KDog

The Hunt (Part 3): http://spacethecomic.com/?p=1807

The Hunt (Part 2): http://spacethecomic.com/?p=1804

The Hunt (Part 1): http://spacethecomic.com/?p=1803

Han Solo finally has his revenge on Kylo Ren in "The Schwartz Awakens!" http://spacethecomic.com/?p=1782

Friday Bonus Comic! At the Moo-vies: http://spacethecomic.com/?p=1781

Back in the Black (Part 17): http://spacethecomic.com/?p=1766

Back in the Black (Part 16): http://spacethecomic.com/?p=1765

Back in the Black (Part 15): http://spacethecomic.com/?p=1757

Back in the Black (Part 14): http://spacethecomic.com/?p=1764

Back in the Black (Part 13): http://spacethecomic.com/?p=1752

I'll guarantee you we both made the same mistake! Anyway, the listing page for the item I bought has been removed by eBay, and the seller is no longer a member. I have to wait 10 days, then can file a claim. I really hope eBay took my advice and connected all these auctions that are probably from the same seller using multiple accounts. It has be to costing them a bundle in claims.

Back in the Black (Part 12): http://spacethecomic.com/?p=1745

So, I researched this a little more.... The seller included the word "eBay" in their auction title, which is kind of unique. I searched sold auctions for "LEGO eBay" and lo and behold, there are many auctions very similar to the one I purchased. All are from different Chinese sellers with no feedback and long names. Sometimes there are two of an item sold. They're all Buy It Now prices around $15 or $20. Most have an auction description that describes some flaw in the item to "explain" the low price - damaged box, a few missing parts, etc. The key here I think is that, when you click on a few of the older auctions, you can see they've been removed. So I suspect the older listings were reported by unhappy buyers, and the newer auctions have buyers still within the time before they can file a complaint. I did manage to find negative feedback on one of the auctions: "Item was not sent, no communication from seller" So, this seems like a scammer who is trying to fly under the radar a bit, collecting smaller dollar amounts and sending nothing, and probably sticking eBay and Paypal with the bill. While I could be wrong, I suspect the suspicious among you here have it right. Buyer beware. EDIT: I have called eBay and given them examples of what seem to be fraudulent auctions.

Agreed, the chances of it being legit are slim, but I'll document it here, either way. Would be funny if I paid $20 for an empty box. Suddenly that deal wouldn't seem so sweet! If worse comes to worse, I have noticed that the Star Destroyer is (seemingly) legitimately selling for about $100-120 on eBay, quite a bit less than retail.

While you're probably right, I'm still curious to see if there's a chance the seller comes through. What's their motivation if it's fraud? To run away with 19 bucks and change on the two of these sets they listed? They could have listed these for $50 each and still sold them, and they could have listed other sets and haven't. It's just so strange. I'm a seller, too (and aware of how eBay seems to treat buyers better than sellers), so if this ends up being a scam, I certainly won't make that mistake again. As for reporting the seller, is there a real reason you can do that in this case? I'm not sure there's anything in the auction itself that violates eBay policy. Is there a history of sets being listed like this by someone who creates new profiles?

Thanks, Stash! Good to see you, too. I have to admit, part of the reason I went ahead and bought this was the mystery.

I figure for less than 20 bucks, it's a low-risk gamble. eBay and Paypal make it easy enough to get your money back. And if it's real and complete, it's a steal. It'll certainly recoup its cost and more if I sell it loose in a few years. Granted, I've been pining for this set since I first saw it. Will let you know the outcome!

SO I just bought a LEGO Star Wars First Order Star Destroyer #75190 on eBay for less than $20, free shipping. Claims to be complete, new, just a really ripped up box. Seller is from China, no feedback. Odds on this being legit? https://m.ebay.com/itm/LEGO-Star-Wars-Star-Destroyer-75190-eBay-/182856048752?txnId=1726992409008

LOL, so true!!!! You have a way with riddles. :-)

Back in the Black (Part 11): http://spacethecomic.com/?p=1737

Back in the Black (Part 10): http://spacethecomic.com/?p=1728

I did go out today and my local store had some packs left! It did require a $50 purchase. So I finally bought that First Order TIE Fighter I've been drooling over for a long time. (The store even matched the online sale price.) The Batman minifig set is a thing of beauty. In love with this set, especially Easter Bunny Batman!

Do I stand any chance of walking into a TRU today or tomorrow and finding this? Or did they sell out immediately?

Autumn Getaway: http://spacethecomic.com/?p=1720

Back in the Black (Part 9): http://spacethecomic.com/?p=1715