CONFIRMED SCAM! Member Scamming Through Ebay!

[Stormy31685]

Hi all,

     I normally would not post anything like this, but I have been receiving messages through eBay's messaging system from a member asking me to severely discount items for a 7 year old with cancer.  Normally, I would feel bad and offer to either send money or comply with the discount request, but the messages seemed odd.  Here was the first message I received:

Hello, would you be willing to drop the price? I'm collecting G1 ponies for a 7 year old cancer patient and these twins are 2 of 17 she wants...I am going to donate them to her but I am on a tight budget. I can only do around $10 plus shipping. If not it's ok, I'll try to find them somewhere else. Thanks-Mary-

- mary-bonne

This was on a $38 listing - before shipping.  I replied:

Hi Mary!

That is so sweet! I cannot do that on these though, because I have sold them already, but I might have something else I can help with. Do you have a list? Thanks!

Here was her reply and list:

Yes this is her list:

1. Twin baby ponies
2. Twin teeny ponies
3. Boy pony chief
4. Baby pony tappy
5. Baby pony rainribbon
6. Baby pony bright bow
7. Flying baby pony whirly
8. Baby pony apple jack
9. Baby pony nightcap
10. Any art pony
11. Any Dj pon3 pony
12. Baby pony blossom
13. Any plush pony
14. Baby pony snippy
15. Baby pony northstar
16. Mommy, daddy and baby family
17. Baby pony cuddles

I only have about $60 to spend to get all of these for her, it's a challenge lol I can't find some of these anywhere but I'm not giving up on her. She also had a list of Breyer horses but I know I can't afford those lol. If you do have any of these please let me know, it would be great if I could buy them all at once so they get here the same day...thanks! God bless.

-Mary-

Not that some of the items on the list would have been a stretch to get her, but my first red flag for suspicion was the value of some of these ponies.  Not that there have not been hardcore collectors that are young, but in this generation, I found it a little surprising. 

Anyhow, I did not reply, because I did not know how to. 

Has anyone else heard a similar story from this member?  If there is validity to it, please let me know.  If not, then everyone be aware.

Thanks!


CONFIRMED TO BE A SCAMMER - LOA

[MikeysGrrrl]

Although I would never wish for anyone to be suffering from cancer, I certainly hope this lady isn't making up a story, that would just be plain wrong, especially something so sad that really tugs on the heartstrings. I hope someone else can come forward and provide more clarification.

[Corona]

Unfortunately, in all my years bartering on the internet I just don't believe in sad stories anymore. I've seen so many people fake illnesses and deaths to take advantage of others or try to get discounts.

If it were me, I wouldn't buy it for a second. Ebay and other selling sites are full of scammers with sob stories to try and save money. I would just offer condolences and refuse to discount.

[elvenwine26]

Yeah no.  Smells like an absolute scam.

[kellyponyfeathers]

Yeah, I hate to say it, but she's probably trying to scam you.  But on the chance that it's true, maybe pick something that's already cheap to sell her at a discount.  That way you can do a good deed if she's telling the truth, and protect yourself from being badly scammed if she's not, and it won't be too much skin off your back either way.

[cirrusrose]

I completely agree with Corona. Offer condolences and refuse to discount.

I've been selling on eBay for over 13+ years and have seen a huge amount of those messages over that time. When you get three different eBay members all on the same week with sob stories, it just gets ridiculous. My father actually has prostate cancer, but I don't go around asking for discounts for any items I buy for him.

Unfortunately there are dishonest people out there looking to manipulate sellers and save a buck.

What doesn't add up with this one is - why is a 7 year old (born in 2006-2007, during G3) interested in G1 ponies from the 1980s? Growing up, they would have had G3's/Core 7 to play with and little to no exposure to G1 or G2. Seven year olds don't know who Baby Rainribbon or Chief are. If they hear Gusty's voice from the 80s cartoon, they think Bart Simpson...

Just my two cents. Good luck!

[Shiromisa]

Seconding the general consensus, this is awfully weird. :x Out of curiosity, about how much would that list be worth in total?

[Navi]

I'm with everyone else - that's an awfully pricy list for a young kid..

[Fisha Seabreeze]

Reeks of a possible scam

Unfortunately, in all my years bartering on the internet I just don't believe in sad stories anymore. I've seen so many people fake illnesses and deaths to take advantage of others or try to get discounts.

If it were me, I wouldn't buy it for a second. Ebay and other selling sites are full of scammers with sob stories to try and save money. I would just offer condolences and refuse to discount.

I agree completely with you Coro, took the words right out of my mouth. There is no way to prove if she is lying or not, don't take any chances. You wouldn't give the PIN to your debit/credit card to a stranger on the street would you?

[Sunshine]

I agree that it seems a bit fishy... sad that someone may be potentially using a story about a child with cancer to get a deal on some toys...

[Teddy]

Yep, very fishy to me as well. I would just reply that, unfortunately, you don't have any of the other ponies on her list and move on. She can try her little scam on someone else. That is pretty low to use cancer and children like that. >.<

[Gingerbread]

Yes, kids don't know who those ponies are! You could always ask for the name of the hospital where the child is being treated and say you will donate some ponies there? I've donated fakies and G3s before and children that young don't care/don't know the difference, they are happy with them just being ponies! If she's telling the truth she will bombard you with info, if not she will turn elusive, guaranteed.

[Ringlets]

Stories like that always send up red flags for me too   I dont usually buy it TBH -  especially when there is a big discount involved and a sad story to go with it. I sincerely hope there is not really a 7 year old with cancer - it does seem highly unlikely that someone so young would have a want list like that

Still...  its good to post here and see if others have had a similar experience - that way we can more easily work out if its really a scam 

[Freeindeed]

Well, I have to chime in and say that this person has been sending me messages through eBay as well. She tried to get me to give her "a deal" on a bunch of ponies that she wanted to buy. Honestly, I was a little confused by her message, so when I responded and questioned what she wanted, she backpedaled a little bit and said she just wanted to know how much shipping costs would be for the ponies she listed. She made no mention of a little girl with cancer.

This was her list of ponies she was interested in:

Jebber
Jangles
Starbow
Dangles
Cuddles
Snookums
Cotton Candy
Sweet Stuff

This list doesn't completely match the list of ponies she sent you, Stormy... I suppose it's possible that she is a collector, and wants ponies for herself in addition to ponies for the little girl, but that seems like kind of a stretch to me!

Now I'm tempted to block her from bidding. But she did buy something from me previously and everything was fine, so... I just don't know.

*shakes head*

[bluerose9978]

This definitely smells of scam, especially since she's contacted more than one person with different lists. It reminds me of the woman from this area who faked cancer to get money out of people. She actually held fund-raisers. It made national news: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/22/kimberlie-gustwiller-ohio-faked-cancer_n_3631627.html