We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.

Buyer has disappeared, provided wrong address - but paid in full. I'm baffled...

Hope someone can help! To keep it brief...

I've sold my old Wii console and fitness board on eBay. The winning bidder made an instant payment to my Paypal account, and I've withdrawn that to my bank account. It's due to reach my account tomorrow. So far so good...

But then it gets weird. PayPal and eBay both provided completely different addresses for him. I've been trying for three days to contact the bidder to clarify where to send the package, but he doesn't answer emails, and trying to phone him, directory enquiries tell me there's no-one with that surname living at either address. I've also used eBay's contact information finder, which does provide a phone number, but that line is dead.

What sort of weird scam is this? If it is one? He sent the money in full, then disappears before I can send him the product? It's like a robbery in reverse...

Any idea what I should do? I could refund him the money and re-list the item on eBay, but how long should I wait? If I leave it more than 7 days before posting the item apparently I'm not covered by Paypal's seller protection policy. And weirdly, before this he has good eBay feedback.

Anyone any ideas? Thanks very much in advance for your time and help! I'm entirely confused... :o

Comments

  • custardy
    custardy Posts: 38,365 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    send to the paypal address using special delivery
  • could you contact other people he bought items from, perhaps they can give you the correct address, send it recorded though..
    ♥♥♥Life is too short to wake up with regrets ♥ So love the people who treat you right. ♥ Forget about the one’s who don’t ♥ Believe everything happens for a reason ♥ If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands ♥ If it changes your life, let it ♥ Nobody said life would be easy, they just promise it would be worth it ♥
  • You can set up multiple addresses in PayPal, so it is not uncommon for the eBay 'order status' screen to show a different address to the PayPal 'transaction summary' screen.

    As custardy says, sending to the PayPal address is the best option. Tracked, of course.
  • Hi - thanks very much for the replies. I'm worried that the phone number eBay hold is a dead line, and that directory enquiries have no records of anyone by that name at the Paypal address. And that he's not replying to messages. It still feels like a scam of some sort but I can't work out what he could be gaining from it!

    But I guess if I want to stay inside the Paypal 'seller protection' scheme - for what it's worth - I'll have to send it to that address within seven days.

    Thanks too for the idea of contacting people he has bought from Sidney - will try that too!
  • Sharon87
    Sharon87 Posts: 4,011 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Sometimes people are just slow updating their details and he may be away from his computer for a few days. I accidently left my old address and phone number on ebay before.
  • pinkshoes
    pinkshoes Posts: 20,351 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Just make sure you send it via recorded delivery, and note down the serial number of the Wii, just in case...
    Should've = Should HAVE (not 'of')
    Would've = Would HAVE (not 'of')

    No, I am not perfect, but yes I do judge people on their use of basic English language. If you didn't know the above, then learn it! (If English is your second language, then you are forgiven!)
  • gymfiend
    gymfiend Posts: 1,296 Forumite
    Make sure you send it special delivery, recorded won't cover you for the full value. Also - irregardless of the address any other eBay members have sent to, send it to the Paypal registered address, or you will lose your protection in the case of a non receipt claim.
    Baby Boy arrived March 25th 2010 - 17 days late & 8lb 10oz :j
  • custardy
    custardy Posts: 38,365 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Hi - thanks very much for the replies. I'm worried that the phone number eBay hold is a dead line, and that directory enquiries have no records of anyone by that name at the Paypal address. And that he's not replying to messages. It still feels like a scam of some sort but I can't work out what he could be gaining from it!

    But I guess if I want to stay inside the Paypal 'seller protection' scheme - for what it's worth - I'll have to send it to that address within seven days.

    Thanks too for the idea of contacting people he has bought from Sidney - will try that too!

    my ebay phone numbers probably out of date too
    just because they dont pay the phone bill at the delivery address means very little tbh
    this happens daily on ebay that the addresses dont tally
  • Just keep it until he gets in touch, if it's legit he's bound to get in touch sooner or later, no point in sending to a 'guessed' address as sods law mean it'll always be the wrong one especially if it's dodgy .
    Wins: pink kids laptop :(
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 73,437 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Andy2342 wrote: »
    Just keep it until he gets in touch, if it's legit he's bound to get in touch sooner or later, no point in sending to a 'guessed' address as sods law mean it'll always be the wrong one especially if it's dodgy .

    What is guessed though about a paypal address, all that matters is that it is eligible for seller protection and items are shipped tracked withion 7 days of payment.

    It is not at all uncommon for buyers to have different addresses on ebay and paypal.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.4K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 241K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.7K Life & Family
  • 254.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.