"Very weird cheap EBay seller from China" Topic

I search EBay quite often for miniatures and terrain, as well as board games, and there have been an increasing number of bizzare listings by random Chinese sellers. They have "0" history/feedback, and are selling random items for a small fraction of likely cost. At first, when I noticed it with just loose miniatures, I wrote it off to knockoffs, but I have now seen scattered shrink wrapped boxes of plastic figures, Miniature Building Authority terrain, and now wargames—they list with what appear to be actual not stock photos.

Are these just low-level fishing attempts to lure someone stupid enough to pay them a small amount and they run away with it? Or are they selling cheap because it is stolen merchandise?

Two recent examples were a listing for several MBA castle pieces for like $40 USD that list price totaled over $600 USD, and today a listing for 6 Comand & Colors Ancients Expansions for $35 USD that list would be like $250 USD-300.

Great price but I would not trust it. What condition will the pieces be in when you get it. Or will you get it at all. I used to shop regularly on eBay for over 20 years but no more. Too many of these takes the money and runs after they get it.
Or worse uses your account to buy other stuff.
I worked with local EMA and the boss got a notice that she had made a huge electronics purchase which she did not do. We did an in depth investigation until we found that the purchase was made from South Africa. That was in 2005.

Don't forget… it is a slow boat from China! I've made the mistake of buying something on ebay and not noticing where it was sent from. Weeks later it arrives in a beat up box.

It's a trap!

Miniature Building Authority buildings are made for them in China. I know MBA recently dropped their 15mm line. It is possible these sets are by the original manufacturer who now have no outlet for them.

May also want to contact MBA with some specific examples as I doubt they appreciate being under sold so drastically especially since most retail outlets do have exclusive contracts with their suppliers.

The bug strikes so my long reply is now really short.

This is almost certainly scam, the same happens in the fishing tackle part of eBay.

There are lots of fake Chinese painted AB castings for sale as well on eBay. Don't buy them, report the listing and support Eureka.

We all know the old saying, "If it looks to good to be true……."

Buyer paying with Paypal on eBay has a lot of protection. I would order with confidence as far as the transaction part.

Getting quality goods is another story.

You're protected until the seller pulls his money and closes his Paypal account, after which Paypal just shrugs their shoulders at you. I pretty much stopped buying anything off of eBay after being burned by Paypal's "protection".

Yeah, my fear is that there are so many of these, it smells like a planned strategy of open PayPal account, sell fake item listing, collect money, walk away from PayPal account.

I believe these are products which have failed to pass the manufacturer's quality assurance checks. Instead of destroying the rejects, some Chinese manufacturers 'leak' them onto the world market using eBay. It could also be an employee of the manufacturer who sneaks 'em out of the factory and sells 'em.

I bought a number of Axis and Allies plastic ships under similar circumstances some years back. They always arrived, but usually had a blemish on the paint job, or a slight mis-molding defect. Often they were sold without their stat cards.

I've purchased dice, fishing tackle boxes and trees for cheap from China. Always got them in a reasonable amount of time and intact. But I've often wondered how they could do 10 d10 for ninety-nine cents and free shipping. From China.

Zamboni,
If your Paypal purchase was made with a credit card, and PayPal declines to get involved, or it is past their time limit, you can take your dispute to your card issuer. I have sometimes had better results from this, but it takes some diligence and work.

Other comments above are apt. Could be unauthorized resellers, remainders or damaged stock, stolen items, or counterfeits. Many counterfeit sellers will pull images from other seller's listings or web catalogs to promote knock-offs.

I have purchased stuff from China, mostly trees and terrain but I've had good service. The wait can be a little long. Don't expect the item over night.

There are more and more of these everyday—and I am dead certain they are fake. A recent one is for a SYW 15mm collection that uses the photos from a prior listing that I bid on, and the listings are proliferating in the Advanced Squad Leader next of the woods. I have started reporting them when I see them, but I am sure it does little good.

Amazon has a similar problem. New seller selling boardgames and other product, and it's either a counterfeit, or not delivered. Buyer beware!

I wanted a copy of Space Hulk to play with my grandson and I saw one on Ebay for $18 USD from China with no record of sales.The cheapest one other than that was about $105 USD sealed. I thought about it but didn't bite.You know the old saying….

I've seen unique items posted that I saw for sale a few weeks ago. The seller has 0 feedback. Buyer Beware!