Buyer asking to purchase item that already sold

[sera2722]

I received a message from a buyer today asking if an item was still available, because he was very interested in it and wanted to buy it. The item in question is a watch that I sold over a month ago for $70.00, so not a high-dollar item that I'd expect to attract scammers. What's going on here? If he was searching for this particular watch, he would see that none are currently listed for sale. The only way I can figure that he'd be able to see the listing are if he searched for "completed items," in which case he would know he was searching for something that had already sold. Or, possibly he had saved it in his watch list, but that would also state that the item was no longer available. At the top of the message he sent, it also says "Item status: Completed."

Is there any reason I should NOT respond to this buyer and tell him the item is sold? I'm suspicious of a scam, but what could he do? I obviously can't sell it to him if it's already sold, but there must be some reason he contacted me in spite of already knowing it's not available.

[toysaver]

The only way I can figure that he'd be able to see the listing are if he searched for "completed items,"

If he had the item on his watch list or recently viewed he could easily access it.  If recently viewed it says 'ended; almost gone' even when sold, very easy to confuse a buyer.

[rebell45]

I'd just reply and say sorry it was sold. If it doesn't stop there, ignore him.

[quiltgeek]

If they used the eBay messaging system, it's probably OK to respond simply "Sorry, that item sold over a month ago."

If they texted or emailed you or respond to an eBay message from you asking you to text or email them, it's a SCAM. Do NOT respond and put the scammer's ID on your Blocked Bidder List so they can't bid on your listings in the future.

[certifiedcitynet]

Paranoia will destroy ya. Our firm frequently receives inquiries about sold-out items. Such inquiries are not suspicious in any way.

[donsdetour]

Just respond and say ITEM HAS SOLD.

[1tuna]

some watch buyers are a very patient bunch.If a looker has been following something for a while then they also know that sometimes a deal can fall thru the cracks.

often times when a return comes back or a bidder does not pay then it may be 4 weeks till I get around to relisting it again............I have a habit of re listing things in groups after I have gathered one

lots of times its just wishful thinking on the part of a watcher/looker but I have had many bidders message me after a sale to let me know they will take it if the deal falls thru to a non payer.

[luckythewinner · Accepted solution]

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@certifiedcitynet wrote:

Paranoia will destroy ya. Our firm frequently receives inquiries about sold-out items. Such inquiries are not suspicious in any way.

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Further to the above - 

Many people are aware that there is sometimes a problem with buyers following through with purchases. They also know that some sellers may have more than one of an item available. 

I have been known to message a seller on an item that I missed, and let them know I am willing to step in if the sale falls through. 

Depending upon your inventory, this might even be a sales opportunity. Do you have any similar items availabel that you could list and steer him toward? 

[tdumonde2014]

Sold items are not always paid for and some end up being returned.

[pikabo-icu]

I have done that-

Messaged a seller asking:  if the bidder didn't follow through & they were interested, I would be willing to BIN if they relisted at the highest bid.

I've also messaged a seller to ask if they had any more of a sold item.

As long as it's within the eBay system, I don't see any harm in replying or a potential buyer to ask. 

[sera2722]

Thanks y'all, for putting this in a positive light. I guess I've been reading too many scam stories on the forum lately and became more suspicious than usual.

Unfortunately I don't have any other watches like the Stauer Maximus. It's an unusual model that attracted a lot of interest from buyers, and is apparently hard to find. I had one ask if I could ship it to Israel, but I already had my shipping policy set to US only. I don't want to deal with the hassle of international shipping (based mainly on advice from this forum!)

For a high-dollar watch that I recently sold at auction, one of the losing bidders messaged me and said he'd purchase the watch if the winning bid fell through. It's good to know this is a normal communication and maybe even expected.

[lamber9347]

To clarify because you wrote: I'm suspicious of a scam, but what could he do? 

Exactly, what can he do to scam you? A scam is where someone has tricked you via a dishonest scheme. If you don't have the item anymore then how could you possibly get scammed? I'm only pointing this out for future reference.

Receiving a message or answering a question doesn't lead to a scam, you would have to actively participate in an activity such as a transaction or providing personal information. Simply answering a question saying, I no longer have that item, cannot lead to any way of you being scammed. Best of luck to you....