Have I been conned on eBay?

MickeyDaMouse

Hi,

I'm normally clued up and good at spotting a fake or a con, but I may have finally been caught out on eBay.

I wanted a Garmin Forerunner 235 but they were averaging around £260-280 new. I don't like the idea of second hand with these types of items.

I found a seller on eBay selling one, brand new, for £180. Alarm bells rang at first, but they appeared to be a UK seller and I thought I've got Paypal protection so I used my credit card to purchase the item.

I sent a message to the seller when I bought it asking if I could pay for next day delivery. I did not get a reply. I left it for a few days and then I sent another message asking for a tracking number for the item as it's still showing as not being posted. Again no reply.

So I did the digging I would normally do before buying. The item description is a short cut and paste from a website. The seller's address is showing in Lincolnshire, but they've stated they're in Lancashire. The postcode, number and road are correct though.

Their previous listings over 6 months ago stated they were at this address but on those old listings they had Hong Kong postage listed. That then changed to items being available in Leeds in the last month for collection and now they're back to the Barton Upon Humber address they had previously listed but again stating Lancashire.

At worst I've bought from a Chinese seller masquerading as a UK seller. Not the best situation as I want a UK and genuine model. At worst I've been scammed.

Anyone had this happen before?

MickeyDaMouse

In addition to the above, they have other items still available for sale in Leeds right now. Stating cash on collection.

This seems very odd.

soolin

As long as you paid through PayPal ( and not via the credit card option) you can open an eBay case for INR as soon as the delivery estimate has passed . As long as nothing arrives and shows as delivered to your address you will get a full refund.

If you used the credit card option you can still try an eBay claim but may have to resort to going through your credit card company if eBay get difficult. eBay are offering this credit card option now but don't quite seem to know how to handle it .

MickeyDaMouse

I did some research.

The address the seller is listing as his, including post code etc. has different people registered there and a ltd company at the address. It's looks like up to date information so I suspect the seller found the address on the internet and used it for their own.

I contacted eBay about the seller selling some item from a Leeds address and some from a Barton on Humber address at the same time. They said it looked suspicious and I was right to be concerned. Even patronised me, saying, "I can see why you are worried" but then said I would still have to wait until the seller's delivery date had passed. I pointed out if it was a scam they could scam other users, but they didn't seem overly fussed.

I paid through paypal thankfully. Guess I'll just have to wait this one out and see what happens.

RFW

MickeyDaMouse wrote: »

I did some research.

The address the seller is listing as his, including post code etc. has different people registered there and a ltd company at the address. It's looks like up to date information so I suspect the seller found the address on the internet and used it for their own.

It's most probably an accountant's address. A lot of companies will have their registered address at their accountants, there's not necessarily anything untoward in it.

MickeyDaMouse

The address is listed as an 'alternative transport company'. Doesn't sound like an accountants.

I still think something odd is happening here.

Past adverts have postage form Hong Kong listed. They have adverts at Kingston Upon Hull for delivery and Leeds for collection in person.

Just hoping it's not one of those dodgy bought accounts. There are sites selling verified and well established accounts on eBay and Amazon to allow banned traders to sell again and allow people to look legit when they're not.

soolin

MickeyDaMouse wrote: »

The address is listed as an 'alternative transport company'. Doesn't sound like an accountants.

I still think something odd is happening here.

Past adverts have postage form Hong Kong listed. They have adverts at Kingston Upon Hull for delivery and Leeds for collection in person.

Just hoping it's not one of those dodgy bought accounts. There are sites selling verified and well established accounts on eBay and Amazon to allow banned traders to sell again and allow people to look legit when they're not.

What is your delivery estimate?

Lorian

I had a similar issue recently for an expensive item. No comms from seller and no tracking. I opened a case with Ebay and got a refund, but the process does take some time.


Is it the one that sold on the 12th? If it was the address on the listing doesn't give any particular cause for concern....

MickeyDaMouse

Yes, it was on the 12th.

But if you look at the sellers previous items sold you'll see they were selling lots of cheap items that all sold pretty much the same day and got feedback the same day, posted from Hong Kong. Then other listings that are for sale now say collect from Leeds or posted from Barton Upon Humber. It seems very odd.

We're also 5 days on. I've sent 3 messages which the seller has ignored. On top of that the item is still not despatched.

It still looks sus to me. And even if it does actually turn up I suspect the seller has nothing to do with that address.