Topic: Is this for real or a con

[Lona]

www.governmentauctionsuk.com

Would anybody care to make comment on this site. Do you think it's a con or has anybody ever heard of it.

[Simon]

I've heard of it before, Lona.  Anything that sounds too good to be true, usually is.  

By the way, if it was a UK Government web site, it would be .gov.uk  

[Clive]

I think that all they are doing is providing information for a fee. You are not actually purchasing  goods from them.  You have to be very careful with auctions as many are not what they are cracked up to be.

[Lona]

I thought it looked fishy, Clive. My hubby is trying to find a live auction to purchase old or broken grandfather clocks as he fancies restoring or repairing them as a hobby.

[Clive]

Well that certainly sounds like a very fascinating and worthwhile hobby for him Lona.  I know several people who have picked up watch repairing and have been quite successful at it.  Restoration of Grandfather clocks would obviously involve a certain amount of woodwork as well which would make it even more interesting.  Perhaps he could visit a few car boot sales to see what's around?

[chorleydave]

If it's the company I think it is, they advertise in the Exchange & Mart and, as Clive says, they charge to provide information.

[Dack]

Have a look in your phone directory for a local auction house and give them a call. They should be able to tell you of other auction places that will cater for the goods you are after.

Saves paying a bunch of middle men who are promising 'insider information' (on openly publicised auctions)
 

[chorleydave]

 You got them well and truly sussed there, Dack.

Seriously though, it never ceases to amaze me that people fall for this rubbish.  About twenty years ago, a lad I worked with started to pay about £12 a month (a substantial sum then) to a similar outfit who guaranteed a pools win EVERY week.  He then had to enter a perm with one of the tiny pools companies that nobody had heard of (not Littlewoods, Vernons, or even Zetters!) and the most he won was £1.27.  His usual return was 20p - 30p a week!

[Dack]

I keep getting the "insider information on horse racing" junk mail appearing here - for a previous owner (10years ago).

Here's an example of one of their scams:

You are given a standard rate number to call which will tell you which horse to bet on. All we ask is that you put a £25 bet on for us. If it doesn't win then you pay us nothing.

How does this scam work you ask?

Well how about you have several lines set up, each with a different horse name on it. Get enough gullible people involved, all ringing differents numbers (and so getting a different name) and you are bound to get the £25 bet off one of them - at whatever odds it came in at As to the rest who lost their stake....well they don't have to pay you.

Also NEVER EVER EVER EVER believe in a computerised horse racing program - almost all originate in a particular area of Australia from a bunch of crooks who got arrested a while back. These were the same people who were selling the "how to play the stockmarket" software back in the 80's (when they were ejected out of the UK). Now trading under a different name from an office on Totenham Court Road if my memory serves me correctly.

[dcys02647]

Have a look in your phone directory for a local auction house and give them a call. They should be able to tell you of other auction places that will cater for the goods you are after.

Saves paying a bunch of middle men who are promising 'insider information' (on openly publicised auctions)
 

:good:  Give em some of this Lona  :bart:
I'ts all they are worth >

[Michelle]

Interesting thread.

My step father keeps getting caught out on these cards that tell you you've won a prize all you have to do is ring this number (premium rate, that just keep you on the phone for ages) and all he gets is a large phone bill, no matter how many times I explain to him or tell him not to bother he's sure one day he's gonna get a good prize!!!!!!    And he's not even blonde!  

[dcys02647]

Interesting thread.

My step father keeps getting caught out on these cards that tell you you've won a prize all you have to do is ring this number (premium rate, that just keep you on the phone for ages) and all he gets is a large phone bill, no matter how many times I explain to him or tell him not to bother he's sure one day he's gonna get a good prize!!!!!!    And he's not even blonde!  

 Don't you respect your dad @ all Michelle?. Buy the man some peroxide  

[Michelle]

I would but it would hurt his bald head!!  

[chorleydave]

I would but it would hurt his bald head!!  

 Michelle.  :funny:

[Sandra]

I would but it would hurt his bald head!!  

Is Simon your step dad then Michelle