Customer using multiple new accounts to order to same address - suspicious or normal?

[squishyglam]

Hello, I discovered that a customer used 3 different accounts to place 3 separate orders, all shipping to the same address with the same recipient name. Since all 3 accounts are brand new, I'm a bit confused. I've encountered similar situations before with international customers shipping to forwarding companies, but they usually add sequence numbers to the address. However, this customer is unusual - the name and address are exactly the same across all orders. After checking, the address is just a regular residential home. Have you encountered this situation before? The items they ordered are all inexpensive, not valuable products. This makes me even more confused - why would someone go through this trouble for such small items...

[rosszonebricks]

They are likely selecting 'check out as guest' when they check out, so eBay creates essentially a disposable account for them.  Each. time. they. buy. something.

The user thinks it's probably saving them time or somehow 'protecting their information' better if they don't create a full account.

The options if you aren't signed up and you try and buy:

[love2beselling]

Hi, this is curious. Like you, I've shipped to freight forwarding addresses without any issues, and they typically have some form of ID in the address. I would recommend reaching out to eBay customer service to put these transactions on their radar. You're covered by eBay seller protections, and you'll have shipping tracking and delivery information.

The only things that come to mind are:
A. They're building feedback for their accounts, or
B. They're drop-shipping. Even though the addresses are the same, they might want items packed and delivered separately.

I’m interested to hear what other sellers have to say!

Posting ID. On eBay since 2002 with over 15000 feedback.

[weibeautywell]

I have the exact same problem happend on 5/16/25. The 3 accounts created on 5/16/25, ordered same products, ship to same address. I received payment through ebay, I sent message to buyer, but no reply.

Can I ship the order out? Or I need to cancel the order? Any suggestion? Thanks!

[krazzykats]

Bought it as a "guest," so now I'm guessing the buyer might prefer each item to take its own journey instead of carpooling in the same box.

[weibeautywell]

I am a little bit worried to ship the orders out. May I ask at this point how to protect myself? Should I use "signature" delivery? or ebay is going to protect seller once the tracking said "delivered"? Thanks!

[weibeautywell]

If buyer checked out as guest, can they receive message?

[krazzykats]

If the customer has paid, then you need to ship to the address provided on the shipping label.

They can still track their purchases and return items they’ve bought as a guest on eBay but won’t be able to use My eBay to keep track of their activity or message other members.

So, I think that's a no on receiving messages other than the automated eBay ones.

Buying as a guest | eBay

[fashunu4eeuh]

Don’t cancel these sales because ebay has rules that work against seller-initiated transaction cancellations. So—They pay, you ship. What is the price on these goods?

[fashunu4eeuh]

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@weibeautywell wrote:

I am a little bit worried to ship the orders out. May I ask at this point how to protect myself? Should I use "signature" delivery? or ebay is going to protect seller once the tracking said "delivered"? Thanks!

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Signatures confirmation is required by eBay for sales of $750+ to combat Item Not Received claims. Otherwise, it does not necessarily add a benefit and can create hardships for the buyer, and therefore should be highlighted in the listing prior to purchase if you plan on using it.

Asking after the sale is made how to protect one’s interests is a little bit like putting the cart before the horse. Once the sale is made, one’s choices are limited for seller protection due to eBay’s buyer-centric policies as i mentioned upthread.

So the time for sellers to determine risk tolerance is prior to listing the item. At that point a seller needs to decide what level of loss they can accept, because there is the threat of loss or fraud with every transaction, primarily due to the Money Back Guarantee. (Though in 15+ years of selling, i have never been the victim of buyer fraud.) Still, the threat remains. I do a number of things to protect my account that includes free returns, a suspense fund dedicated to loss compensation, should it occur, that is part of a long-term business plan with other strategies for dealing with potential shrinkage.

A seller’s best protection is to learn all the policies and procedures that govern the site, paying special attention to the Money Back Guarantee policy and the eBay User Agreement. Read the forums often to know what not to do. Read up on account defects which are given as penalties for policy violations and can get one’s selling account suspended if too many are leveled. Cancelling a transaction is the cardinal sin on eBay and can earn a seller a defect. Defects can also downgrade one’s standing on eBay, which can drop one’s listings in Search results and hike one’s Final Value fees. 

There is a lot to learn here. It’s not easy or simple but it is doable.

When help is needed, I don’t recommend calling eBay customer service because they are not always reliable. You’re better off asking questions here in the forums. Good luck and hope this matter gets resolved to your benefit.

[weibeautywell]

Thank you so much for your great help, keep learning.....

[weibeautywell]

Thanks for your suggestion! great help!

[weibeautywell]

Another question: Sinces the buyer use the same address for 3 orders, but 3 transaction, 3 accounts. Do you think i can ship together? OR it is better to ship out with 3 packages?

Thanks!

[reallynicestamps]

@weibeautywell If you feel you need signature delivery use it.

You will pay a premium for the service.

It is polite to let the customer know that you will be using this. Describe this as "for their protection" even though it is for your protection.  You have to make the customer feel happy about what might be a little more work for them.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

This just seems strange to me. 

Same person using 3 different accounts. They should be buying all 3 listings together under the same account for combined shipping if they want to build feedback. 

What does the address look like in Google maps? 

House?

Apartment?

Business?

Warehouse? (Possible freight forwarder)

eBay needs to get rid of this 'guest' stuff. You sell; you have to create an account. You buy; you have to create an account.

I guess I would reach out and ask why they purchased the way they did on each account going to same address and name, and willing to pay separate shipping on each package.