why are people paying more than face value for vouchers on ebay?

moredrunkmale

On eBay some £30 amazon vouchers went for £31.23, and £5 for £5.35.

Why on earth?

fuzzybear01

Some people have paypal codes that give them a discount.

Others want to get their hands on their paypal balance to spend in the shops, without it going through their bank account.

There are probably more reasons

singledaddy

as said above, its a way of 'cashing' in money held in a paypal account.

also, unfortunately, some people use it as a way of getting cash out of stolen cards etc.

ladyV

money laundering is another reason - buying vouchers 'legitimises' illegally earned cash

jenniewb

I asked this to a seller once and he/she said he didn't know but that alot of sellers were either from the US or other places abroad, few were from the UK so I wonder about currancy issues or if people are getting stuff from Amazon UK for better prices but it does seem dodgy to me.

earthmother

I've heard of people who are unable to get to the stores themselves buying vouchers on ebay for presents - the mark up being less than the postage rate from the store sites themselves.

JAG

I have also read that eBayers that do a lot of selling but don't tell the Tax (wo)man or who are claiming benefits but not declaring the income from eBay, buy these vouchers to purchase items from Amazon, in order for them to get at the funds without it having to be withdrawn to their bank account, which would show on records if they were ever investigated.

jenniewb

earthmother wrote: »

I've heard of people who are unable to get to the stores themselves buying vouchers on ebay for presents - the mark up being less than the postage rate from the store sites themselves.

But most vouchers (amazon) are virtual... or you can order gift cards online.

I just thought of another one, people who start up fraud, and need to be paid, selling vouchers for above the RRP would instantly make a very easy transaction for paying money for an illegal service such as buying illegal items, hit men, drugs, child !!!!!!...

Scary and sickening thought, I wonder why no one looks into this from ebay/the police point of view.

singledaddy

i doubt hitmen would accept payment in the form of an argos voucher

jenniewb

singledaddy wrote: »

i doubt hitmen would accept payment in the form of an argos voucher

am not an expert in criminology its now obvious! But what about drugs?

srainey1

unfortunately in most cases those paying over the odds for vouchers are scammers. They will bid on the vouchers and as soon as they have won pay through paypal and ask the seller to send them the code via ebay messaging. The seller does this feeling its safe to do so as it is an ebay message, a few days pass and you get an email from paypal either querying item not recieved or fraudulent use of account. Then you read the terms and conditions, seller protection only applicable to tangible items, so that code you posted through ebay messaging is not covered, the buyer has long since used your code and will get their money back. What a wonderfull world we live in.