ebay - scam or paranoid?

[-Ralph-]

I asked the seller a question on this auction to see if the key would be suitable for my Daytona, the reply was "yes, but to be sure send me a photograph of your key"

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380342775764&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:GB:1123#ht_908wt_1139

This rang alarm bells, am I going to give a complete stranger a photograph of my bike key, and the delivery address for the new key (where the bike is garaged!)?

The seller is Peter Gorwood from Bacup near Blackburn, seems to have a shop in Bacup called Woods DIY. He has 100% feedback. Any of you lads in that part of the world know him?

It all looks totally genuine, but running an ebay auction, which results in a stranger asking for that information rang alarm bells, and once doubt is in your head....

I'm not sending a photo of my key, for 4 quid I'd rather take the risk of it being the wrong key.

I guess every time you buy a bike part off ebay, you tell the seller what bike you've got and what your address is, but sellers don't often ask for a copy of your bike keys!

Should I buy it and advertise my address to this seller or not?

[Scoobs]

Can't you just obscure the "key" part of the key. You know, all the wiggly bits...?

[-Ralph-]

I wouldn't send a picture of the key full stop, it's not necessary, I doubt Triumph use lots of different ignition barrels on their bikes, the key either suits a certain make/model or it doesn't. My concern was more about buying from someone and giving my address to someone who has asked for that information.

[daveyrach]

The chances of him cutting a key to fit your bike from a pic is slim to nil, i wouldn't worry, or as Scoobs says just obscure the teeth on the key, pic will be no different to the one advertised then.

[Girth]

Ralph replacement blanks from triumph are only £8 plus vat or there abouts.

[punyXpress]

. . and replacement blanks for an SV are more & such soft metal they're hard to cut ( the metal ' smears ' )

[Scoobs]

or as Scoobs says just obscure the teeth

Yeah...teeth...not wiggly bits...that's what I meant. :)

[TSM]

The chances of him cutting a key to fit your bike from a pic is slim to nil, i wouldn't worry, or as Scoobs says just obscure the teeth on the key, pic will be no different to the one advertised then.

Very untrue

http://www.keysinthepost.com

With the right software its easy for key cutters to make keys from a photograph.

They know the type of key so the computer knows the spec height to cut each notch, once they know the uppermost/lowest then from there they work out all the rest easly.
Ive seen them cut a key where it was completely messed up, the guy used his nail to count 1-5 as the heights of the cuts, put it in computer and it made a key. Presto new key.

Tell ya a good master locksmiths could feal your key and remember the heights then make one when he gets home.

This does not work though with MulTlock etc the type of keys with moving bits and also side cuts.

[-Ralph-]

Very untrue

http://www.keysinthepost.com



Hmm! I wonder how securely they keep their customer data! Or if they've ever been hacked? It'd be worth thousands to a car crime ring, to know what street or driveway every car is parked on, and have a photo of the key. You could soon clear out the contents of a car, or in the case of anything before transponder keys, jump in and drive it away. Classic Porsche anyone?

[-Ralph-]

This guy looks genuine and given that sending a photo of your key seems to be common practice, it was probably a genuine question. So I think I'll buy the key, like I said earlier, every time you buy a bike part off ebay, you advertise the whereabouts of your bike to the seller. I just won't be sending a photo.

[Quedos]

I always work by the same adage

If in doubt don't!

[Owenski]

http://thisis.cjdaweasel.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/chances-candy-van-legit-demotivational-poster1.jpg