HELP! Not sure what to do about this

georgiac

I've just sold an item on eBay that I specified was UK only.
Just received this email from the winner ( they are from USA )


Hello seller,
i am glad to win this item, i want to tell you this item for my Grandson
who went for his school project in west-Africa(Nigeria) i want to buy this
item for him kindly go and calculate the shipping cost and item cost to nigeria for Gson and i want you to add $5.00USD for the shipping cost of that item.
best Regards

How do I cancel winning bid?

Do I have to pay eBay again to relist?

Thanks

soolin

It's a scam, don't even bother replying. Go straight to a second chance offer and see if the under bidder wants the phone.

Incidentally, check your seller preferences as you can exclude bidders from outside countries you do not ship to.

Soo

soolin

Just another thought, email ebay and let them know as they might be able to stop this scammer before her targets another victim.

Soo

georgiac

Dumb question, how does the scam work? Is paypal not secure? Or will they just not pay?

Thanks for the advice - eBay virgin seller here.

Actually that sounds like I'm selling virgins on eBay!!!!!!!!!!

soolin

georgiac wrote:

Dumb question, how does the scam work? Is paypal not secure? Or will they just not pay?

Thanks for the advice - eBay virgin seller here.

Actually that sounds like I'm selling virgins on eBay!!!!!!!!!!

That would be a first :eek:

As for the scam do a google search on 419 scam and you might be horrified at what you find..try here for a start:

http://home.rica.net/alphae/419coal/

basically though buyer will offer Western Union payment or sometimes a cheque which the person takes in good faith. The Receipt from Western union will look authentic but will say the funds will be released to seller as soon as they supply a shipping reference. So seller sends phone, gets a tracking number goes to Western Union who have no payment for them.

A cheque scam works by having the cheque clear for funds and persuading the seller to ship as soon as cheque shows as clears on day 3 ..after shipping goods cheque then bounces a few days later.

Soo

hjb123

Whatever you do dont go ahead with this sale. Almost as soon as a foreign bidder bids on a UK auction then it means trouble! And as soon as Nigeria is mentioned it is guaranteed trouble! Offer to the next bidder, it may be worth contacting ebay to see what they say about the situation - though I would of thought they wont say much other than dont go ahead with the sale!

kevinyork

If Nigeria ever starts to get more online I wonder if eBay will start a sales push there? That would be interesting as surely no one would buy from or sell to Nigeria given their reputation.

I feel sorry for (any) honest traders/buyers in Nigeria because as soon as Nigeria appears within an email alarm bells start ringing.