eBay

bullshark63 · ‎10-31-2020

I recently sold a gaming laptop on ebay worth $650. Because of the high value, I had it shipped with Signature Confirmation. I updated the tracking information, as well as sending a courtesy message to the buyer that the item has Signature Confirmation so they can keep an eye out for the item.

They sent me a message saying that their "sister" is having an "emergency operation" and that they need it shipped to a new address that wasn't listed on the buyer's information that was sent to me when they purchased the item.

I have several issues with this. 1st off the item has already been shipped, so I couldn't change address even if I wanted to. 2nd, the 1st address is in Texas, but now the 2nd address is in Deleware? 3rd I checked the buyer's information and realized it's a freshly made account that's not even a day old.

What can I do here? Seeing alot of red flags for a scam in the making and I don't want to get burned. Any advice would be helpful.

jenntuc-92 · ‎10-31-2020

How did they pay for the item? PayPal? Did you clear payment before you shipped this item? You can’t change the address. This is not possible.

I found this for you:

“It sounds like you shipped to the address specified in the transaction details. If you used eBay to buy and print out the shipping label, you automatically got the right address. So you're eligible for Seller Protection against a phony Item Not Received Dispute.

What you do is this: Sit tight. This really does sound like a scam, but you should be protected against it. Buyer wanted you to ship to a different address without changing the transaction details, so that you would void your Seller Protection by shipping to the wrong address. So it sounds like you foiled him by shipping right away — scam didn't work as planned because of a seller who was incredibly diligent!”

jbjbj_7 · ‎10-31-2020

It is a scam. The person asking you to change address probably didn't even win auction, they are just contacting sellers and saying they won.

NEVER NEVER CHANGE ADDRESSES

fab_finds4u · ‎10-31-2020

Selling anything to a "gamer" would worry me. A lot of them also like to game the system by getting free items here because they know they can keep your laptop and return any old broken laptop and get away with it. I hope you don't have a problem.

pjcdn2005 · ‎10-31-2020

If the eBay ID that is asking for the address change is not the same ID that made the purchase, ignore the message as it is a scam.

sextons-sweet-deals · ‎10-31-2020

Sounds like a scam! I have seen many posts about laptops lately. Must be a hot item these days!

Possibly it was a scam from the beginning. You sent an e-mail informing them of tracking # and that delivery will require signature and then they suddenly want to change address. I'm just guessing maybe the signature required was not noted in listing.

Always to ship to the address on record with eBay and PayPal to be protected. Never let a buyer send you an e-mail to ship to a different location.

Best wishes!

toysaver · ‎10-31-2020

If it were me I would pay to have the package intercepted and returned to me.

https://www.usps.com/manage/package-intercept.htm

1grandmashope_1 · ‎10-31-2020

You lose any protection when you change an address.

Best moving forward,

Grandma

nkmipgolf · ‎10-31-2020

Delaware address is most likely a reshipping address to overseas. No sick sister, just an scammer. If you can I would try to get it back from USPS . Especially if your buyer is new. Red flags are waving pretty fast.

simba6 · ‎10-31-2020

"sister" is having an "emergency operation"

Yea right. The scammers just won't stop.

wrong66 · ‎10-31-2020

Yes, I too would try to do a USPS Package Intercept. And do it immediately. This can only get worse going forward, as it is clearly a scam. For $15, or whatever the charge is for an intercept, you'll get your item back and can figure it out where to go from there without any major loss.

ittybitnot · ‎10-31-2020

As suggested, the person that sent you that message is NOT your buyer. The "emergency" message is a common one, most often with a reshipper address in Delaware. It is not uncommon to receive more than one of these eBay messages post sale. The people that send these are simply criminals that work the ebay site 24/7. Unfortunately, there are some sellers that fall for this in one way or another.

itsjustasprain · ‎10-31-2020

@bullshark63 wrote:
What can I do here? Seeing a lot of red flags for a scam in the making and I don't want to get burned. Any advice would be helpful.

A lot of these scams are pulled off by someone other than the buyer. Can you confirm for us that the Ebay ID that sent you the address change request is in fact the same ID as your buyer? If not - just ignore the request.

If it is the buyer then I would get on Usps.com and file a package intercept request. You are not billed for it if they cannot intercept it before it is delivered. You can cancel the sale with the reason of problem with buyer address. Keep the message from the buyer that says they wanted a different address. To ship it to a different address you should cancel and refund - after which they can buy it again with a new address.

toysaver · ‎10-31-2020

By the time the package got overseas the operation would be well over and the sister would be home... or dead.

dbfolks166mt · ‎10-31-2020

I have had this attempted scam pulled on me before as well. I to use signature required at delivery to avoid potential INR scams. Same attempt at changing the shipping address by a couple of buyers to which I kindly respond that I am unable to do. I only ship to the buyers address in eBay.

I am assuming you shipped this USP. If so when they attempt to deliver the package one of two things will happen, USPS will make sure somebody at the address receives the package or if there is nobody available to accept the package they will hold it for up to 15 days and attempt several delivery attempts. After 15 days they will initiate a return process to the sender at no cost and ship the package back to you. I have had two packages returned because there was nobody to accept the package. I attempted to contact the buyer but never heard from either of them again. Both were relatively new accounts and they are both now in my BBL.

Some will claim the signature required is worthless but it has saved me on at least two occasions and on several others I have received thanks from the buyers for requiring it. Apparently some buyers are concerned about porch theft.