possible ebay scam ? anyone recieved this email ?

[donculley]

i listed a few old built nascar kits on ebay just to unload them. i got an email today from an ebayer saying he was starting a model class and was wondering if mine don't sell would i be interested in donating them . this came right from ebays system, so i know its not one of those non ebay things, but how do i know the guys not just trying to get free models ? now the kits don't mean much to me, and if they don't sell , a donation would be a nice thing to do, but how could i find out if this guys on the level ,and has anyone had this mailed to them ?

[fredmellini]

Hi Don, As a retired police sergeant I would just say at the very least be cautious. I have sold items on ebay for my son's school for fundraisers and the only proof I could give to people was a form letter from the school and who they could speak with if they had any concerns. (they could not receive a receipt for danation because they were receiving an item) Also you could ask for a receipt for a donation for a tax write-off. I would do all of this before shipping anything out. But if you are not comfortable with the whole scenerio, just don't answer him back. I don't blame you, it is a tough call. I like to think most people are honest but in this day and age you just never know. Let me know how you make out with this........Fred

[fredmellini]

Hey Don, After reading your post a second time I see that this guy never mentioned anything about a school.. If it were me I would look at some local ways or places to donate them.....maybe like a school with a modeling club?? or a local toy drive for christmas our (police dept, marines, fire dept, etc.) I think I would stick with something that could be verified.............Fred

[donculley]

thanks fred- you're right, the guy doesn't mention any school so it could be a scam. the guy has only five feedbacks too, so i can't go by that either. i'll try your ideas though and see if he has any proof that they will be going somewhere, if not i'll look into something local. thanks for the help !

[barten]

Don, If you looking for a place to donate? I have been working on collecting kits to help Dr. Kerry and all they are going through medically with his daughter, I have some kits I'm putting in and Don V is putting in a Miss Deal, Ford Model T (Lindberg), a parts box, and a 78 Firebird (TD box art). Then Don will send it to the winner. And I will send mine to the winner of mine and we will get the money to Kerry. . for his ongoing expenses.

We will put them up for the highest bidder by a certain time. . .. that kind of thing. Is that OK PAUL?

So if anyone wants to help out. . . .that would be great.

I can't give you a tax write off for Dr. Kerry's thing. . . but my wife and I run a nonprofit organization that runs a used toy/toy drive, to help families with special needs children. (web site will be up soon) We have a garage full of toys right now.

But Ask for a tax number. if you don't know the person. Could be a scam. .. . ask for his phone number and call and see what he is doing with them.

GB
Barten

[Paul B. Canney]

It is a scam. You need to forward/report it to ebay. I've received similar sob stories over the years. You could look up the ebayer under "Advanced Search" on ebay. but if it walks like a duck, smells like a duck....

donculley said:

i listed a few old built nascar kits on ebay just to unload them. i got an email today from an ebayer saying he was starting a model class and was wondering if mine don't sell would i be interested in donating them . this came right from ebays system, so i know its not one of those non ebay things, but how do i know the guys not just trying to get free models ? now the kits don't mean much to me, and if they don't sell , a donation would be a nice thing to do, but how could i find out if this guys on the level ,and has anyone had this mailed to them ?

[Starry Eyes]

Speaking from experience .. he could contact Revell for a FREE MAKE IT-TAKE IT program .. They once sent our model club 75 planes, and 75 little cars from their program all for free .. We sat down with the kids and help them build . when they were completed - they could take them .. Also there is a fella here locally that went to the extent of posting a "please help/models needed" in the back of the Scale Auto Mag .. I spotted his name/number in the article . Let's say he received a fair amount of free models and word got out .. I spotted him at a local 1:1 swap meet and he was selling TONS of model kits .. BE CAREFUL !! I say scam ! Chuck D.

[howardcohen]

I haven't received that one but I did receive a message from an Ebay seller in China who wants me to ship him my models so he can sell them for me. Ebay was all over the message and has blocked him from buying.