10-18-2022 05:24 PM
I'm on the fence about a sale a just had for a very rare collectible figure valued at $2500.
The buyer, with 3 feedback, purchased it without even so much as a message regarding it. Which is fine, but the name listed on his account is different from the name on the mailing address. Again, not too worrisome. However, the account was made Oct 11th and he changed his user ID once already.
I did notice that he has purchased and left feedback pertaining to the same type of collectible (Funko POP) he purchased from me.
I guess the part I am most worried about is the fact that when I check the address its listed as a public library. That strikes me as odd. Sure, he could work at the library and all the other concerns could just be a coincidence. However, this is for a very expensive order and i'm having reservations regarding this sale.
10-18-2022 05:29 PM
Bottom line, never sell an item you can't afford to lose.
10-18-2022 05:31 PM
If that's the address they provided then ship it. A lot of people use their work address for shipping to avoid the porch pirates, etc. When I was working all my items were shipped to my work place. No problems.
Happy Selling!
10-18-2022 05:31 PM
Hi @simply_toyz
I can think of a benign reason for each of the issues you mention. The fact that the buyer has purchased a similar item in the past is a positive indicator.
The buyer may be having the item delivered to the public library as a 'safe place' ... but I think you can contact the buyer and verify that they intended to have it delivered to a library. Don't sound suspicious when you ask ... but rather ask in a way that the buyer feels you are wanting to make sure that the item reaches them safely.
10-18-2022 05:32 PM
When it comes to very expensive orders, you have two options:
1) Ship them to the address that eBay tells you to ship them to, or...
2) Don't sell very expensive items on eBay.
10-18-2022 05:33 PM
That is exactly what I did about 10 min ago and now I await his response.
10-18-2022 05:35 PM
That's true, but i'm just trying to be extra careful as this is a large amount of money. I have successfully mailed 2K orders before without concern.
10-18-2022 05:37 PM
Very true and to which I am well aware. I have been sitting on this item for a few years due to the fear of being scammed. I visit these forums enough to see all the scams happening every single day.
10-18-2022 06:01 PM
I received a reply from the buyer and as I had thought, they are having it mailed to their work for security. Just so happens that the name on the order does match a linkedin profile for the same person working at that same library.
10-18-2022 06:05 PM
Could be a friend or relative of the buyer that works at the library and has their packages shipped there.
10-18-2022 08:12 PM
You should have never listed an item that expensive. The buyer is probably legit but if it is a scam then you will lose most of your profit for the entire year. Personally, I would not take that risk and explain that to the buyer, cancel the sale, and then take the hit to your metrics on Ebay.
10-18-2022 08:26 PM
@simply_toyz wrote:I received a reply from the buyer and as I had thought, they are having it mailed to their work for security. Just so happens that the name on the order does match a linkedin profile for the same person working at that same library.
So all that angst for nothing?
You cannot select your buyer on e-Bay, nor can you "qualify" them, etc.
Biggest issue - is how will you ship & insure it? For high-value items. we use Fedex and require adult signature or direct signature, depending on the value.
from the Fedex site:
On June 28, 2022, FedEx Express and FedEx Ground will enable ID scanning functionality for deliveries in the U.S. which require an adult signature. Our ID scanning technology will electronically capture the recipient’s name and automate age verification. This new process eliminates the need for manual data entry of recipient information and improves the accuracy of recipient information.
When a recipient’s ID is scanned, our scanning technology will:
10-19-2022 01:24 AM
You did the right thing concerning the buyer. Best to contact them if you have concerns like an address irregularity, at least for high value items.
You can't eliminate risk (a knowledgeable, determined scammer can rip a seller off and almost always get away with it), but you can at least help mitigate the risk. Make sure you require an adult signature as suggested, and make sure you insure it for its full value (which is well in excess of included insurance with USPS or FedEx. You might also want to take photos of the item being packed up and in the final box, and make sure to get a receipt from the carrier stating the weight and dimensions of the box on the receipt. This is in case they decide to return the box claiming there was nothing in it, or similar fraud.
10-19-2022 03:29 AM
Your advise seems to be too late. This item has sold.
10-19-2022 03:43 AM
You need to send via signature required due to the price. It is conceivable the buyer is sending the package to them self or some one they trust at their local library so the can get the signature. The buyer may not be home during the day to sign for it.
Suggest you contact the buyer and Advise that you noticed the ship to address is a public library and ask them to reconfirm the person's name who it should be sent to for signature.
If you are totally uncomfortable about shipping it - cancel the sale but you will earn a defect on your selling account and if the buyer has already paid - you may not get your eBay fees refunded. Don't know for certain if you could use the reason for cancellation - something is wrong with the ship to address - and avoid those issues.