Could use help asap on possible scammer

[pacificchihuahua]

Hi all!

I firstly want to ask if anyone can tell me how I can locate another question that I posted on eBay community when I forgot to tick the box that says to email me if I get replies. I've likely gotten some responses and don't want to flake! TIA for that.

( and I checked the box already for this post! 😁)

The question I have here is slightly urgent, so am most appreciative of any input!:

I'm a new seller on a different account.

I've sold two under-$15 items in the past several wks since I started eBay. Last week, I put up an item up for auction that has potential to get around maybe roughly $60.... The auction ended tonight at my starting bid of $25 with no bids. About 10 minutes after the auction ended, I got a notification of someone making me an offer for $50. I'm assuming this is a scammer. A) why would anyone offer twice the starting bid and why right after auction's end. B) username's account is since this year, ZERO activity/feedback.

If it's a scammer though, what I don't understand is wouldn't they realize that a seller isn't going to send out an item until  pymnt has cleared?

I assume I should decline this offer, but I am in unchartered waters here and could use help!

While I am on the subject, when eBay sends us the notice that buyer has paid and we can send package, does this mean that eBay is taking responsibility for the payment being legitimate? Meaning (barring any future return of the item), eBay will definitely be paying me? 

What should I do here?? 

Thanks very much! 

[gjs_16]

 A) why would anyone offer twice the starting bid and why right after auction's end?

Exactly.

Why would someone do such a thing?
What do you think?

[downunder-61]

I firstly want to ask if anyone can tell me how I can locate another question that I posted on eBay community when I forgot to tick the box that says to email me if I get replies. I've likely gotten some responses and don't want to flake

Click on your bolded id - this will take you to your profile page - posts are there

[candd205]

Did the auction renew automatically? If so, the bidder might not realize it was already auctioned once, that this is the second time it's being auctioned. In this situation it might be legit, as the person wants to buy it and doesn't want to risk it having to get in to a bidding war with someone else.

If it did not automatically renew, then yes, something is wrong with the offer. Scammers keep trying, even if they only find a sucker one out of 1000 times, they still profit from that one person that falls for the scam. 

[pacificchihuahua]

Yes, given the facts that are obvious, I am assuming the person is a scammer. I perhaps should have made that more clear.

However, sometimes there are reasons for things  that are NOT obvious when one is in new territory. 

Thus, I'm seeking input here from those with more experience than myself. 

[pacificchihuahua]

Thank you very much! 🙂

[lamber9347]

@pacificchihuahua You are under no obligation to respond to offers. Since you suspect this person to be a scammer, and I agree with that assessment, just ignore it. Put your item back up for another auction and forget about this person. If they are legit, than they will see you have listed it again and place an offer. Best of luck to you....

[pacificchihuahua]

Thanks for your thoughts! (And yep- it only takes one to get sucked in for the creeps to keep trying!) 

Yes, it did automatically re-new and with "or best offer" added on which I didn't have the first time. (but now I'm just kind of not touching the listing til I get this sorted out lol). 

Very suspicious due to it being only a few min after auction ENDED though, yes? 

One thing I don't understand is: what would a scammer's endgame look like here btw since they have not msgd me to go outside of eBay channels. Wouldn't any payment have to legitimately clear through eBay, then ebay sends me the email saying ok, buyer's paid, you can ship? 

Thanks!!

[pacificchihuahua · Accepted solution]

Well! There's a thought!! This is brilliant and I'm marking it as the solution.

Thinking outside the entire box and good reminder to do so!! 🤦‍♀️

Thank you to you and all who replied!

Best of luck to everyone here! 

[pacificchihuahua]

(Why is there a pink female symbol next to my facepalm?? 😆)

[downunder-61]

Don't know about the symbol, but you asked > While I am on the subject, when eBay sends us the notice that buyer has paid and we can send package, does this mean that eBay is taking responsibility for the payment being legitimate? Meaning (barring any future return of the item), eBay will definitely be paying me? 

That is correct - once payment is pending and you get notice to send, money will go through to you (barring any future return of the item) and with fvf's deducted.

FVF = 12.55% on item + shipping + tax

[luckythewinner]

No one bid the first time around, so that is a good indication that another auction is not the answer.  

Why not just list it at $50 and at fixed price with immediate payment, and tell the buyer what the listing number is? 

That way you aren't waiting on a single buyer, and you will find out if he is really interested or not. 

[eleanor*rigby]

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@pacificchihuahua wrote:

One thing I don't understand is: what would a scammer's endgame look like here btw since they have not msgd me to go outside of eBay channels. Wouldn't any payment have to legitimately clear through eBay, then ebay sends me the email saying ok, buyer's paid, you can ship? 

Thanks!!

---

@pacificchihuahua 

The person has not messaged you to go outside of eBay channels yet. The game is to wait until you accept the offer. Then they'll ask for your PayPal email address so they can send you the payment. If you fall for that step and provide your PayPal email address, the scammer will then email you a very well-designed spoof/fake email that claims to be from PayPal telling you it's okay to ship the item. If you fall for that step, you'll be out the item and the money--with no recourse whatsoever.

And that's how that one goes.

[pacificchihuahua]

Great- thank you!!

[pacificchihuahua]

Oh hey thanks! That is a solution I will definitely note in the future as well- great idea. 

Until then:

Problem solved- they retracted their offer this a.m.!

Aha! I belive I smell rodentia, yes ?? 

I really appreciate everyone being so generous with their time to help here!! Thank you 🙂