MSI Computer posts warning of mass video card theft

[Cutterhead]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus
So wait, If I sell you a stolen car that was stolen by someone else who stole it from a dealership, It's ok because I just "didn't know"?

It's still illegal to sell stolen goods.

I'm not a lawyer, but yes... I am fairly certain the law regarding the fencing of stolen goods has some clauses to address this, in that you must knowingly be selling/purchasing stolen or "hot" items in order to be culpable. Otherwise, like Slick5150 said, you would have retail and 3rd and 4th hand vendors implicated who, to their knowledge, were purchasing from a reputable 2nd hand source (who is in fact the real party to blame for purchasing the stolen goods).

For example, if you purchase a new home theater system with a retail value of $2,000 for only, say $300, and it turns out to be stolen... your culpability would depend on the source from where you purchased the item. If you bought it at Best Buy (or woot.com in this case), a reputable retailer, and you receive a receipt... well then your culpability is just about zero. However, if you bought the system at a pawn shop or out of some guy's van, then there may be evidence for a case against you. There were obvious conditions present that would reasonably rouse suspicion as to the origins of the goods.

The same concept applies from woot's perspective. If woot purchased the video cards from a vendor with whom they had previously conducted business, and formed an established record of legitimate transactions (as their update implies), then I don't see how they could be held accountable for this. Likewise, if they acquired these cards through unusual channels then they will have some explaining to do. Let law enforcement figure it out.

 

[SuperSix]

From the WOOT driver link they provided - I tend to think these are Dell OEM cards. They look like Nvidia refernce design cards that MSI manufactured for Dell.

Thread marked!

 

[Baked]

I'm still waiting for the ten thousand black DS Lite units that were stolen enroute to Europe.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: Baked
I'm still waiting for the ten thousand black DS Lite units that were stolen enroute to Europe.

I thought those were sighted on eBay already?

 

[mrrman]

interesting read

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: Aflac

Originally posted by: Baked
I'm still waiting for the ten thousand black DS Lite units that were stolen enroute to Europe.

I thought those were sighted on eBay already?

All ten thousand in one auction?:shocked:

 

[tfinch2]

VIVA WOOT

 

[0roo0roo]

well now that its known as shady the prices should even be cheaper!

 

[doze]

Doubt anything is going to happen to woot, maybe to one of their suppliers though. In for the end result.

 

[dwcal]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus

Originally posted by: Slick5150

Umm.. Last time I checked, ANY OEM video card comes without any retail packaging, driver discs, etc... I'm not exactly sure why you are trying so hard to implicate woot, when these "stolen cards" would likely have been bought and sold several times before they ever made it into woot's hands.

So wait, If I sell you a stolen car that was stolen by someone else who stole it from a dealership, It's ok because I just "didn't know"?

It's still illegal to sell stolen goods.

Lots of computer resellers sell legit OEM products (meaning not stolen). OEM products are never supported by the manufacturer, only by the system builder or reseller. The mere fact that's it's OEM without retail packaging doesn't mean it's stolen.

 

[latino666]

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: elwood
A post by a Woot.com staff member: http://www.woot.com/Forums/ViewPost.aspx?PostID=716519

Quoted -

Snapster -
"For now, this comment is being made only here in the specific product thread. As more information is gathered, an email will be sent to all Wooters who participated in this deal. There's a good amount of anger and calls to action from our staff with regards to this bizarre attack, but for now I'm going to just jot down and organize the basics for quick understanding to any members checking in:

1. fact: MSI has publicly claimed Woot has sold stolen goods.
2. fact: Woot has not been contacted by MSI or by any legal authority (as of time of this post)
3. fact: MSI is denying warranty on these cards and implying for whatever reason that they are not "real" (Woot offered these as MSI-OEM cards without any MSI warranty implied and a 90 day Woot warranty only.)

Our initial reaction:

Woot of course denies any wrong-doing in this proposed infringement against MSI. We do not believe that any cards transacted were 'stolen merchandise' -- we transact only with reputable manufacturers and vendors. We will of course cooperate fully with any investigation that is called for. Obviously, we feel harm has been done to our reputation with this claim and we reserve all rights to defend ourselves with further action.

To our members, We would like to take advantage of this opportunity to extend a 2 year Woot direct warranty on all purchased OEM-MSI video cards, un-real/imaginary as they may be. Unfortunately, as we do not have the support of MSI for replacement cards, this will continue to be a full refund only warranty from Woot. This has been automatically implemented on your purchase.

We will update here, or via email as necessary if there is any news.

Thank you for your past and continued support.

Snapster (and rest of Woot Staff)

UPDATE 11:45am: We have proactively sought out and heard possibility that a real investigation may in fact be ongoing here... The language of this post was written during our initial disbelief of this possibility. As you can imagine, we're actively seeking information, due to lack of any direct communication. If any facts emerge, we will update."

If they do end up honoring that warranty thats one hell of a warranty. Your card dies 1.5 years from now you could put that money into an even faster card. Sweet!

 

[jakedeez]

Originally posted by: dwcal
Lots of computer resellers sell legit OEM products (meaning not stolen). OEM products are never supported by the manufacturer, only by the system builder or reseller. The mere fact that's it's OEM without retail packaging doesn't mean it's stolen.

Yeah, but MSI saying, they were stolen in transport, does in fact suggest they may have been.

 

[Pabster]

"Stolen In Transport" could be (loosely) interpreted to mean the OEM received the product but never paid for them.

This is like a good soap opera.

 

[Raduque]

I wanna know what happens.

Marked.



edit: they can pry my 7900GS from my cold, dead hands!

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
With woot offering two years on these I'm completely comfortable with the card, & wish I had bought more.

Viper GTS

Wow, best case, you have made out like a, errrr, bandit!

Worst case (far less likely), the cards were stolen and then sold to Woot; and the authorities, with MSI's prodding, pull the sales list info on them from Woot, and confiscate them all from the buyers. In this scenario, you are in posession of stolen property, and ****** out of luck for any compensation whatsoever -- out your $140 and twisting in the wing. But it is FAR less likely to play out this way, even if the cards were orginally stolen.

Most likely, you made out big time.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
With woot offering two years on these I'm completely comfortable with the card, & wish I had bought more.

Viper GTS

Wow, best case, you have made out like a, errrr, bandit!

Worst case (far less likely), the cards were stolen and then sold to Woot; and the authorities, with MSI's prodding, pull the sales list info on them from Woot, and confiscate them all from the buyers. In this scenario, you are in posession of stolen property, and ****** out of luck for any compensation whatsoever -- out your $140 and twisting in the wing. But it is FAR less likely to play out this way, even if the cards were orginally stolen.

Most likely, you made out big time.

There is no likelyhood that the cards get taken from buyers without a refund. No one would ever order from woot again. Woot would refund and go after who they bought the cards from if they are indeed stolen. Either way whoever bought the cards from woot will either keep their card or get theri money back.

 

[intogamer]

transportation insurance?

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: everman
How much under retail price did they sell them for?

it was like half price or less, I almost bought 3

 

[buzzsaw13]

Ha, check out their newest woot. On item condition is says "possibly pilfered"

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: buzzsaw13
Ha, check out their newest woot. On item condition is says "possibly pilfered"

:laugh:

That's great.

- M4H

 

[Pastore]

Originally posted by: buzzsaw13
Ha, check out their newest woot. On item condition is says "possibly pilfered"

I saw that last night, freakin hilarious.

 

[uhohs]

Originally posted by: dxkj

Originally posted by: everman
How much under retail price did they sell them for?

it was like half price or less, I almost bought 3

$140 vs msrp of 200

 

[msi1337]

man!

I am gonna have to change my username if this keeps up.

 

[Falloutboy]

lmao at the sopranos scene on the screen for todays woot

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: dxkj

Originally posted by: everman
How much under retail price did they sell them for?

it was like half price or less, I almost bought 3

It was about $50 under retail, after shipping and taxes (I paid $156 for mine, retail is $210 or so)