Relatively new seller and am wondering what others think about this.

[thelittlestoreofbeauty]

So I'm a relatively new seller and am wondering what others think about this. I sold an item on the 22nd of this month. Whenever I sell something I always check the buyer's feedback. I discovered that this buyer happens to be a top rated seller with high feedback and sold the same item they bought from me probably hours before they purchased mine. Their item sold for 50 cents more than mine. When I printed a shipping label through eBay their name is different from the name the eBay account is under and located in different states too. They also left a note for me to not include an invoice or paperwork in the shipping box. So clearly this buyer is having me ship this item to their customer. Just wondering does eBay allow this and should I worry? I try to be up to date on any possible scams.

[ittybitnot · Accepted solution]

You are being used as a "drop shipper" for your said buyer.   He/she is not doing so well if the item he sold was only 50 cents above the purchase price from you. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@thelittlestoreofbeauty wrote:

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 ... a top rated seller with high feedback and sold the same item they bought from me probably hours before they purchased mine. ....

Yes, eBay allows this.  No there is nothing to be alarmed about.  

I suspect that this seller discovered that the item he had listed was out of stock or damaged, so he had you send a substitute item to his buyer, rather than canceling the transaction. Sellers get a defect point if they cancel a transaction due to "Out of stock," so the price difference was not his main concern.

[lookng2015]

I wouldn't worry about it. Your buyer may have broken the one they sold, or can't find it, or it has a flaw they didn't notice. Any number of reasons.

That said, if I ever need to dropship something from another seller (thank god it's rare) I usually give them a heads up so they know what the situation is.

[femmefan1946]

With only a 50cent difference, I would do it and send a Message to the buyer "Always glad to help a fellow seller out."

Which politely tells him you know what he is doing.

You got a sale which was the reason you are here, right?

If the buyer was selling at a huge markup, you would have learned that your prices are below the market. (That makes some buyers worry. People complain less the more they pay, oddly.)

If you were mean, and/or if the item is something people buy often, you might accidentally forget not to include the packing slip with your eBay name on it. 

[emerald40]

Are all of you suggesting that this OP send the item to someone else other than what is stated on the buyer's paypal account.

Not a good idea, imo.

[castlemagicmemories]

Buyers can choose to send the item to someone else and it is perfectly legal as long as the seller ships to the name and address chosen by the buyer on the Paypal payment.  Buyer enters this name and address as a new ship to, or if he has sent the item to that person before, just chooses that ship to during checkout payment.

Many send gifts to friends and relatives regularly this way.  It is not a scam.  Items do not have to be sent only to the buyer and his address.  

[emerald40]

I will only send to the name and address on the paypal account that was stated at the time the listing was live.

Anything added or changed after the listing ended, the buyer needs to cancel, change the paypal account, and then rebuy.

That was how I always believed this to work and follow this to the letter.

[castlemagicmemories]

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@emerald40 wrote:

I will only send to the name and address on the paypal account that was stated at the time the listing was live.

Anything added or changed after the listing ended, the buyer needs to cancel, change the paypal account, and then rebuy.

That was how I always believed this to work and follow this to the letter.

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With all due respect, that is exactly what everyone here has said, Em.

No one suggested otherwise.

[thelittlestoreofbeauty]

Thank you!

[thelittlestoreofbeauty]

Thank you!