Is this a scam?

mikeysix · 01-14-2010, 05:45 PM

Hi all need your help. I posted in the classifieds that my iPhone was for sale on eBay. Listed it last night at 11. It sold within 2 hours. The brand new buyer with no feedback and just joined emails me stating they wish to pay straight away with paypal. I reply saying that's fine then I hear nothing and the buyer is no longer a registered user? This pissed me off so I filed a non payment. eBay account square again. Relist the phone half an hour ago. Within 2 minutes it's sold again. Another brand new buyer. No feedback. Emails me stating he's in Glasgow visiting. Wants to collect and is going to transfer the money straight away. No transfer yet. Both have addreses near London but something feels wrong!!! I'm safe with eBay and I only ever use paypal which is also protected. Anyone heard of something similar?

Regards a concerned mikey

willhollin · 01-14-2010, 05:52 PM

Yeh happens alot with high priced buy it now items. They will try and get you to send the goods before you have received the money. When you relist, you can speicfy that bidders with low feedback can't bid.

Palmnuts · 01-14-2010, 05:56 PM

Yes, this has happened to me a lot with selling mobile phones / camera's etc on eBay...although I'm not sure why or what benefit there is to someone winning an item and then disappearing.

What I do to try and avoid this, and it seems to work, is put a few rules to potential bidders. Make it very clear they need to have at least 10 positive feedback before bidding or to email you first before placing a bid. Also, make it clear payment is required within 24 hours of winning and non-payers will be reported immediately to PayPal.

Finally, on things like an iPhone; don't have a Buy It Now - start with a reasonable price, set a reserve and then let the auction run it's course.

mikeysix · 01-14-2010, 05:58 PM

Thanks mate. I was worried there invcase my computer was being hacked or somethin! Thing is there not askin for the goods to be sent. They both said they were making an instant payment? Fuckin dodgy bastards!

mikeysix · 01-14-2010, 06:01 PM

Thanks palmnuts. Sound advice. I will try that mate

simples · 01-15-2010, 10:58 AM

sounds well dodgy, keep clear mate.

scooba0010 · 01-16-2010, 01:20 AM

You can also block overseas bidders ,I had a nightmare two years ago with Nigerian buyers ,i think there is a helpline now on the home page they will assist in setting up your sale

Dr Dave · 01-16-2010, 03:06 AM

When selling high value items, take all the advice as above - but accpet payment ONLY by PAYPAL and send the device via properly recorded and insured means.

This means you have a safe and audited payment paper trail and a fully tracked/insured parcel.

I've heard of collection in person buyers claiming they haven't recieved the goods - there is no proof and PayPal refund the buyer, so they get a free item.

Be very careful.

01-14-2010, 05:45 PM	#1
mikeysix Lieutenant 25 Rep 482 Posts Drives: F30 318d m sport Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kirkcaldy iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 e90 2.0d m sport [0.00]	Is this a scam? Hi all need your help. I posted in the classifieds that my iPhone was for sale on eBay. Listed it last night at 11. It sold within 2 hours. The brand new buyer with no feedback and just joined emails me stating they wish to pay straight away with paypal. I reply saying that's fine then I hear nothing and the buyer is no longer a registered user? This pissed me off so I filed a non payment. eBay account square again. Relist the phone half an hour ago. Within 2 minutes it's sold again. Another brand new buyer. No feedback. Emails me stating he's in Glasgow visiting. Wants to collect and is going to transfer the money straight away. No transfer yet. Both have addreses near London but something feels wrong!!! I'm safe with eBay and I only ever use paypal which is also protected. Anyone heard of something similar? Regards a concerned mikey
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01-14-2010, 05:52 PM	#2
willhollin Major General 268 Rep 9,915 Posts Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [10.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	Yeh happens alot with high priced buy it now items. They will try and get you to send the goods before you have received the money. When you relist, you can speicfy that bidders with low feedback can't bid. __________________
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01-14-2010, 05:56 PM	#3
Palmnuts Lieutenant Colonel 170 Rep 1,957 Posts Drives: Huracan Evo & M8 GC Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Leicestershire, UK iTrader: (0)	Yes, this has happened to me a lot with selling mobile phones / camera's etc on eBay...although I'm not sure why or what benefit there is to someone winning an item and then disappearing. What I do to try and avoid this, and it seems to work, is put a few rules to potential bidders. Make it very clear they need to have at least 10 positive feedback before bidding or to email you first before placing a bid. Also, make it clear payment is required within 24 hours of winning and non-payers will be reported immediately to PayPal. Finally, on things like an iPhone; don't have a Buy It Now - start with a reasonable price, set a reserve and then let the auction run it's course.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-14-2010, 05:58 PM	#4
mikeysix Lieutenant 25 Rep 482 Posts Drives: F30 318d m sport Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kirkcaldy iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 e90 2.0d m sport [0.00]	Thanks mate. I was worried there invcase my computer was being hacked or somethin! Thing is there not askin for the goods to be sent. They both said they were making an instant payment? Fuckin dodgy bastards!
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01-14-2010, 06:01 PM	#5
mikeysix Lieutenant 25 Rep 482 Posts Drives: F30 318d m sport Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kirkcaldy iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 e90 2.0d m sport [0.00]	Thanks palmnuts. Sound advice. I will try that mate
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01-15-2010, 10:58 AM	#6
simples Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 274 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: london iTrader: (0)	sounds well dodgy, keep clear mate.
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01-16-2010, 01:20 AM	#7
scooba0010 Colonel 156 Rep 2,349 Posts Drives: F32 430D-MOTORSPORT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	You can also block overseas bidders ,I had a nightmare two years ago with Nigerian buyers ,i think there is a helpline now on the home page they will assist in setting up your sale
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01-16-2010, 03:06 AM	#8
Dr Dave Zummerzet Zyder Drinker! 112 Rep 5,541 Posts Drives: '06 330D Le Mans Blue Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somerset iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport [0.00]	When selling high value items, take all the advice as above - but accpet payment ONLY by PAYPAL and send the device via properly recorded and insured means. This means you have a safe and audited payment paper trail and a fully tracked/insured parcel. I've heard of collection in person buyers claiming they haven't recieved the goods - there is no proof and PayPal refund the buyer, so they get a free item. Be very careful. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote