Do certain items attract scammers?

[campy-sr]

I usually have between 15 and 20 items listed at one time, they seem to sell whenever they sell. But when I list electronics, or my old computer in this case I get flooded with scammers asking me stupid questions like "Do I have the original box", or the obvious question that starts with "I'm interested in your item". Calling the coffee mug I have listed an "item" is a quick delete and block.

But now three times in a row I had 3 buyers that refused to pay on the same auction. The first one was an obvious scam, asking me for my PP address so he can verify that I really the owner of the account? Really, who falls for this? So I relisted and the item "sold" again in 3 days, buyer said he tried to pay, but was having bank issues, he had zero feedback and I had a bad feeling so I relisted. I was right again. Now third time I accepted the buyers best offer within 5 seconds of him making the it since I was on the site at the time, sent him an invoice 10 seconds after that, I though all was good, but now, 24 hours later, no payment and no response from the seller.

So now I'm forced to cancel the fake sale and relist for a forth time, this time as a BIN only auction and with immediate payment. Funny thing is I had it set up to auto accept the last buyers amount and it WAS setup to require immediate payment, but somehow the scammers are finding ways around it.

My wife is a lawyer and she thinks that some sellers are using fake buying accounts to temporarily remove competing listings at lower prices so theirs will sell first. Now that I think about it she's 100% correct based on the last 3 failed buyers.

Anyone have similar issues, especially in the last 3-4 months?

[gracieallen01]

To answer your title's question - Yes.

People with anything that can be turned quickly for a good return, that is popular, a 'necessity', in demand and being sold by someone with little or no feedback or few sales over a long period of time - prime targets, but anyone will do for a try.

Electronics, smartphones, ipads, laptops and computers, gaming consoles/accessories, anything high end with gold/silver/gems or watches, good camera equipment, in demand art, today's fashions, gift cards, etc., etc. 

Of course that is for the serious scammer.  Not-so-in-a-serious-hurry scammers will go for anything or anybody.

[turquoisetulips]

 Funny thing is I had it set up to auto accept the last buyers amount and it WAS setup to require immediate payment, but somehow the scammers are finding ways around it. OP  

Depending on your personal  definition  of '' immediate ''  if they don't  pay in that time frame  , then  cancel order , block buyer and then relist . Other than reporting these players to e bay  I can't  see much more you can do . However sooner or later  someone  with  integrity  will come along and  make a real purchase . Tulips 

[go-bad-chicken]

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@campy-sr wrote:

I usually have between 15 and 20 items listed at one time, they seem to sell whenever they sell. But when I list electronics, or my old computer in this case I get flooded with scammers asking me stupid questions like "Do I have the original box", or the obvious question that starts with "I'm interested in your item". Calling the coffee mug I have listed an "item" is a quick delete and block.

But now three times in a row I had 3 buyers that refused to pay on the same auction. The first one was an obvious scam, asking me for my PP address so he can verify that I really the owner of the account? Really, who falls for this? So I relisted and the item "sold" again in 3 days, buyer said he tried to pay, but was having bank issues, he had zero feedback and I had a bad feeling so I relisted. I was right again. Now third time I accepted the buyers best offer within 5 seconds of him making the it since I was on the site at the time, sent him an invoice 10 seconds after that, I though all was good, but now, 24 hours later, no payment and no response from the seller.

So now I'm forced to cancel the fake sale and relist for a forth time, this time as a BIN only auction and with immediate payment. Funny thing is I had it set up to auto accept the last buyers amount and it WAS setup to require immediate payment, but somehow the scammers are finding ways around it.

My wife is a lawyer and she thinks that some sellers are using fake buying accounts to temporarily remove competing listings at lower prices so theirs will sell first. Now that I think about it she's 100% correct based on the last 3 failed buyers.

Anyone have similar issues, especially in the last 3-4 months?

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FYI on the 3rd attempt, immediate payment does not apply as you accepted a best offer. That buyer has up to 48 hours to pay you.

[soh.maryl]

Guess I must be missing something in your post, but have to ask anyway:  Why would you cancel when you can wait out the 48 hours after the end of the listing and then open an unpaid item case when that bidder does not pay? And they won't.  

Addendum:  And now that I see that you are a very experienced seller, my question above may be frivolous, but still wanted to know, for my own education, what leads you to cancel rather than open an unpaid case? 

[kensgiftshop]

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@campy-sr wrote:

So now I'm forced to cancel the fake sale and relist for a forth time, this time as a BIN only auction and with immediate payment. Funny thing is I had it set up to auto accept the last buyers amount and it WAS setup to require immediate payment, but somehow the scammers are finding ways around it.

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Do away with best offer.

[earlyant-77]

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@turquoisetulips wrote:

 Funny thing is I had it set up to auto accept the last buyers amount and it WAS setup to require immediate payment, but somehow the scammers are finding ways around it. OP  

Depending on your personal  definition  of '' immediate ''  if they don't  pay in that time frame  , then  cancel order , block buyer and then relist . Other than reporting these players to e bay  I can't  see much more you can do . However sooner or later  someone  with  integrity  will come along and  make a real purchase . Tulips 

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I hope you mean file the UID, wait until you can close it, and then relist ...

Hopefully the UID's were filed on all of the others or the OP will have a large ebay invoice.

[campy-sr]

the UIA automatically opened and was closed, so I won't have to pay the fees.