Should I trust this eBay buyer?

Tom_H

I have a guitar for sale on eBay, as a buy it now item, when it had been up for a couple of days I recived a question from a buyer basically offering to buy it outside if eBay, which of course I reported and then deleted.

A couple of day later I had an e-mail from someone who I think is the same user, I can't be 100% sure, as I didn't memorise the user name, but if it's not the same it's definatly similar! This time they were asking about postage to Belgium, which I saw not reason not to answer - so I did.

Today I have recived another message from this user asking if I would consider dropping the price as the postage to Belgium is quite expensive, I was thinking of replying saying that if it hasn't sold in a couple of weeks I will consider dropping the price (which is the same responce I've given to others) but I'm not sure if I can trust this guy?

He's been on eBay since march but has no feedback at all - I don't understand how it would work if it is a scam though, as I wouldn't send the guitar unless I recived payment first? but there's something about it I just don't like!

What do you guys think?

Gumption_Brash

Scammers and fraudsters are becoming prevalent on Ebay, but so are bargain hunters.

Anyone who wants to deal outside of Ebay should be reported - you did well to do this.

My advice to anyone who puts forward a postage price: don't. Instead, if you possibly can, include it in the price of the item, and mark the postage as free.

- Why?

Because more and more often people are negotiating with the sellers to bring the price down in some way. Very annoying. If you wanted to accept less for your item you would have added a 'best offer' in the mix.

In fact, any listings I make are given as 'buy it now' with postage as 'free', and an additional comment that I don't negotiate. I find its the best way to avoid hassle.

So um, obvioully don't trust the first guy, and with the second, it can be difficult to accomodate just one person without taking the item off of Ebay - Adjust the price if you don't sell and let him/her take a chance with the rest of the bidders...

For what it's worth...if anything.

StaffsSW

Tom_H wrote: »

I have a guitar for sale on eBay, as a buy it now item, when it had been up for a couple of days I recived a question from a buyer basically offering to buy it outside if eBay, which of course I reported and then deleted.

Why? No fees this way, and you can dictate the terms of the sale - bank transfer only - and there is nothing more secure besides an envelope full of notes!

Tom_H wrote: »

Today I have recived another message from this user asking if I would consider dropping the price as the postage to Belgium is quite expensive, I was thinking of replying saying that if it hasn't sold in a couple of weeks I will consider dropping the price (which is the same responce I've given to others) but I'm not sure if I can trust this guy?

He's been on eBay since march but has no feedback at all - I don't understand how it would work if it is a scam though, as I wouldn't send the guitar unless I recived payment first? but there's something about it I just don't like!

What do you guys think?

If you are not happy with anyone, regardless of their visible history and feedback score, trying to dictate the terms of your sale, then just block them and politely decline their offer. Something like a guitar is also likely to attract the scammer - so better safe than sorry.
The scam works by either sending a fake email that looks like a payment has been received, or using a stolen credit card to fund the payment that is reveresed when the rightful owner gets their statement a few weeks later and your axe is long gone.

Tom_H

Gumption_Brash wrote: »

My advice to anyone who puts forward a postage price: don't. Instead, if you possibly can, include it in the price of the item, and mark the postage as free.

Because more and more often people are negotiating with the sellers to bring the price down in some way. Very annoying. If you wanted to accept less for your item you would have added a 'best offer' in the mix.

Thanks Gumption,

I did think about listing the itme as free postage, but that would have obvious only covered the UK anyway (it's nearly 4x the amount to send it to belgium), so I'd still have this problem now I think.

Also I tried to do a "best offer" but for some reason I couldn't work out how - I checked eBay help and it said it should be an option just by where I type in the buy it now price, but I checked all the options couldn't see anything - I even have my other 1/2 check just in case - I can only assume some kind of eBay error?

pastarules

I'm buying an item to a private seller in a foreign country. I suggest to do it through PayPal, so I can have some guaranties that there's not a scam (is that so?) but the seller doesn;t want to do it through Ppal, he just want a bank transfer. Do I have any guaranties doing it so? Is there any other way of payment where I can be safe?
Thanks

soolin

pastarules wrote: »

I'm buying an item to a private seller in a foreign country. I suggest to do it through PayPal, so I can have some guaranties that there's not a scam (is that so?) but the seller doesn;t want to do it through Ppal, he just want a bank transfer. Do I have any guaranties doing it so? Is there any other way of payment where I can be safe?
Thanks

You have absolutely no protection at all if you use a bank transfer as a buyer. If you get nothing or your item is not what you expected you lose your money.

pastarules

Is there any other way that I can do it safe?

Tom_H

If I get this guy to pay by Paypal, when therfunds are in my paypal account am I definatly safe to send the guitar?

What about What Steve said above - if the money is cleared in my paypal account, and then the card turns out to be stolen, can they take the money back?!

Tom_H

Pastarules - I'm pretty sure unless you buy through eBay, paypal doesn't offer you any gaurentees (sp) either - you cn prove you sent the money, but that's about it! I would stear well clear of sending money on-line unless it's through eBay and Paypal (from private sellers I mean, there are lots of other shops that are fine!)

geordie_joe

Tom_H wrote: »

If I get this guy to pay by Paypal, when therfunds are in my paypal account am I definatly safe to send the guitar?

NO! When I was selling on ebay a nice English man living in France told me that when you send things International Signed For to France the post office there never bother to get a delivery signature. When I contacted the royal mail they told me that all they can say is it got to the french postal service, they would never be able to tell me if it ever got delivered, because they never get to know.

Maybe this man knows he won't have to sign for it, so can claim it was not delivered and get his money back.

I was lucky, my package arrived and the man emailed me to say it arrived, but it was waiting on his doorstep when he came home from work.

Tom_H wrote: »

What about What Steve said above - if the money is cleared in my paypal account, and then the card turns out to be stolen, can they take the money back?!

Yes, and they will do it so quick it will make your eyes water.

StaffsSW

geordie_joe wrote: »

Yes, and they will do it so quick it will make your eyes water.

And often charge you £7 for the privilege.

Tom_H wrote: »

Pastarules - I'm pretty sure unless you buy through eBay, paypal doesn't offer you any gaurentees (sp) either - you cn prove you sent the money, but that's about it! I would stear well clear of sending money on-line unless it's through eBay and Paypal (from private sellers I mean, there are lots of other shops that are fine!)

The send money option provides very little protection, and should only be used to send money to people you already know.

The buyer protection offered when buying from other online retailers is also slightly different to that offered when buying on eBay, and known as the "PayPal Buyer Complaint Policy". With eBay purchases, you are guaranteed a full refund up to £500, but non-ebay purchases are only covered up to the amount available in the sellers account.
Section 13.10 refers - https://www.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/ua/policy_pbp-outside