Question about auction

[maximus maximus]

Hi Guys

I contacted a seller with respect to a particular auction that was listed on yahoo. I got his response back, but i am not sure what the catch is. Can anyone advice about any care to be taken?? Is there any catch in this deal?? Please advice.

Thanks in advance.
Max.


Here is his response.

Dear Customer,

First of all, we like to inform you that the bike - XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX - is in excellent running and body condition, never had an accident and there are no flaws on it or any other mechanical problems. There is no lien against the bike. It has a clear title and it will be signed and notarized in your name as soon as the payment will be completed. The buy it now price is $YYYYY including shipping costs anywhere in the continental US. There are no other costs regarding this transaction. The bike is located in Miami, FL.

Now, in order to be able to buy it please let us know if you have any negative feedback and let us know your Yahoo user ID, if you have one, for additional verifications. If you are really interested in purchasing this bike please also provide us with the following details necessary to take a decision:

-your full name (first name and last name)
-shipping address, including street and zip code
-ph#

Regarding the payment I am aware of the buyer's protection and we will use Yahoo! Secure Payments as a third party which will hold the payment until the buyer will receive the bike. To complete the payment the buyer must have cash available.

So, if we receive the information requested and if your request will obtain a positive answer from our Customer Department you will be informed by Yahoo during the next 24 hours.

Thank you

 

[scorpmatt]

sorting it out

1. Cliff notes must made somehow
2. they want your information so they can calculate shipping
3. they think you are wanting to buy the bike asap
4. ??
5. Their profit?

 

[mzkhadir]

how is the sellers feedback ?

 

[Ausm]

They see a sucka coming ....end of story


Ausm

 

[maximus maximus]

Originally posted by: scorpmatt
sorting it out

1. Cliff notes must made somehow
2. they want your information so they can calculate shipping
3. they think you are wanting to buy the bike asap
4. ??
5. Their profit?

You can not have cliff notes for everything. How will you know what the catch is if you do not read the response from the seller?

 

[akubi]

Originally posted by: maximus maximus
It has a clear title and it will be signed and notarized in your name as soon as the payment will be completed.

well if it's anything like buying a used car, you never hand over a penny until you have the title in your name, in your hands.

 

[maximus maximus]

Originally posted by: Ausm
They see a sucka coming ....end of story


Ausm

Whats the catch? Thats what i am not able to figure out.

 

[maximus maximus]

Originally posted by: akubi

Originally posted by: maximus maximus
It has a clear title and it will be signed and notarized in your name as soon as the payment will be completed.

well if it's anything like buying a used car, you never hand over a penny until you have the title in your name, in your hands.

Good point. But he also agrees to deal throuhg Yahoo (which might act like an escrow)

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: maximus maximus

Originally posted by: Ausm
They see a sucka coming ....end of story


Ausm

Whats the catch? Thats what i am not able to figure out.

Anytime a seller talks in the "past tense" about a sale that has not even occured yet that worries me

Ausm

 

[maximus maximus]

Originally posted by: Ausm

Originally posted by: maximus maximus

Originally posted by: Ausm
They see a sucka coming ....end of story


Ausm

Whats the catch? Thats what i am not able to figure out.

Anytime a seller talks in the "past tense" about a sale that has not even occured yet that worries me

Ausm

 

[DrPizza]

I don't know... there's something about the grammar/choice of words/tense that bugs me... It seems to have that same formal tone, and verbs, as a typical Nigerian scam...

Regarding the payment I am aware of the buyer's protection and we will use Yahoo! Secure Payments as a third party which will hold the payment until the buyer will receive the bike. To complete the payment the buyer must have cash available.

So, if we receive the information requested and if your request will obtain a positive answer from our Customer Department you will be informed by Yahoo during the next 24 hours.

That part is sending up red flags, but I can't quite put a finger on why...

 

[labgeek]

What's "Yahoo! Secure Payments"?

I tried finding it through Yahoo, and all I can come up with was Yahoo Payments which when I tried searching further for "Secure" and "escrow" yielded little interesting, in fact "escrow" put me to a page with a link to escrow.com. Which if they have their own escrow service, why link there? Also cam across paydirect.yahoo.com, which is now closed...

So, if we receive the information requested and if your request will obtain a positive answer from our Customer Department you will be informed by Yahoo during the next 24 hours

This part bugged me too... So if their customer service department (dept, really?? sounds like they're trying to make themselves sound more legit than they are) "obtains a positibe answer" then Yahoo will inform the buyer? Huh??

 

[maximus maximus]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
I don't know... there's something about the grammar/choice of words/tense that bugs me... It seems to have that same formal tone, and verbs, as a typical Nigerian scam...

Regarding the payment I am aware of the buyer's protection and we will use Yahoo! Secure Payments as a third party which will hold the payment until the buyer will receive the bike. To complete the payment the buyer must have cash available.

So, if we receive the information requested and if your request will obtain a positive answer from our Customer Department you will be informed by Yahoo during the next 24 hours.

That part is sending up red flags, but I can't quite put a finger on why...

Same here... I was not able to point out anything.
So is it legit?

 

[maximus maximus]

Originally posted by: labgeek
What's "Yahoo! Secure Payments"?

I tried finding it through Yahoo, and all I can come up with was Yahoo Payments which when I tried searching further for "Secure" and "escrow" yielded little interesting, in fact "escrow" put me to a page with a link to escrow.com. Which if they have their own escrow service, why link there? Also cam across paydirect.yahoo.com, which is now closed...

Yahoo recommends use either Paypal or escrow.com
So i guess, this seller may use one of the 2.

 

[labgeek]

But the email specifically states "we will use Yahoo! Secure Payments as a third party" I can find no such third party...

Yahoo Payments is NOT an escrow service, it's a CC processing service from the looks of it. It wouldn't protect you at all.

And paypal is not an escrow service either... any recourse with them will be "maybe" at best.