11-03-2004, 09:00 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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eBay "Battery Replacement" Scam?
I'm searching for a battery for an iPAQ 5450 that I lent to a friend, so naturally I turned to the worlds biggest marketplace: eBay. I found several listings, but the Buy It Now prices seemed painfully high at $90+ USD. I found one for $45 USD, but was confused by the $25 charge for shipping and labour. Once I read the full description I realized what this guy was doing:
"This is for a battery replacement service. A brand new battery will be $45.00 plus the $25.00 for labor and shipping costs. This includes the models 5450 and the 5455. It is the buyers responsibility to ship the item to me. I give a 30 day warranty with all of my repairs. If I can not fix the item, I will return the item back to you free of charge and will also give a complete refund."
Given that the iPAQ 5000 series has a user-replaceable battery that you pop out and pop back in, I can't see this as anything other than a scam to trick confused Pocket PC users into paying for a "service" they don't need. Unbelievable! 8O
By the way, if anyone happens to have an iPAQ 5450 battery they'd be willing to sell to me cheap, let me know. ;-)
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11-03-2004, 09:07 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 34
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eBay replacement Battery scam
It could also be a way to part you from your Pocket PC.
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11-03-2004, 09:08 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12
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not just that, i'd be wary of shipping my ipaq off to some random person. its probably more of a scam to get their hands on ipaqs rather than to "service" it.
edit: yes what duncanhbrown said.
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11-03-2004, 09:09 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 270
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Actually, I do. I have upgraded to a 6315 and it has been sitting in my breifcase since.
I'm not sure I could sell it in good faith though. I have used it for some time with no problems, but occasionally I had problems charging it (sometimes it held a charge, sometimes it did not). I would be happy to send it to you and if it works for you great.
PM me and I'll get your address.
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11-03-2004, 10:23 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,097
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As a frequent buyer and seller on eBay, I feel I should point out that if the seller honestly describes the entire 'thing' he's selling, whether it be a product or service, it's not a scam. He clearly states in his listing what he's charging for. It's up to you to read it in it's entirety. If someone is selling a 17" LCD display for $100, it's up to you to find out why: the very last line in the listing is probably 'this is a non-fuctional display'.
Sure, the battery is user replacable, but just because the clock on your VCR is able to be changed by you doesn't mean you know how to do it or are interested in learning...
I say if people are willing to pay for it, then by all means charge for it. For better or for worse, that's the capitalistic society we live in...
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11-03-2004, 10:44 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1
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iPAQ Battery
Jason,
I recently upgraded from a 5555 tot he hx4700... have an extended capacity battery if your interested. Also for anyone else that may be in the market for 5555 series accessories, I have a Vaja case that I can no longer use. The case is black with a magetic closure and no belt holder.
Roger
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11-03-2004, 10:46 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,264
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Also, by pushing the cost to shipping/labor, isn't the seller getting around paying ebay the full commission?
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11-03-2004, 11:16 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 8
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Batteries
I was looking for a battery for my 4155 but couldnt find anything on eBay except generic batteries. Are those batteris just as good as the ones from HP? I'm always leery of purchasing "generic" substitutes for things I use all day, every day.
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11-03-2004, 11:46 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,341
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Re: eBay "Battery Replacement" Scam?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jason Dunn
$25 charge for shipping and labour.....................
Given that the iPAQ 5000 series has a user-replaceable battery
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25 bucks!! Shoot! Send it to me and I'll do it for 10! 
Dave
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11-04-2004, 01:12 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 58
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I agree that the entire add be read...
I was shaking my head while reading the ebay advertisement, as I'm sure you all did, when I noticed this at the bottom of the page:
Seller's payment instructions
What you are paying for is a brand new battery for the iPAQ 3600 series Pocket PC as well as a $25.00 labor fee for the repair. Included in this fee is the s&h costs for sending the unit back to you via FedEx. It is the buyers responsability to get the ubit to me. If I can not fix the item, the item will be returned to you free of charge and a full refund will be credited.
Hmmm, the title represents the 5000 series, so why is there mention of the 3600 series later in the add? I'll leave that up to someone else to decipher.
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