MikeRowSoft vs. Microsoft

[on-ramp]

Well, I know some of you may have heard the story by now...so here's the latest:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3382073018&category=2312

only 16 and so wise

[GrindingGears]

I haven't heard, what's this story all about?

[exc911ence]

$26000 already with over 6 days left on the auction?!? Yikes!

[on-ramp]

http://ina-community.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=345108

here's more on the story

[Aurel]

Rowe has offered to return any money donated to his defense fund. "As Microsoft has kindly offered to pay my out-of-pocket expenses, these donations will no longer be necessary. As I have said from the beginning, I was not into this to make money," he added.

Humm, yeah, sure. And that why he is now trying to sell a pile a paper for $30,000...smart little brat

Aurel

[smoak]

Confused as to why the paper is worth anything to anyone?

[exc911ence]

$115,600 and 5 days left!!!!

[emwporsche]

$202,000+

People are dumb.

[UconnTim97]

That seems like a gigantic waste of money.

[CJFusco]

what real value would something like that have?

certainly not 203,000...

[osidak]

I think it is going to be funny when they winner doesn't pay up at the end of the bid.

[emwporsche]

I find it curious that the bid is now up to $8,300
what happened

[Aurel]

Maybe this little crook was having his friends bid for him...who would buy a pile of paper for $203,000 ? People are stupid, but are they that stupid ? An examination of the bidding history may shed some light:

Cancelled
Explanation:Bidders must now be pre-approved. Bid:Jan-31-04 20:39:07 PST
Cancelled Feb-02-04 12:06:11 PST
proudmaryusa( 603) Cancelled
Explanation:Bidders must now be pre-approved. Bid:Feb-01-04 21:27:09 PST
Cancelled Feb-02-04 12:02:12 PST
mr...g( 251) Cancelled
Explanation:Bidders must now be pre-approved. Bid:Feb-01-04 02:08:53 PST
Cancelled Feb-02-04 12:06:02 PST
shopatbanks( 0 ) Retracted
Explanation:Entered wrong bid amount Bid:Jan-28-04 11:36:46 PST
Retracted Jan-28-04 11:39:39 PST
manjaris-com( 37) Cancelled
Explanation:Bidders must now be pre-approved
etc...

Aurel

[on-ramp]

now it's back to $500

HAHA

[osidak]

That must hurt the poor kid probably was think about all the things he could do with U$200,000

I wonder if anyone will even pay $500 for it. Why would anyone want it period

[osidak]

So I asked the kid just how exactly do I get to bid and here is his response. Sounds like a great scam. I hope there isn't an idiot alive to fall for it

Hello,

Thank you for the interest in my auction. I have decided to make the process
of my auction pre-approved only because a select group of bidders decided it
would be funny to place bogus bids. I want this transaction to go as
smoothly as possible and making the bidding pre-approved seems to be the
only way this can be possible.

To be pre-approved you must accept the following stipulations:
[1] You must deposit $500USD to my PayPal account (mike@icyhost.com) for
confirmation that you are serious. If you don't win the auction you will
receive your deposit back right away.
[2] If you place a bid and retract it, your deposit of $500 will not be
refunded. This is to keep the same group of bidders who were destroying the
integrity of the auction from doing so again. If you place the wrong amount
in your bid, you can retract it for a new bid only.
[3] If you win the auction and don't pay in full within 72 hours, you DO NOT
get your deposit back. This is a step to make sure that no one will make
bogus bids.
[4] You will receive the item as soon as the money is cleared into my bank
account. I will only be accepting bank transfers or certified checks. Credit
cards and PayPal will not be accepted anymore.

***Please note that I will not be accepting pre-approved bidders within 12
hours of the auction ending.***

I have had a few questions over the condition of the book and the 25-page
letter. These are both in perfect condition with no writing on them of any
sort. They are the originals I received from Microsoft's lawyers on January
14th, 2004. When/If you win the auction I will be sending the package to you
via FedEx. I will pay for all shipping and handling charges so that the
final bid you make is the price you pay.

If you have any other questions, please don't be afraid to ask. Please make
sure you notify me that you are an approved bidder so I can answer your
question(s) as my highest demand.

Thanks once again for the interest,
Mike Rowe

[osidak]

Latest update from Mr Soft.

Hello,



I have come to the conclusion that asking for a deposit wasn’t a great way of verifying the bidder’s intent. Some people have been worried about depositing money to bid. I understand the concern, I am just trying to make sure no one places fake bids like earlier in the auction. Here is the new verification method.



[1] Supply me with a valid phone number to reach you at if I have any concerns over your bid.

[2] If you place a bid and retract it without a valid excuse you will be removed from the approved list.

[3] You will receive the item as soon as the money is cleared into my bank account. I will only be accepting bank transfers or certified checks. Credit cards and PayPal will not be accepted anymore.



***Please note that I will not be accepting pre-approved bidders within 12 hours of the auction ending.***



I have uploaded pictures of the book and the letter to www.mikeroweforums.com/wipo so you can have a better look at what you are bidding on.



Please respond to this email with your phone number and eBay user ID so I can add you to the pre-approved bidders list.