Is this a scammer?

[shiskeba_0]

I'm trying to sell a phone on eBay and someone sent me an offer talking about messaging him and to post the item to his cousin's adress, their account name is: "please.check.my.profile.and.read.carefully.for.you.on.the.text.to.me" 

And this is their description:

Hello, please Urgent reply needed, i hope your item is still in good condition? if so kindly text my email with the picture of the item, as to confirm if the item is still in good condition and to make sure the item is not a stolen item because of my bad experience, before making the payment, and i want it posted to my cousin address in UK, so kindly text me on my email I will be happy to make the payment asap...

[chapeau-noir · Accepted solution]

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@shiskeba_0 wrote:

I'm trying to sell a phone on eBay and someone sent me an offer talking about messaging him and to post the item to his cousin's adress, their account name is: "please.check.my.profile.and.read.carefully.for.you.on.the.text.to.me" 

And this is their description:

Hello, please Urgent reply needed, i hope your item is still in good condition? if so kindly text my email with the picture of the item, as to confirm if the item is still in good condition and to make sure the item is not a stolen item because of my bad experience, before making the payment, and i want it posted to my cousin address in UK, so kindly text me on my email I will be happy to make the payment asap...

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@shiskeba_0   THIS IS A SCAM.

Never engage with anyone off the site (i.e., no texting) - also don't ship to anyone save for the buyer themselves with their address registered with eBay.

Being so new here and trying to sell a mobile phone makes you a complete target for scammers. I'm glad you came here to check it out.

[shiskeba_0]

Yeah I sent him a message on ebay, if he asks to reach him out on another platform I'll block him immediately.

But if he doesn't indeed pay on ebay should I continue with the transaction?

[nevilletetts]

I wouldn't.

[dbfolks166mt]

     More than likely it is a scam. Cell phones are one of the most targeted scammer items on eBay. It  is an item I would never list on eBay there are simply too many other ways to sell them that have a whole lot less risk. If you do follow through with the sale make sure you write down the IMEI number in case you are scammed. You can report the IMEI number to the blacklist which essentially renders the phone useless to the scammer. 

[fbusoni]

YES.  This is a scammer.

As others have said, do not sell phones here or you will lose everything.

[az93]

If you even have to ask, the answer is yes.

[ryry-jj]

Stop with this "buyer"...it wont end well.  I wouldn't even communicate with them on eBay at this point

[simba6]

Yes it's a SCAM.   They want you to send a photo to get your email address. They will then send a FAKE you have been paid message in hopes you will send an item that was never paid for.  A very common scam.  New sellers are often the target of such scammers.

[ittybitnot]

 if so kindly text my email with the picture of the item, as to confirm if the item is ...

@shiskeba_0 

Yes, it is a scam.  Typical "text me" scammer. 

[shiskeba_0]

Thanks for all the answers, I've already blocked the user and I'll pay attention on who I'm selling the phone to.

[duffy4444]

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@shiskeba_0 wrote:

Thanks for all the answers, I've already blocked the user and I'll pay attention on who I'm selling the phone to.

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@shiskeba_0:

   As a relatively new seller, DO NOT sell your cell phone here, unless you are willing to lose it along with any "payment" for it. This also goes for most electronics, computers, video games, etc.... practically any higher-value item.

   Can this be any more clear?

   Read down a few hundred posts here and familiarize yourself with the heartbreaking scams targeting newer sellers and those with very low feedback.

Cheers, Duffy

[shiskeba_0]

Any other tips of where I could sell it then? Here in the uk there aren't many options from what I personally know.

[chapeau-noir]

@shiskeba_0  It's better to sell it locally or something like Music Magpie, etc.. I'd try locally first - I'm not sure where you are in the UK but in Norwich there are a couple of places that buy and sell mobiles if you can't find a private buyer.

[duffy4444]

   I'm not familiar with all the alternatives in the UK, but here in the USA there is always CraigsList, Facebook Marketplace, a local auction house, local classified newspaper ads, flea market and garage sale brochures and venues, consignment stores, etc. or some other means with IN PERSON pickup. I'm sure you have something along those lines in the UK... any way in which you can find a private buyer. Other seasoned sellers may chime in here with recommendations.

   The idea is DO NOT ship it or allow it to get out of your control until you have CASH in your hands. This goes for any higher-value item that would adversely affect you if you both lost it and your payment for it.

Cheers, Duffy