Ebaying safely

shoes · 27 Jan 2013 at 13:10

I have a high value sought after item which is serial numbered (the item is registered as mine with the manufacturer) which I bought and never actually use. It is in immaculate condition and judging by completed listings on ebay the item's value is around £400.

It is exactly the kind of item which will fall foul of the 'send item, buyer says it's broken but sends back a different item which is broken' scam.

I don't have a magic marker pen or any other kind of marker, although I could get one if it would be worthwhile marking the item discretely for security.

I am also intending to take a photograph of the item showing the serial number, with the certificate of ownership also bearing the serial, and also my passport and driving licence thus showing my address.

Would this be sufficient to avoid any scammer BS or am I better just avoiding the bay all together?

What says you, OCUK?

Nikumba · 27 Jan 2013 at 13:17

Is it not something you could sell locally or on a tech forum?

shoes · 27 Jan 2013 at 13:18

It is, although generally speaking there is the whole '250 posts/3 months' rule (which is fair enough and I agree with).

Perhaps I'll chuck it on the MM and see if anyone wants it.

mmj_uk · 27 Jan 2013 at 13:19

Can you not list it as collection/COD only?

Breeze · 27 Jan 2013 at 13:19

Ebay it as cash on collection only.

Nexus · 27 Jan 2013 at 13:53

If going with Cash on Collection only, you should probably get listed on the big websites like Craiglist and Gumtree too. If its the kind of thing that people might want to look at first, then that may be better than eBay in some instances, because if its Collection Only with no comeback, some might not want to bid otherwise.

Edrof · 27 Jan 2013 at 13:54

Do you have to give Paypal as a payment form, too? I share you pain though Shoes, eBay seems to be a minefield!

Burnsy2023 · 27 Jan 2013 at 14:19

Edrof said:
Do you have to give Paypal as a payment form, too? I share you pain though Shoes, eBay seems to be a minefield!

I think if it's an auction, you must have paypal as a method of payment.

ince · 27 Jan 2013 at 14:24

What is the item

shoes · 29 Jan 2013 at 08:02

Cheers for the advice guys, I think I'll avoid the bay and list it on here, gumtree etc.

Without going into detail as I have been in trouble for advertising before, it's a camera lens. Some people might remember me getting a ribbing for using it at a RR meet

CREATIVE!11 · 29 Jan 2013 at 12:31

Yeah Cash on collection.

bloodiedathame · 29 Jan 2013 at 12:51

You could also video the item, and serials, documents etc, video harder to forge than photo.

Blackjack Davy · 29 Jan 2013 at 14:08

Burnsy2023 said:
I think if it's an auction, you must have paypal as a method of payment.

That is indeed correct, you can't state "No Paypal". You can still accept cash though. Personally I put "cash on collection preferred" or similar. Once its over you basically push the cash option. If they pay via PayPal refund them and ask for cash. Technically though you run the risk of falling foul of eBay if they refuse to cooperate and insist on paying via PayPal.

If you implicitly state "No Paypal" or "Cash on Collection ONLY" or words to that effect eBay will likely pull the auction.