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Nervous after very large purchase from buyer, any help to protect against fraud?

Hi everyone, on my main account I just had a very large sale of multiple items from a buyer, much more than usual. This single buyer opened their account in 2018 but I am the first purchase they have made, so all of their feedback is from me (automatic positives)...I am just concerned. I am looking for pointers from experts on how to ensure this buyer cannot make any claims of items not received or other potential scams? It just bothers me the amount of items purchased, should I be concerned? Is delivery confirmation and insurance my only options and then just wait and see? I just want to make sure that I make all the "right moves" in case he attempts something I am not aware of. I appreciate any help from sellers in protection tips against fraud or scammy buyers, thank you!!!

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Re: Nervous after very large purchase from buyer, any help to protect against fraud?

What is the item? You can manage how many items a single person can purchase, in your preferences. You can cancel the sale, take the hit (you have no valid reason) and block that buyer if you feel the need. 

 

There is no magic protection against fraud. There's only 2 things you can do: you need to make sure the money is in your paypal account and ship only to the address that is shown on ebay. Use ebay shipping label, if over $750, signature is required. Know that many signatures are now done by carriers, buyers can say 'it wasn't them' etc. Know that  insurance does not cover any scams, only if the tracking stalls and shows never delivered. Damaged is a 50/50 proposition with USPS insurance. Know that the insurance is only for you, does not pay your buyer, does not cover your buyer and is not managed by ebay.  If a buyer states they 'didn't receive' and tracking shows they did, you will win that scenario, but they can file a return/refund for 'not received' that you would have to respond to. Most artists don't do it that way, they state the item received was not as described and then send you something else in the 'return' process. 

 

Basically, selling on any internet venue, don't sell anything you can't afford to lose, as there are many scams out there that sellers can do nothing about. 

Message 2 of 10
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Re: Nervous after very large purchase from buyer, any help to protect against fraud?

if they have paid you should ship,if its in the USA it should be a breeze.I just shipped to France and it was there in 11 days.The post office is running well,just take the normal precautions you have listed.If you run into trouble you can come back here in the event of a return or questions.Do not worry about things going wrong as long as you have tracking you should be good to go for now.

you can avoid lots of problems just by asking here,its good that you found this forum 


Germantown proud Germantown strong
up the whiskey hickon
moving right along
19144
Message 3 of 10
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Re: Nervous after very large purchase from buyer, any help to protect against fraud?

Thank you both very much for the replies...The items are art prints, and they are being sent to Canada. My only fear is a buyer scanning them into their computer and then sending them back, this is what I always fear. But thank you for the tips I will definitely get the signature confirmation and delivery confirmation as well.

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Re: Nervous after very large purchase from buyer, any help to protect against fraud?

My only fear is a buyer scanning them into their computer and then sending them back,

 

And then you have them back to resell....

Admittedly out the cost of shipping.

 

Many sellers use Cookie Jar Insurance to cover occasional problems.

This just means adding a tiny amount to every asking price as a self-insurance premium.

You can use it to cover the costs of fraudulent claims(which are very rare), delays in delivery, your own mistakes (sending the wrong picture or the wrong size), or damage in transit.

 

If the buyer uses a Buyer Remorse reason for Dispute, you do not have to pay for return shipping. But most buyers will use Not As Described.

American sellers have fits about this, but Signature Confirmation is a cheap way to confirm the buyer actually got the item. Simple Confirmation of Delivery does not stop porch theft.  Of course, our Canada Post also subcontracts to postal outlets which have much longer hours than the actual post office. If you use this, sell it as a 'customer protection'.

 

But basically if Paypal says you have the money, you can buy a shipping label through them, sometimes at a discount, and be as secure as any.

To Canada you can use First Class International Package and get Confirmation of Delivery at a better price than Priority.

 

Shipping to and from the States into Canada is a bit slow, but not terrible.

 

If you are having problems with slow delivery, change your Handling time to five, seven or even 30 days which will push the delivery window that much further down the line.

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Re: Nervous after very large purchase from buyer, any help to protect against fraud?

For what it's worth... during this strange time, I've gotten sales that went without a hitch to '0' (and other low #) buyers that had been members for years. Maybe they just forgot about us.

 

I have 2 sales in queue to ship that are '0' buyers who only joined yesterday. Maybe they just found us.

 

They paid, so I'll ship! Good luck!

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Re: Nervous after very large purchase from buyer, any help to protect against fraud?


@pops_paper wrote:

 I am looking for pointers from experts on how to ensure this buyer cannot make any claims of items not received or other potential scams?


There is nothing you can do to prevent a buyer from making a claim. 

 

There is very little you can do to avoid a buyer who is intent upon defrauding you. 

Message 7 of 10
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Re: Nervous after very large purchase from buyer, any help to protect against fraud?

I would add signature confirmation to every shipment

Message 8 of 10
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Re: Nervous after very large purchase from buyer, any help to protect against fraud?

But be sure to tell the buyer you have added it "for his protection".
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Re: Nervous after very large purchase from buyer, any help to protect against fraud?


@pops_paper wrote:

Thank you both very much for the replies...The items are art prints, and they are being sent to Canada. My only fear is a buyer scanning them into their computer and then sending them back, this is what I always fear. But thank you for the tips I will definitely get the signature confirmation and delivery confirmation as well.


They wouldn't have to scan them, just "save image as" from your listings if that's all they wanted.

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