.

It's a pleasure to report a happy ending, for once!