Ebay~ Do people really fall for these?

[daughtersrus]

I don't shop ebay often but I came across these auctions where you are bidding on an envelope that may or may not have the product that you want. Those that don't get the product get money. The auction lists it as $X.XX-$XX.XX

So, I'm guessing one person gets the product, one person gets $10.00 and everyone else gets $1.00. In the mean time, the seller is collecting a minimum of $20.00 per person.

I can't imagine that Ebay would be able to monitor programs like this. I'm just surprised that they even allow them.

The sad thing is that many are done by the same seller and some even have bids!

 

[Kim&Chris]

I have a co-worker that bids on those "mystery boxes" all the time. Ridiculous. I'd say she's spent well over $100.00 on that crap, and received almost nothing in return. Just boxes of junk, maybe a couple of one-dollar bills, stuff like that. I don't get it either.

 

[Luv'sTink]

I believe those are against Ebay rules and they should be reported.

Back on topic....I can not believe anyone would bid on those type of auctions!

 

[Faerie]

I love scrapbooking mystery lots, but there generally is a description of the general idea of what'll be included

 

[Cyntillations]

Read the auction description carefully. Most people who run those kind of auctions make the descriptions very specific to make sure that they are not against eBay's rules.

I actually bid on a couple of the mystery envelope auctions a while back just to get some positive feedback, because every time I tried to bid on a regular auction, the bid was canceled by the seller because I had no feedback. However, I knew that I wouldn't receive the "big money" prize, so I don't view it as a loss.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

We do the webkinz mystery auctions they are 3.99 and you anything from a charm to a retired webkinz so honestly I don't feel like I am being cheated the charms sell for about 2.99 but the local store here that sells them always has the same three everytime I go in. I think the others are ridiculous like the you are bidding on a white envelope and in it you will receive free disney tickets.

 

[Faerie]

That's similar to a scrapping one. It'll be you'll get at least XX amount of XXX and XXX brand items (and if you are a scrapper, you have an idea of what those amounts/brands will get you)

 

[Banana magic]

I have done an American Girl one and been happy with what I have gotten. But I was guaranteed to get some American Girl item and researched all past feedback first. The one you are talking about seems like a rip off, but I am sure that they are within Ebay's guidelines, most of them will even say that in their description. I just don't know why people would bid on it!!

 

[peyton18]

I saw one like that today. I can't remember the exact specifics but it was something along the lines of bidding on an envelope. One included a certificate to get a Coach purse while the others contained $10, etc. I'm definitely not going to pay someone $xxx.xx for $x.xx amount of stuff!! My neighbor is big on the scrapbooking ones though & has had good luck.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

I have done an American Girl one and been happy with what I have gotten. But I was guaranteed to get some American Girl item and researched all past feedback first. The one you are talking about seems like a rip off, but I am sure that they are within Ebay's guidelines, most of them will even say that in their description. I just don't know why people would bid on it!!

Just curious- what did you have to pay and what did you receive? I've seen the ones where if you win a doll, it's a great deal, but everyone else is paying $25 for clearanced AG Bath and Body Works items, or something of a much much less value. I think I'd be more apt to do the Webkinz one because it's not as much $$ to lose.

 

[Banana magic]

Just curious- what did you have to pay and what did you receive? I've seen the ones where if you win a doll, it's a great deal, but everyone else is paying $25 for clearanced AG Bath and Body Works items, or something of a much much less value. I think I'd be more apt to do the Webkinz one because it's not as much $$ to lose.

It was a while ago, so not exactly sure how much I paid, but I think it was around $10. I got Samantha's party dress, Just for Fun accessories and a spa party kit. I'm sure some of these were worth less than what I paid, but they weren't like the ones where I could win less than a dollar, so not too bad. Since I did this more than once the seller said if I got the same thing twice she would exchange it for me, so that was good. I probably would not do another one of these. I have been looking at the webkinz ones tho. Thinking of trying one of those to see what happens.

 

[Mono~rail]

I've never seen one like the OP is describing. Could someone give me some keywords to search so I could pull one up? I'm very curious - I don't want to bid.

I've bought Disney scrapbooking sticker mystery envelopes, and I got an amazing deal. Before the seller shipped she asked me what I was most interested in - princesses, mickey, other characters, boy or girl oriented. I got about $30 worth of beautiful 3-D stickers for less than $10 and that included shipping.

 

[daughtersrus]

I've never seen one like the OP is describing. Could someone give me some keywords to search so I could pull one up? I'm very curious - I don't want to bid.

I've bought Disney scrapbooking sticker mystery envelopes, and I got an amazing deal. Before the seller shipped she asked me what I was most interested in - princesses, mickey, other characters, boy or girl oriented. I got about $30 worth of beautiful 3-D stickers for less than $10 and that included shipping.

The one that I was searching was for a Nintendo DS (Yes, I thought that maybe I could find one for my niece in my price range but no luck.)

To make the search easier, enter the words "Nintendo" "DS" "envelope" and sort by highest bid + shipping. There is one with 12 bids and the current bid is $52.00! I can't believe that people would bid $52.00 in hopes of getting the game when they may just end up with $1.00.

 

[Mono~rail]

Great balls of fire! I checked out those listings, and all I can say is a fool and his money are soon parted.

I could see participating in something like that to benefit a charity, but just to make some wise guy extra cash is just dumb.

How about sellers who sell info that can be googled for free?

 

[here757]

at Target in with the christmas stuff i found the princess pez collection. 1 box with 8 heads and some candy. i think the cost was 14.99