The eBay scam

I've been in the market for a new laptop since my 17" monster is impractical because of transportation reasons and the insufficient battery life. I've been watching a lot of auctions on eBay looking around for the best deal.

A few days ago I came across what I felt was a great deal. The specs of the laptop were everything I wanted, plus more (Blu ray, 250 GB HD, etc.) In the auction information there was a notice informing potential bidders to email the address given in the listing before bidding for a low "buy it now" offer. Interested, I sent the email. I received a prompt reply telling me that the price was $900 and told me to email me back if I was still interested. The email also said that we should go through Paypal so that both the seller and I were protected from any sort of fraud. Everything pointed to a legit transaction.

I then went to the Sony website and built the laptop I was interested in with the same specs and upgrades. The total came out to $1800+ before tax and shipping. This is when I began to get skeptical. Why would someone sell a $2,000 laptop for $900? Was it stolen? A scam? Or just a really great deal? I wanted to do more research.

I placed a bid on the computer, a small bid, so that I could access the seller's information (Name, location, etc.) I learned that his name was Tyler Bauman from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tyler Bauman, eh? The name linked to the emails I had been receiving was from a Sarah Parker. I decided that I was not going to go through with the transaction, but wanted to go along with what the seller wanted me to do just out of curiosity.

I was told to give my name and shipping address so that he or she (I don't even know) can inform eBay of our transaction and that I would be receiving an invoice from eBay shortly. I did receive an email that did resemble an invoice that was sent from eBay's Standard Purchase Protection Program. I looked this program up since I never heard of it and found that this program was ended by eBay in January 2007. The directions were for me to pay for the laptop through Western Union Money Transfer when the auction listing says "Paypal Preferred." Paypal offers protection to buyers for up to $2,000. Going through Western Union Money Transfer would void my protection. Also attached to this email was a NEW name, Diane Preston with an address in London!

So I have three different names with addresses in two different countries. I informed the seller that I would not be paying for this item and to his/her dismay, threatened to leave me a negative feedback. I then responded saying that the threat is ridiculous since I never officially won an auction according to eBay so there is no way of leaving feedback, plus eBay just instituted a new policy in which sellers are no longer able to leave buyers negative feedback.

The result: No response from the seller and I am still in the market for a new laptop. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that a good deal comes my way!



Face Guarding

I can't stand playing against people that don't know the rules. I'm not one to call three seconds or hand checks or anything like that, but there was this one guy who was face guarding me. I told him that you can't face guard, and of course him being an ignorant basketball fan told me that you can do whatever you want as long as you don't touch the person. We argued, he thought he was right, I KNEW I was right, so I ended the game with two quick 3's and left the gym somewhat laughing at his ignorance, but glad I was able to stick a couple 20 footers in his face to end the game.


In the slightest chance that that dude is reading:

Face guarding has been illegal in all levels of basketball since 1913. In the rule books, face guarding is found under “Unsportsmanlike Acts,” and a technical foul is supposed to be assessed for it. Face guarding is explicitly mentioned in the high school rule book, the NCAA rule book, the FIBA rule book, and the NBA rule book. Face guarding is and always has been illegal in all levels of basketball, from high school, to college to the pros.

I guess your ignorance is acceptable since the highest level of organized basketball you probably played was Boys and Girls Club on those 7 foot hoops where the only burn you ever got was because the rules stated that all players must play.

Yes, I'm mad. Lol.


24

I'm going to playing in a basketball tournament this weekend in Santa Barbara with the Original Six (Steven, Steven, Scott, Grant, and Mick. It's the first time I've played with them since 8th grade because of high school basketball so it should be fun.

We had to get uniforms to play in so we got to choose our number. I chose number 24 after my favorite athlete, Ken Griffey Jr. Jill then reminded me that Kobe is number 24. God, that's all bad. It gets even worse. Most of my basketball shoes are Kobe's so I can't wear Kobe shoes with Kobe's number because it will look like I'm an adultery supporter or something. Now, I'm in the market for some new basketball shoes as well.


I have a hater...

Here is a comment I received since my last entry:

"just because somebody writes differently doesnt mean that they werent educated! thats kinda a bitch thing to say! monta ellis could have gone to college and probably would have made some money someplace else but hes got some skill. your just jealous of him. get over yourself wanna be basketball player. dont diss monta just cause he has more money than you. just because hes a second round pick doesnt mean shit! he could have been sixth or even eigth if thats even possible. look at him now!!!! hes a BEAST!!!! hes going to be the next MICHAEL JORDAN!!!! LOOK OUT CUZ MONTA ELLIS IS COMING!!"

I don't even know what to say to this. It gave me a pretty good laugh.


Aggie Baseball

The Aggies are in the playoffs this weekend at Sunken Diamond. I wish I could go. Look out for my boy Ty Kelly. He's doing big things.