Next-Gen Consoles: Avoiding The Online Auction Blues

Historically, Sony has used excellent marketing tacticsrequiring sellers to provide a photograph of the console
to ensure massive demand for their consoles to greatwith the seller's screen name visible on the photo, as
profit and market share for this technology leader.well as a copy of the sales receipt. This should cut
Unfortunately, many unscrupulous people try to cash indown on the fraud somewhat, but people are still going
on the pre-Christmas demand by buying a console andto hunt up the best deals and demand for the PS3 is
then reselling it via Ebay or other online auction sitesgoing to be very high.
for two to four times it's list price to get consumers toThe best and really the only way to protect yourself is
part with their money and line their own pockets.to ensure the buyer you are bidding with has the best
In 2001, a Father and Son team managed to rack uppossible rating and also they can provide you a current
nearly $144,000 in funds as they offered PS2's onlinedatestamped picture of the unit along with the sales
though Ebay auctions and others for between $400receipt. Otherwise, and if they delay in any way -
and $700. They never had any consoles to sell, butavoid that auction, because it is quite possibly fraud
netted the money. This team got caught and convictedand you will lose your money. Most of the fraud
on wire fraud. Also, many groups operating out of theoccurs with overseas sellers and once you send the
former Soviet Union and other places where crime ismoney, it leaves the country and there is NO way to
rife with corruption will be climbing onto the bandwagonget it back, you are out of luck and out of pocket.
to try and fleece the consumer out of theirIn all cases, caveat emptor - let the buyer beware - be
hard-earned money for a promise that never will comewarned, be cautious, and be guarded - there are plenty
to pass.out there who will steal you blind if you let them, so
Ebay has passed new rules to ensure to the best ofdon't let yourself be taken in by The Next great deal
their ability fraud will not happen, including only allowingor Cheap Playstation 3 if it's not sold by a reputable
console auctions if the seller's rating is over 98% andreseller, it's not worth it.