Advice

[xxgrellsu65]

Hi! So I've sold my item for $500, buyer isn't paying until the 1st of December. Of course I won't be shipping out my item until the money has been received. But I've go massive concerns of being scammed. I'll be using Direct Delivery as well as Signature Required on the package so there isn't a chance of rerouting the package somewhere and claiming it wasn't received, as they have to sign for it to pick it up, and then they can't claim they never got it. But with the minimum of 12 images allowed, I wasn't able to put a photo showing an accessory to the item on there, but I've explained it is with the item and I've listed any and all flaws I know of with the item, and even put in the description that they are required to ask for additional information and additional photos before buying. I did this to explain I wouldn't be responsible for them being ignorant and not asking for thorough details of the item, so they couldn't claim, "but I didn't know..." bull**bleep**. Is there anything else I need to worry about that they can possibly scam me with? Like, if for some odd reason they can't stand the item, will Ebay make them send it back before getting their money returned? It's a $1,200 item so...I'm really terrified of scam right now.

[gracieallen01]

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@xxgrellsu65 wrote:

Hi! So I've sold my item for $500, buyer isn't paying until the 1st of December. Of course I won't be shipping out my item until the money has been received. But I've go massive concerns of being scammed. I'll be using Direct Delivery as well as Signature Required on the package so there isn't a chance of rerouting the package somewhere and claiming it wasn't received, as they have to sign for it to pick it up, and then they can't claim they never got it. But with the minimum of 12 images allowed, I wasn't able to put a photo showing an accessory to the item on there, but I've explained it is with the item and I've listed any and all flaws I know of with the item, and even put in the description that they are required to ask for additional information and additional photos before buying. I did this to explain I wouldn't be responsible for them being ignorant and not asking for thorough details of the item, so they couldn't claim, "but I didn't know..." bull**bleep**. Is there anything else I need to worry about that they can possibly scam me with? Like, if for some odd reason they can't stand the item, will Ebay make them send it back before getting their money returned? It's a $1,200 item so...I'm really terrified of scam right now.

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Unfortunately, I don't have good news for you.  (But, Happy Thanksgiving  - or whatever - anyway)

If the buyer files a SNAD/INAD - significantly/item not as described - for ANY reason, you will be taking a return or, at least, refunding.  There is no such thing as a 'No Refund' policy, in your writing or in ebay's writing, on ebay.  If a buyer wants their money back, you will refund - whether you get your item back or a box of rocks or they keep your item (because of policy maneuvers or timing).

Now, with that out of the way, your statements about conditions of sale or asking questions, or anything else mean nothing.  The buyer is not required to do anything but pay and received the item they 'expect'.  Packages can be redirected, and have been, and if you feel the need to contact CS, come back here to the boards before doing anything, to make sure that you didn't get 'incorrect' information.

[tdumonde2014]

Wow, can't believe that you really put this in your listing " I did this to explain I wouldn't be responsible for them being ignorant and not asking for thorough details of the item, so they couldn't claim, "but I didn't know..." bull**bleep**." All of your terms are meaningless if they buyer decides to rip you off. Good luck.

[this*old*attic]

If the item is electronics you may have some cause to be nervous (higher scam category), but the odds are in your favor for everything to be fine.

You can’t demand buyers ask questions or they’re out of luck. You’re responsible for sending what you have described (or even implied). The onus is on you, buyers don’t need to conduct research.

No returns/no refunds means nothing if they file not as described.

People worry about return switcheroos, but most buyers return what they actually received if it comes to that.

You don’t need signature confirmation under $750.

[tunicaslot]

We advise new sellers to never sell an item that is worth more than their current feedback number. Too many jump on here and list in high risk categories and then end up being scammed.

I noticed your TOS includes this statement: "This includes anything from the handler being irresponsible with the package or for item being lost in transit." You picked the shipper and have full responsibility until the item is received by the buyer in the condition in which it is advertised. If the package is damaged in shipping - you are responsible. The only thing you wouldn't be responsible for is if you have confirmation the item was delivered and the buyer says they didn't receive it.

The best way to protect yourself on Ebay or any online venue is beware of what the high risk categories are and think twice about the cost of goods listed. Sometimes it's best to sell things locally.

[xxgrellsu65]

If they haven't paid yet can I message them with more photos and more information? They say they're not paying until the 1st of December. Can I do anything with lawsuits on them if they fake **bleep**? I mean, I live next to a lawyer who's amazing friends with my boyfriends mother. >_>, 

But yeah, if I message them with more photos that I couldn't include in the listing, they can choose to back out right then and there? 

[gracieallen01]

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@xxgrellsu65 wrote:

If they haven't paid yet can I message them with more photos and more information? They say they're not paying until the 1st of December. Can I do anything with lawsuits on them if they fake **bleep**? I mean, I live next to a lawyer who's amazing friends with my boyfriends mother. >_>, 

But yeah, if I message them with more photos that I couldn't include in the listing, they can choose to back out right then and there? 

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A buyer can not be forced to pay, just as a seller can not be forced to sell/ship.

[disneyshopper]

The purchase was made today.  Your seller has 48 hours to pay before you can file an Unpaid Item Dispute.  Once you do that, the buyer still has 96 hours to pay before you can close the dispute, giving the buyer a strike and you get your FVF credited.  December 1 is Sunday.  Why the rush?

[xxgrellsu65]

I'm in no rush. I'm just terrified they'll lie that it came damaged, or some other fake claim to scam me for my item plus keep the money. I mean it seems like all they've got to do is lie and say, "aw, yeah it came with a hole in the ear...I didn't know and wouldn't have bought otherwise so I'm demanding a refund." I've bought on Ebay for a long time, never sold. Was I an easy target for a quick and simple scam? I wouldn't mind if they demanded a refund but had to send back the item to me before getting refund, instead of them keeping it and the money. It would mean I'm out lost time, but my item would be returned safely 

[lamber9347]

All of the advice you've received on here is spot on. When you decide to sell anything using this platform you are bound by the TOS. Having your own rules means nothing, your rules are trumped by eBay's TOS. There really isn't anything you can do to prevent a buyer from claiming an item wasn't as described. No amount of photos will suffice if they in fact want to scam you. That's the reality of selling online these days. 

You should try to think positively that all will work out and your buyer will be happy. You are wasting time and energy fretting about something which hasn't occurred yet and may not. Best of luck to you....

[luckythewinner]

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I've sold my item for $500 {snip} It's a $1,200 item

If you are selling it for $500, then it is a $500 item ... not a $1,200 item. 

I've listed any and all flaws I know of with the item, and even put in the description that they are required to ask for additional information and additional photos before buying.  I did this to explain I wouldn't be responsible for them being ignorant and not asking for thorough details of the item, so they couldn't claim, "but I didn't know..." 

You cannot require the buyer to contact you, and eBay will not back you up on this. You only think they cannot come back afterward and claim " but I didn't know..." But they can, and eBay will not protect you. 

I wasn't able to put a photo showing an accessory to the item on there

Sorry, but you were able to show the accessory if you had really wanted to. It would been extra work to retake the photos so that the accessory was also pictured, but you could have done it. You simply chose not to. 

Is there anything else I need to worry about that they can possibly scam me with? Like, if for some odd reason they can't stand the item, will Ebay make them send it back before getting their money returned?

If you handle the dispute correctly, eBay will make them return *something* before you refund them. But on eBay, any buyer can steal any item from any seller at any time by using a fraudulent "not as described dispute" and returning a different item. 

I'm really terrified of scam right now.

Selling on eBay involves risk. If that terrifies you, you should probably re-evaluate whether eBay is appropriate for you. 

Can I do anything with lawsuits on them if they fake **bleep**? I mean, I live next to a lawyer who's amazing friends with my boyfriends mother.

That depends upon where the buyer lives, whether the lawyer can actually identify them, and whether you are willing to spend the time and money to pursue a claim against them. Will this amazing lawyer friend of your boyfriend's mother also pay the court costs for you?

[dhbookds]

Just one caution...........be sure that when/if they pay, you go to paypal directly (not thru an email link) and be sure the money is there.......tho I'm sure it will be held since you are new.....be sure the $$ shows in your account.  A common scam is to send a fake email purportedly from Paypal that says it was paid.....hoping you will mail on that basis.....

As others have said........if you are scared to death, perhaps better to cancel the sale (you will get a defect...), but better than worrying yourself to death......  If you try again, start with small inexpensive stuff.........

[scstool]

OP, consider using Registered Mail for valuable items. It will be fully insured, kept under lock, with a custody chain. It will only be delivered to the recipient with ID verification. Of course you are subject to all sorts of scams afterwords, but item not received will not be one of them.

[myboardid]

If he buyer claims not as decribed, you can insist they send it back before you refund their money but you MUST provide then with a prepaid return label. 

However, you must refund when you get the package back and it could have something in it that is not what you sent them.  It could be empty.   You still must refund. 

They can also claim they received an empty box.  You would be required to refund. 

Those are the facts, but most likely your buyer is completely legitimate and your sale will go through without a hitch. 

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

Here’s the thing about negative terms in seller terms of sales. They turn off good buyers who are the only ones who actually read the terms. Nobody wants to deal with a threatening seller who takes no responsibility.

Bad buyers will continue to buy because they don’t read seller terms because they don’t care what the seller wants. So you end up with an increasing number of bad buyers. Not all since some “good” buyers don’t read descriptions either, but far more.

In future, never sell what you cannot afford to lose