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Location

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Date Posted

SF Bay Area, California

The seller who was using a picture of Bruce Whittier's 1,301 pumpkin to sell bogus seeds on eBay has abruptly stopped posting ads. He now has no active listings on eBay!

I'm not sure if it was the dozens of ads for cheap giant pumpkin seeds posted by a host of BP'ers, or if one of the RI gang paid him a visit and had a "conversation" with him - but he has shut down his bogus operation.

The BP campaign to make his scam unprofitable was very effective. In his last five auctions, two expired with no bids and two were at the minimum with a single bid.

My thanks to the many BP'ers who joined the fun and made (or dropped) a little pocket change in the process.

A special effort award goes to lauralie - Never underestimate the fury of a woman scorned. (hey lauralie, you must specialize in DEEP muscle massage!)

I suggest that you avid pumpkin seed sellers back off with your eBay ads now - save your ammo in case Murphy returns. I'll keep an eye out....

vince

3/27/2006 10:37:29 AM

No Place Special

Awesome! I think that is great. Good job guys.. and gals!

3/27/2006 1:51:32 PM

Ray, North Dakota

Someone get ahold of Bruce and tell him. Glad it worked out.

3/27/2006 4:06:42 PM

Webster, NY

If he just wanted to sell big max seed, fine, but he should have been honest to the people he was selling to. It's good he's done.

3/27/2006 4:09:58 PM

Central Pennsylvania [email protected]

Yeah! We did it! I'll stop posting auctions so the 'good sellers' can make up for thier losses hopefully. I'll try to keep an eye out for Murphy too. Let me know if you see an auction before I do.

Yep, I can be pretty tough when needed...lol! Thanks for the effort everybody! United we stand!!!!!

3/27/2006 5:21:15 PM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

I don't know. It's hard to call it a total success after the guy's made a couple thousand dollars. But, from the point that the pumpkinheads caught on, it certainly was a successful campaign. Hell hath no fury like a pumpkin grower scorned (with apologies to WS). That is if he's not just waiting for the heat to die down.

But, just in case, I have added an alert to my eBay account to tell me if he lists anything. I've also set up an alert to monitor pumpkin-related eBay posts. So, I'll get an email if he tries to post with a new ID.

3/27/2006 6:33:56 PM

Norton, MA

The new ID thing is a big problem. He may also be playing it safe for a season or something, and come back after this all settles out next year. Great work though to all you guys that helped shut him up for now! AleX Noel.

3/27/2006 7:12:49 PM

SF Bay Area, California

I wonder too if he is just laying low for a while.

However, I think he was getting a little more prodding than we all know about. Particularly with the numerous complaints that were hitting the eBay fraud team.

He also angered the pumpkin gods with his blasphamy against Cucurbita Maxima. I'm quite sure that they are not done with him. I suspect they will exact their revenge in a most painful manner...

3/27/2006 7:59:32 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Most winter entertainment I have had since I got addicted. Wish I could have helped. Incredible job by all punkin heads who will not stand for any foolishness. Kudos to all who shut down the "Murphy" fraud. Peace, Wayne

3/27/2006 10:07:40 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Ha ha, great!

By the way, guess where this Idaho boy is right now? Niagra!

Too bad, I guess I came on the wrong week. Oh well...... -Cliff

3/27/2006 11:36:17 PM

Belmont, NH

old Murphy seems to have disappeared just like Bruce Whittier's house.

Bruce

3/28/2006 5:32:28 PM

Youngstown, Ohio

Nice going everyone! I will only be posting my watermelon seeds now and I will also be looking out for him!

3/28/2006 7:09:07 PM

Nipomo, California

He's Baaaaaack! One auction. Same old scam. 4 bids currently. I knew he'd eventually crawl back from under his rock.

4/3/2006 3:28:58 PM

Ankeny, Iowa

This guy must think he's really big and bad. He thinks nobody can touch him because E-bay has odviousley sent him that message, but you all can just step up your efforts. Instead of flooding the market you should also bid on each others seeds and maybe even buy good seeds from each other and exchange them on E-bay. Then you could drive each others approval rating up by replying positivley to each others auctions. This would divert attention from "Big Bad Murphy's" crappy seeds, flood the market, and if enough people do it it should make his business and hopefully his profits suffer to the point that he will eventually quit or people just won't buy his crap anymore.

4/3/2006 6:21:44 PM