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Post by mantisboy on Feb 24, 2015 18:25:22 GMT -8
Anybody know anything about this seller on eBay from Russia? He has no feedback, and is selling a pair of high-demand, illegal butterflies with only one picture of the male, and none of the female. Seems just as fishy as our recent zalmoxis issue.
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Post by mantisboy on Feb 24, 2015 18:28:44 GMT -8
He also has a "(19,3 sm)" Titanus. I don't know if he means 19.3 mm, in which case it is a quarter the size of a tiny Titanus, or 19.3 cm, in which case it is the largest beetle that ever extisted.
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wzinke
Junior Member
Posts: 29
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Post by wzinke on Feb 27, 2015 16:47:52 GMT -8
Hey, did anybody buy that Titanus? Or the Homerus pair from this guy? Is he for real?  ? |
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Post by Adam Cotton on Feb 28, 2015 0:16:05 GMT -8
The homerus listing was closed early, presumably by eBay for offering illegal items.
Adam.
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wzinke
Junior Member
Posts: 29
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Post by wzinke on Feb 28, 2015 6:27:33 GMT -8
  Hi Adam and Mantisboy, yes illegal...this makes me wonder about this guy....with zero feedback from ebay. I asked him about the beetle but he pulled the Titanus yesterday. He is trying to sell the Titanus to me outright and he did send me a photo next to a ruler after I asked for it, BUT the picture of the beetle looks exactly the same as the picture that was on ebay....possibly photo shopped??!! Just wanted anyone in contact with this guy to beware....seems a bit too good to be true. Maybe I can place the photos here to see....also, notice the pin on the right side of the beetle, exact same as in ruler photo. Also, everything I find on Titanus says may get to 170mm, but very few ever found that large.... [ok, figured out how to load photos!]....anyway the pictures are exactly alike, no difference except the background...beware!!!! |
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Post by paradesia on Feb 28, 2015 10:37:08 GMT -8
I, personally, have no problem with hobbyists exchanging CITIES species discretely amongst themselves without proper papers. Those that do are aware of the consequences facing customs interception - mess with the bull you get stuck by the horns. However, when someone so obviously tries to cheat other potential buyers with deceptive practices, I think it is important that fellow colleagues intercept to prevent others from losing their hard earn money. I filed a complaint with Ebay on Thursday regarding P. homerus and they quickly removed it. Folks be vigilant and actively help your colleagues from being scammed.
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Joon
Full Member
Macrotomini
Posts: 141
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Post by Joon on Mar 1, 2015 22:52:50 GMT -8
just made a payment for Titanus through Paypal.
Then I read these posts. Sigh.. I hope he is not a scammer.
If he is a scammer, I will get my money back through Paypal.
I will let you guys know if he is a scammer.
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Post by Zacatak on Mar 2, 2015 0:48:53 GMT -8
Hi joon,
I wouldn't keep your hopes up that he is genuine because the size of that beetle is extreme for titanus, the fact the pictures are taken from the Internet say it all.
He was selling Papilio homerus pair too (Cites 1 Endangered) which the auction was pulled from sale on ebay. The photo was used from a internet image, auction was described as a pair and the female wasn't pictured.
His method would be to try and hold out from sending you the item (even though we know it doesn't exist) until ebay can't do anything about the sale as the the sale will get past the point of no refunds no return. We hoped that nobody would have been caught up in this scam, and I too reported it to ebay because like most of us, we don't wish anyone to be in this situation. May I ask what was the final closing bid for the Titanus?
Zac
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Joon
Full Member
Macrotomini
Posts: 141
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Post by Joon on Mar 2, 2015 1:16:57 GMT -8
Hello Zac, I asked him for additional pictures. He said he will send me pictures tomorrow and he will send the package by EMS.
If the package doesn't arrive within 2~3 weeks. I am going to file a claim in paypal and get my money back. If he is a scammer, he will send me a small sized titanus.
I wonder if Paypal will consider the size difference as a valid reason to dispute a transaction as being not as described.
I will PM you about the price.
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Post by Zacatak on Mar 2, 2015 3:06:46 GMT -8
Hi joon,
At this point I realise that eBay has no part in this as I understand that he pulled the auction so that rules that out. I was still in the mindset that the auction had run out and you were the final bidder which isn't the case. Ok, so he sold it to you via PayPal transaction. I'm not completely certain if PayPal will be able to reverse the sale, but I'm not too familiar with that considering I haven't had this situation occur to me. I nearly did recently where I paid a supplier in Peru for some specimens that were held up due to a postal strike that went on for a while. I thought initially that it was something dodgy, something may have been dishonest but I got my items in due time after a very long wait. Of course we will know by your response that this is a scam by what you receive. But as I'm sure many who would agree with me, this is a size for titanus that is "too good to be true". Hope for your sake this goes well for you my friend, but I got to say the evidence is not looking good..
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Post by bichos on Mar 2, 2015 3:11:27 GMT -8
I'd say. Either the image is photoshoped or the ruler has been made up not showing true measures...very suspicious indeed.
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Joon
Full Member
Macrotomini
Posts: 141
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Post by Joon on Mar 2, 2015 8:07:21 GMT -8
Paypal protects buyers so...I will wait for the parcel to have a stronger evidence.
I am not too concerned about getting money back. I once got money back in a similar situation. Different specimens arrived but identical species. It was slightly different in size and shape. But I got my money back..
If seller never sends package, I can open a claim for not receiving item....
The only thing that bugs me is that it will take some time to get my money back.
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Post by mikelock34 on Mar 2, 2015 16:19:24 GMT -8
He also has a "(19,3 sm)" Titanus. I don't know if he means 19.3 mm, in which case it is a quarter the size of a tiny Titanus, or 19.3 cm, in which case it is the largest beetle that ever extisted. I have seen larger specimens of Titanus in French Guiana. Many extreme specimens do not end up on the open market as they are collected by scientists or people who keep specimens for their personal collections. |
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wzinke
Junior Member
Posts: 29
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Post by wzinke on Mar 2, 2015 19:54:45 GMT -8
Hi Joon, I received this from Atlantis [does not give name though I asked, but maybe translator cannot translate the Russian???] at 3:21AM Eastern USA Time:
Will!
My account is unlocked.
You can pay to: [his email address]
Regards,
Виктор
So if you payed him before this time he is certainly a scammer [wants $1,500 from me]....but if you get the world's largest beetle, let us all know!
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wzinke
Junior Member
Posts: 29
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Post by wzinke on Mar 2, 2015 19:56:41 GMT -8
whoops...posted twice!
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