Scammer? - What do you think?

rich_g85 · 30 Oct 2006 at 11:10

My girlfriend sold her old Sony car stereo on ebay, we're not sure what to make of this question sent this morning:

"hi seller, the money for the Sony CD player has been paid through paypal. I hope it will be dispatched tomorrow morning. And also I hope we can finish this deal nicely to the end. Regards."

She's transferred the money out of her Paypal account and isn't going to despatch anything before it hits her account.

My immediate reaction was 'scammer'. Just wondered what you lot think- are we being paranoid?! The buyer has 0 feedback..

Spacky · 30 Oct 2006 at 11:12

Could be a scam or could be an 8 yr old with an ebay account or a Nigerian, gut feeling says the latter. Ask for a pic of him with a loaf of bread on his head.

ihatelag · 30 Oct 2006 at 11:14

Paypal should cover up to £500, check if that's applicable to you.

G|mp · 30 Oct 2006 at 11:16

Spacky said:
Could be a scam or could be an 8 yr old with an ebay account or a Nigerian, gut feeling says the latter. Ask for a pic of him with a loaf of bread on his head.

LoL

Phil99 · 30 Oct 2006 at 11:20

Make sure you're despatching to a registered address before sending. If it says unconfirmed address, don't send it before it is confirmed if you have any doubts (getting them to confirm their address via PayPal may take a while though)

Samtheman1k · 30 Oct 2006 at 11:21

SCAM, as scammers are always really polite in their emails. Most people I deal with on ebay are really blunt, for example, just sending you a messages saying 'hi, when's it being delivered?' not 'hello, how are you? I hope you are well? I like Sony stereos and little boys, I have sent a payment, I hope you receive it all in good time, please send the stereo so I can claim the money back'.

If you send it, then use registered post to protect yourself if they claim 'non delivery'.

churned · 30 Oct 2006 at 11:22

Takes 5-7 days for money to go from paypal - bank account?

rich_g85 · 30 Oct 2006 at 11:24

Thanks for the input guys.

It was the "And also I hope we can finish this deal nicely to the end." bit that got me. I mean, who the hell writes that unless they're up to something! :rolleyes:

Registered post it is.

Phil99 · 30 Oct 2006 at 11:24

Samtheman1k said:
If you send it, then use registered post to protect yourself if they claim 'non delivery'.

^ Certainly do this, but unfortunately this counts for nothing in PayPal's eyes if the customer's address is not a confirmed one.