getting scammed

r2d2 · 11 Nov 2009 at 22:21

I have recently sold an item for 360 pounds on a popular auction site.

This person didnt even bid, there were actually no bids, and opted to pay 60 pounds more for buy it now. But they paid paypal there and then.

Their ebay acount was made on the day sale. Now this is the first item I have sold on this site and its gonna take till next week for the funds to fully clear - go into my account.

This person has sent me two 1 line emails regarding the sale. Which I find strange for the money involved.

If I send the item recorded delivery, will I be covered? Should I cancel the sale. I dont wanna be scammed and lose the item and lose the money, if this person lies about not recieving the item - which I am suspicious of.

Sorry for the long story. What shall I do? I dont wanna have to deal with someone trying to con me.

r2d2 · 11 Nov 2009 at 22:30

They made the account on the same day. Sent me just two emails in 3 days for 360 quid purchase. They have "paid me".

Could they claim they didnt get it even if I send recorded delivery? - and then take the money back?

I havent sent it yet. I got pleased when it was sold, but I am very weary.

Its a sony satio btw. I think I am might just keep it up. I had 2 sellars back out, and now this one.

r2d2 · 11 Nov 2009 at 22:39

TaKeN said:
Sounds fishy to me, I'd hold onto it if I were you.

Can you post up some screenshots of the emails? (with contact bits blurred out)

2 day wait between emails.

r2d2 · 11 Nov 2009 at 22:42

me227 said:
Also make sure to take the money out of your Paypal account as soon as possible.

Its supposedly cleared, but its not in my bank yet. Still waiting to go through.

Can paypal take the money out my account, if this person claims they didnt recieve it etc?

I heard somewhere for a first time sellar the money only fully goes to your account when the buyer acknowledges recieving the goods. I am a first time sellar!

r2d2 · 11 Nov 2009 at 23:15

Burnsy2023 said:
Before you send it, take photos of everything including serial numbers. Also send Special Delivery with full insurance cover.

I will do this. Thanks for the advice mate.

r2d2 · 11 Nov 2009 at 23:25

Psypher5 said:
How far away from Stourbridge do you live?

Close mate. 30 mins - 45 mins depending on traffic

r2d2 · 12 Nov 2009 at 00:01

ghost101 said:
Do not send it via recorded delivery.

Special Delivery only. Even if you listed recorded delivery, fork out for special delivery. Also sign into your paypal account (type the address yourself) and then for the transaction look at what I've highlighted in yellow:

If it says eligible, the you have the protection below. Obviously, it should also say confirmed in green.

Read the terms, and follow them to the letter.

It says partially eligible in the yellow box.

Shall I bite the bullet and send it special delivery royal mail? Having taken pictures etc?

r2d2 · 12 Nov 2009 at 00:35

ghost101 said:
Is it a confirmed address? Look under the address. If not, do not send. Instead ask the buyer to get his/her address confirmed on paypal.

Also, would be helpful if you click on it and find out what it means by partially eligible.

edit:

Here are all the T&C for paypal seller protection

https://cms.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/?...nt_ID=ua/UserAgreement_full&locale.x=en_GB#11. Seller Protection Programme

Partially eligible means you are not protected against unauthorised payments, i.e. stolen credit card.

It is a comfirmed address.

So if its a stolen card I am SOL lol.

I still think theres something dodgy here.

r2d2 · 12 Nov 2009 at 00:42

ghost101 said:
Or even a stolen account. I still don't understand why its saying partially eligible if it has been paid through ebay and has a confirmed address.

The address on the paypal is the same as the ebay one.

The ebay account was made on the same day as the purchase on buy it now.

r2d2 · 12 Nov 2009 at 01:00

Amp34 said:
The problem is Paypal will then put your account into a negative amount if it was found the card/account was stolen, then you loose your money and the phone. If you cash out and remove your bank details they will still do this but possibly call the debt collectors (for this sort of sum).

Moral of the story, never sell or buy anything over £50 on ebay (unless you are buying from a recognised store, or can afford to loose the money, or handling payment an delivery in person). It's terrible it's come to this but that is pretty much how bad some people and ebay themselves are.

What im thinking also.

I got this persons phone number now. Only had their address before. Will call them before I think of shipping.

You are right its sad its come to this.

r2d2 · 12 Nov 2009 at 21:12

*UPDATE*

Called her up today and turns out she is an older lady buying the phone for her son. Didnt want the husband to know she was spending so much ha.

Genuinely hasnt used ebay before.

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated.