This is the cautionary tale of the camera

Names and addresses have been removed to protect the slack......

First of all I saw this on eBay:

BEAULIEU 4008 ZM2

Item #393618315

Foto, Audio & Video:Foto:Kameras Sonstige:Filmkameras

Currently	AU $	First bid	AU $
Quantity	1	# of bids	0 (bid history) (with emails)
Time left	1 days, 4 hours +	Location	**
		Country	**
Started	01-Sep-00 13:18:42 EDST	(mail this auction to a friend)
Ends	11-Sep-00 13:18:42 EDST	watch this item
		Featured & Featured Category Auction

Seller (Rating)	(107)
	view comments in seller's Feedback Profile \| view seller's other auctions \| (ask seller a question)

High bid	--
Payment	Visa/MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Other, See item description for payment methods accepted
Shipping	Buyer pays actual postage charges, Seller posts internationally (worldwide), See item description for postage charges

Update item	Seller: If this item has received no bids, you may revise it.

Seller assumes all responsibility for listing this item. You should contact the seller to resolve any questions before bidding. Auction currency is Australian dollars (AU $) unless otherwise noted.

Wunderschöne Beaulieu 4008 mit dem Spitzenobjektiv von Schneider 1.4/6-70. Mit Akku (etwas schwach), Ladegerät, Filterschlüssel, Nahlinse, Pol-Filter, Bedienungsanleitung und Tasche. Alles in gutem Zustand, alle Kamerafunktionen getestet.

So I ran this through an on-line interpreter which gave me:

Beautiful Beaulieu 4008 with the point objective of cutter 1.4/6 70. With Akku (somewhat weak), battery charger, filter key, close lens, pole filter, operating instruction and bag. Everything in good status, all camera functions tested.

So I thought RIGHTO! don't mind if I do...
and then the emails started

Subject: 4008 ZMII
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2000 13:11:31 +1000

Hallo. Gibt es keine Kratzer oder formt auf dem lense? Kann die Kamera
kleine Batterien auáerdem benutzen? Vielen dank
Scot McPhie
Australien

Hello. Are there no scratches or mould on the lense? Can the camera use
little batteries as well?

Thankyou

Scot McPhie
Australia

But something even seemed fishy at this stage, so I emailed eBay

Subject: Two cameras?
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2000 13:06:22 +1000

Hi - I've noticed there are two cameras with identical photos and almost the
same text (when you translate it) - do you think this is the same camera
twice - or seperate ones - it's both from different sellers (one of whom
also has another for sale too - a Beaulieu 4008ZMII)

The url's are:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=xxxxxxxxx
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=xxxxxxxxx

Scot McPhie

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Two cameras? (KMM14980863C0KM)
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000 23:58:23 -0700
From: eBay AU Customer Support

Hello Scot, thank you for writing to eBay Australia.

Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. I can understand how
this situation may appear suspicious. Please be aware however that as we
have no direct contact with the items that are traded on our site we
cannot verify such issues for you.

It is not unusual to see members listing the same type of item on eBay,
and sometimes members prefer using different User ID's in different
markets (eg Germany and the US) however if you are concerned about
these listings then please refer to the following information:

To all our members we recommend the following advice on activity to take
before bidding on an item to ensure that their transactions are safe:

* Email potential trading partners and check comments other members have
left for them (feedback).
* Request the contact information of potential trading partners.
* Talk to potential trading partners. Get to know your potential trading
partners and verify that each person is someone with whom you are
comfortable completing a transaction.

In this situation I believe that the above course of action would be the
best way to address any doubts you may have in this situation.

I hope this helps you out. If you require any further assistance then
please do not hesitate to contact us.

Regards,

Ray D.
eBay Australia Customer Support

So I gave him the benefit of the doubt and continued,
being lucky enough to win the bidding

Subject: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2000 21:03:25 +1000

Hello. I am the succesful buyer of the Beaulieu 4008 on eBay. I would
like to pay for it by COD. Can you tell me how much the postage will
cost. And when you can send it.

Scot McPhie
xxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx, xxx., xxxx
Australia

Hallo. Ich bin der succesful Kunde des Beaulieu 4008 auf eBay. Ich
m”chte f_r es durch COD. Can zahlen Sie erkl„re mir, wieviel das Porto
kostet. Und wenn Sie es senden k”nnen.

Scot McPhie
xxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx, xxx., xxxx
Australia

__________________________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2000 20:26:51 +0200 (MEST)

hi,
congratulations for being the happy bidder on my bealieu 4008. as i've
stated on my listing i won't do c.o.d. you have to send the money upfront, via
check or money order. my adress is:

xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx. x
xxxxxxxx xxxxxx
germany

tell me if you don't want to do it, so that i can relist the camera.
thanks. xxxxxx

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2000 20:28:07 +0200 (MEST)

sorry, i gave you my old address. the current address is:

xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxx. xx
xxxxxxxx xxxx
germany

send the money to this address.
__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 10:31:04 +1000

That's okay - I can send the money - but can you find out how much the
postage will be to Australia so I know how much to send? Can you find
out the cost for air freight, with insurance - and when you do post it
can you please make sure you pack it with lots of stuffing!!!!

Thanks, Scot

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 12:55:27 +0200 (MEST)

i will pack it very safely. don't worry. postage to australia is 100DM. so
the total is 600 DM. will you pay in german marks? please send the money
soon. bye. xxxxxx
and don't forget to include your address.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 21:53:56 +1000

Hi xxxxxxxxx - I will go to the post office tomorrow - it will probably be an
International Money Order - is that okay -- and I will send it as a registerd
letter

Scot

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 14:52:40 +0200 (MEST)

international money order is fine, but not just a money order. thanks

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Tue, 01 Aug 2000 10:52:57 +1000

Okay xxxxxxxxx - I'll send it shortly

Scot
__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Tue, 01 Aug 2000 14:50:39 +1000

xxxxxxxxx - I've just been to the post office and I can't send an
International Money Order from Australia - but I can send a bank draft
which you can then put in your bank account like a cheque. Is that method
okay with you?

Scot

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2000 12:09:51 +0200 (MEST)

that's fine.
__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Wed, 02 Aug 2000 14:24:06 +1000

Hi xxxxxxxxx - I'm sending a bank draft this afternoon

My address is

Scot McPhie
xxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx, xxx., xxxx
Australia
__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2000 12:08:59 +0200 (MEST)

fine. i'll be waiting...xxxxxx

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Wed, 02 Aug 2000 20:50:41 +1000

Just letting you know xxxxxxxxx I sent the bank draf ttoday - it should
arrive in one week to ten days

Scot

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 15:37:44 +0200 (MEST)

hi,
i received the check. now i'll wait til it clears and then i'll send the
camera. bye. xxxxxx

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2000 20:00:32 +1000

Thanks xxxxxxxxx can't wait! :-)

Scot

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Fri, 25 Aug 2000 20:38:51 +1000

Hi xxxxxxxxx - just wondering if the cheque has cleared by now, and if the
camera is on it's way?

Regards
Scot

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2000 15:03:45 +0200 (MEST)

check should clear this week and so will the camera go on it's journey.
xxxxxx

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Fri, 08 Sep 2000 19:18:36 +1000

xxxxxxxxx have you sent the camera yet? I need it soon :-)

Scot
__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date:Fri, 15 Sep 2000 09:26:20 +1000

xxxxxxxxx can you tell me if you have sent the camera - I'm planning to do
things very soon with it and it would help me if I knew when it will be
getting here. Please answer my email and let me know.

Scot

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date:Fri, 15 Sep 2000 08:43:47 +0200 (MEST)

hi,
sorry for the delay. was on holiday and will be back monday. your check
cleared and i will mail the camera monday or tuesday. bye. xxxxxx

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Fri, 15 Sep 2000 21:24:42 +1000

Thanks xxxxxxxxx that's great!

Scot

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject:Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date:Sun, 24 Sep 2000 20:53:12 +1000

xxxxxxxxx just wondering if you have posted it yet?

Scot

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2000 11:35:02 +0200 (MEST)

yes, it's on the way. xxxxxx

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date:Thu, 19 Oct 2000 11:42:18 +1000

xxxxxxxxx - it's been almost 4 weeks now and it still hasn't arrived - can you
confirm for me that you sent it air mail, with insurance - and tell me how
long it should take to get here. I'm getting very anxious now, I wanted to
actually be doing things with the camera now.

Can you please answer my email and let me know what's happening

Thankyou
Scot

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date:Tue, 24 Oct 2000 16:59:56 +0200 (MEST)

hey,
sorry for the delay. i have no daily email access at the moment. sorry.
you got the camera in the meantime? xxxxxx

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 20:49:01 +1000

No it still hasn't arrived xxxxxx, can you give me some of the details -
what mail service you used etc, so maybe I can find out where it is

Thanks
Scot

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date:Wed, 25 Oct 2000 17:18:48 +0200 (MEST)

hi,
i just discovered that i sent it to xxxxx xxxxxxxx street, i got your
handwritten adress on the envelope wrong. hm. but they should have figured that out,
shouldn't they? i send it with german post, paket number xx.xxxxxx xxx.xxxx.
hope this helps. xxxxxx

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 09:12:29 +1000

Hi xxxxxxxxx - There is no xxxxx in our street - I just rang the Post Office and they said it
would have been returned to you because it wasn't a valid address, so when you get it do
you think you could send it again to me right away at

xxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx, xxx., xxxx
Australia

I guess the problem came because sometimes 1 can look like 7 - but the address is
definately xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx Street

Anyway please keep me informed of when it gets back and when you send it

Scot

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Beaulieu 4008 on eBay
Date: Thu, 02 Nov 2000 20:02:31 +1000

xxxxxxxxx can you tell me if you sent it air mail, or sea mail - or if it has
come back to you yet? And if it hasn't could you ask the German Post Office
if they know where it is?

Thankyou
Scot

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject:Packet Number
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 08:40:49 +1000

xxxxxxxxx I've contacted the German Post Office and they won't let me trace
the parcel using the packet number you gave me - because only you can do
that. So do you think you could. Also I think this will be the fourth
email I've sent asking for some help or information from you - none of
which you've replied to. I would appreciate it if you could help me
here. I have a definite time problem involved. After I get the camera I
need to send it to the USA to get a crystal synch motor fitted to it,
then I need to get an anamorphic lense fitted to it, and then I'm going
to start shooting a feature film with it in February, but I want to do
test shots in January. Now I asked and paid for the camera to be sent
air mail with insurance - neither of which you've confirmed for me that
you did. I was expecting the camera early October, if it was air mail -
which would give me plenty of time to do all of these jobs. Can you
please tell me what service you sent it and how long that should take to
get here? I need to know this so I can plan what I will do, and if there
is enough time to do all the things I need to - or if I will have to
make alternative arrangements. There are alot of plans in place and alot
of people relying on this so I would appreciate it if you could give me
prompt reliable help.

Or has the camera been returned to you by now, and have you posted it
back to the right address?

Sincerely
Scot

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Packet Number
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 16:31:31 +0100 (MET)

hi,

i confirm, i did send it insured via airmail and i will go to the post
office and let them trace the paket. sorry. xxxxxx

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Packet Number
Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2000 08:35:50 +1000

Thanks xxxxxx, I just want to know what's happening.

Scot

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Packet Number
Date:Thu, 23 Nov 2000 21:33:44 +1000

Hi xxxxxxxxx - have they traced it yet?

Scot

Then 4 months after I won the bid, it arrived - on the day I was going to contact the Federal Police

Subject: Camera
Date:Fri, 01 Dec 2000 12:08:45 +1000

It arrived today xxxxxxxxx - I'll add some comments to your feedback profile
on ebay soon.

Thanks
Scot

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Camera
Date:Fri, 1 Dec 2000 14:56:15 +0100 (MET)

finally. i'm happy that it worked out at last. all the best. xxxxxx

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject:Re: Camera
Date:Sat, 02 Dec 2000 07:45:22 +1000

xxxxxxxxx there were no instructions or carry bag with the camera - and
they were listed as part of the sale - what happened to them? - can you
post them to me?

Scot

Needless to say I haven't heard from him since

And the moral of the story...

I don't know in some ways I just got unlucky - being aware of cultural differences ie. the way they do their ones and sevens in Europe is something to be aware of - but then I included my address in emails twice, which I felt good about because there'd be no handwriting and it would be quite clear if he took it off that -- so things can go wrong I guess - his lack of assistance and unpromptness in replying once things had gone wrong were quite disconcerting, and I since found that the German Post Office is notoriously slow too, but I just got a bad seller and bad luck I think. The camera was well packed at least, but everything I bought wasn't there and by the time it had arrived I couldn't place feed back on eBay about him because it was more than six weeks after the sale - something I should talk to them about, because if it goes wrong it may well take longer than six weeks and you're going to want to leave feedback once you do get it after that period, so anyway...

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This is the cautionary tale of the camera Names and addresses have been removed to protect the slack...... First of all I saw this on eBay: