How do I tell if an offer is a scam?

[bigti-99]

I am a new seller looking to sell just one item. This item has a lot of value and I have received scam offers for full price and have rejected them. But, I have 2 other offers within $50 of each other and they are in the same location but with different usernames. Are these scams or should I make a counter offer?

All the help I can get would be great. Thanks!

[shadel8640]

I'd take that camera someplace local to sell it, you're a new seller, low feedback, and as such, you're a scam magnet.

[bigti-99]

Thanks. I figured I might have to. I definitely won't get as much for it. Thank you for the help.

[alcoforever]

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@bigti-99 wrote:

Thanks. I figured I might have to. I definitely won't get as much for it. Thank you for the help.

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Getting something for it is better than getting nothing for it.

[vintage-car-magazines]

Generally, scam offers are going to be your full price......or more.

You're a new seller with an $8,000 item. You're going to attract scammers like moths to a flame. It's good that you have the possibility of a scammer on your radar. Separating legitimate offers from scammers can be tough. 

Just know that neither buyer feedback nor age of their account are indicators of good or safe buyers. Scammers will often hijack an established account to use for their scams.

Others will offer more specific advice.

[mkaczorsee]

$8,000 camera...

New seller

Sell locally. 

[vintage-car-magazines]

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@shadel8640 wrote:

I'd take that camera someplace local to sell it, you're a new seller, low feedback, and as such, you're a scam magnet.

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I agree. 

The risk of scam and the risk of shipping loss or damage would scare me off. 

Bird in the hand.

[bbravo65]

...if you consider not selling on eBay because of scammers then taking down your listing ASAP...I saw your listing is still active...

...they will buy your item, paid, soon they received your package they will file an INAD case, or file dispute charge with their institutions, you will lose both your item and your money...

...eBay always sides with buyers base on eBay's MBG policy...so it's up to you if you can afford that much money to be robbed...better donate it to Salvation Army instead...

...I'm sorry for talking too straight forward...

[kensgiftshop]

@bigti-99 

With that item, about all you'll attract is scammers.

Be hard to get a legit buyer pay that much to a new seller that's never sold anything.

[a_c_green · Accepted solution]

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@bigti-99 wrote:

I am a new seller looking to sell just one item. This item has a lot of value and I have received scam offers for full price and have rejected them. But, I have 2 other offers within $50 of each other and they are in the same location but with different usernames. Are these scams or should I make a counter offer?

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If they're scammers, they will cheerfully accept your counteroffer regardless of the actual price in question, as they are planning to rip you off anyway, scoring a full refund along the way even in the event that they don't attempt a fake payment scam at the outset. Obviously an honest buyer might also accept your counteroffer, but you can't tell for certain who you're dealing with unless or until the whole thing goes sideways.

Their desire to make an offer instead of just buying it outright is to try to get your offsite contact info, such as your email address or texting/phone number, after which they can throw some impressively fake payment documentation your way, and eBay can see none of it.

In short, you have a recipe for disaster here. This may not be the right forum for that item, due to the high risk of getting scammed coupled with the low odds of recovering your item later on. Look into selling it for cash as a local pickup only.

[vintage-car-magazines]

keh or one of the big NYC shops

[sin-n-dex]

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@kensgiftshop wrote:

@bigti-99 

With that item, about all you'll attract is scammers.

Be hard to get a legit buyer pay that much to a new seller that's never sold anything.

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Seasoned buyers are wary of spending so much on eBay because of the "same zip code scam" that is happening a lot where the buyers are losing their money (and don't recover it if they don't know how to fight that scam).

My limit for most selling is $300 (with occasional exceptions). Losing anything more will be a significant setback in my finances.

C.

[deborahwldr]

Brilliant

eBay Has Defended Me  As A Seller

Buyer Used The Item For The Weekend

Wrapped It Up & Sent It Back To Me

eBay Was Right There 

At That Time eBay Not Only Collected  Payment For Me

The Item Was Once More My Property

 I Could Relist

To Do With As I Pleased

At That Point

I Fell Madly In Love With eBay

&

Keep That Shipping  Label  Cost Low 

Either Way You'll Be Better Prepared To  .  . . Let  Go    (That's The Cost Of Doing Business )

& Paying To Bring Your Property Home. . . Won't Bring The House Down

  Adding Insult To Injury

For Insurance

As You Seal Up Your Item For Shipment 

Snap Off Some Shots

Showing Item As It Left Your Hands &  As Well The Completed Shipper

Open Lines Of Communication  ASAP  Once Item Is Delivered

Ask Buyer For Pictures & More Pictures & More Pictures

[der-480559]

I get scam offers all the time. It's pretty frustrating. I get an email saying I have an offer. I go look at my offers and there is nothing there.

[itsjustasprain]

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@deborahwldr wrote:

As You Seal Up Your Item For Shipment 

Snap Off Some Shots

Showing Item As It Left Your Hands &  As Well The Completed Shipper

Open Lines Of Communication  ASAP  Once Item Is Delivered

Ask Buyer For Pictures & More Pictures & More Pictures

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Ebay does not look at photos as they do not prove anything about what happened after the photos were taken. They do not look at videos either. If buyer files a damage claim or other dispute they are not required to send you photos before returning the item although you can at least require them to send it back before refunding.