I need help right now!!!!

[James Jaragosky]

I have the chance to purchase this machine
2007 Universal Laser Engraver V-460 50 Watt

I must say that I am more worried about taking a large sum of money across state, to a place I do not know, to a stranger that I have not met, who may really have this machine or not; than I was about sending money to china to purchase a machine.

I can get a top of the line 80 watt from China for what this will cost me so the pricing on the universal is very tempting. I am just worried about being taken.
Can I get a serial number from the seller and validate it with universal.

Any suggestions are welcome.
Also I must decide tonight to get this price or it will go to the next guy.
Jim J.
I need help right now!!!!

[David Fairfield]

Why's he pressuring you on the time? What's the hurry.

[Larry Bratton]

He needs the money..if it's cheap, it's a fire sale.

[Steve Clarkson]

Or the cops are on his trail...........

[Bob Lloyd]

How much are you talking about? Every tool or machine that I have bought on Craigslist has been with cash always going to meet someone on their turf that I have never met before. How did you hear about it? Does he want cash or might he take Paypal or a bankers check?

[Bob Savage]

Also I must decide tonight to get this price or it will go to the next guy.
Jim J.
I need help right now!!!!

James,

I would absolutely pass on this system. There's generally a reason for the "you need to make a decision NOW" offers, and usually, it's not a good reason.

The manufacturer probably will not clear the S/N for you, but I'm pretty sure your local distributor will if you let them know what the story is.

Either way, unless the guy was down the street from me and I could validate that there's no lien or other issue causing the "fire sale," I'd forget about it.

[James Jaragosky]

James,

I would absolutely pass on this system. There's generally a reason for the "you need to make a decision NOW" offers, and usually, it's not a good reason.

The manufacturer probably will not clear the S/N for you, but I'm pretty sure your local distributor will if you let them know what the story is.

Either way, unless the guy was down the street from me and I could validate that there's no lien or other issue causing the "fire sale," I'd forget about it.

This was a eBay item that I was second bidder on. I made a bid of 6500.00 this morning, and was instantly out bid. I just got home to a second chance offer with a note that if I did not respond that it would go to the next lowest bidder. It is a 6-hour drive to pick it up. The original offer post on ebay did not include pictures. I have just sent a email looking for a serial # pictures and the sellers phone number.
That is the whole story so far; other that rabbit lasers just made me a super amazing offer on a 60 watt with all the bells and whistles. I would much rather have the universal, but I am afraid of getting burned.

[Bob Lloyd]

From what I have heard, second chance offers on Ebay are often suspect.

[Darren Null]

That 'second chance' stuff gives me more pause for thought than if you had won the item outright. The eBay selling system has been open for ages for spoofed 'second chance' offers on high value items. Can you take a mate along; who you can drop off somewhere with the money? Just so long as you don't have it on you at the time. Better yet withdraw the cash from a bank in the town IF the seller turns out to be kosher- you get video then.

Can you insist that you see the machine working? Is it a small enough town that the local cops would know the state of play with the locals ie, the local laser engraver was currently in Malibu?

Sounds like a good price and it *could* be genuine. Be very very careful though.

I'm not liking:
> Second chance offer
> No pictures
> Sudden hurry

Did you contact the seller for more info through eBay, or have you switched to private email?

[James Jaragosky]

That 'second chance' stuff gives me more pause for thought than if you had won the item outright. The eBay selling system has been open for ages for spoofed 'second chance' offers on high value items. Can you take a mate along; who you can drop off somewhere with the money? Just so long as you don't have it on you at the time. Better yet withdraw the cash from a bank in the town IF the seller turns out to be kosher- you get video then.

Can you insist that you see the machine working? Is it a small enough town that the local cops would know the state of play with the locals ie, the local laser engraver was currently in Malibu?

Sounds like a good price and it *could* be genuine. Be very very careful though.

I'm not liking:
> Second chance offer
> No pictures
> Sudden hurry

Second chance offers were a problem in the past for sure; but I thought that this was fixed with the anonymous bidder system. no one but the seller should have my information. Anyway, I want this so bad I can taste it. I would go get it before Saturday if it turns out to be legit.

[Mike Mackenzie]

Have you received the serial # If they do not supply this to you then I would guess it is a scam. I had a similar situation here in CA. With a V460-50 watt. I made an offer to the seller and he accepted it and wanted me to send him a deposit. I told him that he would have to give me the S/N and I never heard from them again.

Be careful and demand the serial # or walk away. If it is legit he should have nothing to hide. Most leins are through the leasing companies. And the S/N will clear that up.

[Bob Savage]

I would much rather have the universal, but I am afraid of getting burned.

James, please be extra careful that you don't get burned. There are too many scumbags leveraging the Internet and successfully taking honest people to the cleaners nowadays.

Part of the scam game is to create a sense of urgency within the buyer in order to get their emotions running wild. The thought the deal of a lifetime is enough to get many of us into a position where we throw reason out the door, and end up scammed.

[James Jaragosky]

Have you received the serial # If they do not supply this to you then I would guess it is a scam. I had a similar situation here in CA. With a V460-50 watt. I made an offer to the seller and he accepted it and wanted me to send him a deposit. I told him that he would have to give me the S/N and I never heard from them again.

Be careful and demand the serial # or walk away. If it is legit he should have nothing to hide. Most leins are through the leasing companies. And the S/N will clear that up.

Thanks for the information. I am very suspicious at the moment. I really want to get a new laser but the wife has me on a very short financial leash.
And for good reason when it comes to tools I have a weak spot.
I need to get a new machine soon; I have some orders that will be coming due real soon, and my little rabbit just cant cut anything with any kind of production due to the lack of air assist.

[Larry Bratton]

James:
Jim McGrew taught me this,tell the guy that you will go to your bank..have a bank check made in his name. Then send him a copy of it to bind the deal. Then, when you go and check it out and decide to finish the deal, give him the check (that you have in your vehicle under lock and key) Be sure and get a bill of sale with certification that their are no liens are other encumbrances. Any documentation that he has showing where he paid for it is helpful in that process. If he won't go for that, then back out of it.

I have sold lots of stuff for cash using Craigs List. I have had people bring me thousands of dollars in cash, but I have usually had a phone conversation with them and get a feel for the person. You can tell if someone is BS ing.

[Darren Null]

If you've got until Saturday there's plenty of time. If the seller is genuine he'll furnish you with pics and a serial number. Don't panic.

Keep cool and think of what you have to do between here & then:

Verification -if possible- of the serial number, with particular attention to whether there are any loans attached to the machine.

Is the machine working & what sort of condition is it in?

Arranging transfer of the money while eliminating the chance of simply being mugged (not all scams are sophisticated), Take a mate with you.

Logistics of getting the machine back home. Do you need to get hold of a van or flatbed?
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A genuine seller won't have any problem providing you with details, provided it's not too much of a PITA to do. Serial number and photos are a reasonable request.