Confirming the Authenticity of a Seller
Summary: mc.jjom.ova2zucx is considering purchasing a mini-excavator for over $25,000 and seeks advice on confirming the authenticity of the seller. Participants suggest checking the seller's feedback, duration on eBay, and location. They recommend personally inspecting the item at one of the warehouses or hiring an appraiser if that's not possible. Concerns are raised about the item's listing category and potential scams, with some advising against proceeding without verifying the seller and item quality firsthand.
I am considering a major purchase $25K+, but I am reluctant to pull the trigger without confirming that seller actually exists. How are scams identified and/or how can I determine the authenticity of a seller?
13 comments
rob-240678
·1 week agothats a big purchase and i hope the best for you man.
when i have conversations with folks on marketplaces i usually try to verify somehow.
whether its reading their red flags or just using servsly. then when it comes back drom nigeria or something i know its fake
dbmm-media
·1 week ago25k+. your a brave person, hope your money doesn't disappear
ryry-jj
·2 weeks ago...and are you just going to assume the authenticity and quality of the item without seeing it...even if the seller vets out? There are multiple parts beyond just the seller you need to figure out
eoma689485
·2 weeks ago25K+ - Get in a plane, train or automobile and go inspect it first. If the seller states that you can't inspect it in person, or have someone else inspect it - it does not exist.
redmodelt
·2 weeks agoMight it be industrial equipment? If so there are different rules for that section.
Going to be helpful if you come back and add what type of item you are looking to buy. As it stands now, could be anything.
Did you look at the sellers feedback and how long they have been on eBay?
mc.jjom.ova2zucx
OP2 weeks agoThe item is a Mini-Excavator. It is manufactured in China but they supposedly have 3 warehouses in the USA, Houston, Chicago and LA. They say it can be shipped or picked up at the nearest warehouse. They have been on EBay for about 1-½ years, with positive feedback. But is the feedback real??
kathiec
·2 weeks agoMini Excavators are listed in the Industrial Products category, which is covered by different purchase protection than most of eBay. You can read the full policy here. Note that the coverage is far less than the standard Money Back Guarantee and it doesn't cover the product if it turns out to be Chinese junk. I certainly wouldn't plunk down $25,000 without first going to one of the warehouses to inspect the product.
albertabrightalberta
·1 week ago@mc.jjom.ova2zucx
Although it doesn't necessarily indicate the integrity of the seller, double check the listing to see the category in which it's listed.
Again, although the seller may be an honest one (or not), scammers often list items in a non-MBG category to avoid having to abide by the policies of the correct category.
1950rek
·1 week agoYa gotta ask yourself why the seller is on eBay instead of what you'll find with a search for "Mini Excavators" on the net...
mc.jjom.ova2zucx
OP1 week agoWell, yes that’s a question I have also. They supposedly are a Chinese manufacturer with warehouses in California, Chicago, Virginia and Houston. Another has a facility in Georgia, which is where I am. I have sent an email today asking if I can go to that facility and look at the machine. I haven’t had a reply yet, but it is Sunday, and they have been pretty responsive!
mudshark61369
·2 weeks ago · Edited@mc.jjom.ova2zucx ,
If you open the link below and read what I wrote about vetting a seller that is about as much as you can do on the regular site. When spending that kind of money you want to buy from a seller who is experienced at selling the type item you want to buy.
https://community.ebay.com/forum/buying-57914/topic/i-am-new-to-ebay-how-do-i-know-if-a-seller-is-trustworthy-i-am-interested-in-punching-an-item-from-171308/#M528253
If you are buying a vehicle of any kind from eBay Motors that is different. Many of the sellers are not experienced at selling vehicles online so they leave a lot of things out if their listings that should be in them. If the seller is a business checking their feedback is one way to start, If they give the business' name look up reviews for them online.
Then read the listing carefully, if they say they want a deposit ask if it is refundable if the deal doesn't go through. If they are outside of your state ask if they will allow an appraiser you hire to inspect the vehicle in advance of you completing the deal, if you cannot go there in person. Open the link below to read the terms of ebay's Vehicle Protection Program
https://pages.ebay.com/motors/buy/purchase-protection/
If by any chance you have found that item on Marketplace, Craigslist or other site and they say ebay will handle the transaction Run!!! those are all scams.
roastedsaurus
·2 weeks agoThat's not how eBay works. They do some qualification work of sellers, but its pretty basic. They prefer to handle problems on the backside. So if you are not familiar with eBays Money Back Guarantee I'd start there. Make sure there are no exceptions that might disqualify the transaction you are contemplating.
I'd also look very carefully at the Sellers info. How long on eBay? How many transactions? Any negative feedback, and what does it say? If they are a bricks and mortar company you should be able to track their buisess down and get additional info that might make you more comfortable.
pickapaper
·2 weeks agoYou don't have to say what the item is but is it a vehicle (eBay Motors item) or something else?
There is no way to guarantee that someone is legitimate but generally, how long have they been selling, how many feedback as a seller do they have, are they located in the U.S.
I asked about the item because eBay Motors items are subject to different rules which affects the seller.