Ebay warning - "real" MPP

[lonepigeon]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250295085576

This is the second time this guy has listed this "real" MPP for sale.
He says...

The flash gun is in great condition, please see photos for all details.

Photos show slight wear on the clamp, this is not on the product you are purchasing.

The photos are all stolen so I don't know how you'd "see photos for details". Most of the pics were stolen from my website The Parts of Star Wars:
http://www.partsofsw.com/mpp.htm
One of the pics is taken from Parks Sabers.

My guess is he may have a Parks replica, but is misrepresenting it. Who knows though since he does not have any pics of what he's actually selling. I've reported him to eBay again, but I wanted to warn everyone here in case they don't act fast enough.

 

[sycor]

I'm pretty sure one of those pictures is stolen from Parks also.

 

[Apollo]

Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[DL 44 Blaster]

This is the biggest drawback to the dead on replicas that were made of the Graflex and MPP. It's the reason I would only ever buy one from someone I knew these days:unsure

Thanks for the heads up Chris!

Steve

 

[cap70]

THanks for letting us know

 

[TridCloudwalker]

This is the biggest drawback to the dead on replicas that were made of the Graflex and MPP. It's the reason I would only ever buy one from someone I knew these days:unsure

Thanks for the heads up Chris!

Steve

Do the repros have any tells?

 

[Trooper_trent]

Yeah, some are subtle and only come from studying originals for a while. The finish is different as is the general feel of the piece. The graflex has a screw on the ear tabs to keep the bulb clamp from swiveling whereas the original graflex just uses a rivet type pin.
Not sure on the Graflex except for the smitter shroud seems to be made of a softer lead or pewter. I'm sure there are other tells.

 

[Skaught]

Here's his response when questioned about if the item up for sale is the same as pictured:

These are of a similar item, my MPP is at a local jeweler for cleaning. This MPP is in amazing condition and I have treated it and cared for it amazingly over the past 6 years

Scott

 

[defstartrooper]

Is it diamond encrusted then ? :eek

 

[lonepigeon]

No response from eBay yet this time. Last time I reported him they wanted me to sign up for their VeRO program before they'd do anything.

The seller appears to be a blatant liar. MAYBE he has a Larbel MPP if he's had it for six years.
If he had a real one why would he have listed it the first time with a $150 Buy It Now?

 

[DARKSIDE72]

Lets bid it up to say around $10,000 :lol

 

[CeSquared]

I sent him this question.

"Is this a real MPP or a Parks Sabers replica? The 4th picture is from the Parks Sabers website."

His answer.

"From my understanding it is a replica."

 

[137th Gebirg]

^^^ Either he realizes he was caught in the lie or he may try to use the argument that the replica was created from original MPP parts.

 

[Trooper_trent]

"I have taken it to a local jeweler for cleaning, I should be able to post photos in a few days. it is in pristine condition and is my prized piece in my collection"

He ended the auction early.

 

[lonepigeon]

He ended the auction early.

Probably because I sent him a message.

He admits it's a replica in a private message to CeSquared, but nothing in the auction says so. He had it listed in the Vintage Photo Equipment section on eBay. Maybe by the time CeSquared wrote him he had gotten so many messages he was suspicious people were onto him.
Scam artist or just dumb? Who knows.