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Is this a scam??

kaznelson
kaznelson Posts: 463 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
in Ebay, auctions, car boot sales, post & parcels
I have just sold a piece of funiture for £400 for collection in person.

Just checked the address of the buyer and it is the USA.

But they have contacted me to arrange collection.

I have asked they make payment by Paypal.

I am being too nervous or does it sound legit?

Comments

  • elainew
    elainew Posts: 889 Forumite
    ask for cash on collection or bank transfer. Is safer for you :)
    TRYING hard to be a good money saver :rolleyes:
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,955 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Not a scam as such but definitely a major problem. Unfortuantely ebay forces us all to take paypal so you need to proceed with caution here as refusing to take paypal can get you a warning on your seller dashboard, can you be subtle, maybe offer a small discount for bank transfer or cash on collection?
    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.
  • Lakelady_2
    Lakelady_2 Posts: 286 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I too would be cautious - how can they collect in person if the address is USA?
  • Brooker_Dave
    Brooker_Dave Posts: 5,196 Forumite
    kaznelson wrote: »
    I have just sold a piece of funiture for £400 for collection in person.

    Just checked the address of the buyer and it is the USA.

    But they have contacted me to arrange collection.

    I have asked they make payment by Paypal.

    I am being too nervous or does it sound legit?

    Tell them cash on collection or nothing.

    If you take paypal on collection items you face a real chance of losing the money and your item.
    "Love you Dave Brooker! x"

    "i sent a letter headded sales of god act 1979"
  • niknaknoo1982
    niknaknoo1982 Posts: 578 Forumite
    Maybe they are new to country and haven't changed address details yet?
    If google doesn't know it, how should i?
  • kaznelson
    kaznelson Posts: 463 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks for your great advice.

    BUT they have just made a paypal payment? Any suggestions on how i can protect this?
  • frivolous_fay
    frivolous_fay Posts: 13,302 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Mortgage-free Glee!
    kaznelson wrote: »
    Thanks for your great advice.

    BUT they have just made a paypal payment? Any suggestions on how i can protect this?

    I would be refunding and asking them what their intended arrangements are.
    My TV is broken! :cry:
    Edit: refunded £515 for TV 1.5 years out of warranty - thank you Sale of Goods Act! :j
  • kaznelson
    kaznelson Posts: 463 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    All sounds very strange to me, he hasn't used Ebay since 2003 and Paypal have confirmed his payment has been made in US Dollars.

    I have refunded and asked for cash on collection.

    Thanks for all your great advice
  • Brooker_Dave
    Brooker_Dave Posts: 5,196 Forumite
    kaznelson wrote: »
    Thanks for your great advice.

    BUT they have just made a paypal payment? Any suggestions on how i can protect this?

    Refund it, and explain that their location and the fact that it's a collection only item requires that they pay with cash.

    Is a neg worth more that £400?
    "Love you Dave Brooker! x"

    "i sent a letter headded sales of god act 1979"
  • prowla
    prowla Posts: 14,317 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I don't suppose they've asked if they can overpay you and you give them the change, have they?
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