Report, edit, etc...Posted by Freedawk on 2005-12-24 at 07:28:24
QUOTE
The hot holiday item, if one believes the media hype, is the Xbox 360. Short supply and high demand have left many holiday shoppers looking for the console empty-handed. While the thought of parents looking into the teary eyes of children left without an Xbox 360 this Christmas is saddening, imagine the same scenario with said parents paying upwards of $800 for a worthless photo of the gaming system.
That's exactly what has happened to a few shoppers desperate to get an Xbox 360 under the Christmas tree this year. eBay and other Web sites have multitudes of bidding wars going for the next-gen console, and the frenzy has attracted the cold hearts of those looking to take advantage of the situation. In a "cross-your-fingers-and-hope-someone-falls-for-it" scam, some tricksters on online auction site eBay have set up pages hawking what appear to be Xbox 360s.
Recently a New York woman was the winning bidder of an eBay auction for a new Xbox 360...at least that's what she thought. According to Web site TechWeb.com, the buyer inquired about the description of the item up for grabs--"Photo of picture of Xbox." The seller responded that it was a typo, and shipped out the winning item. Days later, an envelope arrived with a picture of an Xbox 360--that's it, just a piece of paper.
Her winning bid was more than $600. The Xbox 360 retails for $299 for a basic package, and $399 for the premium package.
This isn't the first such case of a Grinchlike dupe job. Earlier this month, The Register reported that a UK gamer was the winner of a similar dubious scam, ousting the buyer out of 470 pounds ($817) for a photo of an Xbox 360. In the item's description, after all the specs and information of the system, was the disclaimer (see picture) that the auction was actually for a photo of the Xbox 360. Ouch.
There's no word on whether either of these transactions actually went through.
Needless to say, a hearty caveat emptor goes out to anyone purchasing an Xbox 360 via online auction sites this holiday season. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but $600? We think not.
That's exactly what has happened to a few shoppers desperate to get an Xbox 360 under the Christmas tree this year. eBay and other Web sites have multitudes of bidding wars going for the next-gen console, and the frenzy has attracted the cold hearts of those looking to take advantage of the situation. In a "cross-your-fingers-and-hope-someone-falls-for-it" scam, some tricksters on online auction site eBay have set up pages hawking what appear to be Xbox 360s.
Recently a New York woman was the winning bidder of an eBay auction for a new Xbox 360...at least that's what she thought. According to Web site TechWeb.com, the buyer inquired about the description of the item up for grabs--"Photo of picture of Xbox." The seller responded that it was a typo, and shipped out the winning item. Days later, an envelope arrived with a picture of an Xbox 360--that's it, just a piece of paper.
Her winning bid was more than $600. The Xbox 360 retails for $299 for a basic package, and $399 for the premium package.
This isn't the first such case of a Grinchlike dupe job. Earlier this month, The Register reported that a UK gamer was the winner of a similar dubious scam, ousting the buyer out of 470 pounds ($817) for a photo of an Xbox 360. In the item's description, after all the specs and information of the system, was the disclaimer (see picture) that the auction was actually for a photo of the Xbox 360. Ouch.
There's no word on whether either of these transactions actually went through.
Needless to say, a hearty caveat emptor goes out to anyone purchasing an Xbox 360 via online auction sites this holiday season. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but $600? We think not.
Article via Gamespot. Like that box scam that the dude did about 1 month ago, peopel are scamming pictures instead of the system. I think the bidders are stupid. The people put the description down so they can't get arrested.
EDIT: Added the sentence in the description that cuts everyone off. Aside from the BIG PARAGRAPH.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Voyager7456(MM) on 2005-12-24 at 09:41:20
I remember someone paying a few hundred dollars for a 360 box. The sad thing was, that auction was clearly labeled that it only contained the box. Read before you bid, people.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Freedawk on 2005-12-24 at 09:46:39
Ya the box scam I have saved to show the world not to be stupid to bid for false things. But what happens? Another person scammed $600 for a PICTURE!!!
Report, edit, etc...Posted by KaboomHahahein on 2005-12-24 at 11:49:46
So now they learnt to read disclaimers before they buy it. Those guys who soled pictures to them are lucky to get so much money off photos. It really isin't a scam because they are not tricking you in anyway. It says that youa re buying a photo of a 360.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by ... on 2005-12-24 at 14:44:35
Cruel, heartless, people. 
Don't worry. I will start a program on SEN to get those scammers back.
Don't worry. I will start a program on SEN to get those scammers back.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by KrAzY on 2005-12-24 at 14:58:51
I think they sold a Xbox 360 photo because it's either they need money to buy a Xbox 360, sold the picture so they can play Xbox Live, buy all the games and such or something else.
Even selling the ROFL waffles was way better than this.
Even selling the ROFL waffles was way better than this.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Kow on 2005-12-24 at 15:02:25
Hey, if you could, you would too. I know I would.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by RedNara on 2005-12-24 at 16:20:04
omfg thats sad... but its bad if you get bad rep on ebay... but it doesnt matter extra 600 bucks in your pocket for some pictures 
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Freedawk on 2005-12-28 at 18:06:31
Customers might sue the seller, but they were the ones makgin the mistake in the first place. And $600 is good enough for 2 core systems. But I feel bad for the customers about losing $600 over a picture. (Not Really...)
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Felagund on 2005-12-29 at 17:35:08
These are probably the people not too used to technology yet. I feel bad for them.