It probably is with Amazon sellers.
So I'm thinking of buying an expensive lens for my second camera - one I bought for travelling because it is lighter than my DSLR kit.
Today one appears 'used as new' from a seller on Amazon uk and is cheaper than used on ebay. With Amazons A-Z guarantee in mind I snap it up before it sells to someone else.
Having paid through Amazon payments I notice a comment on the item details asking to contact the seller direct at a gmail address. Something against Amazons T&Cs so the alarm bells ring.
I phoned the seller and they told me their account was hacked. All the feedback that reassured me was genuine but the items for sale are not. I then phoned Amazon and they are investigating and will process a refund within 14 days.
The scam works if you follow the note to email direct. they offer you an even better price for bank transfer or moneygram payment and you get nothing.
Amazon told be it probably will not take 2 weeks for refund as it was straightforward.
Normally I wouldn't have fallen for it and I certainly wouldn't have paid outside Amazon.
Still debating with myself if I want to spend £1349 on the lens. You can get a grey import for £940 so the £805 used wasn't that unbelievable.
The scam items are still for sale on Amazon and the hacked seller had informed them as well.