A new account made an offer but I think is a scam

[sirimiristore_us]

Hello everyone, hope you are having a great day. 

I recently opened my account, I had one many years ago but it was in my home country so I assume it would be best to create a new one for the us. 

Today I listed a few items in within an hour someone made an offer. Only 50 cents less (which is weird someone asks for such little discount) also the account has no feedback and was created TODAY. 

I do not feel comfortable at all, I feel it is a scam. I want to decline the offer but I am afraid he will give me a negative feedback. Should I write a message saying why I declined the offer? or just ignore it? I don't know what to do

[mtgraves7984]

Decline the offer... you can't get negative feedback if there's no sale.

Ignore the offer... you can't get negative feedback if there's no sale.

Add the ID to your Block Bidder List.

Personally, I'd decline it (with no 'message') and then block the bidder. No more responding. Good luck and stay vigilant.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hello and welcome back.

There is no indication in what you have described that this buyer is a scammer. A new account does not automatically mean the buyer is fraudulent. And when you are selling something for under $10, a fifty cent discount is not a red flag. So I would go ahead and accept the offer, and wish you congrats on your sale!!

PS--when declining an offer, no explanation is needed.

[fashunu4eeuh]

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@mtgraves7984 wrote:

Decline the offer... you can't get negative feedback if there's no sale.

Ignore the offer... you can't get negative feedback if there's no sale.

Add the ID to your Block Bidder List.

Personally, I'd decline it (with no 'message') and then block the bidder. No more responding. Good luck and stay vigilant.

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Hi @mtgraves7984 ! I was wondering:

Did you take a look at the OP's 4 listings? These are very low scam items at $7.99, $7.40 and $12.50. Asking for a 50 cent discount is reasonable when the item is selling for those price points. There is a real possibility that this is a bona fide offer. Putting a buyer on the block list for making an offer is a pretty drastic move when there are no real red flags.

[mtgraves7984]

@fashunu4eeuh 

You are right. No... the listings aren't available to me tonight, and we're all blue spheres. I think you are correct if that is the case... no other red flags, I agree.

@sirimiristore_us 

My bad on the advice to block the user under these circumstances. I do think a $.50 discount on a $10 item is fair. Sell!

[eleanor*rigby]

@mtgraves7984 

Go to ebay.com and use the "advanced" search and select the option to search for a seller. Then enter the OP's member id to see his/her listings.

[*madison]

I do not feel comfortable at all, 

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So block the potential buyer.

Always go with your gut feeling.

[downunder-61]

I agree with Madison, you honestly do just get a feeling sometimes, although for such a low value item, not sure why a scammer would bother.

[sirimiristore_us · Accepted solution]

Hello everyone, thank you for replying

I dont think I will block the buyer, that seems a bit extreme for a .50 discount but I will be decling the offer. There was just something about him creating his account just yesterday, no feedback, no photo, random username, that made me dubious. 

[varebelrose]

"...for such a low value item, not sure why a scammer would bother."

To set the hook on a brand new seller. Next would come the request for an email address or text number, then the gift card requests....

Block them.

[fashunu4eeuh]

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@sirimiristore_us wrote:

Hello everyone, thank you for replying

I dont think I will block the buyer, that seems a bit extreme for a .50 discount but I will be decling the offer. There was just something about him creating his account just yesterday, no feedback, no photo, random username, that made me dubious. 

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Hi, @sirimiristore_us i respect your choice. Each seller must decide on his own risk tolerance.

That said, i believe you just declined a legit offer and buyer. You are faulting the buyer for being a new account when you yourself have only 2 feedbacks and are a brand new account yourself. This would have been your first sale, and with only four listings, those sales may be hard to come by.

I have been selling for over 10 years and have never had a fraudulent buyer. Granted, i have a high feedback score and avoid listing in high scam categories, but i try not to anticipate problems before they happen. 

New buyers deserve to be welcomed, not eyed with suspicion. The time to judge a new account as scamming is when there are red flags. Scammers always tip their hands. I think we sellers need not fear there is a scammer behind every bush when the reality is that most transactions go off without a hitch.

I wish you well and hope for your success. Good luck!

[adnisul_0]

i think it's a dirty trick because it puts you in a difficult position. because how you make decisions they can still give you negative feedback if you are the best seller and have a competitor
Or they simply want to interact with you so that ebay doesn't find out that they set up a virtual account :)) and locked them

[pizzaman6111]

Hello, I'm hoping this thread is still active to recieved a response. I am in the same situation with a new buyer with new account. Opened today!  I recieved an offer on a 15 thousand dollar item and the offer made was $19.00 difference. Something is a little strange with this offer. I would have accepted a lot more off. 10 cent on a 10 dollar item I can see. 19 dollars on a 15 thousand dollar item??

[ckimodog]

@pizzaman6111 

The OP ID reads invalid or inactive.  Plus this is a pretty old thread.  Sounds to me like you've run into a scammer.  If they ask you text or pay off the ebay platform, ignore and block.  

I would really reconsider selling that very expensive watch here on Ebay.  I would sell it locally and get cash.  You're asking for problems. Just my opinion. 

Good luck. 

[kh-stanley1]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.