THERMOMIX SCAM!

[plewright123]

Just a heads up for anyone winning/bidding on the Thermomixes

The seller offers paypal in the listings but is using Country Monitor Risk Control settings to refuse payment via paypal once in checkout. The seller is then sending bank account information for a Bank of China account.

PLEASE - do not send any money unless you are able to pay via paypal.

One buyer has recently left a negative for an item (not a thermie) that they were unable to purchase with paypal and they stated no contact from the seller.

BUYERS BEWARE!

(Shame, a $600 thermie would've been a dream come true)

Post edited to remove Seller ID

[2649mike]

Thanks for heads up about my email address. I'll keep my eye out for dodgy emails!

[go-tazz]

They had PP in their listing so it was a payment option: 231396798840

[black*poppy]

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Dont do it.

Not for $600, not for $1200.

Thermomix has the rights all sewn up in Australia and if you don't buy from a distributor here, you will never be able to get the item repaired here or buy parts.  If you buy here, the voltage and instruction booklet will be suited for Australia (right voltage and in English).

You will be able to go to demo classes any time you want to.

Ebay is good for a lot of things, but a thermomix from overseas-avoid it.

You may be able to buy a second hand one on ebay, but check it was bought here in Australia.

Have you considered the thermochef? It is half the price and some people swear by it.

I don't have either, so I can't say how they compare but they look similar.

A friend has cook4me which hasn't all the bells and whistles, but she says it is excellent too and it is only $289 at Harvey Normans.

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Several points here are complete myths.

1. Voltage European and Australia is the same, you just need to change the plug - I bought a heap of electricals back with me from when I lived in the UK (which is the same)

2.  Thermomix are more than happy to take your money to repair your overseas thermie.  I've asked them directly.  As of 6 months ago they only charge $30/hr + parts.  However you won't be covered for warranty (which is only a year anyway).  

3.  You can download the pdf of the instruction manual for TM31 and TM5 in English but you will have to buy the recipe book that normally comes with the Australian thermomixes.  The TM31 is $40.00 off the website.  I have no idea about the TM5 book with the chip but I wonder that Thermomix wouldn't sell you one anyway.

4.  The thermomix and thermochef are worlds apart but agree the money saved may be worth it for some.  The thermochef is based on the old TM21 when the patent ran out, so it is inferior design.  The main thing I don't like about the thermochef is you can't put the entire bowl in water - you have to keep the bottom dry where the electrics insert into the base unit.  I was told this from a consultant in Matchbox.  This would made cleaning really hard.  The thermomix bowl can be fully immersed and also placed in the dishwasher.  Also doesn't have reverse function, which I use alot.  But yeah, loads cheaper.

Not to say this ebay listing isn't a scam, clearly it is, just making general comments about buying Thermomix in general.

[springyzone]

I didn't realise Thermomix would repair one that was bought overseas. I have read ads that imply they won't, but you would probably know better than i if you have checked, as I don't actually own one (I don't own a thermochef either). That is good news for those who have bought from overseas.

As for the voltage, even if it is the same, changing the plug may be an inconvenience for some. Maybe not a major one, but it isn't something we're all good at.

I was under the impression the guarantee was for 2 years for those used in the home.

I agree that the thermomix and thermochef are  two totally different products. I did not know about the difference with the bowl and must say, it would make me veer towards the thermomix, in preference.

I think I would still be wary of ebay deals with thermomix, it is a lot of money to be spending and you would want to get it right. I guess if you had had one before it would be okay, but for someone new, it might pay to stay with the Australian distributors so they can attend the demos and what have you.

It worries me to hear of thermomix scams on ebay-well, it worries me to hear of any scams, but I had thought they were mainly for things like phones. I guess scammers are getting creative!

[i-love-my-sheep]

 It's interesting that in item 231396798840 the item specifics say it's brand new, but in the description she says it's used but in outstandingly good condition. Plus she had 3 brand new but used in outstandingly good condition.

Selling a used item and using stock photos. Another big no no. A BIN of $590 with free postage. Screams scam to me!

Sad that 3 people are sitting there all excited, only to find out in a few weeks that they have probably been scammed. At least the only payment option was PayPal, so they should be able to get a refund. Hopefully they all know they can get a refund if needed.