Help sorting through buyer offers

[abszebra32]

Hi,

I'm a new seller and wouldn't normally do this if I didn't have circumstances where I needed to be doing it. I know my listing is a prime target for scams (computer) given my inexperience, and I have done some reading trying to be responsible about knowing how offers work and the like, but I haven't found too much information about the question I have: what can you do as a seller to tell if a buyer is legitimate when they don't trip over the obvious red flags, but still make you pause a bit?

So. I know that it is not always a problem to be selling to accounts with little feedback, although it is risky. But currently, I have two separate offers from individuals from different countries, one with zero feedback and one with 1 piece of feedback.

• They appear to have the same PO box/shipping address, which is what is giving me pause.
• They also both have notes on their profile to the effect of "please send text/video of the item working to this number".
• They're not new accounts, they have been on eBay for 4+ years at the least.

I am not sure what to do in this situation. People can definitely have circumstances that would lead to these situations, so I hate to suspect, but I am a little worried about whether the offers are real. Is it normal for buyers to have these types of notes on their profiles? Should I reject these offers?

[ittybitnot]

please send text/video of the item working to this number

@abszebra32 

You are getting some sound advice here.  Just some added information.  The buyers  "text me"  scammers that message you and want you to communicate off eBay can be reported right on the eBay message under the ACTION tab.  They don't pay, they send phony payment notifications in hopes that you don't know any better and ship your product. 

Their cousins the "change of address" scammers can be reported in the same fashion.  Often these are people that are watching your listing and message you after item is paid, and want you to ship to an alternate address (typically a freight forwarder).  They are not even your buyer, so always check the ID and compare.  Never change the shipping address after the fact, even if it is your buyer. 

Buyers that use Freight Forwarders are not all bad.  eBay allows them to use that US address so they can purchase goods from US sellers who do not wish to ship internationally.  There is no way to avoid such buyers in general.  The addresses are typically located in Delaware, Oregon, Florida but not limited to those states.  You can Google the address, and they are typically located in a multi use strip mall or industrial park.  Another heads up to you would be that you would also  be charged an "international fee" when the payment is made. 

The bad actors that use this method actually have the front money to play you, with the intention of getting a refund AND your item at your expense.  You can read the links I posted upthread to see how it works so you can be prepared and protect yourself.  Again, these people void their buyer protection, but IT IS UP TO YOU to convince eBay.  eBay will treat it like any other sale, and hope YOU don't know any better. 

Good luck! 

[abszebra32]

This is all really good to know, especially the bit about the international fee. Thank you for taking the time! I really really appreciate it 🙏

[tobaccocardyahoo]

You have one item for sale a laptop.

You are a new seller.

You have a high probability of being a scam target.

You should take the listing down and find a way to sell it in person.

The specifics of these offers is irrelevant. There are too many ways to scam you and you lack the experience to find them all before you lose your computer.

[soh.maryl]

Don't think it really matters in the long run.

Some people believe it's best to respond, even if your response  is "No Thank You", probably on the basis of hoping the buyer will go ahead and purchase anyway, or possibly buy from the seller again.