Best offer scam question.

[isjimthere1]

Hi there, not sure how to proceed. Have received a best offer offer for the asking amount. All seems totally above board except the payment process. Any insight would be appreciated. Very new to all of this. Thanks! Apologies if this was in a different thread! Buyer is from US, no positive negative remarks member since 2005 and one positive purchase feedback. 

Buyer wrote: 

Hello seller,i am interested in your item as a gift...Kindly text me (469) ###_#### to proceed with the payment ASAP...Hope i hear back from you

[pburn]

No! That's a scam!

Do not text or even communicate with this person outside of the eBay messaging service.

If the person wants to buy it, let them buy it and pay for it the same way everyone else would.

The way you've described it, it even sounds like a hijacked account.

The person will send you a faked email that appears to be from PayPal telling you it's okay to ship. It's not. Always check your own PayPal account to see if a buyer's money has been recelved.

This is an old scam, and there are several permutations of it. Here's a similar one. A bit different from yours but shares some of the basics.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/New-Seller-Asked-to-text-buyer/m-p/30647589#M1543661

[klhmdg]

It is a scam.

The buyer does not need you to "text" them for them to pay. 

If you have accepted the offer, wait 48 hours and then file for Unpaid Item.

[corvettestainless]

It's a scam. Ignore it. They get your number and either disappear, or get your email and then email you a phony paypal receipt showing they paid you- in hopes you will send it. Guessing this is a high end piece of jewelry, handbag, or a phone or computer.....

Texting is never required. If they are interested, they will buy on ebay using paypal like everybody else.

[kensgiftshop]

It's a scam.

Put the ID on your blocked buyers list.

[cashvaluerecovery2011]

Great job coming here for help. All answers above are correct. For sure scam. Had you called overseas customer service you would have most likely been led into a loss.

[isjimthere1 · Accepted solution]

Hi there, much thanks for this. Is appreciated. Figured it was dubious. Haven’t selected the accept offer so am relieved.

[zaybaysdeals]

Definitely a scam. New sellers are especially targeted. I recently started selling and I listed an apple watch for $125 and someone offered me $250 for it and sent a message EXACTLY like the one you posted. I of course declined the offer because it is a sure scam sign if a buyer asks to do a transaction outside of eBay. And also, who offers double the asking price!?!?

I sold that watch the next day, and then received a message from a DIFFERENT ebayer telling me that they had just purchased an apple watch from me and they messaged me the address to send it to. I played along and responded that I would ship it the next day to that address. The next day I went and shipped it to the real buyer!