>
>
>

Buyer beware: Grand Maximus SCAM on e-bay!

Feel free to discuss anything about any of the thousands of Transformer toys here. Anything from Generation 1 all the way to the soon to be released, the never to be released or the hope to be released is fair game! Want to show off your stuff? Please post your's and see others in the Transformers Collections Forum.

Buyer beware: Grand Maximus SCAM on e-bay!

Posted by Dead Metal Thu Apr 21, 2011 7:23 am

Motto: "Don't do drugs, beer's cheaper anyway!"
EDIT: From feedback given to us by our readers, it looks like we found a different kind of scam. It turns out that the "KO" Grand Maximus from the screen shots does not exist. The seller just puts these listings up to use as a sort of "short-term loan", the people he sells them to get scammed as they are never given anything else than an empty box.
This is the link to the sellers profile. Please save yourself the hassle.
We are, however, keeping the original article as is, you can find it below this text, just in case.
-Dead Metal

Remember the announcement of Fortress Maximus getting KO'ed? Then you might also remember that the same announcement stated that his repaints/remolds Brave Maximus and Grand Maximus would also get KO'ed.
You might have then sighed in relieve once it was announced that the company had lied and was no-longer planing on producing these Bootlegs.
Well, looks like the company has lied, in regards of not producing them.
Seibertron.com staff have noticed a very odd trend on e-bay: MISB Grand Maximus sets in perfect condition being sold for a relatively low price.
Take in mind that this particular figure usually sells at the USD 3000 - 4000 mark and you'll see what we mean with "relatively cheap".
And we're not talking about one or two MISB Grand Maximus here, we're talking about a whole bunch. Not only are they always "Vintage", "MISB", "100%", and "complete", they also seem to mostly come from the UK.
Keep in mind, Grand Maximus is a rare late G1 Japan only release. The toy will be 23 years old this year, no matter how good it's been taken care off, MISB figures of him are rare, and have at the very least, slightly damaged boxes, on top of that, loose figures will never look fresh and new.
It is therefore very strange that so many fresh looking, MISB and mint loose sets have suddenly popped up the UK.
We have 11 screen shots of such listings which you can find in this post. They are all from the same seller, just to prove the point.
It looks like the rumour concerning the existence of Grand Maximus KOs that are trying to be passed off as real ones are in fact true.
Furthermore we want to add: "If it looks too good to be true, it likely is."

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
Image


Jeep! wrote:Why do I imagine Dead Metal sounding exactly like Arnie?
Intah-wib-buls?

Blurrz wrote:10/10

Leave it to Dead Metal to have the word 'Pronz' in his signature.
User avatar
Dead Metal
God Of Transformers
Posts: 13933
News Credits: 767
Joined: Tue May 01, 2007 6:18 am

Re: Buyer beware: KO Grand Maximus!

Posted by Rated X Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:09 am

Motto: ""Assumption is the mother of all screw ups.""
Weapon: Saw-Edged Pincer
Thats great news !!!

It's about time they KO this guy so everyone has a shot to own one.
Rated X
Banned
Posts: 8420
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:25 pm
Location: Miami, Florida
Strength: 5
Intelligence: 8
Speed: 2
Endurance: 10
Rank: 7
Courage: 10+
Firepower: 10+
Skill: 8

Re: Buyer beware: KO Grand Maximus!

Posted by RodimusConvoy13 Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:16 am

Motto: "Well, when I see five weirdos dressed in togas, stabbing a man in the middle of the park in full view of a hundred people, I shoot the bastards! That's MY policy!"
Weapon: Photon Blaster
Rated X wrote:Thats great news !!!

It's about time they KO this guy so everyone has a shot to own one.


And you to can own a KO for the bargain that is $1600.

I really don't think this is great news.
"One of them even took the time to smear, “Fans are TeH SUCK!!!” in poop all over my windshield!"

Counterpunch
User avatar
RodimusConvoy13
Gestalt
Posts: 2845
News Credits: 194
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 1:06 pm
Location: Saline, MI
Strength: 6
Intelligence: 8
Speed: 7
Endurance: 8
Rank: 7
Courage: 6
Firepower: 7
Skill: 8

Re: Buyer beware: KO Grand Maximus!

Posted by alldarker Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:26 am

Motto: "Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici"
Weapon: Vibro-Force Gun
Actually... Are you sure you got this story right? I know that this guy has indeed offered a 'Grand Maximus' on e-Bay several times, but what I know is that sellers have never actually received any of these Grand Maximus'es: PayPal has had to reclaim the money from him every time. So in actual fact, he doesn't even have a GM to sell, be it real OR knock off.

The story I've heard, both from his feedback and from the Dutch e-Bay seller Gerrutcamaro (who actually tried to buy one and also had to get his money back through Paypal) is that this guy uses the Paypal money as a kind of personal 'short term' loan. In the time it takes to resolve the claim, he can sell another GM to a new buyer, to ensure PayPal can take THAT money from his account to repay a previous buyer he scammed.

So I actually still believe there is no KO Grand Maximus at all! Although I definitely agree that buyers should beware of this particular seller! I think the low prices have also been due to lots of buyers already knowing about this guy's scamming ways. The biggest problem is e-Bay not doing anything about him, but allowing him to carry on, and on, and on, with the same scam.
Last edited by alldarker on Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:36 am, edited 2 times in total.
I'm so meta, even this acronym...
User avatar
alldarker
Brainmaster
Posts: 1414
News Credits: 7
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 6:37 pm
Location: Headquarters
Strength: 10+
Intelligence: 10+
Speed: 10
Endurance: 7
Rank: 9
Courage: 10
Firepower: 6
Skill: 9

Re: Buyer beware: KO Grand Maximus!

Posted by mattyc1007 Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:28 am

Motto: "You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Hungry"
Weapon: Sword
Great work seibers, you may have 1000+ feedback, but your rep is now screwed...and will continue to be as everyone who see's this on the front page :P

I Vote Sticky!

Great job guys once again, £1300 for a figure let alone a KO... Ouchy. I'll stick with Micron Legends :)
Image

Transform and Chill Out!

Couldnt Resist (Check Em Out!)

http://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/viewtopic.php?f=143&t=48806

Don't delete me, not my fault I only log in every eon :(
mattyc1007
Transmetal Warrior
Posts: 879
News Credits: 1
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:45 pm
Location: Your Fridge >:D
Alt Mode: 93 Talbot Express
Strength: 9
Intelligence: 4
Speed: 2
Endurance: 8
Rank: 7
Courage: 5
Firepower: 5
Skill: 7

Re: Buyer beware: KO Grand Maximus!

Posted by It Is Him Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:36 am

Yeah. This story need to be edited. There is no KO Grand Max, just a scammer on ebay.
Come join us at THE PUPPY THREAD

Image
BeastProwl wrote:What the **** is wrong with you?
User avatar
It Is Him
City Commander
Posts: 3264
News Credits: 16
Joined: Fri Aug 17, 2007 10:23 pm
Location: Omicron Persei 8

Re: Buyer beware: KO Grand Maximus!

Posted by payton34 Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:45 am

^ This.

The guy is a scammer with multiple eBay accounts. There is no KO Grand Maximus (not yet, anyway).
User avatar
payton34
Mini-Con
Posts: 22
News Credits: 1
Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:55 pm

Re: Buyer beware: KO Grand Maximus!

Posted by Mykltron Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:45 am

Motto: "If I win again I'm still the champion. If you win HAH! that's just impossible.

Weapon: tea cup."
It's marked C-311. I thought the scale went to 10.
Image

Why not take a look at My TF Repaints? Updated 23rd January 2015
User avatar
Mykltron
Guardian Of Seibertron
Posts: 5979
News Credits: 9
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 6:43 am
Location: Nearby. Watching.

Re: Buyer beware: KO Grand Maximus!

Posted by alldarker Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:50 am

Motto: "Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici"
Weapon: Vibro-Force Gun
Mykltron wrote:It's marked C-311. I thought the scale went to 10.

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Grand_Maximus
I'm so meta, even this acronym...
User avatar
alldarker
Brainmaster
Posts: 1414
News Credits: 7
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 6:37 pm
Location: Headquarters
Strength: 10+
Intelligence: 10+
Speed: 10
Endurance: 7
Rank: 9
Courage: 10
Firepower: 6
Skill: 9

Re: Buyer beware: KO Grand Maximus!

Posted by Dead Metal Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:53 am

Motto: "Don't do drugs, beer's cheaper anyway!"
I'll edit the news post to reflect the information given in this thread. Thanks guys :D
Image


Jeep! wrote:Why do I imagine Dead Metal sounding exactly like Arnie?
Intah-wib-buls?

Blurrz wrote:10/10

Leave it to Dead Metal to have the word 'Pronz' in his signature.
User avatar
Dead Metal
God Of Transformers
Posts: 13933
News Credits: 767
Joined: Tue May 01, 2007 6:18 am

Re: Buyer beware: KO Grand Maximus!

Posted by Deathsanras Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:57 am

He supposedly has a real Maximus he's just not actually selling it. He ships an empty box to the people he scams.

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transform ... ximus.html
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transform ... -misb.html
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transform ... eware.html
Last edited by Deathsanras on Thu Apr 21, 2011 9:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Deathsanras
Fuzor
Posts: 269
Joined: Sat Mar 01, 2008 11:37 am

Re: Buyer beware: KO Grand Maximus!

Posted by It Is Him Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:57 am

We appreciate your enthusiasm for warning the fandom!

alldarker wrote:
Mykltron wrote:It's marked C-311. I thought the scale went to 10.

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Grand_Maximus


If his number wasn't C-311, that would be one hell of a rating. :P
Come join us at THE PUPPY THREAD

Image
BeastProwl wrote:What the **** is wrong with you?
User avatar
It Is Him
City Commander
Posts: 3264
News Credits: 16
Joined: Fri Aug 17, 2007 10:23 pm
Location: Omicron Persei 8

Re: Buyer beware: KO Grand Maximus!

Posted by Dead Metal Thu Apr 21, 2011 9:00 am

Motto: "Don't do drugs, beer's cheaper anyway!"
Oh god I have just ruined what little of a name I had left!
Oh teh AGONIS! :sad:
Image


Jeep! wrote:Why do I imagine Dead Metal sounding exactly like Arnie?
Intah-wib-buls?

Blurrz wrote:10/10

Leave it to Dead Metal to have the word 'Pronz' in his signature.
User avatar
Dead Metal
God Of Transformers
Posts: 13933
News Credits: 767
Joined: Tue May 01, 2007 6:18 am

Re: Buyer beware: KO Grand Maximus!

Posted by joevill Thu Apr 21, 2011 9:04 am

Motto: "For Seibertron!"
Weapon: Sword
That's one expensive KO!
User avatar
joevill
Transmetal Warrior
Posts: 869
News Credits: 11
Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 12:09 pm
Location: Apple Valley, CA
Strength: 5
Intelligence: 5
Speed: 5
Endurance: 5
Rank: 5
Courage: 5
Firepower: 5
Skill: 5

Re: Buyer beware: KO Grand Maximus EDIT!

Posted by Dead Metal Thu Apr 21, 2011 9:13 am

Motto: "Don't do drugs, beer's cheaper anyway!"
I took the article down from the front page for the time being.
So that Ryan can decide what to do with it.
This thread might disappear for a short time, that's if I feel like moving it.
Image


Jeep! wrote:Why do I imagine Dead Metal sounding exactly like Arnie?
Intah-wib-buls?

Blurrz wrote:10/10

Leave it to Dead Metal to have the word 'Pronz' in his signature.
User avatar
Dead Metal
God Of Transformers
Posts: 13933
News Credits: 767
Joined: Tue May 01, 2007 6:18 am

Re: Buyer beware: KO Grand Maximus EDIT!

Posted by mattyc1007 Thu Apr 21, 2011 10:19 am

Motto: "You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Hungry"
Weapon: Sword
Still could be on the front page to warn people of the scam :-?
Image

Transform and Chill Out!

Couldnt Resist (Check Em Out!)

http://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/viewtopic.php?f=143&t=48806

Don't delete me, not my fault I only log in every eon :(
mattyc1007
Transmetal Warrior
Posts: 879
News Credits: 1
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:45 pm
Location: Your Fridge >:D
Alt Mode: 93 Talbot Express
Strength: 9
Intelligence: 4
Speed: 2
Endurance: 8
Rank: 7
Courage: 5
Firepower: 5
Skill: 7

Re: Buyer beware: KO Grand Maximus EDIT!

Posted by fenrir72 Thu May 12, 2011 7:37 am

Motto: "Power to the strong and the right!"
Weapon: Plasma Cannon
He pulled the same stunt TWICE just last week! I'll try to get the @sshole's new account name in ebay 'cause it seems that people have gone the wiser now.

I hope this gets stickied.
User avatar
fenrir72
God Of Transformers
Posts: 10540
News Credits: 60
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:37 am
Location: SEA
Alt Mode: Mobile Ground Fortress
Strength: 9
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 6
Endurance: 10+
Rank: 9
Courage: 10
Firepower: 8
Skill: 9

Re: Buyer beware: Grand Maximus SCAM on e-bay!

Posted by Dead Metal Thu May 12, 2011 8:33 am

Motto: "Don't do drugs, beer's cheaper anyway!"
Edited title and moved it to the toys forum, since it's not a KO.
Image


Jeep! wrote:Why do I imagine Dead Metal sounding exactly like Arnie?
Intah-wib-buls?

Blurrz wrote:10/10

Leave it to Dead Metal to have the word 'Pronz' in his signature.
User avatar
Dead Metal
God Of Transformers
Posts: 13933
News Credits: 767
Joined: Tue May 01, 2007 6:18 am

Re: Buyer beware: Grand Maximus SCAM on e-bay!

Posted by fenrir72 Fri May 13, 2011 12:26 am

Motto: "Power to the strong and the right!"
Weapon: Plasma Cannon
Thanks DM :APPLAUSE:
User avatar
fenrir72
God Of Transformers
Posts: 10540
News Credits: 60
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:37 am
Location: SEA
Alt Mode: Mobile Ground Fortress
Strength: 9
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 6
Endurance: 10+
Rank: 9
Courage: 10
Firepower: 8
Skill: 9

Re: Buyer beware: Grand Maximus SCAM on e-bay!

Posted by DJLazer Sat May 14, 2011 12:41 am

Motto: ""Destruction is the right of all autobot beings""
Weapon: Concussion Blaster Gun
Sad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :sad:
Image
Death to all autobots!
(Formerly known as lazerwave217)
DJLazer
Gestalt Team Leader
Posts: 971
Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 6:55 pm
Location: Decepticon HQ
Strength: 8
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 2
Endurance: 6
Rank: 8
Courage: 5
Firepower: 6
Skill: 10

Registered users: Apple [Bot], Bing [Bot], Bumblevivisector, ChatGPT [Bot], Fires_Of_Inferno, Glyph, Google [Bot], Google Adsense [Bot], MSN [Bot], OpenAI [Bot], Yandex [Bot]

Patreon
Charge Our Energon Reserves. Join the Seibertron Elite.
Support SEIBERTRON™