Ebay buyer in Italy wants to pay by bankers’ draft, should I take it?

[Dr House]

I sold something on ebay for 3.5k and the buyer who has a feedback of 1 but has been registered for 3 years want to pay by bankers draft or postal order. I have heard bad stories in the past about fake drafts and such.
So are they safe to accept? What should I do to protect my self?

 

[KaHn]

Get a 100 quid flight to italy and go and do the swap in person.

KaHn

 

[badbob]

It'll probably be over a stolen bank a/c Not sure what's the safest, maybe request him to send money in a insured package? Then get the notes verified as authentic.

 

[Heliospherez]

To be honest, I think you are mad having to even ask that for such a large amount of money. He has a feedback of 1, in 3 years on ebay and suddenly buys somthing at £3,500 in a different country - does that not strike you as a bit odd ?

As was stated, if it was me - I would get a cheap flight and meet him in person with the item. Definately no bankers draft, no electronic money transfer (and by that I mean Paypal) - and be wary of a cheque. He's in a different country - so the law means virtually nothing, and the cops will not want anything to do with it (probably both here and in Italy) - If you are conned you will be just another naive British man.

Please don't come back in here in a months time saying you have lost the Item and had no money.

 

[Dr House]

Thanks just what I thought, I Just spoke to my bank and they said it can take upto 28 days to clear!

 

[badbob]

He's in a different country - so the law means virtually nothing, and the cops will not want anything to do with it (probably both here and in Italy)

Not quite true, a relative is being sued by another family member in another country. And it's going past the "ignore it because nothing will happen" phase.

 

[Paul11]

is everyone saying to go and collect cash on delivery?

 

[Dr House]

Sadly as much as I would want a trip to Italy I don’t have time and I am only making 350 pounds on the item

 

[Lamo]

Sadly as much as I would want a trip to Italy I don’t have time and I am only making 350 pounds on the item

What did you sell ?

 

[Dr House]

What did you sell ?

white face milguass

 

[Shadez]

then tell him that he must collect in person with cash.

 

[Dr House]

then tell him that he must collect in person with cash.

I just sent him an email saying that bank transfer is the only option

 

[Hxc]

Italy has a notoriously bad postal system, be very careful.

 

[Rotty]

you won't have too much trouble selling it mate, I wouldn't take the risk

If he can do a banker's draft then he can do a bank transfer

 

[Tom0]

Italy has a notoriously bad postal system, be very careful.

Worse than ours?

 

[Cosimo]

Bank transfer or nothing.

 

[Dr House]

you won't have too much trouble selling it mate, I wouldn't take the risk

If he can do a banker's draft then he can do a bank transfer

Yep Im just going to offer it to the second highest bidder if he does not want to do bank transfer.

I need the cash because I may be able to get my hands on a second GV at list

 

[Hxc]

Worse than ours?

Definitely. Quite a lot of ebay sellers now require registered post if selling to ebay as it is just that bad out there.

 

[Rotty]

Yep
I need the cash because I may be able to get my hands on a second GV at list

Nice , will transfer the RRP of the GV and email you my address for delivery

 

[Morba]

Bank transfers are just as bad tbh.
Postal Order is fine, you clear it at a post office and get cash for it, no contact with your bank account so money doesnt get claimed back from you should something go wrong.