PLEASE HELP. Am I being scammed as I type this? Ebayer wants to buy quickly and send courier now

FrankFalcon

Hi all

I'm not entirely new to Ebay but a sale I am conducting at the moment is spooking me because after no activity for a few days the buyer now wants to wrap up a deal instantly and even send his courier for goods within the next couple of hours.  I may be wrong but something doesn't seem to add up.  

So basically, I am selling 10 second-hand windows on ebay.  They are listed as broken.  For spares or repairs only.  No returns etc.  I thought the true value was a couple of hundred quid at max.  Last Friday an Ebuyer said he only wanted 3 of them and offered £400.  I was happy with that and then it all went dead for the weekend.  Now, this morning, the buyer has contacted me loads of times trying to do the deal rapidly.  Please would you guys have a look at the following message exchange and help me to see if I am vulnerable to being ripped off:

EBAYER: Have you got a number I can possibly contact you on?

Me: Not sure I am allowed to give you a number because EBay checks messages and bans you from sending numbers. Check out the item collection postcode and you should be able to work out the only company in the area (** ***). My name is *****

EBAYER: Hi mate. I couldn’t find the company. Basically, I am interested in items 1,2 &3

Me: Make me a sensible offer.

EBAYER: I was thinking £400. But I might need some more.

Me: Sounds fine. I’ll take that.

EBAYER: What’s the full pickup location.

Me: Here is the address ******

EBAYER: what time is best for collection? I am arranging a courier.

Me: Anytime Monday to Thursday.

EBAYER: Can you please send your number so they can give you a call once they are there.

EBAYER: And an email address please, I can make payment either through bank transfer or paypal. Before they load anything, I will send you the payment and once you confirm they will then load.

Me: Please make payment through eBay only. EBay won’t let me provide contact number until fee is paid. It is in their terms.

EBAYER: Sure through ebay is fine aswell, do you want to make another listing for the 3 windows? or should I send a offer of £400 on the current listing and pay that way? After the payment if you send your number and email so I can provide it to the courier they will be collecting midday today

Me: Hi mate. I have had LOADS of interest in these over the weekend but as you were the first one to make an offer (and said you may want another) please confirm which exact windows you want for the £400 and which of the others you are interested in.

EBAYER: As I messaged first time its for the W1 , W5 and W6 , I will send an offer of £400 now and when you accept I'll make the payment. Actually I cant send an offer, its on bids. If you can list the 3 windows I want for £400 I will make payment for them now

Have you listed them so I can make payment?

Me: Hi mate. Ok. Give me a couple of hours. I will make a simple listing for the 3 windows you want but I will have to write the add out again. As soon as I have done it I will message you.

EBAYER: But the courier is going to get there for midayish, they wanted a phone number and a email address. If you can do it earlier please do so I can make payment and then the courier can collect other wise I will be charged.

I have checked the buyer and his verifications are all great but strangely all for car spares.

Something just doesn't right here.  I think I could possibly be falling for a scam but have no idea how.

What do you think guys? Am I being too suspicious?

soolin

quick response. That looks very similar to a scam where the money never comes through but goods are already loaded and away. Tell them you want a paypal payment in advance and will need a QR code before you can release the goods. 

Mr.Generous

Sounds dodgy, but I don't know how he can scam if you stick to dealing with him via ebay - get him to state name of courior company using and take a pic upon collection so he can't turn up 5 mins later and claim you gave them to some random

soolin

Actually scrub that- you won't know how they paid as you will only see managed payments- so don't mention paypal, just say you need a payment through ebay and you will then only release after courier supplies the QR code to show collection.

A bank transfer would be good except that I saw mention recently of one being recalled after an hour - and haven't had a chance to look into that as a possibility.

kazwookie

I'd be inclined to tell buyer to fox trot oscar.

See if you can get his address, then google it to see how ligit you think it is.

Tell him you want cash on collection, he can give cash to the courier, to give to you.

Spoonie_Turtle

kazwookie said:

I'd be inclined to tell buyer to fox trot oscar.

See if you can get his address, then google it to see how ligit you think it is.

Tell him you want cash on collection, he can give cash to the courier, to give to you.

I'd be wary of fake notes.

GadgetGuru

I think Soolin’s idea is spot on. 
Payment via eBay, and QR code, or number code to be provided on collection. Otherwise stay away. 

FrankFalcon

SUCCESSFUL Update...

I actually thought I had been had! I told the buyer I was very wary and so he offered to pay by BACS.  So I gave him my BACS details and he said he'd pay it straight away and I should go and check my bank.  Naturally, I went inside to check the bank.  The money wasn't in the bank! So, I went back outside and the courier was shouting aggressively..." We don't have time to wait".  I texted the buyer to tell him no money had been received in the bank and the buyer assures me all is ok and asks me to check the bank again.  Money wasn't in the bank.  I went back outside.  Couriers are getting more angry.  Then, I went back inside to check the bank (for the 4th time) and the money WAS in the bank.  So, I went back outside and the couriers had already loaded up and were leaving anyway.  This was 3 weeks ago and all has been well since.  I have heard nothing from the buyer or the courier company and I have the money.  I can't understand...Maybe I dodged a bullet here? Maybe I was being paranoid and everything was above board from minute 1? Maybe there was a scam but it didn't go to plan? Genuinely baffled at what went on and can't get my head round all the rush.  

Anyway, all's well that ends well.  

Thanks all.