New user makes big purchase then their account is closed

[alwaysthelowestprice]

I had a buyer purchase an e-bike from me last night. It was $799.99 & $99.99 to ship. I noticed their feedback was 0 so I decided to click their username to see when they opened their account and that's when I noticed they were no longer a registered user. So this was obviously a big red flag for me and my first thought was it's a scam. I reached out to eBay via chat and they told me they are going to investigate it. They told me not to cancel the order and go ahead and re-list the item. They also mentioned they were going to release the funds to me which I thought was strange. Has anyone else been in this type of situation?

[brightlightbookseller]

I would definitely not relist right away.  Often sellers get messages about situations like that saying not to ship if you haven't already but you'll be protected if you do, but in this case, I'd just wait a bit and see if you do get a message.

[dhbookds]

Agree with @brightlightbookseller   but a couple of "I am curious questions"........  is the sale in your "awaiting shipping" section?   Is the money showing in your payments?

I've had buyers kicked off AFTER mailing and have never had the $ taken back (would be covered by Ebay Seller protection).

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@alwaysthelowestprice wrote:

.... I noticed they were no longer a registered user. ... I reached out to eBay via chat and they told me  ... not to cancel the order and go ahead and re-list the item. They also mentioned they were going to release the funds to me ...

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What on earth are they smoking?  They said that you're going to get the funds released AND you should relist?  

I would not ship an item to a member who is already NARU (Not a registered user). 

[alwaysthelowestprice]

It's at "shipment overdue" and the funds have been made available for payout

[12345jamesstamps]

Usually when a buyer is no longer a registered user...in my cases...I get an email where eBay tells me to not ship the item out....I usually get that email after weeks I mailed item out. And I do not lose the funds.

You might get lucky where you get to keep the funds and the item...unless buyer does a credit card chargeback.

We don't know how smart this buyer is or even if it was their credit card they were using.

I would mark item shipped...that's just me...so as not to hurt your account...after all...it's not your fault

Would I ship item out...nope...might be a credit card chargeback since it is a large sum of money.

I know some people here would say that is wrong...but it's not your fault.

Why should a seller get in trouble for something beyond their control.

I would not re-list the item for a few months.

And I would hold the funds you have from this sale in case of a credit card chargeback.

Just my opinion from my past sales.

[adamcartwright]

@alwaysthelowestprice 

With so much at stake, I would reach out to eBay via X.

[holstermonster]

I got scammed similarly, this guy bought my most expensive item,, after shipping it he opened a return request on ebay. Ebay sent me message saying return was delivered, issue refund. I was traveling so I approved the refund upon delivery notice by ebay. When I came back I found out that he sent me an empty box with tracking as return, got the refund and closed the ebay account he opened a day before the purchase.

[brightlightbookseller]

That's not even remotely similar.  Someone who's account is deleted by eBay could never open a return request.  Please start your own thread if you feel you need to share.