Invoice request

[youfar_186]

I recieved a message from a buyer who purchased an item from me, hoping I can get the item shipped asap to get it directly to his relative as a present, and the buyer also requested me to email him directly so he can send the payment through bank transfer or PayPal. Does this seem legitimate?

[new_haven_toys]

No, it's a scam. Ignore them.

[soh.maryl]

The buyer would have to pay before you ship.  

The shipping address of the relative, present or not, has to be the shipping address he sees when he pays.

You do not email the buyer.  He sees the amount he has to pay and pays  it, not through bank transfer.

This does have a few red flags to it.  Have a feeling he won't be paying.  You do know how to cancel and get your FV F refunded, right?  

PS:  Since you're registered in the UK, you might want to ask your question on that site, but, except for the bank transfer part, I believe my answer is correct for you as well.

[ittybitnot]

Does this seem legitimate?

@youfar_186 

No, it is not.  There is no reason, if the buyer was a real buyer and not the criminal that he is, that they cannot just use the checkout on eBay.  What you have is the typical "text me" scammer.  They will not pay, but will send you a fake payment notification saying that the money will be released as soon as you send them the codes on the back of the gift cards they want you to include in the 'present'.  They will pay you (not) extra for your time and inconvenience with the same phony payment notice.  

If you accepted an offer or they won an auction and want the contact off eBay you can report it on the eBay site now.  If they are just contacting you through messages ignore and block. 

[albertabrightalberta]

NOT LEGIT!

[nobody*s_perfect]

The buyer's request has more red flags then a May Day parade in Moscow.

If a legit buyer wants you to mail an item to their relative, all they have to do is click on the "Change" link next to their name and address when they  pay through the regular eBay payment process. They can change that destination to any name and address they please; and you will be protected under the seller protection policy IF you ship to whatever name and address was attached to the payment.  

Also, the buyer can use PayPal for this; eBay in the US doesn't allow bank transfers in most categories.

Therefore, your buyer's request reflect either ignorance or bad intentions. Probably the latter, BUT if you want to take a chance on him, you could quote what I said, to explain how he can make a legit payment with a change of address.  If he's a scammer, he just won't pay.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Scam!!!

Here are the red flags:

Never take conversations off eBay. It is a violation of policy to exchange contact info prior to the sale. This is done to discourage off-site sales. Once the transaction occurs, contact info is shared then of course.

The address of record on the transaction is the only address you ship to. If a buyer requests you send the item to an alternate address, and you do, then you lose eBay Seller Protection (such as it is). If a buyer wants the item to go to a different address, then he has the opportunity to input that address during checkout.

A seller does not need to give a buyer any additional payment information. Its all in the listing. A legitimate buyer just clicks Buy It Now in the listing, or inputs a bid, or sends/receives an offer. All on eBay and above board.

Sorry this happened, but very glad you listened to your instincts and came here to get more info. Those good instincts will serve you well on eBay. What item did this scammer want?

[youfar_186]

Thanks fashunu and above replies. A second hand pair of designer shoes, it was a buy it now offer that I accepted, I was surprised at how quick 2 ppl were to offer after listing. Both had (0) next to their name, (I don’t know if that’s lack of feedback or lack of purchases).

Ive reported the buyer. I didn’t know whether to  just ignore, ignore and report, or cancel order in order to relist quickly. But I chose to ignore and report. 
(I don’t understand what is meant by getting my fv f refunded as it says above). 

[ckimodog]

No, it's a scam attempt.  The buyer can only pay you through Ebay managed payments.  They are provided on the invoice page.  Tell them you can only accept payments via the Ebay platform. 

[stephenmorgan]

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@youfar_186 wrote:

(I don’t understand what is meant by getting my fv f refunded as it says above). 

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That was an old way of eBay doing business.  Use to be that eBay would charge you or Invoice you for the Final Value Fees whether you were paid or not.

Now with eBay managing the payment they take their Final Value Fees when buyer makes their payment.  Now if a buyer does not pay then there is no Final Value Fees to be refunded.

[mtgraves7984]

I'd stop replying to the buyer. If the user has clicked to purchase, the user has the amount to pay... and has 96 hours to pay.

Immediately after 96 hours, cancel the order citing 'Buyer didn't pay'. Relist after you block that user. A couple of Unpaid Item strikes allow this deadbeat to bother the fewest sellers moving forward... take a hit for the team! 😉