Question from User: "Still available?"

[alxbejm]

I have an item for sale. It's an active listing. Someone just sent me a message through Ebay asking if the item was "still available?" I thought that was strange. The user has been on Ebay for about a month with zero reviews. I haven't responded to the query yet. What do you think, just an inexperienced user or is it a scam in the making?

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi, it is possible the new member doesn’t understand how eBay works, but it is also a little suspect, too. Could be they will insist on your phone number to “discuss” the item’s availability. You have some pricey items listed. Proceed with caution.

[luckythewinner]

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@alxbejm wrote:

I have an item for sale. It's an active listing. Someone just sent me a message through Ebay asking if the item was "still available?" I thought that was strange. The user has been on Ebay for about a month with zero reviews. I haven't responded to the query yet. What do you think, just an inexperienced user or is it a scam in the making?

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If the buyer has ever tried to buy anything on Craigslist before coming here, then asking if something is still available would not be unusual at all. 

I see nothing scammy about that question in itself. 

[wrong66]

Make sure you don't ever communicate with them outside of eBay.

[alxbejm]

Thank you all! I'll go ahead and give him an answer. I'll be sure to proceed with caution. I'll definitely not contact him/her outside of ebay. 

[toysaver]

Gaming items are especially suspect to fraud and scammers.  New inexperienced sellers are targets.

[kensgiftshop]

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@alxbejm wrote:

or is it a scam in the making?

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A new seller, selling expensive game systems, I'd go with scam.

[chapeau-noir]

I get 'still available' on some of my items and I just sell clothing and come computer peripherals.  Sometimes an uncertain buyer wants to just hear from the seller. 

[inhawaii]

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@chapeau-noir wrote:

Sometimes an uncertain buyer wants to just hear from the seller. 

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I've had potential buyers tell me they messaged me just to see how quickly i respond.  Their feeling .,... Quick response = sale.  No/slow response = no sale. 

[fern*wood]

That's the standard first contact question on facebook marketplace, since it works differently than ebay and many listings aren't removed after being sold.  Possibly they just aren't aware that ebay works differently---but definitely only respond through ebay messaging. 

[alxbejm]

Thank you all for your reassuring replies. It did turn out to be a reasonable query. It's an expensive item and the buyer just wanted the assurance it was for real. 

[lamber9347]

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@inhawaii wrote:

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@chapeau-noir wrote:

Sometimes an uncertain buyer wants to just hear from the seller. 

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I've had potential buyers tell me they messaged me just to see how quickly i respond.  Their feeling .,... Quick response = sale.  No/slow response = no sale. 

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Oh my goodness, I've somewhat done this myself.... funny to see someone else write it....

[chiefjudgedredd]

Yes, but do they contact you again. We get a few “have you still got it”, you reply “yes it’s still available” and they don’t reply to you. They are playing games wasting peoples’ time !

[kh-vince]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.