Is my buyer scamming me?!?

[trde71906]

I had a watchmakers lathe auction just end for more than I expected.  The final bid was $767 in the very last second.  Prior to that it had hit about $400.

Within 10 minutes the buyer sent payment and sent me a message.  Here is his message:

“Please package for shipment to ensure the integrity of this pristine lathe! I paid a premium price to obtain it, and I expect to receive a nearly pristine WW watchmaker’s 8mm WW lathe, as described in your listing photos! Other sponsor contact info has already been sent to you. if you’vec already done submihtted photos of the 10mm 65y“

I’m having a bad feeling that I’m getting scammed here.  The last 2 sentences are what really get me.  They just don’t make any sense. Also I messaged him back and he hadn’t responded.  His profile shows 533 feedback at 100%.  
My fear is that I ship it, and the buyer then get eBay to refund the mines and just keep the lathe.

What should I do?

[mantle1951]

Very possible scam if you don't see payment in your Ebay messages don't ship!

[chapeau-noir]

The auction just ended today - give the buyer a chance to respond - you've got a little time before shipment.

I don't blame you for feeling a little uneasy - the first part of the message just sounds like the usual worried/demanding/cautious buyer message, and the last sentence sounds like something accidentally cut and pasted into the message, but I would want to know who this "sponsor" is.

[trde71906]

He’s already submitted the payment but eBay is holding it because I have a limited selling history.

If the guy is a scam, what options do I have?

[bonjourami]

Not much, once an item sells,and is paid for, Ebay expects you to ship it. I honestly would have hesitated to list that item here. You know you need insurance and signature confirmation, right?

[itsjustasprain]

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@trde71906 wrote:

I’m having a bad feeling that I’m getting scammed here.  The last 2 sentences are what really get me.  They just don’t make any sense. Also I messaged him back and he hadn’t responded.  His profile shows 533 feedback at 100%.  
My fear is that I ship it, and the buyer then get eBay to refund the mines and just keep the lathe.

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Not seeing a problem here. The tail end of the message does look like accidental copy-and-paste rubbish - nothing I would be concerned about. 

What we can see of the buyer record looks normal - I am a seller in another account and I do not see any red flags here.

I would suggest packing extra-careful with plenty of bubble wrap. You list a Priority Mail Flat Rate box but if you cannot get all the parts to comfortably fit then use a larger box and pay the calculated Priority rate for its weight and dimensions.

Finally - your sale is over $750 so do not forget that you must have Signature Confirmation on this. Regular Delivery Confirmation will not preserve your seller protection if an Item Not Received claim is filed.

[soh.maryl]

This sale just ended today.  A little early to worry about nonpayment, isn't it? 

[dbfolks166mt]

     I use the auction format almost exclusively and it is not unusual for there to be a flurry of bidding activity in the last few minutes of the auction although that is one heck of a jump. You listed it, buyer paid you need to ship. About the best you can do is do everything you can to protect yourself as other suggested, signature receipt, sufficient insurance to cover the cost of the shipment, USPS only provides and initial $100 in coverage. 

     Not that it matters much but I notice you ship internationally and use EIS curious whether this is an international or a domestic sale? If it's international you have VERY little to worry about given the seller protections eBay offers under the EIS program. 

     I also notice that you do not accept returns you do realize that does NOT equate to no refunds? You may want to review the eBay Money Back Guarantee (MBG) as to what exactly that means. 

[lakefor94]

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@trde71906 wrote:

He’s already submitted the payment but eBay is holding it because I have a limited selling history.

If the guy is a scam, what options do I have?

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"Never list an item you are not willing to lose" as an old wise seller once said.

You can vet this buyer out somewhat now that you have name and address. 

Also check feedback left for others to see what that can tell you.

How long has the account been open? What country does the buyer reside in? 

If this is an EIS shipment to the eBay hub, you are good to go.

[kensgiftshop]

You sold it, buyer paid, so I'd box it up real good and ship it.

The time to worry about getting scammed is before listing, not after it's sold.

[vintagecraze50]

IF you do not get clarification from the buyer on what that last sentence means I PERSONALLY would cancel this auction bid. You only have 19 feedbacks, if you are a new seller you could be targeted by a scammer.

[vintagecraze50]

If this is an international buyer you must ship this with eBay’s EIS program or you are going to be in trouble. The EIS program has so much more protection from crazy scams.

[vintagecraze50]

My thoughts to new sellers is that if you cannot afford just be able to give away some of these high value purchases to scams then do not begin selling things of this kind of value on here. High value items should be sold through ebays authenticate programs and international high value should be shipped using eBay’s EIS program.

[vintagecraze50]

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@kensgiftshop wrote:

You sold it, buyer paid, so I'd box it up real good and ship it.

The time to worry about getting scammed is before listing, not after it's sold.

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Yes, for sure. High value low feedback sellers are targets.

[vintagecraze50]

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@trde71906 wrote:

He’s already submitted the payment but eBay is holding it because I have a limited selling history.

If the guy is a scam, what options do I have?

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Cancel the sale if you are getting nauseated thinking about shipping this.