Ebay selling - Suspect scam bidder... what to do?

Souness · 17 Nov 2019 at 09:57

Selling an item of jewellery when I start getting a highly suspicious bidding war between two people, one with a brand new account, days before the auction is due to end.

I sell a lot of jewellery and I know for a fact that this is a very generous bid, but not totally unbelievable especially at this time of year, and to get two bidders going ham with so much time left on the auction is highly unusual. They're bumped up the price to the point where they can be 95%+ sure they will win the auction. If it matters we're talking a couple hundred £.

The guy with the brand new account ends up winning and pays quickly. The funds are in my Paypal and it says I have "seller protection", for what that is worth.

Now I am no noob when it comes to Ebay selling.. I will take copious amounts of pictures and send the item Special Delivery. I also have a very good camera and the pictures on the original listing are extremely high quality - there can be absolutely no doubt about the quality of the item.

That said, my gut feeling is extremely strong that this is scam attempt, but I suppose I have no choice but to send the item if I want to avoid a strike on my account.

Can I make myself 100% scam proof or do I just have to cross my fingers?

Captain · 17 Nov 2019 at 10:09

You can cancel the auction now and refund the buyer if you aren’t sure.

mmj_uk · 17 Nov 2019 at 10:11

I think some sellers tell 0 feedback people not to bid, seems wise.

Souness · 17 Nov 2019 at 10:12

mmj_uk said:
I think some sellers tell 0 feedback people not to bid, seems wise.

Right but you can't actually block them unless they are -1 or worse.

mmj_uk · 17 Nov 2019 at 10:17

It ought to deter them from bidding though unless they're a bit simple, scammers won't want to waste their own time. If you're worried you could always not send it and claim it was lost in post? wipe your hands clean of the whole thing.

Souness · 17 Nov 2019 at 10:19

mmj_uk said:
It ought to deter them from bidding though unless they're a bit simple, scammers won't want to waste their time.

True. I'll keep that in mind for the future.

Tek81 · 17 Nov 2019 at 10:39

Unless his postal address is in Nigeria, you'll be fine. He's paid, you've got the money.

Minstadave · 17 Nov 2019 at 10:42

tek81 said:
Unless his postal address is in Nigeria, you'll be fine. He's paid, you've got the money.

Is that true? Wont he just stick in a case with paypal saying not as described? Send some junk back and keep the item?

Tek81 · 17 Nov 2019 at 10:47

Minstadave said:
Is that true? Wont he just stick in a case with paypal saying not as described? Send some junk back and keep the item?

Provided the seller takes the precaution of ensuring they have photographed the item and generally documented as much as possible about it; weight for example, they'll be fine should the worst occur. Sure it would be annoying, but eBay, contrary to the belief of some, are generally pretty good at sorting out issues. For reference, I've sold thousands upon thousands of pounds worth of camera equipment on eBay over the last few years. On the very rare (touch wood...) occasion that something has gone wrong, they have always resolved the problem in my favour.

Edit - Also op, check the address on Google maps. It's not a sure fire method, but if the property is a shed / garage / boarded up flat above a hairdressers, then yeah...be cautious.

mmj_uk · 17 Nov 2019 at 11:36

Minstadave said:
Is that true? Wont he just stick in a case with paypal saying not as described? Send some junk back and keep the item?

If it's a scammer then more than likely, OP should be able to get his money back but it'll mean messing around. I would check the address like tek81 says if it's a big scamming operation they will probably not be working out of a normal house or will use click and collect or something.

Souness · 17 Nov 2019 at 11:42

mmj_uk said:
If it's a scammer then more than likely, OP should be able to get his money back but it'll mean messing around. I would check the address like tek81 says if it's a big scamming operation they will probably not be working out of a normal house or will use click and collect or something.

I don't mind a little messing around. The price is good but I'm in no rush for the money. I'll take every precaution so long as there's no surefire way for him to weasel out

div0 · 17 Nov 2019 at 12:29

Irrespective of your photos etc, what's to stop them claiming that you just sent them some junk of a similar weight/size and claiming their money back though eBay/PayPal?

Sounds like you've more to lose than to gain by proceeding, so I'd just back away and re-list until you get a buyer who's not so suspicious.

Souness · 17 Nov 2019 at 12:45

div0 said:
Irrespective of your photos etc, what's to stop them claiming that you just sent them some junk of a similar weight/size and claiming their money back though eBay/PayPal?

Sounds like you've more to lose than to gain by proceeding, so I'd just back away and re-list until you get a buyer who's not so suspicious.

This guys account is days old with zero feedback. Would they really take his side?

Diagro · 17 Nov 2019 at 12:45

You have seller protection.

Photograph the sale.

Post the parcel, get proof of postage that's its tracked. Also with the weight showing.

Send it to the registered listed on ebay from PayPal.

Send it and be happy

Deleted member 77746 · 17 Nov 2019 at 13:25

Diagro said:
You have seller protection.

Photograph the sale.

Post the parcel, get proof of postage that's its tracked. Also with the weight showing.

Send it to the registered listed on ebay from PayPal.

Send it and be happy

Do this and Paypal/Ebay will side with you as you took all precautions required.

413x · 17 Nov 2019 at 14:08

I'd also be cautious.

I've also had this and decided not to go through with the sale. If its a high value item I'm not going to sell it to a 0 feedback account

Deleted member 77746 · 17 Nov 2019 at 14:31

Depends how they paid, they might do a charge back.

Brizzles · 17 Nov 2019 at 14:40

Day old account with zero feedback is alarm bells enough.

Just reply, ' as i was inspecting it for packing i noticed that one of the stones was loose ( assuming the jewwelry has stones ) and i am not happy selling in this condition.'

Refund, wait a week, then relist

Deleted member 77746 · 17 Nov 2019 at 15:01

Brizzles said:
Day old account with zero feedback is alarm bells enough.

Indeed. I think I have had 2 purchases where they been 0 feedback and on both occasions where fine.

A2Z · 17 Nov 2019 at 15:23

Transfer the money to your bank account from PayPal and when you have it only then send the item, if you are going through with the sale.

I haven't sold on eBay for years but I am sure there used to be an option to block people with 0 feedback from bidding.