Did I win a bogus wetsuit on EBay? The mystery solved!

[SinkCrashBonk]

Hi all,

I was the winning bidder on a wetsuit today but I’m a little spooked by the response from the seller. Am I just being paranoid or what? If you look at his feedback sent to others none of the responses seem to be “phonetically challenged”.

Whatcha’ think?

Here’s the invoice for your item, rockindiver! Dear ********** Thank you for your purchase. The total for your item below is US $. Click Pay Now to confirm shipping, get total price, and arrange payment through: PayPal. Item # Item Title Qty. Price 7180972073 Xterra Vortex Small Long Wetsuit 2003 1 US $8888 Subtotal: US $ Shipping and handling via US Postal Service Priority Mail: US $8.00 Other shipping choices: US Postal Service Parcel Post: US $6.94 Shipping insurance (Optional US $3.20): – Total: US $****** Congratulation **********, We are martigonza this letter is to give you more detail information, How do we wish to receive the payment? We would like to receive the payment thru Paypal. It is more safe for you and us. Thanks Please email me at maryson@bellsouth.net if you have any questions.

[5280]

I think US $8888 is a lot to spend on a wetsuit I would be spooked.
.

[trinewbie]

Could be bogus. Someone could have e-mailed you as the winning bidder pretending to be the seller. If in doubt, contact the seller through e-bay and request a personal e-mail back confirming the amount and their e-mail address. Most scams avoid paypal like the plague.

Chris

[Katy]

FYI: Paypal in no way protects you from fraud. As long as you get something (it could be a photo of a wetsuit) and sign for it, they release your money.

[SinkCrashBonk]

Here’s the latest email from the seller:

Dear rockkindiver,

May be is too soon, I do not know. After your question regarding the shipment cost I do not received your payment yet, generally we paid as soon as we won a item in ebay. With all due respect there is any help that I ought consider?
Let me know.

Regards,

Martigonza

And here’s the feedback he’s left for other Ebayers:

Great e-seller very fast delivery, thanks.

Fast payment great e-buyer A+++

Great product, Quick shipping, thanks

Great eseller, thanks!!!

Great product, thanks!!!

Great thermal printers!!!

Great eBayer!!!

Product was EXACTLY as promised!!!

Hope to deal with you again. Thank you.

Great ebay seller!!!

Great ebay buyer, fast payment…!!!

Easy transaction prompt shipping ,recommended. T

hanks A+ Excellent seler!

Great Transaction! Would Highly Recommend!

A+ Great ebay seller, Fast shipping!!!

Great E-Bayer, On time Shipment, Easy to deal with, A+++

Great E-Bayer, On time Shipment, Easy to deal with, A+++

Great E-Bayer, Fast Payment, Easy to deal with, A+++

Great E-Bayer, Fast Payment, Easy to deal with, A+++

Great Price. Fast Shipping. However did not include valve extenders as promised.

smooth transaction, fast shipping, great product. A+ Seller.

Do these replies look like they came from the same person who who sent the above email?

[Tri-n-Teacher]

You’re the winner, so you can get the seller’s identity (address, telephone, etc.) and call him/her.

[Jim]

could be a hijacked account.

[stallion1031]

Yeah, it might be hacked. The poor english is a classic sign. Go through Ebay administration as much as possible. One other option is to use an escrow service. Will cost you a bit more and slows the transaction, but will provide peace of mind and real protection.

[Jim_Mishler]

why even mess with that?
get a real suit from a real human

Aquaman Triathlon USA
18870 South Fisher Lake Road
Three Rivers, Michigan 49093
Phone: 269.279.99.15
Fax: 269.279.86.26
Other: 1.866.279.99.15
E-mail: emillet@aquamantri.com
Website: www.aquamantri.com
Contact: Emmanuel Millet

[Koz]

Not to completely hijack the thread, but…

From the Aquaman wetsuit site: “…If you happen to fall between two sizes take the smaller size so that the neoprene is snug all over your body…”

So, what if the two sizes you fall between are XXXL (6’3") and M (165lbs)? It kind of torques me that 99% of all wetsuits are made for “short” people. …and by “all wetsuits” I mean wetsuits, most other clothing, cars, houses, roughage-overhanging-sidewalks cutting laws, etc…

[Jim_Mishler]

that my friend is exactly why you want an expert to talk with about sizing and fitting instead of messing around with product and sellers who generally have no clue, or worse.

he may have equals, but i dare say there is no one better equipped in the business to make sure you are properly set up than E.

[Strider124]

Is there a copy of the email in your eBay email account? If not it is likely a scam. I once was offered a “2nd chance bid” on an auction for a pair of Zipps that I bid on but didn’t win. Email came right to me (user used the “contact this user” feature of eBay and purported to be the seller. Try to contact the user directly through eBay and see if they respond.

Looks like a scam to me, just based on the grammar.

[Herniation_Boy]

He needs to go to the Derek Zoolander Center For Children Who Can’t Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too.

[cougie]

A wetsuit has to fit properly. No point in saving a few bucks and getting one that’s a bad fit. You’d be better off in your speedos than an ill fitting (but cheap) wetsuit.

[SinkCrashBonk]

Well his emails have come through Ebay, if that’s any indication. I sent him an email explaining my worries and the dicrepancies between his emails and the feedback and am waiting on a reply.

[P_Star]

Anyone ever tell you are paranoid?

[SinkCrashBonk]

Okay, this gets curiouser and curiouser. I just remembered that I had sent a question to seller when the auction began and went back and checked it. Here is his reply:

First thanks for your interest, this Xterra wetsuit was bought Oct. 2003 for a triathlon race in Panama City. My body has a new shape for that reason I had to buy a new one early this year. This sleevless wetsuit is 8-9/10 like new, no scratches or cuts.

Regards,

Martigonza

Definitely not the same person who’s been emailing me since I won the auction. WTF?

[SinkCrashBonk]

Anyone ever tell you are paranoid?

Just the guys in the black helicopters who follow me everywhere I go.

[stallion1031]

I’d notify ebay and see what they say.

[P_Star]

All of his e-mails and posts have grammatical errors. Everything seems consistent to me.