engine and drivetrain E-bay M3 S14 engine auction

[Cruzr]

Well, I guess my gut feelings were right about this one....

I was one of the bidders trying to get this set up for a conversion. A week ago I wrote the seller requesting the VIN number, hoping to use CARFAX to verify the mileage on the engine. No response.

I e-mail him/her again Sunday, asking for the same information. Yesterday I get this response:

[From View message header detail ANIAH605@aol.com

Sent Monday, March 6, 2006 7:37 pm

To xxx@optonline.net

Subject Re: Question for item #8044090375 - BMW E30 M3 1990 M3 Engine Motor S14 Compl...

Print E-mail

I sent this to you earlier the first time it came back tom me saying it was undeliverable. I will try to get it for you ASAP. I'm at work now.]

I had checked some of the other auctions he was running, and all were hair care products and baby clothing. Hmmmm, something doesn't add up.

I get a second message:

[PLEASE DO NOT REPLY, JUST FORWARD THIS TO : ebfineitop@cs.com

Hello cruzr88,

Regarding my auction :

BMW E30 M3 1990 M3 Engine Motor S14 Complete 2.3 2002

COMPLETE SWAP, EXC COND Motor/Trans/ECU/Wiring Item number: 8044090375

I'm willing to speed the sale process, so please contact me A.S.A.P. via e-mail at : ebfineitop@cs.com and I'll provide you with further details about this.

Thank you

IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THIS DEAL OR FOR ANY OTHER DETAILS, CONTACT THE SELLER DIRECTLY BY E-MAIL: ebfineitop@cs.com]

Still, no VIN #. So I decided to let it go, it just didn't feel right.

This morning I get this message:

[---DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. Contact the seller at this e-mail address: moteban890@yahoo.com---

eBay Second Chance Offer from Seller Item number:8044090375

You expressed interest in an item titled:BMW E30 M3 1990 M3 Engine Motor S14 Complete 2.3 2002

Item number: 8044090375 by bidding, however the auction has ended with another member as the high bidder. In compliance with eBay policy, the seller is making this Second Chance Offer to you at your bid price. The seller has issued this Second Chance Offer because either the winning bidder was unable to complete the transaction or the seller has duplicate items for sale. If you accept this offer, you will be able to exchange Feedback with the seller and will be eligible for eBay services associated with a transaction, such as fraud protection. To purchase this item please contact the seller. ---DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. Contact the seller at this e-mail address: moteban890@yahoo.com---

Thank you, eBay, Inc.]

Notice the THREE different E-mails addresses.

So, I guess I just saved myself from a big headache, right? Or did I miss a good opportunity?

I hope the successful bidder (if real) doesn't get sucked into this...

[Guest bruno74tii]

check this out:

ebfineitop@cs.com

[Guest bruno74tii]

http://www.google.com/search?q=ebfineitop%40cs.com+&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official

[Guest Anonymous]

I was high bid on the engine. So I would like some advice as to what to do . I emailed seller via Ebay, not directly to the addy listed. TIA for any help.

Andy

[Guest bruno74tii]

Attach Robert's transcript above with the various email addresses and lies. It could be that the owner of the ebay seller name is not even aware of this - these scumbags basically hijack an ebay account and count on the owner not to notice until his monthly statement comes.

[Guest Anonymous]

thanks will do

[Guest Anonymous]

What is interesting is another ebay listing - the same engine and advert out of China. I emailed him about this a few days ago and he said that he reported it to ebay but the listing is still there as I type

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4619275698&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=8044090375&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

[Guest Anonymous]

china listing gone, I emailed him the rest of the info I had so far my scam note was showing member from fl. I used ebay email got a response this morning with name addy in Va. Anyone near Fredricksburg in here? Ruther Glen to be exact.

[Cruzr]

Same deal! A "second chance" to get the engine because the highest bidder bailed out. As soon as I ask for the engine's VIN number they stop writing.

I will definetly never buy big ticket items on E-bay! It stinks that honest people have to pull away because of this trash!

[Guest bruno74tii]

buyers OR their own good (?) names. It is truly astonishing that a company driven by technology and marketing would be so seemingly unable to ID and take down these fraud schemes - and that they would care so little about the erosion of trust in their brands. Can you tell I've made this argument before?

[Guest Anonymous]

the aniah email addy is the one i used he sent me info on pick up from an address in ruther glen va. I'm going to try for a phone number.

[Cruzr]

From View message header detail danny f

Sent Tuesday, March 7, 2006 5:58 pm

To xxx@optonline.net

Subject Re: Second Chance Offer from Seller -- Buy The Item You Recently Bid On!

Print E-mail

Hello there,

Thank you for e-mail! Below,i will explain a little bit about this second chance offer.

I've made this second chance offer to you because the winning bidder failed to buy the item. There are many bidders who placed a bid on the auction just for fun or to raise the price for their own interest.

Now , for start, i will explain you a few steps for finish this

transaction :

1.The final sales price would be your last bid amount.

2.To start the official transaction in a very protected way, please reply with your name and address, so I could contact eBay to setup this transaction.

In order to proceed with this purchase , i will need the following informations:

* your complete name

* your complete address(shipping or billing)

* the item number of the eBay auction

* your eBay user ID

Once i'll have this informations , i will pass them to eBay along with my informations.In short time we will be contacted by them with full next instructions on this purchase.

I am dealing only thru this eBay system!!!

Thank you for understanding!

[Cruzr]

Subj: Re: BMW M3 S14 2.3 engine

Date:3/7/2006 7:37:04 PM Pacific Standard Time

From:

To:Ebfineitop@cs.com

Received from Internet:

That's fine. I will need the engine's VIN # to

proceed. Please e-mail it to me as soon as possible.

TIA

--- Ebfineitop@cs.com wrote:

>I just moved to Detroit, Mi - but I'm willing to

>offer free shipping.

>Would that work for you?

>hairrcare

>

>In a message dated 3/7/2006 1:32:47 PM Pacific

>Standard Time,

> writes:

>>Subj: BMW M3 S14 2.3 engine

>>Date:3/7/2006 1:32:47 PM Pacific Standard Time

>>From:

>>To:ebfineitop@cs.com

>>Received from Internet:

>>

>>

>>

>>I'm still interested. Tell me how to send the

>payment.

>>

>>Can I pick up the engine today?

>>

>>TIA

>>

>>

Turns out that M3 engines came with no VIN number from the factory .

Let's see his next move....

[Guest Anonymous]

Just spoke to the real seller by phone. E bay account is a female, her fiancee is selling th S 14 to do an S 52 swap.

[Guest Anonymous]

If you complete the transaction, you got a good deal...

Robert in NJ, too lazy to sign in...