ebay ps3 console potential scam from buyers with zero feedback

thomas18

Hi,

I would like to make sellers aware of what seems to be a regular scam regarding people buying ps3 /xbox consoles on ebay, who join ebay that day and obviously have zero feedback, and then send a message saying
' hi just paid by paypal when can i expect it to arrive? dont forget to send it recorded for our security , this is high value item and i dont want to lose it. please do not include any invoice as it is bday present'

see


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4281565


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4112227


I sold a new ps3 console the other day to a new ebayer with zero feedback, and duly received the above message. I have not yet sent the item , but need advice whether to send the item with a trackable courier with added insurance, and then wait for the inevitable hassle to ensue, or cancel the transaction because of unconfirmed address, or will that cause additional problems. Any guidance will be welcome, as i may have to send the item tomorrow.

I know everyone has to start with zero feedback , and not everyone is a scammer, but I am concerned by reading the other threads that I am about to fall prey to a scam

Thanks

TKPeters

Being a heavy & expensive item, I would send it via Parcelforce24 [via Paypal postage] or UPS [via Interparcel], although they still can file a chargeback, which you can defend by using a suitable courier

superfran_uk

Everyone else who has experienced this has later had a chargeback. If I were you, I would get the paypal owner's phone number from the phone book or 192.com and call them to make absolutely sure they didn't order it. But bottom line, save yourself the hassle, report it to ebay and cancel the transaction. Don't send it- then the scammer wins!

Pembroke

Don't take the buyers word for them paying by Paypal either. You MUST wait for the Paypal email which will tell you the status of the payment and whether it's okay to send, it will also tell you what address to send it to, don't use the Ebay one.

Recorded delivery is no good for any item over £46, you must use a tracked & signed for service such as Royal Mail Special Delivery or the services mentioned by TKPeters.

Kite2010

And if you do send it, make a note of any serial numbers, just in case they try and pull a "it doesn't work" trick and send you back a different machine.

Mandles

Photograph serial numbers and console etc and as said earlier maybe find their phone number to speak to them if you are worried. Special delivery only for me on this one even if it does make you out of pocket.

thomas18

Thanks for the replies, I could not find a matching address on 192.com. And there is no phone number, however the PayPal transaction states the address is unconfirmed but the payment status is complete and is ok to send.

If I cancel the transaction under the unconfirmed address reason, what implications could that have on feedback etc. I have over 500 rating with 100 per cent feedback.

I really think i do not want to send it and then face the hassle of fighting for my payment. I have taken photographic evidence of serial number, but as someone mentioned in an earlier thread it is doubtful whether that can prove it was the item that was sent

sillybilly2011

If i received a message saying this which is the exact same as a previous scammer with no feedback, no way on earth would I send it.
I couldn't be bothered with all the hassle. Or the Stress.
Report them to ebay.

thomas18

Just an update, Transaction cancelled, refunded via paypal but buyer has declined the cancellation. Ebay have advised us to complete the sale.

I have reported buyer for suspicious e-mail, and have asked ebay for refund FVF. Awaiting ebay response.

pinkshoes

I would PHONE Ebay to speak to them about it, rather than emailing.

Did you request the buyer's phone number via ebay? If they hadn't supplied this, THEN you could have cancelled the transaction for not supplying required details.

thomas18

well it seems like i have had a lucky escape,
response from ebay

'Unfortunately, we had to cancel bids and purchases for the following buyer because they're no longer registered on eBay.
In these types of situations, we'll credit the final value fee for removed listings won by this buyer, and also the insertion fee if it was a single-quantity listing'

I am sure this scammer will just open a new account under a different name and move on to their next victim .