Hi guys,

I have the bad feeling that I have been scammed on seabreeze. I bought a kite of someone interstate and transferred money into their bank account, still haven't seen much in return.

In hindsight there are a few oddities that make me believe that I have been scammed, I do not want to name names or go into detail at this stage though.
I am still hoping that I am wrong.

However, the same person has now advertised another kite (different model) and I feel obliged to warn people.

Be extra careful, the person does not accept paypal. Make sure that they took the pictures of the equipment and didn't just pull it from somewhere ( I wish I had done this.. :( ).

I found the pics of the kite I bought on google images..(bag and kite on different random pages). That is prob. one red flag, but there were/are others.
Ask them to take specific pictures of the kit to ensure that they do actually have the kite.


Anyways, still hope it is false alarm, just be careful peeps, I might have been to naive

Have you private messaged admin details?

If you've transferred money into an australian bank account, you can usually follow up on it.
People need to prove identity to open a bank account in australia. I'm assuming the account was in australia?

never except paypal as payment anyways. one main scams is the paypal scam where someone pays useing paypal waits till the bought goods are being sent then they withdrw the paypal payment

Hope it doesn't turn out badly for you.

I just bought a car sight unseen from a forum. I was worried about sending a lot of money so I got seller to send 100 points of id inc rates notice credit card etc..



www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Too-good-to-be-true/

Had a lot of fun with that one, if you find the imgur link I took screen shots of our conversation.

If it is as you are saying I'd be contacting the bank they deal with and the police in the state where the seller lives.

The seller just got back to me with a long, very rude, insulting text message. He read my post here and is now deeply offended it seems.

Main thing is that he sent me a tracking number also, so things are all good after all.

Seems this was a case of someone working away while posting the ads and hence using pics of the internet.
This does not explain the unnecessary lack of replies to calls/emails and broken promises when it comes to doing certain things at certain times, but everybody is different and everybody has different expectations and standards when it comes to these things I guess.

Case closed.

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mwdnasa said..
The seller just got back to me with a long, very rude, insulting text message. He read my post here and is now deeply offended it seems.

Main thing is that he sent me a tracking number also, so things are all good after all.

Seems this was a case of someone working away while posting the ads and hence using pics of the internet.
This does not explain the unnecessary lack of replies to calls/emails and broken promises when it comes to doing certain things at certain times, but everybody is different and everybody has different expectations and standards when it comes to these things I guess.

Case closed.

I wouldn't take it to heart. You could have just as easily been scammed, and its not a bad thing to be wary.

I bought a fin from someone on here once, from someone that is a bit of a regular, and it took ages to turn up. I kept on hassling the guy, wondering where it had got to or if he had even sent it. It finally turned up, and I think it was because the guy didn't do too good a job at spelling my address correctly. I think it ended up in AusPosts 'too hard for a machine' bucket and needed a human to interpret what the address could have been.

If the guy had been a bit better at communication and spelling, I think it would have been a bit easier. Some people are crap at it, and only seem to be helpful until you have paid.

glad it worked out.

Most people have access to a scanner and email these days, there's really no downside to requesting ID before you send off money with your fingers crossed.

/if they won't provide it, probably a good sign of character anyway.

I've seen peeps on fleabay complaining about sellers for years. most are like this case impatient and don't understand logistics involved + some buy goods, can't be bothered paying for days then want it yesterday pfffft. i don't blame the guy.glad it ended well but next time try speaking with the seller before airing dirty laundry,because its a private seller he probably has a job and a life.

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Cobra said..
I've seen peeps on fleabay complaining about sellers for years. most are like this case impatient and don't understand logistics involved + some buy goods, can't be bothered paying for days then want it yesterday pfffft. i don't blame the guy.glad it ended well but next time try speaking with the seller before airing dirty laundry,because its a private seller he probably has a job and a life.

I think it was a fair call. He never mentioned names, and there was no way to identify the seller. It sounds like he tried to contact the seller, but got little to no replies.

If it was a scammer, it would have been a good alert for everybody to be a bit more careful. At least on fleabay you have a chance of mediation, and at least proof of payment options. I have seen my fair share of dodgy sellers on there too. People that don't respond to questions about where it is, and don't send it out until many days after you paid with paypal. I even had a guy recently that added on some charges for postage for a 'free postage' item.

You would hope on Seabreeze that most people know someone else in the sport, but if you did have a definite scammer, it would be good to hear about it.

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FormulaNova said...

Cobra said..
I've seen peeps on fleabay complaining about sellers for years. most are like this case impatient and don't understand logistics involved + some buy goods, can't be bothered paying for days then want it yesterday pfffft. i don't blame the guy.glad it ended well but next time try speaking with the seller before airing dirty laundry,because its a private seller he probably has a job and a life.

I think it was a fair call. He never mentioned names, and there was no way to identify the seller. It sounds like he tried to contact the seller, but got little to no replies.

If it was a scammer, it would have been a good alert for everybody to be a bit more careful. At least on fleabay you have a chance of mediation, and at least proof of payment options. I have seen my fair share of dodgy sellers on there too. People that don't respond to questions about where it is, and don't send it out until many days after you paid with paypal. I even had a guy recently that added on some charges for postage for a 'free postage' item.

You would hope on Seabreeze that most people know someone else in the sport, but if you did have a definite scammer, it would be good to hear about it.

All true, but it wasn't a scam, my point wait and get your facts right.

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Cobra said..

FormulaNova said...

Cobra said..
I've seen peeps on fleabay complaining about sellers for years. most are like this case impatient and don't understand logistics involved + some buy goods, can't be bothered paying for days then want it yesterday pfffft. i don't blame the guy.glad it ended well but next time try speaking with the seller before airing dirty laundry,because its a private seller he probably has a job and a life.

I think it was a fair call. He never mentioned names, and there was no way to identify the seller. It sounds like he tried to contact the seller, but got little to no replies.

If it was a scammer, it would have been a good alert for everybody to be a bit more careful. At least on fleabay you have a chance of mediation, and at least proof of payment options. I have seen my fair share of dodgy sellers on there too. People that don't respond to questions about where it is, and don't send it out until many days after you paid with paypal. I even had a guy recently that added on some charges for postage for a 'free postage' item.

You would hope on Seabreeze that most people know someone else in the sport, but if you did have a definite scammer, it would be good to hear about it.

All true, but it wasn't a scam, my point wait and get your facts right.

Wait? And if another couple of Seabreezers got taken by a scammer? I would hope anyone that thought they might be the target of a scammer warned everyone else. Its a good thing to do.

It wasn't a scam? Well, how was the OP supposed to know that until he posted this topic and the seller got back to him?

It wasn't a scam, and the OP warned people about the possibility of a scam. No one lost. The seller might have lost a bit of face to the buyer, but no one else knows who that is, so why would he be bothered by that?

Now, for arguments sake, what would have happened if the seller sold bogus items, and sold 15 of them at the same time before anyone got a chance to see a pattern? I wonder if that sometimes happens on fleabay now when people don't seem to care about feedback as much. Paypal has reduced that risk, but if you don't use paypal, its a scam waiting to happen.

Paypal is a scam in itself, depending how you use it.
I once bought a phone of ebay but the idiot did not want to use paypal due to fees. Fair enough, but he refused direct debit too. It felt suss, but went with his requirement to pay him via PayPal using email. This is the 'Pay Someone' option.
Avoid that option at all costs, as PayPal do not gaurantee it like they do with direct PP transactions from eBay. eBay owns PP anyway.
It's a scam because PP charge what they want and if it goes bad with the seller (or buyer), then you're on your own.

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FormulaNova said..

Cobra said..

FormulaNova said...

Cobra said..
I've seen peeps on fleabay complaining about sellers for years. most are like this case impatient and don't understand logistics involved + some buy goods, can't be bothered paying for days then want it yesterday pfffft. i don't blame the guy.glad it ended well but next time try speaking with the seller before airing dirty laundry,because its a private seller he probably has a job and a life.

I think it was a fair call. He never mentioned names, and there was no way to identify the seller. It sounds like he tried to contact the seller, but got little to no replies.

If it was a scammer, it would have been a good alert for everybody to be a bit more careful. At least on fleabay you have a chance of mediation, and at least proof of payment options. I have seen my fair share of dodgy sellers on there too. People that don't respond to questions about where it is, and don't send it out until many days after you paid with paypal. I even had a guy recently that added on some charges for postage for a 'free postage' item.

You would hope on Seabreeze that most people know someone else in the sport, but if you did have a definite scammer, it would be good to hear about it.

All true, but it wasn't a scam, my point wait and get your facts right.

Wait? And if another couple of Seabreezers got taken by a scammer? I would hope anyone that thought they might be the target of a scammer warned everyone else. Its a good thing to do.

It wasn't a scam? Well, how was the OP supposed to know that until he posted this topic and the seller got back to him?

It wasn't a scam, and the OP warned people about the possibility of a scam. No one lost. The seller might have lost a bit of face to the buyer, but no one else knows who that is, so why would he be bothered by that?

Now, for arguments sake, what would have happened if the seller sold bogus items, and sold 15 of them at the same time before anyone got a chance to see a pattern? I wonder if that sometimes happens on fleabay now when people don't seem to care about feedback as much. Paypal has reduced that risk, but if you don't use paypal, its a scam waiting to happen.

hahaha to funny.
forget about the what if this, what if that. can you tell me how many seabreezers have been scammed on seabreeze

fact...THERE WAS NO SCAM and never was one.

Everyone just presumes that mobile coverage is everywhere as well.

I'm often away from phone range for many days at a time. (It's heaven. )
No news is good news.

We live in an instant world, were we get upset if no one answers within minutes. Let alone days.

I'm very glad it all worked out for the better.
There are still a lot of good people in the world that do as they say they will. I have bought too many kites from all over the world and have always had pleasant results.

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Cobra said..
I've seen peeps on fleabay complaining about sellers for years. most are like this case impatient and don't understand logistics involved + some buy goods, can't be bothered paying for days then want it yesterday pfffft. i don't blame the guy.glad it ended well but next time try speaking with the seller before airing dirty laundry,because its a private seller he probably has a job and a life.

He did ask the seller and got no replies.
He said that.
Also sounds like he waited


Sounds like he was concernd by no reply long before posting here AND he didn't say who the seller was.

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kiteboy dave said..

Most people have access to a scammer and email these days,

probably a good sign of character anyway.

They are everywhere.

and Chook I dunno if lack of mobile coverage is an excuse. Yes people expect instant responses when they probably should not.
But seriously, if I was selling hundred of dollars of sh!t to somebody and was going to be out of contact for a week I'd tell them.

Can't be hard to say "hey thanks for the $600 I have got it and will post your stuff in 2.5 days time. I am offshore and will email you in 3 days time to confirm.
Then "hey sorry I have been absent, here is your tracking number..."
I have had (and said) stuff just like that a few times.

If the seller takes your cash then goes silent and does not answer inquiries, it looks sus as fk



Maybe it IS time for seller ratings on here, next to your profile details, like other websites do (and has been suggested before)

does everyone think all peeps that sell gear on line are tech savvy and live on line. it is a private sale as much as i know. but all of a sudden it could of been an international scam and thank god we got the heads up. but just another case of somebody that doesn't know.
im not saying theres no ripoffs out there,just saying lots and lots of peeps out there just wanting to sell something and don't have all the skills to make an easier sale.
when buying goods off everyday people, have some patience they don't all think like a business person.


if you don't want to get ripped off buying on line, don't buy on line, plenty don't

Hey Cobra, I have a brand new (something kite, I need to check what brand) that I want to sell, really cheap. For you, just $350. Just direct deposit into my account and I will get back to you in 2 weeks.

Anyone else want to buy the same kite? I just happen to have 20 of them exactly the same. I got them all as payment for something, and I don't even kite.

Everyone send me your money, and if I don't get back to you in 4 weeks, just to be sure, then email me, and I will tell you if I have sent them.

If you haven't heard from me in 3 months, just give me a call, and I'll keep you updated. Sometimes Australia Post is slow, and sometimes they lose things. I can offer extra insurance for $50 for each kite if you are worried about that. I live in a remote place and sometimes it takes weeks to get through the mud tracks to get to the post office. Mobile coverage is excellent though, so if I have a problem I will text you.

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FormulaNova said..
Hey Cobra, I have a brand new (something kite, I need to check what brand) that I want to sell, really cheap. For you, just $350. Just direct deposit into my account and I will get back to you in 2 weeks.

Anyone else want to buy the same kite? I just happen to have 20 of them exactly the same. I got them all as payment for something, and I don't even kite.

Everyone send me your money, and if I don't get back to you in 4 weeks, just to be sure, then email me, and I will tell you if I have sent them.

If you haven't heard from me in 3 months, just give me a call, and I'll keep you updated. Sometimes Australia Post is slow, and sometimes they lose things. I can offer extra insurance for $50 for each kite if you are worried about that. I live in a remote place and sometimes it takes weeks to get through the mud tracks to get to the post office. Mobile coverage is excellent though, so if I have a problem I will text you.

Hey FormulaNova, was that the add ^^^

He apparently posted the add while working away. So he had coverage to communicate either by phone or at least email.
He apparently posted the add while working away using generic pictures. So he is tech savvy enough to write an email explaining the situation.

Bottom line, he took someone's money. He owes the buyer either prompt dispatch or at the very least the courtesy of an explanation to its delay.

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Mark _australia said..
and Chook I dunno if lack of mobile coverage is an excuse. Yes people expect instant responses when they probably should not.
But seriously, if I was selling hundred of dollars of sh!t to somebody and was going to be out of contact for a week I'd tell them.

Can't be hard to say "hey thanks for the $600 I have got it and will post your stuff in 2.5 days time. I am offshore and will email you in 3 days time to confirm.
Then "hey sorry I have been absent, here is your tracking number..."
I have had (and said) stuff just like that a few times.

If the seller takes your cash then goes silent and does not answer inquiries, it looks sus as fk



Maybe it IS time for seller ratings on here, next to your profile details, like other websites do (and has been suggested before)

Totally agree with you Mark. It's common courtesy.
My last purchase this happened and the lady emailed to say she was currently interstate and would be back at home in a week, so she could pack my kite I'd purchased, rather than her partner wrap and post it.
She was worried that the carbon spars (2 line Prism stunt kite) may get broken in the post.

It turned up 14 days later bundled in heaps of bubble wrap and even the included DVD survived Aust Post.
I dropped her a note and thanked her for all her efforts.