Ebay Investigation Report
Report generated: Dec 9, 2025
eBay Listing – AMES Professional Commercial and Residential Multimeter (NEW) by Seller 'jrmkew'
https://www.ebay.com/itm/177479817547Why we think so?
This eBay listing offers a new AMES Professional Commercial and Residential Multimeter from seller 'jrmkew.' The seller has completed over 500 sales, maintains a perfect 100 feedback score, and has no specific complaints or reports of scams or counterfeit activity linked to their profile. Item pricing ($39.95) is far below Harbor Freight's official $94.99 price for this model, which is the only major legitimate retailer. The listing uses original product photos and provides standard payment and shipping options. What stands out: the seller does not accept returns, and Harbor Freight is the exclusive official distributor of this multimeter. Cheap pricing from an independent seller is unusual, so while no direct scam evidence appears in the seller's history or feedback, buyers should use extra caution. Carefully inspect received items for genuine markings, compare to Harbor Freight photos, and pay with a protected method (PayPal, eBay payments). Use eBay Money Back Guarantee if any issues arise. 🛡️
Risk Insights
Extremely Low Price vs. Official Retail
- eBay listing: $39.95 (new)
- Harbor Freight (official): $94.99 (new, same model)
- No other major retailers sell this model new
Seller Profile is Clean
- 100 feedback score, 500+ sales
- No known scam complaints or counterfeit reports
No Returns Accepted
- Erodes buyer recourse if item is fake, faulty, or different than described
- Must rely on eBay Money Back Guarantee if issue arises
Category Scores
Red Flags & Warnings
- Seller is offering a product below half the standard retail price and outside the exclusive authorized sales channel.
- Return policy is 'no returns', unusual for new electronics and reduces recourse for problem orders.
Detailed Checks & Insights
0-100 Scale
Seller identity and history
Score: 85
Seller identity and history
Reason: The seller 'jrmkew' has a 100 feedback score with over 500 sales and no public scam complaints.
Review and feedback authenticity
Score: 75
Review and feedback authenticity
Reason: No abnormal clustering of negative reviews, evidence of review manipulation, or high volume of unverified feedback.
Product description consistency and details
Score: 80
Product description consistency and details
Reason: Listing includes detailed info and multiple photos that match what is expected for this model.
Price and fulfillment pattern
Score: 50
Price and fulfillment pattern
Reason: Price is less than half of Harbor Freight's official retail and product is officially exclusive to Harbor Freight.
Product authenticity and counterfeit risk
Score: 60
Product authenticity and counterfeit risk
Reason: No confirmed reports of counterfeiting for this model, but risk cannot be ignored since item is not from authorized distributor.
Return policy, legal compliance, and recourse
Score: 60
Return policy, legal compliance, and recourse
Reason: The seller does not accept returns, which is risky for electronics and potentially limits your recourse for errors or counterfeits.
Your Next Steps
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1
Examine detailed seller feedback for pattern of negative or neutral comments, especially in recent months.
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2
Inspect the received product closely for mismatches with official Harbor Freight images (markings, logos, packaging, and included accessories).
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3
Contact the seller with any authenticity concerns before confirming receipt.
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4
Use only eBay-supported payment methods to ensure Buyer Protection eligibility.
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5
If you receive an item that appears counterfeit, not as described, or defective, immediately file a claim through eBay's Money Back Guarantee.
Evidence & Citations
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AMES DM1010 only sold officially by Harbor Freight (Price: $94.99)
Harbor Freight is the official (possibly only) authorized retailer for this exact model.
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No scam or counterfeit reports on seller 'jrmkew' (public sources)
Checked feedback history and external sources; no scam pattern found.
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eBay Buyer Protection and return policy for non-return sellers
eBay Money Back Guarantee covers 'not as described' even if seller doesn't accept general returns.
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