eBay

wazmason · ‎04-22-2023

I have a large piece of machinery about 2000lbs listed and just sold to someone with 0 reviews. I had it listed as local pickup only but buyer is requesting to have shipped. While I am not opposed to shipping if buyers pays but could this be a potential scam?

redmodelt · ‎04-22-2023

If you decide not to cancel the sale:

The buyer would need to make their own arrangements for pickup and provide the code to whoever they contracted with to do the pick-up. They would need to do that at their end, not you the seller, them making any payment to the pickup service they used to cover the cost of shipping (not item price).

In the help/contact section, under local pick-up, there is a list of companies that do this kind of thing. If you did go forward, you could direct them to that list or they can source their own to make arrangements.

krazzykats · ‎04-22-2023

Here's a conversation I had on eBay about an item I have for sale/pick up only, compare it to yours:

New message from:

Good day, how you doing? Is this Item still available for sale? Contact me on this number which start with XXXand XXX in the middle and XXXX the last number...Brenden

New message from:

Text me so we can make a deal about the price

ok do you take check for payment and when it clears I will arrange for the mover to come for the pickup

Also, this is their response when I accused them of scamming:

New message from:

Listen am not such a person I just got apartment and I need this that's why I request for it ok check is the easiest way for me to pay ok when the check clear then I can tell the movers to come for it

They were very persistent.

Forgot to add, they are in New Jersey, I'm in Oregon. Makes a lot of sense, right?

KrazzyKats • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1998

soh.maryl · ‎04-22-2023

Looks like something that would have to be crated. Who do you figure would do that if you agree to ship?

Don't let your eagerness to get paid blind you to the pitfalls of shipping this. Tell the person politely but firmly that this is local pickup only.

albertabrightalberta · ‎04-22-2023

Personally, I'd never sell local pickup items on ebay. I'd use CL or another similar local site.

Another common tactic is that they send their "courier" with what looks like a bank check to pay for the item. But the "secretary" accidentally made the check out for too much money so they tell you to just send the overage back with the "courier." (They often allow you to keep a couple of hundred dollars for your inconvenience.)

Once the fake bank check bounces, you've lost the item and the money.

Sell it on locally for cash!

albertabrightalberta
Volunteer Community Mentor

I can explain it to you but I can’t understand it for you.

slippinjimmy · ‎04-22-2023

@redmodelt wrote:
If you decide not to cancel the sale:
The buyer would need to make their own arrangements for pickup and provide the code to whoever they contracted with to do the pick-up. They would need to do that at their end, not you the seller, them making any payment to the pickup service they used to cover the cost of shipping (not item price).
In the help/contact section, under local pick-up, there is a list of companies that do this kind of thing. If you did go forward, you could direct them to that list or they can source their own to make arrangements.

THIS^^^^^^

The listing is local pickup only, the buyer can make all the arrangements to have a third-party pick up the machine and provide you with the QR code. To eBay this would be a totally standard Local Pickup transaction.

IF the buyer actually wanted to return the item for any reason they would have to deliver it back to the original pickup point (your front door) and you would be responsible for covering the cost from your front door to the inside of your house (or building).

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep

southern*sweet*tea · ‎04-22-2023

@wazmason wrote:
Do I have the risk of buyer wanting to return if they select and arrange/pay for pickup by carrier?
I have no problem canceling the sale but this could be a lucrative deal and am willing to jump thru some hoops.

This is what they are hoping for. You have those $$$$$ in your head, your judgment is clouded by $$$$$. You are prime for a scam, and they know this.

DO NOT SHIP THIS, PERIOD, THE END.

The easier you are to offend the easier you are to control.

We seem to be getting closer and closer to a situation where nobody is responsible for what they did but we are all responsible for what somebody else did. - Thomas Sowell

vintagepl · ‎04-22-2023

No No & No again!

inhawaii · ‎04-22-2023

I would not walk away from this. I would RUN!

Harden My Heart - Quarterflash

grasscarp · ‎04-23-2023

As others have already stated, once the buyer gets it to their location they may find that there is a problem with this "Used" machine and want to return it. You will be on the hook!!

If buyer can't read and understand "Local pickup only" then they may not be able to operate the machine.

Then they will want a refund.

Cancel the sale. Block the buyer.

house*of*paws · ‎04-23-2023

Hi @wazmason

As long as you get full payment in CASH prior to the removal of the item from your property … so as to take a return request or chargeback off the table … you and buyer are free to make whatever shipping arrangements you want.

buyselljack2016 · ‎04-23-2023

@slippinjimmy wrote:
@redmodelt wrote:
If you decide not to cancel the sale:
The buyer would need to make their own arrangements for pickup and provide the code to whoever they contracted with to do the pick-up. They would need to do that at their end, not you the seller, them making any payment to the pickup service they used to cover the cost of shipping (not item price).
In the help/contact section, under local pick-up, there is a list of companies that do this kind of thing. If you did go forward, you could direct them to that list or they can source their own to make arrangements.
THIS^^^^^^

The listing is local pickup only, the buyer can make all the arrangements to have a third-party pick up the machine and provide you with the QR code. To eBay this would be a totally standard Local Pickup transaction.

IF the buyer actually wanted to return the item for any reason they would have to deliver it back to the original pickup point (your front door) and you would be responsible for covering the cost from your front door to the inside of your house (or building).