buyer has zero feedback, worried about getting ripped off

KLB

Hi all,

I am currently selling an ipod and am a bit worried as the current high bidder is someone who just joined the other day with zero feedback. I know I can set preferences to exclude buyers with zero feedback but it's a bit late for that now.

Do you have any suggestions as to how I can cover myself so I don't get ripped off, either with postage or them claiming its not working, etc.

thanks,
Kel

mcjordi

you cant exclude buyers with 0 feedback unfortunately but you can exclude tho's with NPB's. Note all serial numbers and mark it with UV marker with a code only you know or something then if they do return it they are returning yours

KLB

Yes, now I think of it, I do already have an exclusion for non-payers. But this person has just joined, makes me a bit suspicious but could be totally innocent also.

Thanks for the tip about the serial numbers, I hadn't thought of that. And I do have an invisible ink pen somewhere...

Wondering if Recorded Mail is good enough to send it or is there a better option?

lexuslass

I was in a similar position a couple of months ago with a mobile phone I sold.

I really didn't want to post it but I did - Special Delivery (not recorded as you may not get adequate insurance!)!! The buyer had paid straight away and I was worried about chargebacks etc.. or the buyer saying they'd received it and would say it was broken and send me a different phone back!

I took close up photos of all angles of the phone and all serials and code numbers on it.

As you can see on this thread I posted at the time (here), I was wary of withdrawing the money in case there was a comeback from the buyer and paypal refunded.

So far, nothing has come back - still haven't had feedback for it. I took sezzlebums advice and have kept hold of the tracking info and all the photos I took at the time... just in case!

It's fair to say that everyone has to start off at some stage on eBay but it doesn't stop you being cautious when selling something - particularly a valuable item!

HTH

KLB

Thanks! Special delivery it is, followed by fingers crossed!

Hammyman

I've never had a problem with zero rated bidders other than those caused by them getting to grips with how things are done on Ebay. As you can no longer leave negative feedback as a seller, buyers feedback is now worthless and you stand as much chance of getting screwed over by a zero rated bidder as one with 100% positive with 100+ feedback.

botanical

KLB wrote: »

Yes, now I think of it, I do already have an exclusion for non-payers. But this person has just joined, makes me a bit suspicious but could be totally innocent also.

Thanks for the tip about the serial numbers, I hadn't thought of that. And I do have an invisible ink pen somewhere...

Wondering if Recorded Mail is good enough to send it or is there a better option?

up to £41 for Recorded Delivery, rises to £46 on 4th April. Above that it's best to use Special Delivery

Have you got time to add 'all serial numbers for this item are marked with UV marker for security purposes' to your listing?

kevinyork

What postal option have you shown in your listing? A high value, desirable object with a non trackable postal option, or even unreliable recorded delivery, can have a tendancy to attract the less desirable buyer. I put a section in listings for such things to state that serial numbers/IMEI numbers etc will all be recorded and photographed for seller and buyer security in the hope that scammers might be put off.

Sold my Xbox on ebay a few weeks back, buyer had 1 feedback so I was a bit worried and I went through days of emails claiming that Paypal wasnt allowing him to pay. After I started unpaid item process he emailed to say as Paypal wouldnt allow him to pay would I cancel the transaction. I didnt and closed it eventually so he would get a strike.

There is always a risk. All you can do is try and close down all the avenues as tightly as possible.

lovinituk

As mentioned above every ebay user has to start somewhere. A lot of my buyers have zero feedback but I'm not selling items that I would expect to be targetted by scammers. Ipods however are more likely to be targetted so cover yourself as much as possible.

Hammyman wrote: »

you stand as much chance of getting screwed over by a zero rated bidder as one with 100% positive with 100+ feedback.

I've had neutral feddbacks for new users in the past because they don't really understand the feedback system. One zero rated user who made their first purchase from me left a neutral and a mesage along the lines of 'great, quick delivery but haven't had a chance to use it yet'. When I spoke to them they thought they had to leave feedback straight away and that a neutral was fine because they hadn't used it yet! You wouldn't expect that from someone with higher feedback who has been using ebay for a while.

KLB

I said in the listing that it would be sent recorded delivery, but it doesn't matter if I change it to Special delivery does it?
Unfortunately it's too late for me to update the item description with a note about the serial number, etc. But I will send the buyer an email telling them that I have posted it by Special and made a note of the serial number. I hope that's enough.

lovinituk

KLB wrote: »

I said in the listing that it would be sent recorded delivery, but it doesn't matter if I change it to Special delivery does it?

It shouldn't matter as you are providing a better service at no extra cost to the buyer.