New "Last one available" scam?
I’d like your opinion on what I think is a new way of bypassing eBay’s rules in a deceptive way.
These are sellers (often Asian) who sell rare collectible items, such as old consoles or other rare objects, using the “Last available - already sold 4, 5, etc.” format.
The deception lies in being able to send a product different from the one in the photo.
For example I wanted to buy an old Gameboy light (a very rare item), where the photo showed a specimen in excellent condition without even a scratch. But it said it was the last one available out of a stock of 5. So I asked the seller “will you send me the one in the photo?” And he replied “Ah, not necessarily, I’ll send you the one that’s left...”
Doesn’t that seem scammy to you?
If you look around, this sales method is becoming more and more common, suspiciously, with rare products all being “Last available”...
heavenwelkin
·3 years agoIf you sell in large volumes and/or in stock, you can't afford to take various photos for each individual item.
I don't see any deception or fraudulent behavior, considering that the buyer can send specific requests to the seller and then decide whether to complete the purchase or not.
Then there's always eBay buyer protection in case of fraudulent listings.
Best regards.
actar80
·3 years agoMaybe it depends on how they manage listings: taking photos of multiple identical items in multiple listings takes time. Then again, anything can happen. Of course, if the seller has only 1 listing with 4-5 identical items, they shouldn’t have any trouble taking at least 1 photo of each one.
The only thing you could ask the seller is to update the listing by adding a photo of the last piece; since it’s only 1 item, it shouldn’t be difficult for them. If it’s not available, forget about the purchase. I’d avoid asking them to send you the photos by email or message, because if you later file a complaint for an item not as described, the photos that will be reviewed to decide the dispute will be the ones in the listing.
vidharr17
OP3 years agoYour reply is the one that hit the nail on the head the most. Thanks so much.
I’d just suggest being careful, because especially in the Eastern market I’m noticing this trend more and more often. For example, 6 sellers selling a very rare item and all 6 saying they’ve already sold many with “last one available” for sale. What a coincidence!
And all 6 confirm that they will NOT send the one in the photo, but one from stock...
To me it seems like a new tactic worth pointing out to inform less experienced buyers.
Thanks anyway.
aracnotto
·3 years agoHi,
the small detail that keeps slipping you is that "last available" is a label put there by eBay (not the seller) for anyone (whether Chinese or South Tyrolean) who has a listing with multiple "pieces" and has the last one left... (and usually you can also check the feedback left by other users who bought the same item)
That doesn't change the fact that if we're talking about used items (and rare ones too) and that therefore, by necessity, differ even slightly from one another, it's a good idea to ask the seller all the relevant info and judge from their availability whether to go ahead with the purchase or move on!!!
actar80
·3 years agoPlease.....thanks to you for pointing out the issue. The wording "last available" is normal in listings with multiple identical items, but the cases you pointed out to me really smell fishy.
It's true that a listing can have multiple items, but they must be identical and all in the same condition as the one shown only in the photo, otherwise there would no longer be any way to assess whether to buy remotely or not, since you can't evaluate the item.
So if the items are in different condition or are not the ones, they should each be listed in 1 separate listing.
1 seller can't tell you that he will send 1 other item than the one shown in the listing. He would expose himself to complaints for non-compliant items. Maybe in the case you reported, the Asian sellers hope that due to buyers' lesser ability to handle international return shipments, especially outside the EU, they will give up, or that because of lack of knowledge they will let the useful days to open a complaint pass.
One thing is certain: it's better to stay away from these purchases.
Bye
sika700
·3 years ago"Last one available" is just a simple piece of information that ebay provides to make the potential buyer notice that the seller has only one piece left from a lot that could consist of more than one piece.
It’s obvious that the seller doesn’t photograph all the available pieces; that would be a very complicated way to manage listings, and every time they would have to remove the photo of the sold item, and as everyone knows, changes to listings are limited.
So, in light of this, it would be enough to ask the seller whether they’re willing to send photos of the item left; if they don’t, you move on or accept the risk.
I don’t see anything fraudulent...
Best regards.
marioelegio
·3 years agoIf it was a lot of 5 and only one is left......... it seems obvious to me that they’ll ship the last one remaining.
Normally they make homogeneous lots and sort them by grade. So we’ll have 5 pieces in similar condition, 3 pieces in worse condition, etc...
It’s important that the photos clearly show the various pieces and that buyers use eBay’s guarantees to return items that are not in the promised condition.
hi
mario