Pacific Harps: [Harps Unlimited International] Unique Harps | Ebay Scams

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• From The Manager: The Most Unique Harp...So Far

• Feature Article: eBay Scams to Avoid

• About Carolyn & HUI: The Pasadena Showroom

• Carolyn Recommends: Rosso Wine Shop

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The Most Unique Harp...So Far

We've seen tons of harps in all shapes, sizes and colors - but this harp takes the cake...so far! This custom made harp features a bright green finish with intricate carvings complete with an orb inlaid in the neck. It's no longer available (for anyone who's asking) but if you've got a wilder harp picture, we invite you to send it to us!

Click here to see more pictures of this unique harp!

eBay Scams to Avoid

Harp community - take note! Just recently(it is no longer listed) a post for a rare 1915 Wurlitzer Starke concert grand surfaced, where the item was taken off of eBay and bidders were contacted via email with a low offer while requested to use a money broker for the transaction. Finally, potential buyers were sent an application and asked to wire money into an account overseas. Sounds like an obvious scam, right? Unfortunately, for many who are excited about the prospect of having a brilliant new harp for a wonderful price, it is easy to overlook the warning signs. Here are some specific things to look out for:

1. Price sounds "too good to be true".
2. They never disclose the serial number of the harp
3. No direct dealing with the "brokers"
4. No credit cards accepted, only wired money.
5. Money supposed to be wired into private bank account of "broker's agent"
6. Account is overseas

There are also numerous scam artists out there who also pose as buyers and will ask for personal information before they have THEIR shipper come pick it up. For examples of these kinds of scams, click here.

Even though some of these tactics may seem obvious, some may not be quite as clear if you are not familiar with them. Thanks to a helpful eBay user who has posted numerous articles on what to look out for, below are seven types of scams to be aware of when shopping on eBay:

1. Stolen pictures, it is so easy to copy another seller’s pictures and run a similar sale. When you see a suspect item, take the time to do a search on completed listings to see if the same item may have just sold for a lot of money in a previous sale. You can only look back to 60 days of previous sales, then they are no longer viewable. When I see an item with a price too good to be true I ask the seller for a view of the item from another perspective, usually I get the old “my camera is not working now” or no answer at all. Most SCAMMERS are aware of this and are now saving pictures older than 60 days.

2. “0” feedback sellers. I cannot believe how many people overlook feedback when they do their bidding. This is the only thing you have that gives you any insight into the reputation of the seller. If the seller just joined Ebay the day of the sale and has some fantastic item at a great price, it’s probably a SCAM! I know you have to start somewhere but I would not send more than $20.00 to a zero feedback seller.

3. Good feedback showing the purchase of dozens of $0.99 to $1.99 items. This is a clever way SCAMMERS have learned to build up a somewhat good feedback rating at a very low cost. They will do this with several pseudo Ids for a few weeks; then they will start listing multiple big-ticket items all in one big sale. Often they use Turbo Lister or another Auction listing service to list hundreds of “one-day auctions” in one big blast. They will usually use a very cheap “Buy it Now” to trap bidders before the legion of Ebay watchers like myself can notify Ebay.

4. Watch out for a seller who is listing hundreds of PCs, laptops, cell phones, power tools, Gameboys, musical instruments, This is probably a SCAMMER at work.

5. The infamous “Contact me at this email address for a special Buy it now”, this is a guaranteed SCAM. Not only is the sellers trying to rip you off, they do not want to go through any of the Ebay checkout hassle. You will probably be asked to send payment by wire to a foreign country.

6. A new scam is the “wholesale list” scam. The seller posts a very nice picture of a very desirable and hot selling item. His ad title usually looks something like this: “BRAND NEW PRESSURE WASHER wholesale list”. Looks self explanatory to me but so many 0 and 1 feedback new people get duped into bidding by the nice picture. They may be unable to read English or just dumber than a doorknob but folks are paying huge prices for a list sent to their email in box. Just do a ebay search on “wholesale list” then use the highest price first search criteria, you will be amazed by how many people are burned every day by these slick con men.

7. Second Chance Offers. Admittedly, this SCAM has been made very difficult to pull off because of Ebay’s bidder protection rules and blocks against contacting people with whom you have no dealings. But some SCAMMERS are very clever and do manage to get your ID and email addresses other ways. For instance, they will watch an active buyer and seller for a few months. The will send the seller some question that will get him answers or pictures sent by email. Now when that seller bids on something, they will have their email address. The best way to protect yourself is to double verify that the seller and only the seller of the auction you bid on is offering the second chance offer.

Online shopping can be a rewarding experience as long as you get the facts. Whether you are buying a harp or anything else, may your buying and selling experience be wonderful and trouble free!

Australian harpist Carolyn Sykes has been performing in Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States for the past 30 years. She came to Los Angeles fifteen years ago to study for her Masters Degree at the California Institute of the Arts, and has been a manager with HUI for the past three years. The showroom in Pasadena features two sections, one for pedal harps and one for lever harps. Carolyn has also established her private teaching and performing studio Pacific Harps, which you can see more of at www.pacificharps.com. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have or to schedule a harp appointment!

Contacting the Pasadena Showroom:

Email: carolyn@pacificharps.com

Call: 626.791.6262

Visit: 922 N. Craig Ave.

Pasadena, Ca

91104

The Rosso Wine Shop

Welcome to the Rosso Wine Shop, where the idea of the shop is to stock primarily every day wines from Italy, France, Spain and California. In their own words, "every day" wines are the ones that go well with food and don't break the bank. Holding tastings at their wine bar every Friday and Saturday to showcase the types of wines they sell, they also arrange special food and wine pairing events as often as we can! Check out the wine tasting coming up May 11 & 12th from 5-8pm, and also be sure to check out the Rosso Wine Shop's fantastic wine blog!

www.rossowineshop.com

	The Triplett Catalina Staveback* with Loveland levers and 34 strings, for $2995 including case (price just reduced!)*
	New! The Triplett* Celtic ll in walnut, 34 strings, for $4595 - stave back!*
	New! The Triplett Celtic ll* in cherry, 34 strings, for $4195 flat back*
	The Triplett* Signature in bubinga with 36 strings, for $5095*

	The Camac Hermine, on sale for $2,995 including the cover (discount of $335)
	The Camac Korrigan, including the cover for $3,295 (discount of $535!)
	The Triplett Monterey, offered at $3,775 (10% discount). Includes full levers and case as well as a full seven year factory warranty.

	The Camac Athena, with a straight soundboard and 47 strings, for $13,950 (was $14,950). Brand new ones just in from France - amazing sounding ebony!
	The Camac Athena* extended soundboard, also 47 strings, for $18,950.* Two on sale for $16,950 brand new models just in from France!! Mahongay, ebony, walnut, natural finishes.
	The Venus Penti, with 46 strings and extended soundboard, for $14,750.
	The Venus Encore, red mahogany with gold detailing, for $14,750.