Hi all I have a high end bike for sale at fixed price. I recently received a message from a rather new Ebay member (Jan 2019) who wants to meet to look at the bike. He has 0 feedback and I can't help but be a tad suspicious. What do you guys think? Any way to prevent fraud in this case and what should I look for?
I have sold higher price items in the past but never to someone with 0 feedback.
What do you guys think? Any way to prevent fraud in this case and what should I look for?
First and foremost, meet somewhere safe and public, and don't go alone. All that "stranger danger" stuff.
Second, I'm going to inundate you with threads to read about local pickup--there is a lot of misinformation out there about it. Focus on the responses from eBay staff--not members (although some members give great information--others don't); for example, you have to offer a form of electronic payment, and you have to accept an electronic payment (including PayPal) if the buyer selects it.
So here goes. I know it's a lot to wade through, but hopefully you'll read about a lot of those misconceptions and learn the real policies on local pickup:
You offer local pickup. Just met someplace safe. I would want to see a $700 bike in person before I bought it. Do you have the internet meetups? Good Luck
Everyone has options. Just be sure the best option is right for you.
Be careful of one other thing. If you complete the sale on the spot without confirming the sale through eBay and they suspect that is what you did there are punishments you don't want on your account.
I have sold larger ticket items in the past and have always gone through the proper Ebay channels in terms of Ebay fees, etc. I just get a tad nervous when it comes to someone with 0 feedback.
In my opinion that would be better than your home, where few people are around, or the local police station, where there are a lot of people around but many of those are criminals.
Well, it looks like I got my answer. Wrote the party back and informed him that it would have to be a cash sale. 3 days and have not heard back and I'm guessing I probably won't. The original message just seemed fishy to me.
If the buyer paid with paypal they can file an item not received claim ( if the buyer is dishonest ) and you wouldn't be able to prove delivery with online tracking if the item is collected. When buyers pay cash they can't file claims.
The buyer made the purchase on eBay.com via checkout or an eBay invoice with one of the following payment methods:
PayPal
PayPal Credit
Credit card or debit card
eBay gift cards, eBay bucks and eBay vouchers
The item was paid for in a single payment
If the listing was a live auction by an auction house seller and paid by any payment method, the purchase is covered as long as the buyer provides a copy of the seller invoice and proof of payment. (Items sold through Sotheby's are excluded.)
Items collected in person are covered provided all other requirements are met
There was no buyer protection for INR pick up items, but now there is if the buyer pays with paypal or the other accepted payments. So, it isn't the same as before.
