Bids exceeding BIN price

[pandor_21]

currently have an item that has exceeded the original BIN price fairly substantially. Not one of those offer scams (do those actually succeed? I mean, you don't need to be a cynic to see someone offer 500% of your price and wonder just how dumb they think you are.) Anyway, why would anyone bid over the BIN price as opposed to just... well, buying it now?

[44012]

I do not see a reason someone would do this unless it is a scam.  But that is me, the everlasting cynic.

[buyselljack2016]

...

[nobody*s_perfect · Accepted solution]

The BIN option on an auction-format listing disappears when the first bid is place (except in 4 categories, where it remains available until the bidding reaches 50% of the BIN price).  Potential bidders who see the listing after the BIN option is gone won't even know that it ever was there; the auction proceeds as if you had never attached the BIN.  

So one valid possibility is that you have a hot item and plenty of interest. It's also unfortunately possible that you have attracted sport bidders.

[dbfolks166mt]

     Others mentioned possibilities but if this is the alienware x51 that you have posted you started the auction at $100 so the BIN would have had to have been at least $130 but as others mentioned that went away after the first bid. You only have two bidders on the item and it is currently up to $187.50 which is far from being 500% over your starting price. The current bid is well below what similar items have sold for on eBay. 

     Both bidders have some feedback history so it's not like it's a new 0 feedback bidder and I assume you have your preferences setup not to sell buyers with more than xx non-payment strikes. 

[stainlessenginecovers]

Post #4 by @nobody*s_perfect states exactly what the deal is. 

[ckimodog]

@pandor_21 

Since your a new seller, you need to be cautious.  New sellers are targets for scammers.  If the buyer asks you any of the following questions, ignore them, cancel the sale after 4 days, block and report their behavior to Ebay:

1. Buyer asks for your email address, Paypal address -they don't need it, they can pay thru the payment options Ebay offers
2. Buyer sends you a phone number to text/call him/her-Communicate ONLY thru the Ebay Platform
3. Buyer asks you to buy gift cards to go with the order - don't even entertain this ridiculous request
4. Buyer asks you to send the item to a different address after paying-Ship only to the address on the invoice
5. Buyer wants you to send the item overnight/express and will pay you a lot extra to do this - Sure they will...🙄
6. Buyers says that they cannot pay through the eBay website and sends you a link to click on so that the payment will go through - Sorry
7. Buyer offers more for your item than the price you have it listed for - Buyer is looking to steal your item and money

You'll know it's a legitimate auction when you are paid thru Ebay and Ebay tells you to ship it.  Hopefully that will be the outcome for you.  One more thing...accept returns.  No returns does not mean no refunds, especially on an item that is used. 

Be careful and Happy Selling

[redlinear]

Happens  thousands of times a day I bet.  On any and all auction sites where items go to bid (yet have a buy it now option). For BIG money too.
COPART:
Vehicle being auction with a $10k buy it now.
Some bidders think the reserve is below $10k.  So, instead of BIN, they bid looking for the reserve. Hoping to win the bid cheaper than $10k.
With several bidders thinking the same thing...It gets bid over $10k and the buy it now disappears.
Enter New Bidders that never saw the BIN, AND the previous bidders that realize they screwed up, but still want (maybe NEED) that vehicle.
And.......the battle is ON!!! 

[sextons-sweet-deals]

ckimodog gave some great advice!

I would not ship international or to a freight forwarder. 

When you do ship, ship with signature required and pack well. Take photos of packing process. Mark box fragile / handle with care. 

best to entertain pick-up only / pay then to show the buyer it works. Your local police station can probably provide a safe transaction location. You would need to contact them for details. 

Review buyers' status and all feedback left for others, received as a seller, and received as a buyer. Also Goggle map the address. 

One of the biggest scams on electronics is the buyer claiming it does not work. 

Good Luck!

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@sextons-sweet-deals wrote: ... When you do ship, ship with signature required and pack well. Take photos of packing process....

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How does signature required help for transactions under $750?

Can you give me an example of a problem transaction where photos or a video of the packing process made any difference?

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@redlinear wrote: ... ...It gets bid over $10k and the buy it now disappears.

Enter New Bidders that never saw the BIN ...

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The Buy It Now option disappears with the first bid, or when the reserve is met. Not when the bidding reaches the BIN price.

[aproudparent2010]

Had this happen once. Had an item in my store for $12 and also the same item on auction and bidding went up to $40.

Buyer paid and left glowing feedback...confuses me to this day.

[pandor_21]

Thanks all. 

[sextons-sweet-deals]

great questions.

The $750 means nothing to me and should not mean nothing to other sellers, but more personal time spent, drama, and probably eBay siding with seller no matter what if there is an issue.

First question:

Have you ever looked up a buyer's location (Google Map) and reviewed their profile / feedback and just wonder if the sale is legit? I have and when in question, I pay the $3+ bucks extra to ship with signature required. 

The results of about 5 transactions in the last 1 1/2 years has resulted in the package being returned to me due to undeliverable or buyer just refused to sign for package. 

Second question: I have never had an issue with packing, but I have experience in packing & shipping. I know how to pack and also use labels and marking in red if needed. 

I have never had to use photos of packaging in my defense of a case, but it doesn't hurt for a seller to take some photos just in case a buyer makes a claim. 

[Anonymous]

every time this has occurred for me the eventual winner asks for my PayPal name so they can make payments or they want to pay me directly. It's always been a scam