[USA] Amazon.com LEGO Star Wars Death Star - $333.49

[pterribilis]

Eve, since you probably work for Amazon could you please investigate this?

[CrazyRus]

All right people, stop freaking out.

By now it does look like it was a scam, most likely scenario that they just took the money and ran. But I have no doubt that we will get our money back either through Amazon's A-to-Z program or through a credit card chargeback.

Also I would like to note that most Amazon's 3rd party sellers are honest and 1 bad apple shouldn't dictate your future purchasing decisions.

[pterribilis]

I have been using eBAY for over 10yrs and never got scammed. The first time using Amazon...and already a bad experience. I believe Amazon protects the personal data of sellers too much such that it makes it harder for us consumers to take action/investigate legitimacy, etc.

[EveLAntagonist]

I do not work for Amazon. I do live in the same state as Amazon though and have purchased things from and through them for years. I did order the Death Star though, 20% off doesn't exactly scream OMG SCAM and toysrus.com had them for only $1.50 more than this sellers price this past week. I got two other items from Amazon Marketplace sellers this past week with no problem.

Having actually read the webpages I purchase hundreds of dollars in items through I know: A) I have nothing to freak out about. The payment was done through Amazon and I will get my money back if this isn't legit. and B) Not enough time has passed for the seller to be proclaimed a Scammer or the item to be considered MIA.

Now I AM suspicious and pretty sure they are a scammer after the behavior since the first few days when I placed my order, but I know there is nothing I can do about until the possible shipping window has closed.

[Turd]

Im pretty sure it's a scam.

Why would their description say "WE SPECIALIZE IN EVERYTHING THOMAS THE TRAIN."
Nothing about LEGO!
Hope you guys get your money back!

ps. Also what sort of seller types in capitals? IT"S LIKE THEY ARE SCREAMING! OR???

[EveLAntagonist]

If you had looked at their Storefront before it was taken down most of the items were Thomas the Train with a handful of Lego sets and misc stuff.


AS FOR TYPING ALL IN CAPS SOME PEOPLE JUST DO AND HAVE SINCE THE DAWN OF THE INTERNETS AND SOME PEOPLE ALWAYS WILL AS LONG AS THERE IS A CAPS LOCK KEY. :D Some people just don't know any better. Personally as I get older I find it easier to read and it doesn't bother me anymore than say using a different font. Some people though act as if the straight lines and 90 degree angles are stabbing them in the face but I digress.

Hopefully the Storefront being taken down tonight is a sign Amazon is investigating the issue.

[EveLAntagonist]

Update:

"About Rae-N-Ray's Toy Box
We have not taken off any items of our inventory. A customer sent an email saying I was a fraud so amazon wants me to fax them my sales receipts for all of my inventory which I just sent. So my store should be back up by tomorrow and please leave feedback when your items arrive. Thank you"

So it appears Amazon IS investigating them.

[Turd]

They are willing to offer a 20% refund on the DS?? Wow that's like $64 x however many were sold. That's a lot of money.

How the hell does one buy so many DS's from LEGO and still be able to offer the discount?

[Legobrandon]

They are willing to offer a 20% refund on the DS?? Wow that's like $64 x however many were sold. That's a lot of money.

How the hell does one buy so many DS's from LEGO and still be able to offer the discount?

Maybe this dude is so rich, that he wants to make kids/adults happy by offering huge discounts on large LEGO sets.

[pterribilis]

Update:

"About Rae-N-Ray's Toy Box
We have not taken off any items of our inventory. A customer sent an email saying I was a fraud so amazon wants me to fax them my sales receipts for all of my inventory which I just sent. So my store should be back up by tomorrow and please leave feedback when your items arrive. Thank you"

So it appears Amazon IS investigating them.

That would be me screaming fraud. I still do not believe this guy is legit. I am with others with regards to how he can restock the DS so quickly. Now I would like to know how the sales receipts will help. I want to see from him the receipts of him buying the real DS and where it is coming out of, how he can keep that kind of stock, etc.

I am still concerned regardless of anyone here saying everything is fine. There are more of us that smell a scam than there aren't.

[SlickP]

In regards to his response, the one and only time I got scammed on ebay, that was almost the exact same response and list of excuses the guy had.

[brickz]

Can't believe there's so much scam going on with this set recently. Its also happening in ebay.com and ebay.co.uk.

The Amazon one at first sounds a bit legit since its only around 17% off which is reasonable and believable. But because he keeps getting these even though he says "only a few left", it does make it seem like a scam.

I wonder if these sellers are all together in a scam group or something.

[drtabo]

Maybe he keeps buying more off ebay to resell? hehe..

[pterribilis]

Still haven't received anything. Anyone else received an update?

[doriansdad]

Tip from buying off Amazon - only purchase when the orders are to be fulfilled by Amazon. Never ever purchase from third party resellers....that is what ebay is for with much better protections in place. Best bet is to dispute via your credit card bank.

[EveLAntagonist]

Amazon was very clear that I'd get my money back, but not even e-bay gives you money back before the shipping window is closed.

[legobricks]

Tip from buying off Amazon - only purchase when the orders are to be fulfilled by Amazon. Never ever purchase from third party resellers....that is what ebay is for with much better protections in place. Best bet is to dispute via your credit card bank.

Definitely disagree with this statement. I've purchased many many LEGOs from third party sellers on amazon.com over the years. Only once did I not receive my item and I filed an A to Z claim and Amazon refunded me within a week. I also purchased LEGOs from ebay as well. I've had several non-receipts from ebay and filing claims with paypal was horrible and long (always ended up having to dispute on my credit card). I do find prices to be much higher on amazon than on ebay, though.

[CrazyRus]

Tip from buying off Amazon - only purchase when the orders are to be fulfilled by Amazon. Never ever purchase from third party resellers....that is what ebay is for with much better protections in place. Best bet is to dispute via your credit card bank.

You have no idea what are you talking about. Amazon goes above and beyond to make sure that customer is satisfied. And even if they fail to make it right - there's always credit card chargeback option

[Luciant]

Wow... calm down people, it was a TIP, so take it or leave it. I actually agree with him, and personally DO NOT buy from any seller on Amazon other than Amazon direct for the purpose he stated. Sure, go through the headache associated with filing an A-Z claim and wait all the time.... or buy from merchants you can trust and not deal with a headache.

[legobricks]

Wow... calm down people, it was a TIP, so take it or leave it. I actually agree with him, and personally DO NOT buy from any seller on Amazon other than Amazon direct for the purpose he stated. Sure, go through the headache associated with filing an A-Z claim and wait all the time.... or buy from merchants you can trust and not deal with a headache.

It may be just a "tip", but it is a misleading one at that. To claim that it is safer to buy on eBay than Amazon is simply wrong. Additionally, to imply that "all or many" 3rd party sellers on amazon are fraudulent is also misleading to other people on these boards. Many sellers who are on amazon are on ebay as well and vice-versa. Having said that, I can provide a "tip" that filing claims on Amazon is way easier and less stressful than eBay/Paypal.

People just need to use common sense when purchasing from smaller 3rd party sellers online on any site. Always remember the old adage, if it is too good to be true....it probably is.