An Ebay "Too good to be true"?

Factual Questions
1

What do you guys make of this and does anyone know the ‘catch’?

Part of me says “CHEAP iPOD CHEAP iPOD CHEAP iPOD CHEAP iPOD!!” but part of me says “There seems to be some sort of horrible catch here.”

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3075938391&category=41002

Seller says:
"Brand New in Box 20GB Apple Ipod Free Shipping & Handling Total Cost: $39 Brand new 20GB! Yes it is possible folks. You are bidding on the information which will allow you to obtain a brand new Ipod for $39.

This method has worked perfectly for me as well as thousands of others. You will receive the detailed step-by-step instructions on how to get a 20GB Ipod for under $39 with free shipping. These regularly go for $399!

All it takes is a little time, an email address and a credit card and you will be set. Sounds too good to be true? That’s what I thought at first, until I purchased the step-by-step instructions for myself at a much higher prce than this.

YOU ARE BIDDING ON AN EBOOK, NOT ON AN ACTUAL IPOD. You won’t find a cheaper Ipod anywhere. Key Features: 20 GB model holds up to 5000 songs; supports MP3, AAC, WAV, MP3 VBR, Audible(6),and AIFF formats Mac and Windows compatible; FireWire and USB 2.0 interface for fastest digital transfer available More than 8 hour battery life on a 3 hour charge (1-hour fast charge to 80% capacity) Features redesigned and backlit navigation and remodeled headphones We accept Paypal(preferred), checks or money orders. Payments must be received within 10 days after the close of auction.

Serious Bidders only please, negative feedback will be left for non-paying bidders. Shipping & Handling is FREE. Information will be sent to you the same day as pymt is recieved.

When sending pymt, please remeber to write your ebay id or item # on the check or money order.
"

2

Definitely sounds like a scam. This is the bit that gives it away:

If I read that right, you’re not actually getting an iPod, you’re bidding to get a method that allows you to obtain an iPod for $39

As a rule, anything that sounds too good to be true, usually is.

3

It’s basically a scam. What you get are instructions on how to request a free sample product. The problem is, while companies dosend out free samples for evaluation purposes, they’re going to be careful about verifying to whom they are being sent. A product reviewer for PC World might get one. You won’t.

4

Definitely sounds like a scam. This is the bit that gives it away:

and

If I read that right, you’re not actually getting an iPod, you’re bidding to get a method that allows you to obtain an iPod for $39

As a rule, anything that sounds too good to be true, usually is.

5

Here is a brief article on this type of scam.

6

Sorry for the double post. I hit stop but obviously too late

7

eBay Scam Uses iPods As Bait, from yesterday’s wired.com.

8

Thank you all for saving me from suckerdom!:slight_smile:

When I first saw “20$ iPOD” I had a reaction like that of a hungry dog having meat waved in front of his face. Now that I’ve sobered up from the excitement and more closely read the ads and articles I feel right gullible.

I am usually very scam-proof but I guess seeing a cheap iPOD was the bait I needed to blindly miss the obviously sleazy parts of the ad.