possible scammer?
So i will admit i'm new to selling on here, but i had someone message me about an item I'm selling and immediately talking about making sure its "Authentic" cuz otherwise they would return it. The item is brand new and in the box...but I just got the feeling they plan to request a return on it no matter what happens and try to get the return money and never return the item. How can I best protect myself from being scammed here?
I understand returns happen and that isn't the concern really. But I'm just wondering if people have advice for someone that's new and just wants to sell some stuff without getting scammed over and over. I did read one persons advice about scammers, to just block anyone that messages ahead of time and discusses returns because they are all scammers..is that true?
They just purchased the item from me before I could block them (not positive i should have anyways) so what do I do now? Send it and hope it all works out?
sextons-sweet-deals
·2 years agoMy guess this is about the $85 game.
You may want to rethink about your listing and look at the buyer's profile / feedback.
1. looks like you may have used eBay AI for description. Do your own details / description. Put some work in your listings.
2. you failed to show the back of game and to enter the UPC code.
If the buyer contacted you after purchase with such a statement, I would consider cancelling.
A serious buyer would ask questions and ask for additional photos / details before buying / or bidding, which you should reply with and revise / update your listing with that same information.
sextons-sweet-deals
·2 years agoyou could also reach out to the buyer and state that if they are unsure / uncomfortable with purchase, that that can request to cancel order.
soh.maryl
·2 years agoBuyers sometimes do ask questions. Maybe this one has been burned in the past.
You listed and the buyer paid. What you need to do is ship his purchase now.
robbie31415
·2 years agoAsking if something is authentic is pretty normal.
Marketplaces are flooded with knockoffs.
fashunu4eeuh
·2 years agoHi @trazer13
My take is this is not a scammer.
What they likely are is nervous. Because you don’t accept returns, and you are a new seller. That’s two potential strikes against you, especially if this buyer has been burned in the past. The shopper is more apt to be looking for reassurance (that you are upstanding and will treat them fairly) rather than looking for ways to scam you out of a low-risk modestly priced item.
Consider: they are willing to take a chance on you, but it seems you are not returning the courtesy. They are showing an interest in your item, enough to reach out to take your measure as a seller, and yet your first response is to block them.
Basing business decisions on fear of what might happen instead of figuring out how to clinch the sale disregards the very purpose of listing your item on eBay. We are all here to sell and make a profit, not to collect IDs for the Blocked Buyer list. A buyer asking a question is not an indication of nefarious intent. Just the opposite, usually.
In 15 years of selling on eBay, i have never encountered a fraudulent buyer. (There are four names on my block list.) Have encountered some fraudulent eBay sellers, yes. But scamming buyers? No. Not to say that bad buyers don’t exist. Scamming is sadly with us, but i take what steps i can to minimize my risk of selling here. It includes the following:
1)Free returns, 2) avoid listing items in high-risk categories like gaming, designer goods, electronics, computers, smartphones, etc. 3) keep abreast of all the policies, 4) set my Buyer Requirements to their strictest levels, 5) use fixed-price listing format with Immediate Payment Required (when appropriate, with no Best Offer), 6) hone customer service skills, 7) have a plan in place on how to handle shrinkage if it occurs, 😎 Set aside working capital which includes funds equal to my highest sale in case of an unexpected return, 9) calculate estimated shipping costs, package dimensions/weight before listing goes live.
A word on free returns—they are not for everybody, but work well for my eBay selling. Overall, it is better to have some kind of return policy rather than risk bogus Money Back Guarantee cases that can erode one’s standing on eBay.
Each seller must decide what their risk tolerance is—prior to listing an item. eBay is not set up to manage risk after the sale. It has policies in place to penalize sellers who fail to follow through with a transaction, without buyer request.
Online selling isn’t for everyone. I would urge you to regroup, decide whether or not you can accept the inherent risk of potential loss, weighed against the possible monetary gains. But whatever you decide, wish you much success and good luck.
trazer13
OP2 years agoI did do as they requested and changed it to accept returns for them when they asked, It was never my first response to block them , I said was that was what I read. That's the only reason I considered it at all. I came for advice, I got it.
Is it Normal to accept returns? I really don't know the normal protocol here. Clearly I need to do more research. haha. But, then again, that's why I'm here. To learn more from you all.
fashunu4eeuh
·2 years ago@trazer13 wrote:
“…Is it Normal to accept returns? I really don't know the normal protocol here. Clearly I need to do more research. haha. But, then again, that's why I'm here. To learn more from you all.â€
Hi @trazer13
Yes, it is normal here to accept returns.
It has a lot to do with eBay’s Money Back Guarantee that all sellers are subject to. In that policy, as you know, virtually all buyers are protected by an iron-clad guarantee that if the item is not as described upon arrival, then they can get all their payment refunded, and the seller pays for return shipping.
This policy is great for buyers, but is done at the expense of sellers. Should a seller be unaware of this policy, it can cost them not only financially, but can erode their standing on eBay should they not cooperate and attempt to fight a Money Back Guarantee case.
As a result, it can be risky not to offer some kind of buyer-friendly return policy. All an unhappy buyer need do is invoke the Item Not As Described rule and a No Return seller’s policy is reduced to ashes. The Money Back Guarantee policy trumps a seller’s No Return designation.
Below is a link to the MBG policy and another to the eBay User Agreement. (Likely you have already studied them, but just in case, they are included for those who have not.) These two links will cover the most important points a seller needs to know to navigate the eBay land mines, clearing a path thru them toward successful selling.
Wish you much success on your eBay journey, and commend your efforts to learn and keep an open mind. (Not everyone has the ability to accept criticism with such grace as you possess.)
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy?id=4210
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259
caldreamer
·2 years agoScammers usually target "high value items" (especially electronics) and things that can be easily resold. Of course, there is no way to determine "in advance" if will be scammed.
1786davycrockett
·2 years ago@trazer13
Since they have purchased, you should ship.
And cross fingers.
If you cancel, you'll receive a defect -- and your feedback is very low, so that might hurt.