how can i cover myself properly incase of any issues?

roxy86_2

hi everyone,

ive just sold my ipad on ebay and received instant payment from the seller.

im going to send it asap via special delivery but just wandered how i can cover myself incase of any trouble/scams etc.

im sure the buyer is perfectly genuine but only has 8 feedback and most of those were from 2010. I just want to protect myself from any scams etc.

I know i am probably being really over the top here as people sell stuff all the time without issues but i just want to be extra safe.

thanks for any advice

CouponWoman

Check with bt to see if the buyer is registered at this address. Go on 192.com and it will check for you.

Keep the post office receipt for at least 9 months in case of credit card chargeback.

Check what he has been buying to see if there is any suspicious activity, ie buying lots of expensive electrical items.

Phone him and make sure his number is genuine, especially important if there is no recent feedback. This is to help prevent a chargeback. It has been known for someone to buy something and then pay by credit card via paypal and then do a chargeback, and the credit card holder says someone used her card without her permission, even if it was her son who used it. They automatically get a refund and you lose the money and the item. (I know someone who this happened to).

Only post to the address on paypal.

Take careful note of any serial numbers or special markings. Take lots of photos before packing, This is to prevent the item being returned as snad (seriously not as described) and the buyer scamming you and returning a different item. (this happened to me).

Good luck

roxy86_2

thankyou. ive just looked on the 192.com web and it cant find him at all. but is this maybe because he mite not be on the electoral register?

i have searched the area in which he lives and it seems to be a very popular area for students therefore he may not be on the register.

all his 8 feedback are good feedback, they are all for pc/ipod/games console related products.

he last bought something in dec and jan which he has good feeback.

terra_ferma

..hiring a private investigator?

mobile48

In my view also I would want to verify the buyer for a one off high value high risk item for which I could not afford to take a risk.

I have not sold one yet. I also do not have any idea how you do it.

The following document is interesting but it is a marketing document and not intended for private sellers. In fact the only thing it can be used for here is to prompt thinking about some things that can go wrong.

https://www.paypal-marketing.co.uk/safetyadvice/protecting-your-business-with-PayPal.pdf

It would be nice to have a check list of things that can go wrong and how to protect yourself.

roxy86_2

buyer messaged me last nite to ask the status of the ipad. i asked what does that mean? he then replied to say what condition is it in, what accesories come with it and when will he get it.

i stated in the listed what condition it is in and what accesories it comes with. does that sound a little dodgy that he hasnt read the description before paying out a fair amount of money for this?

roxy86_2

also referring to couponwoman's advice. If a chargeback occurs is there nothing a seller can do? i dont normally panick like this but this is the most expensive item ive sold on ebay (over £300) and im selling it due to needing the cash so i can not afford to lose this money.

soolin

roxy86 wrote: »

also referring to couponwoman's advice. If a chargeback occurs is there nothing a seller can do? i dont normally panick like this but this is the most expensive item ive sold on ebay (over £300) and im selling it due to needing the cash so i can not afford to lose this money.

Firstly to be safe you need to send the item to the address given by paypal as 'OK to send'. Check the transation to make sure you have full seller protection.

You will need special delivery as you must have a guarabteed signature available online.

Then if buyer does an INR claim you can defend it easily with online proof of delivery with a signature. If buyer tries a claim for fraudulent use of a card then that can be defended with proof of postage (so keep the silver special slip for 180 days minimum).

The only thing that it is more difficult to protect against is the switch scam.

roxy86_2

thankyou soolin, if i take lots of photos then and security mark the ipad somehow will that stop the switch scam if the buyer was going to try that.

am i just being way to cautious? i just dont understand why you whould bid on something for such a high amount if you hadnt read the description? then ask afterwards what condition is it in?

skylight

Personally (and this is my opinion only!) that if you cannot find him on 192.com, low feedback and he is asking questions about the item (esp about the condition etc) after he has purchased and paid - I would not be selling it to him. Alarm bells would be going off.

roxy86_2

thankyou skylight, thats exactly what im thinking. my other half says i worry too much etc so thats why i wandered if anyone else found this a little bit worrying or if it was just me being paranoid.