Fraudulent listing on Auction Arms

[Shear_stress]

Check out this listing:

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=8558147

Too good to be true? The images come from the website of a British dealer of deactivated guns, even down to the serial number:

http://www.deactivated-guns.co.uk/detail/col1911.htm

I've already reported this to the Auction Arms staff.

Just a reminder to be careful when bidding online!

 

[Cannonball888]

Seller also has no feedback

 

[strat81]

Perhaps another member can go inspect the gun for you?

 

[Shear_stress]

Perhaps another member can go inspect the gun for you?

Only if someone happens to be in England. Note that the seller on AA even lifted the description from the British site.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Seller lists an e-mail address in the description.

Brad

 

[Polishrifleman]

What does the word Stolen next to the price of 675pounds mean other than Stolen????

The description isn't exaclty the same, the guy on AA included the serial # from the gun in the English/copied picture.

How were you able to track both listings down? Depending on the British site you might contact them about your find. I went to the main home page and searched Colt and this particular gun didn't show up.

 

[bogie]

So, did anyone think of contacting the folks who run both sites?

 

[Shear_stress]

So, did anyone think of contacting the folks who run both sites?

Yup. I mentioned this in the original post.

How were you able to track both listings down?

The Auction Arms listing I found as part of my bi-hourly search of auctions there. The British picture I found by accident by searching Google images.

 

[mekender]

let us know what AA says, id love to know how they respond

 

[dralarms]

Didn't take long, they shut down the auction. AA is pretty good about crap like that.

 

[scrat]

uh no it looks like the bidding ended with a buyer. i emailed both sites.

 

[dralarms]

I didn't see that. Guess I was wrong, I just saw "auction closed" at the bottom of the page. Guess I need to read a little more.:banghead:

 

[renaissance]

Here every goes trashing this guy and all but outright calling him a thief and con artist.
What reason is there to shut them down.
Could it not be just a super good deal. UNtil proven otherwise why not take the ad and guy at face value.
I know for a fact (got stung once) the US Post Office takes "Mail Fraud" ( It's an open and shut case when you use a us Postal Money order) pretty seriously. The investigate and prosecute - that's what mail inspectors/ investigators are all about.

I'd like to hear where this goes/went

 

[Shear_stress]

Could it not be just a super good deal. UNtil proven otherwise why not take the ad and guy at face value.

Uh, it's pretty clear the seller (who had no prior feedback) cribbed the photographs and description from another website. I haven't heard from Auction Arms yet and was kind of shocked that someone bought that "gun" (if it exists). Caveat emptor.

 

[Kenneth Lew]

Here every goes trashing this guy and all but outright calling him a thief and con artist.
What reason is there to shut them down.
Could it not be just a super good deal. UNtil proven otherwise why not take the ad and guy at face value.

Believing everything you read and everyone you encounter at face value will get you BURNED A LOT.

I know for a fact (got stung once) the US Post Office takes "Mail Fraud" ( It's an open and shut case when you use a us Postal Money order) pretty seriously. The investigate and prosecute - that's what mail inspectors/ investigators are all about.

I'm still waiting for the postal inspectors to respond to the forms I sent them on a forged money order (2 years and still waiting for $800.00).

 

[Notch]

"I know for a fact (got stung once) the US Post Office takes "Mail Fraud" ( It's an open and shut case when you use a us Postal Money order) pretty seriously. The investigate and prosecute - that's what mail inspectors/ investigators are all about.
"

I feel so safe now.

Are you serious? Is this a ggod enough reason to believe something that is clearly a fishy deal?

 

[John G]

Here every goes trashing this guy and all but outright calling him a thief and con artist.

Umm...say again, over?

 

[Shear_stress]

Finally got a reply from Bob Lancaster over at Auction Arms:

"Hi, XXXXX, thanks for the heads-up. This account was most definitely a fraud and has been disabled.

Thanks for using AuctionArms.com the BEST place on the internet for firearms auctions. We appreciate your business!

Regards:

Bob Lancaster"

 

[sgphoto]

Shear_Stress,
Thanks for your vigilance and reporting. A job well done!

Steve

 

[tntwatt]

Great Job Shear_Stress!!!!!!!!!

 

[mekender]

nice to see them personally replying to an issue like this

 

[scrat]

hahahaha i sent a message too. here is the reply

Thanks for the heads-up. Scott. This was a fraud and his account was disabled.



Thanks for using AuctionArms.com the BEST place on the internet for firearms auctions. We appreciate your business!



Regards:

Bob Lancaster

EVP

AuctionArms.com, Inc.

The BEST place on the internet for firearms auctions!

 

[scrat]

THIS SELLER'S ACCOUNT HAS BEEN DISABLED.
Bidding on this seller's auctions is suspended until further notice. Do not initiate a transaction with this seller - you are relieved of any obligations for bids you have placed with this seller by Auction Arms.