Soapbox

Have you been scammed on eBay? See the Top 5

Mar 09 05:58pm

- Up to 4000 people could have been ripped off via an eBay holiday scam
- buyers paid up to $350 for Gold Coast holidays that don't exist

The victims of this scam paid money into a bank account and were issued with a holiday certificate.

The customers then flew to Queensland and showed up at the resorts only to be told there were no pre-paid bookings.

Police have spoken with 56 year-old Robert Kobis, from Caulfield, but he has not been charged as yet. He has, however, been suspended from trading on eBay.

Top 5 eBay scams

Fakes - Entire factories exist to make very convincing copies. Anything from iPods to Gucci bags.
Feedback - there are many ways to get false feedback. Sellers help sellers, false identities...
Shill Bidding - people bididng for thier own goods, under different names
Item not as described - Descriptions that lack detail or talk up shoddy broken products
Rip-off postage costs - The price is cheap but the postage is astronomical. Avoid.

Have you been scammed? Is eBay a safe way to buy?
Tell us below ...

The best methods to avoid being scammed are:

a) Check the seller's feedback

b) Use an insured form of payment

c) If it sounds too goods to be true, it is.

More info

eBay's own scam advice

TheBaysideDiner.com - thread on online auctions forum site

118 Comments Report Abuse

1. rpbproductions10 - Mar 09 09:15pm

I am forwarding this information on to help in the arrest of this person, he has taken the money yet not sent on the holiday vouchers or will honor them. I am what I would believe is a safe eBay buyer, I came across this site about two months ago, I did not buy straight away as I thought it was to

2. rpbproductions10 - Mar 09 09:18pm

this company has taken the money yet not sent on the holiday vouchers or will honor them. I hope you can find him and get our money back. Rob.

3. slothfulcowie - Mar 09 09:18pm

The insured form of payment doesn't cover "travel" which is what this scammer was selling. He was allowed to sell "travel" for months without a travel agents number.

4. thirketp - Mar 09 09:45pm

We have been caught out when an eBay seller Sunlizard Holidays sold its business to Cyber Blue Media in February 2008. We had purchased a number of items and were happy with the contact and service but since then we fear that we have lost over $800. I'm going to do all I can to help get this person

5. shari.marsche - Mar 09 09:50pm

Why did I buy a holiday from Robert Kobis?
1. he had a very high feedback rating 99.%
2. lots of comments over 1,000
3. he was a power seller -a prestigious status given 2 some ebay sellers
4. rang resort managers said he was reliable and honest

6. ozkazz - Mar 09 10:08pm

Hi,
My sister and I have both lost money through this Scam.
I have lsot over $1000 and my sister over $3000.
I am a single working Mum who can ill afford to loose this sort of money.
We thought it was all ligit after spending Christmas with him at one of his resorts he promotes on Chrevon Island. Th

7. we_rock4 - Mar 09 10:12pm

I was a loyal ebay customer,bought things from usa,canada,england.Hubby collects memorabelia relating to whisky jugs,glasses etc.I was excited to find 2 unopened jim beam decanters in england.Bid,won,cost me 130pound postage included.Total $280 aud waited.ebay said i waited 2 long.poof money gone.!

8. we_rock4 - Mar 09 10:15pm

never again will i trust a star seller,goy screwed big time...I still look and contemplate my loss...if I ever buy again I will use pay pal.least I will be insured next time!

9. neverlucky2767 - Mar 09 10:37pm

hi shamed to say yes i am another person that robert kobis of beachesaustralia that traded on ebay why did i buy i watched his feedback for weeks befor i bidded he was a powerseller on ebay had over 1800 feedbacks the resorts told me he was genuine always paid i lost $255 have receipts and emails.

10. neverlucky2767 - Mar 09 10:42pm

hi and the other thing is all i could think of after the resorts had said he is good i thought ok this is why they are so cheap is that you couldnt take them in school holidays or xmas ,peak times so i thought to myself this is good for the owners of these resorts to always having money coming in

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