0 Feedback User; Member Over a Year; Strange Offer Question

[redlmc]

I have a item for sale for $75 but I am accepting offers.  I got a message asking: "Two for $50?"

I responded asking if this was a true offer for I have had some 0 FB sales go bad in the past few months, and some buyers claimed they never purchased the item, thus I had to refund and cancel the sale.

My question to the user:  

"Is this a true offer? Reason I question is there have been several issues with 0 feedback/ new users and I am trying to be pro-active regarding this. Thanks"

User's response: 

"How much would you sell them for me??? Yes it is a true offer I want them ?"

I say this is a scam.  What do you think?   My gut feeling is to ignore and block.  

[redlmc]

[donsdetour]

Is there more than one item listed??

Click on there feedback and see what country they are in.

  So far they have given no reason to suspect scam.

Their English is a bit to be desired.

[redlmc]

Shows United States.   The broken English was a red flag for me.  

It is a set of two items for one price; properly listed as a lot with two items.  

Again, I have had several issues within the last 3 or 4 months with 0 feedback users such as claims of not really purchasing, providing incomplete addresses, etc.   I have had to cancel several transactions due to this.

Just trying to stay on top of these issues I have had.

[redlmc]

I failed to mention this user has left no feedback for any transaction either; none received, none left.

[tdumonde2014]

Did you think that a buyer would say anything other than what they said. You're selling one for $75.00 and the have offered you $50.00 for 2.  Move on to a "Real" buyer.

[pburn]

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@tdumonde2014 wrote:

You're selling one for $75.00 and the have offered you $50.00 for 2. 

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OP posted, "It is a set of two items for one price; properly listed as a lot with two items." So, buyer offered $50 for a $75 listing.

@redlmc 

I think I'd probably graciously decline or not respond at all.

[donsdetour]

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@redlmc wrote:

I failed to mention this user has left no feedback for any transaction either; none received, none left.

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Well we all start some were. It may or may not be legit.

Strange for me to say but I would try it and see.

[redlmc]

No that is not correct.  It is a SET of TWO items in ONE lot.  I think I have confirmed this buyer is a con.  And yes, you are correct, I need to move on to a "real" buyer.

[myboardid]

I think they are a legitimate potential buyer.  You could respond with the price you would accept for the two.  Do not let the your prior experience with zero feedback users influence your decision.  The huge majority of the time they are genuine buyers who may not know the ropes very well because they don't have experience, so sometimes they approach in an awkward way.   And buyers of any feedback number can request a cancellation, it happens.  

Also, imperfect English is common among born-English speakers, let alone the thousands of American residents who grew up speaking another language.  Your possible buyer has not used language common to scammers.   It should not cause concern for you.

[luckythewinner]

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@redlmc wrote:

I think I have confirmed this buyer is a con.  

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Can you share with us how you confirmed this? 

[reallynicestamps]

While many eBayers have poor English skills, that shouldn't be a deal breaker.

And an address in the USA from an overseas buyer may well be a freight forwarder, which is the second **safest* kind of address.

The problems would be:

The request for a 25% discount (or greater, I don't think I am the only one confused).

That if the customer is overseas, you will pay 4.4% in Paypal fees instead of the 2.9% fee on US PP accounts.

As to a scam, he never said what the item he is interested in actually is? That's a pink flag if not a red one.

*Most of the Money Back Guarantee does not apply to forwarded shipments, and your responsiblity for delivery ends at the domestic address of the forwarder.

**The safest is a Post Office Address because the boxholder either has a key or picks up from the counter clerk and often signs.

[cityslickercreations2004]

"Is this a true offer? Reason I question is there have been several issues with 0 feedback/ new users and I am trying to be pro-active regarding this. Thanks"

Ouch. My response to you would have been, "Thanks, but I think I will keep looking". 

[fashunu4eeuh]

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@redlmc wrote:

I have a item for sale for $75 but I am accepting offers.  I got a message asking: "Two for $50?"

I responded asking if this was a true offer for I have had some 0 FB sales go bad in the past few months, and some buyers claimed they never purchased the item, thus I had to refund and cancel the sale.

My question to the user:  

"Is this a true offer? Reason I question is there have been several issues with 0 feedback/ new users and I am trying to be pro-active regarding this. Thanks"

User's response: 

"How much would you sell them for me??? Yes it is a true offer I want them ?"

I say this is a scam.  What do you think?   My gut feeling is to ignore and block.  

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What do I think? It sounds like you are not here to sell.

[gracieallen01]

It sounds to me like a real offer.  "How much would you sell them for me??? "  This could be his way of saying 'For me, what is the lowest price?'.    And the "Two for $50?' could be 'Will you sell the set for $50?'

Not everybody is an 'old hand' at buying online or ebay.