07-09-2024 06:03 AM
I recently returned to ebay after cancelling my account awhile back. Of about 5 items I have listed, 3 have had scam buyers and 1 was scammed twice. By scam buyers I mean they bid on the item and then never pay. One bid up the item even though there were no counter bids. I read post about scam buyers doing it to reduce competition which kind of makes sense as I see no other reason for this and it makes me wait 4 days for the payment that never comes to repost. I wish ebay did better at dealing with this issue. Makes me want to cancel my account again.
07-09-2024 06:15 AM
As a new seller, you will attract many more scam offers than legitimate ones.
A message that says "I am interested in your item, kindly text me", an offer equal to or greater than your buy it now price, asking for your PayPal email address or a request for a gift card is generally the start of a scam where the scammer winds up sending a phony payment email that makes it look like the seller has received a payment when none has actually been received. Scammers like to target new sellers, particularly those selling expensive items.
Sending contact information (text or email) prior to a transaction payment is a violation of eBay policy; this policy is designed to protect honest buyers and sellers from this sort of thing, and to prevent off-eBay sales.
Never buy a gift card for anyone unless you are giving them a gift.
As a seller you should always check your account directly (not following a link in an email) to see if you have actually been paid prior to shipping. If an actual buyer does not send an actual payment, after four days you can cancel for nonpayment; this will prevent either party from leaving feedback and give the "buyer" a nonpayment strike. Be sure to set your buying requirement to reject bids or purchases from users with two or more strikes in the last year.
eBay will likely remove the scammer's account shortly, but the scammer will just create a new one or hijack an old one and continue sending scam offers and messages. Sellers must remain wary of any user that wants the seller to violate eBay policy.
You can avoid many common scams by listing your item for a fixed price with immediate payment required and by not accepting any offers. That way the buyer must complete checkout and actually pay in order to proceed.
07-09-2024 06:29 AM
@dc_8236 wrote:I recently returned to ebay after cancelling my account awhile back. Of about 5 items I have listed, 3 have had scam buyers and 1 was scammed twice. By scam buyers I mean they bid on the item and then never pay. One bid up the item even though there were no counter bids. I read post about scam buyers doing it to reduce competition which kind of makes sense as I see no other reason for this and it makes me wait 4 days for the payment that never comes to repost. I wish ebay did better at dealing with this issue. Makes me want to cancel my account again.
You many want to review this link on Ebay about Immediate Payments. It works on fixed listings and auctions with buy it now features. It will disappear once a bid is placed and turn into a regular auction. May or may not help reduce your non payers but worth a read. Personally i would switch to fixed listings as auctions are not like they were back in the day. IMHO
-Good Luck
07-09-2024 06:54 AM
Ditch the auctions and list as a fixed price with immediate payment required.
The listing stays live until paid for and no worries about nonpayers.
07-11-2024 05:38 AM
Thanks to all! I have seen fixed price and immediate payment as a solution to this. I tried to change it when relisting but the auction choice is grayed out and I can't change it. Any suggestions other recreating the entire listing?