Buyer with zero feedback just bought something

[slc_shop]

I sold an item for more than $200. I just checked and the buyer has zero feedback. I feel like I’m going to get the empty box scam. What should I do? Is there any way to send the item and still protect myself, or should I just cancel the sale?  

Would it be wrong to send a message to them before sending the package out? I feel like I know the answer to the last question, but it might make them reconsider and cancel the order so I don’t get dinged for it.

[playwithitagaintoys]

New buyers are allowed to make purchases on eBay. You are absolutely obligated to ship the item if you don't want a defect and negative feedback on your seller account 

[slc_shop]

So what can I do to protect myself before sending it out in case they try to scam me? 

[playwithitagaintoys]

This is no different than any other sale on eBay.

[wastingtime101]

Ship with tracking to protect yourself against an item not received claim.

Nothing you can do to protect yourself against a not as described claim.

Gotta evaluate the situation before you list and decide if you want to risk an online sale. General advice given to sellers is don't list something you can't afford to lose.

If a claim is filed come back here for help on how to handle it.

A buyer with zero FB is not a reason to worry unless there are red flags in the mix. At least 25% of my sales go to 0 FB buyers - both new buyers and long-time buyers that use guest checkout.

[stephenmorgan]

---

@slc_shop wrote:

So what can I do to protect myself before sending it out in case they try to scam me? 

---

You can insure it just in case it were to get lost.  Anyone at anytime can claim a problem and want a refund.

Is this for the Hair Drying System?  I do not think that is a high scam item. 

[playwithitagaintoys]

What you need to do is allow returns on all your items. At least in that case if you get scammed you can keep 50% of the money.  Because you don't allow returns you have no recourse 

[wastingtime101]

---

@playwithitagaintoys wrote:

What you need to do is allow returns on all your items. At least in that case if you get scammed you can keep 50% of the money.  Because you don't allow returns you have no recourse 

---

That advice won't apply to the OP unless they either:

- Offer 30 day Free Returns which would give them protections offered to sellers that offer free returns

OR

- Achieve Top Rated Seller status and offer 30 day returns (buyer paid returns is good enough in this case)

[slc_shop]

Yes, that’s what it is. I agree that it might not be likely, but I stopped selling on here for a while because I had a few people scam me on much cheaper items that were not worth it at all. For the record, I can lose this money and not be hurting from it. I just would rather prepare now so I have some kind of case if it turns out to be a scam. But I think I’ve got a good idea of how to move forward now. 

[wastingtime101]

---

@slc_shop wrote:

I had a few people scam me on much cheaper items that were not worth it at all. 

---

That's not uncommon at all. Some people target low cost items to scam because they know the cost of return shipping and hassle of dealing with the return isn't worth it, so many sellers will just refund and say keep it.

For the scammer all those low cost items add up.

[playwithitagaintoys]

Yes I meant 30 day free returns 

[dbfolks166mt]

     As long as you have been selling on eBay and with the number of items you have sold and this is the first 0 feedback buyer you have had?  That's not bad give all the buyers that use guest accounts these days. 

     The 0 feedback question comes up all the time and the responses are generally the same. You sold it, buyer paid, you ship it unless there are issues with trying to do the shipping. 

     I have had just as many issues and scam attempts with buyers with established feedback scores as I have had with those with 0 feedback. 

     Always remember the first rule as a seller on eBay NEVER list anything you are not willing to take the financial loss on. EBay heavily covers the buyer in almost all respects and the seller bears the brunt of the risk on eBay. 

[heckofagame]

We all started with zero feedback. Keep that in mind. 

[slippinjimmy]

---

@slc_shop wrote:

Would it be wrong to send a message to them before sending the package out? I feel like I know the answer to the last question, but it might make them reconsider and cancel the order so I don’t get dinged for it.

---

What kind of message would you send ? "Hi, are you a thief?"

[dbfolks166mt]