Pre-Approved Bidders?

vultura

I am seeing more items that you can only bid on having been approved by the seller.

I assume this is to reduce the scammers/idiots, but is there some other reason, like using it to get your email address, etc?

richto

Its used to scam you. Usually on Plasma TVs, etc. When you ask to be added to the approved bidders list, the seller will try and sell to you off Ebay at a bargain price - and ask for payment either via Money transfer, or offer to use a fruadulent 'escrow' site, that they will recommend. Needless to say you will never see the goods or your money again.

vultura

Thanks for reply, thought there had to be something in it.

A friend of mine yesterday asked to be placed on such a list and the email reply was along lines of "cost each is xxx, payment by western union", the item in question disappeared from the listings last night/this morning.