Unusual buyer requests.....

CSandL

My buyer sent a message straight after buying asking how long I had had the item and wanting more photos.

I gave them the details but it did seem a bit strange that they had said this.

They now say their paypal is limited so I have said they can pay by bank transfer - is that the best thing to do? I am unsure how they would do this through ebay, can it be done?

They also say they have a discount code which they are sure I will accept. Again, I am not sure how this would work - I am not accepting a discount code which will leave me short!

Any help would be very gratefully received.........

Thank you

soolin

Any discount codes would only work via paypal (assuming it is a paypal code) so no, it won't work.

Bank transfers are fine, however, I am concerned about them asking for photos as that is usually a ruse for getting your email address so they can send you a fake 'you have funds' email from 'your bank'.

I would respond saying that you don't take codes ro coupons and that you are happy to ship item the working day after the bank transfer shows as cleared in your account- see what they come back with.

Flyonthewall

Did you send it through email? If so, they probably just wanted your email address. Bank transfers cannot be reserved so would be best for you. However, it seems the buyer might be trying to scam you in which case they'll either reject a bank transfer or send you fake emails that make it look like you've been paid when you haven't.

A discount code through ebay wouldn't affect the amount you get if paying by paypal but they wouldn't be able to use that paying in a different way.

CSandL

Thank you, I have sent all correspondance through ebay messaging so if they wanted my email address, they won't have got it!

Can they do a bank transfer through ebay checkout? And if so, how?

Thanks again :-)

soolin

CSandL wrote: »

Thank you, I have sent all correspondance through ebay messaging so if they wanted my email address, they won't have got it!

Can they do a bank transfer through ebay checkout? And if so, how?

Thanks again :-)

No, you can only make a paypal payment via ebay, all other payment methods are done via the seller direct.

CSandL

Thanks Soolin, I have messaged the buyer and I'll see how they respond!

CSandL

Latest update, the buyer is trying to negotiate me taking half their discount code off. I am beginning to think they really do not understand ebay.........

sequence

CSandL wrote: »

Latest update, the buyer is trying to negotiate me taking half their discount code off. I am beginning to think they really do not understand ebay.........

Just open a non paying buyer dispute.

AshleyPomeroy

Whenever I have an odd experience on eBay I always imagine how it would work as a scam from the other side.

Suppose this buyer wants you to send him a bunch of photos so he can rustle up a fake listing using these photos. He wants photos of the item that didn't appear in the original listing, so that diligent buyers won't realise that it's the same thing - either by checking eBay's "completed items" listing or by doing a Google image search. Let's assume that it's a generic product without distinctive markings (a laptop, say) but he doesn't want to use stock images because that sets off alarm bells in people's minds.

And of course when someone buys this item, he takes the money and vanishes. Does that sound plausible? The difficulty would lie in him getting the money from the sale into his bank account, but I'm sure there are ways of doing this (and of course he might be an incompetent criminal who hasn't thought things through properly).

Of course I could be overthinking this.

soolin

AshleyPomeroy wrote: »

Whenever I have an odd experience on eBay I always imagine how it would work as a scam from the other side.

Suppose this buyer wants you to send him a bunch of photos so he can rustle up a fake listing using these photos. He wants photos of the item that didn't appear in the original listing, so that diligent buyers won't realise that it's the same thing - either by checking eBay's "completed items" listing or by doing a Google image search. Let's assume that it's a generic product without distinctive markings (a laptop, say) but he doesn't want to use stock images because that sets off alarm bells in people's minds.

And of course when someone buys this item, he takes the money and vanishes. Does that sound plausible? The difficulty would lie in him getting the money from the sale into his bank account, but I'm sure there are ways of doing this (and of course he might be an incompetent criminal who hasn't thought things through properly).

Of course I could be overthinking this.

I think you are over thinking it, nearly every scammer we've seen on here uses a stock photo. Scammers are lazy, listing with real photos is far too much work. Anyway, new sellers have their funds held for this sort of item.

I stick by my concern that they want the email of the OP.

Deru

Could be that the buyer wanted to see how good condition it was. Not too uncommon to ask how old something is as people ask me how old laptops are when I sell them. Gives some idea as to how much longer it might last for some items.

As mentioned, an eBay coupon only works if payment is made by PayPal. PayPal but they exist and doesn't affect how much you receive.

PayPal accounts do get frozen and require verification from time to time. The company I'm at has an account with £39,000 in it and it's limited meaning, no sending, withdrawing or closing the account. Mine's been frozen from time to time while they ask for more info.

BACs is a good alternative payment for you as a seller but buyer may not be comfortable with it.

For acquiring emails...business sellers have to display their email...unless scammers are just targeting individuals / private sellers.

Just benefit of a doubt. Just sounds like buyer has PayPal issues and doesn't know how the coupons work.