Having seen a few people have some difficulties after buying from Ebay,

I was wondering if it might be possible to put a guide together so potential buyers can see if what to expect from a legitimate Columbus unit & one that's "not legit".

By saying that what seals should be in place, what they look like, that way we don't get mugged by some unscrupulous individual.

Also what parts & part numbers are needed to make this a smooth & pain free operation.

Considering how many of these units are stolen ones, I would keep my hands off them...

Anything under £1k isnt likely to be very legit.

Biggest risk is Skoda/VAG *could* if they wanted to blacklist them (likely in the future?), and next dealer hookup - as they'll know the serial number from the car's VIN.

Then you have the way the code was gained. If software hacked, or gained through the dealer computer then all good. If brute force hacked (soldering/chip changes etc) then any SW update will brick the unit.

Anything under £1k isnt likely to be very legit.

Not true. I have a unit that came with a legit code card as do many others out there and I paid just short of £600 for it. Yes there are a LOT of stolen units but that is exactly why I asked each trader I contacted if the unit came with a code card not just a code.

Thieft of these units is rife in mainland Europe but not every unit on ebay is stolen. Many are from write off's and others from other safe sources such as factory retuns etc.

Chose a known trader, ask the right questions such as does it come with a legitimate code card, what is the history of the unit etc and see what response you get. Wrong response - walk away.

anyone had any dealings with multims on ebay, they seem to have a few on sale at the moment

@Simbo. How much did you pay him for it?

I am ready to purchase a Colombus unit but want to make sure I don't get duped.

So do ye reckon that multims is the safest guy out there to buy from?

I gather you don't need to code anything when fitting the columbus into an FL?

I bought my MDF2 from him a month ago, came with the code and very apologetic when he forgot to send the map along with it, the map arrived the next day

Unit works fine

He also puts his phone number on his shop page and replies to any messages

I bought my MDF2 from him a month ago

You're doing it on purpose now, aren't you ?

Hi All, I'm also going to invest in a Columbus at some point - probably January as a post Christmas treat. Wife is going to hammer the clothes / shoes sales, so this will be my reward for going on several hideous shopping trips and carrying her bags ! I was thinking of using either Multims or OEM Retrofits, but in would appear from the above that they might be one and the same ? Did / do they offer any guarantee - I would expect something since they are trading in the UK and fronting as a legimate operation. Does anyone know exactly where their units come from - would be interesting to know..........!

Multims or OEM Retrofits,They could be the same, but multims did state in his advert a years guarantee

Anyone had any dealings with an Ebay seller called tech_toys_ltd?

If I were buying one from ebay now and the seals were broken (you have to look carefully), I'd open it up and check for solder marks ala http://briskoda.net/ice-security-insurance/latest-fw-rns-510-columbus-2660-2666-2662-2668-2664-a/155343/12/#post1820550 . If it had them, I'd get my money back, from the seller or via paypal.

So is it possible to buy a legitimate OEM unit away from a dealer as so to avoid this hassle?

If I were buying one from ebay now and the seals were broken (you have to look carefully), I'd open it up and check for solder marks ala http://briskoda.net/ice-security-insurance/latest-fw-rns-510-columbus-2660-2666-2662-2668-2664-a/155343/12/#post1820550 . If it had them, I'd get my money back, from the seller or via paypal.

:eek:

Though, these days, I suspect they get the code from the VAG system rather than the hastle of doing this?

Perhaps SIMBO can check his?

Not true. I have a unit that came with a legit code card as do many others out there and I paid just short of £600 for it. Yes there are a LOT of stolen units but that is exactly why I asked each trader I contacted if the unit came with a code card not just a code.

Thieft of these units is rife in mainland Europe but not every unit on ebay is stolen. Many are from write off's and others from other safe sources such as factory retuns etc.

Chose a known trader, ask the right questions such as does it come with a legitimate code card, what is the history of the unit etc and see what response you get. Wrong response - walk away.

A code card doesnt mean anything. Skoda dont supply them with code cards by default, as everything is, and has been for a number of years, done via diagnostic hookup and the internet back to the factory.

I ordered a Columbus from Multims last Tuesday & paid immediately.

I had an update that it was despatched on Thursday 48hr (no tracking info though).

Still not got it & cannot get a response from seller, either by phone or mail. (been trying for 2 days). Not panicking yet, but would really appreciate a response from him.

I ordered the Bluetooth kit from Poland on Tuesday also, that arrived Friday !

I ordered a Columbus from Multims last Tuesday & paid immediately.

I had an update that it was despatched on Thursday 48hr (no tracking info though).

Still not got it & cannot get a response from seller, either by phone or mail. (been trying for 2 days). Not panicking yet, but would really appreciate a response from him.

I ordered the Bluetooth kit from Poland on Tuesday also, that arrived Friday !

I find him sporadic with his replies hence I have not ordered yet. He does not answer his phone either. Fingers crossed for you.

I find him sporadic with his replies hence I have not ordered yet. He does not answer his phone either. Fingers crossed for you.

He answered pretty quickly pre-sale !

I will give him until tomorrow, then I will start the PayPal/E Bay charge back process :(

I am very wary of buying any used ICE - especially from ebay (which was once described by a senior police officer as the "world's biggest 'fencing' operation"). I would want to see where its come from and preferably communicate with the previous owner. I would certainly not buy one from sellers in Eastern Europe.

I once had a 'factory fit' ICE stolen from a previous car. Half the dashboard was destroyed when the thief ham-fistedly ripped it out. It cost me loss of NCD and a lot of grief. The eventual buyer must have had the same make/model for it to fit. 'What comes around, goes around', so I hope he got his 'bargain' car stereo stolen, in the fullness of time. Buying this stuff supports criminal activity.

:eek:

Though, these days, I suspect they get the code from the VAG system rather than the hastle of doing this?

Perhaps SIMBO can check his?

A code card doesnt mean anything. Skoda dont supply them with code cards by default, as everything is, and has been for a number of years, done via diagnostic hookup and the internet back to the factory.

My code card looks pretty genuine to me and I'm well aware that these things can be faked but this one looks like a "factory" jobbie

I never got a code card with mine (brand new, Oct 2008) - I was told they are no longer used??

I bought my previous MFD2 from Eastern Europe and it was fine. Communication was excellent with the seller though.

Whilst I accept that some stuff can be stolen, I just do not buy it that the sheer number of systems & the regularity of supply would point to them all being stolen. The police & trading standards could just pick them off so easily.

I live in the real world & know that goods are only stolen to feed the market requirements, but I feel comfortable enough to make the purchase here.

I never said I thought they were stolen, he is just a poor communicator !

I find it remarkable that on this very moment, on a Dutch forum (skodaforum.nl) there is a thread active about a chap having found his car wrecked and his Columbus-unit stolen - estimated damage in total €10.000 - and 'over here', buying units that are far too cheap to be legal is no problem at all... how worlds can differ so close to one another. The thought of a good deal is stronger than principles, isn't it?

Or is it merely waiting for those thefts to be wide-spread in GB before the eyes open up? I wonder what 'right questions' and 'right answers' exist to distinguish legal material and stolen stuff. Or do you simply put your mind to ease that way?

Don't buy this stuff, it's as simple as that!