Local pickup scam targeting new users... Outrageous

[depetr-35]

I've been trying to sell a bicycle for local pick-up for the past 3 months.  However I've been scammed by the buyers 3 times in a row.  I have no doubt this is some sort of group of scammers because each time the scam gets a little more sophisticated.  At first I was offered more money than the "Buy it Now" price, then when I didn't fall for it they went to the text me your number scam.  The 3rd time was the best because payment was made, but knowing I wasn't an "Established" seller the payment would be on hold.  So a pick-up attempt was made where the buyer claimed ignorance of the QR or 6 digit code.  While attempting to ply his scam he offered me his phone so I could see that he received no emails from eBay regarding the pickup.  What I  did see in his inbox was an email saying his PayPal account had been suspended!  Needless to say I didn't let him leave with the bike.  I immediately called eBay and after about 2 hours got ahold of someone.  Explained the situation making sure they understood I was uncomfortable that the scammer came to my home.  I was promised the situation would be escalated.  Not only did I not receive any reply but to add insult to injury the "buyer" was able to leave negative feedback that I was a Scammer !  This was for a transaction that never took place !  Today I initiated a chat session basically saying what I'm posting here.  I just received the email response saying that eBay is sorry but they can't remove a response I feel in undeserved.  I've gotten Zero help from eBay for behavior bordering on criminality.  Hoping the seller community can help.  Thanks

[bonjourami]

Unfortunately, as a new seller you are a scam magnet.Your best bet is to ask for cash on pick up, but because you have to fly the PP flag, you do have to accept that payment too.I wouldnt put too much stock into what the csr told you.You can expect that as a new seller, your funds will be held,and you will be expected to allow the buyer to take the bike.Its no different than shipping an item when your funds are held.

[acrc3113]

I'm sure you know by now that this is not a good site to sell such an item. There are better venues for selling large or bulky items. As a low feedback seller, you will be subjected to a lot of scams, especially on higher priced items. There really is no seller protection here. You sell at your own risk.

[bonjourami]

I will tell you in the twenty one years Ive been selling here, Ive sold several local pick up items with no problems.Two were fairly expensive, over a thousand dollars,which were paid in cash on pick up. The other one was three hundred dollars, paid with PP, and I had no problems with that one either.Since your bike was only sixty dollars, I dont see a problem with local pick up.

[nkmipgolf]

Negatives are a one way street, it means little these days.

[luckythewinner]

Explained the situation making sure they understood I was uncomfortable that the scammer came to my home

You were the one offered local pickup. If you were uncomfortable with himn coming to your home, you should have arranged to meet him somewhere else. That is not something eBay can fix. 

I was promised the situation would be escalated

"Escalated" to whom, and to what end? What sort of outcome were you expecting?

[soh.maryl]

Disregarding all the other information because I assume you still have the bike, why  not respond to that feedback with a condensed version of what happened? Buyer came to pick up but Paypal account had been suspended.

[depetr-35]

First let me say I sincerely appreciate everyone taking the time to answer...  Since I'm a new seller and sold a dozen items without any issue I thought I would try local pick-up especially since it was a fully assembled bicycle.  Now I know I can suggest a site other than my home for pick-up.  

My only issue at this point is that he left negative feedback for me which took my 100% positive down to 75% since I only have 3 other reviews.  This is for a transaction that never took place since I refused to let him leave with the bike unless I scanned the QR code or entered the email code.  

As for responding to the feedback, of course I tried.  Please see the attached screenshot for the error I receive when trying to respond: 

[depetr-35]

I live in the suburbs just outside of NYC...  I'm guessing local pickup here will be more challenging than in other parts of the country.