eBay

rbemerson · ‎05-19-2021

I received a message from a user, regarding a "four figure" item I've listed. The content is I donate the item to his worthy cause, and get a donation tax receipt in return.

On the surface, the concept is not far from an acceptable possibility. Realistically, crating and motor freight delivery are going to be "not cheap". I've listed the item as "local pickup" for that reason. The sender can't/won't do a pickup.

But... oh boy, is my "you really think I'm going to fall for this scam" alarm going off.

How do I at least verify this user has a believable rating. How do I verify that someone hasn't hacked and coopted a real name to run a scam?

PS In any case, I'll ask for specifics I can run down without the sender's "help".

At this point, all I've done is read the post.

sabsh37 · ‎05-19-2021

Just ignore him and move on

silverstatetreasureboxes · ‎05-19-2021

@rbemerson

Ignore and block, the only " worthy" cause is in his own mind, what a clown.

mtgraves7984 · ‎05-19-2021

At this point, all I've done is read the post.

@rbemerson

Then your work here is done. Good luck.

biled_92 · ‎05-19-2021

You don't need to take time for him.

Anonymous · ‎05-19-2021

@rbemerson wrote:

At this point, all I've done is read the post.

Since you haven't replied, blocking will be VERY effective.

eleanor*rigby · ‎05-19-2021

@Anonymous wrote:
Since you haven't replied, blocking will be VERY effective.

However . . . adding a member id to one's blocked buyers list only blocks communication initiated through an item listing. The member can still contact the seller via the "Contact" link on the seller's profile page and/or the "Contact member" link on the seller's feedback page.

This is the way eBay designed it and how they want it to work. They do not want to block all contact from a buyer. They want buyers to be able to contact sellers.

It's also probable that the buyer's original message to @rbemerson established a line of communication, making a block ineffective, whether the OP responded or not.

coffeebean832 · ‎05-19-2021

@rbemerson wrote:
PS In any case, I'll ask for specifics I can run down without the sender's "help".

Don't do that. Add the ID to your blocked list and do not reply. https://www.ebay.com/bmgt/BuyerBlock

If you want to donate the telescope, find a worthy local organization and contact them. If they want it, they will arrange pickup.

Anonymous · ‎05-19-2021

I get all that, but blocking will prevent this troll from ever buying and will make at least make it harder to contact and cause any damage. At least by not replying and blocking it eliminates the contact seller option. I understand there are still other avenues of contact.

The communication is not really the issue though, it's the escalation of contact to bidding/buying that is the problem.

eleanor*rigby · ‎05-19-2021

@Anonymous wrote:
. . . blocking will prevent this troll from ever buying . . .

All that person has to do is open a new account.

I know this sounds argumentative; however, I'm just trying to illustrate how easy eBay makes it for buyers to sidestep both communication and bidding/buying blocks.

donsdetour · ‎05-19-2021

Hmm your scam alert seems correct.

Sound like a scam to me also....

eleanor*rigby · ‎05-19-2021

@rbemerson

Also keep in mind the current limits in regard to charitable giving and which limits require the donation(s) to be cash rather than in-kind donations--if that's important to you.

Anonymous · ‎05-19-2021

@eleanor*rigby wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
. . . blocking will prevent this troll from ever buying . . .
All that person has to do is open a new account.

I know this sounds argumentative; however, I'm just trying to illustrate how easy eBay makes it for buyers to sidestep both communication and bidding/buying blocks.

Not at all. I very much appreciate your insight and agree that all someone would have to do is open another account. Hopefully this particular individual is not that motivated.

Thank you @eleanor*rigby

a_c_green · ‎05-19-2021

@rbemerson wrote:
I received a message from a user, regarding a "four figure" item I've listed. The content is I donate the item to his worthy cause, and get a donation tax receipt in return.

That's nonsense. The only somewhat original angle here is that because he gets you to agree to the item as a "donation," he knows you aren't going to go after him for payment. You are not going to shriek "scam" because he doesn't even need to provide you with fake payment notifications; he will have talked you into giving away the item for nothing (and even paying for its shipping to him, apparently).

Let me suggest that you stop responding to this clown, remove the Make Offer from your listing, and then you can add the Immediate Payment Required option. That way no one can snatch your item off the market without actually paying you for it first.

rbemerson · ‎05-19-2021

I followed up on some information. The message sounds rather "scam-ish", but is probably genuine. However, having had a response from my Craigslist listing, and the potential buyer got cold feet at the last minute (almost literally), the terms remain "local pickup and PayPal".