Scam Buyers

[sticker_space]

How to identify scam buyers on eBay?

[pikabo-icu]

Just as there is not ONE scam, there is not ONE way to identify those that would scam you.

Your best defense is to read eBay's selling policies and follow them.

Read the forums to familiarize yourself with the ways people try to scam sellers. 

If in doubt. come and ask for help/advice BEFORE falling for anything suspicious.. 

And PRAY..

Good Luck

[jonathankirkland]

There are some telltale signs.

For example, you have an item listed for $300 and best offer on it and they send you an offer of $400 and tell you to use the most expensive shipping method and send it immediately, then you accept their offer and they send you a 'fake' payment confirmation email to try to get you to send the item immediately without realizing you've not actually been paid.

Some of them will do the same for a $100 item and offer $300 and say "please give me $200 in gift cards with my order!", another big scam that I can't believe people fall for.

Anyway, the best way to NOT be targeted for scams when you have a low-feedback account and are not experienced in selling is to start slowly. Sell smaller items that are not expensive (honestly stuff $50 or less to begin), until you learn the ropes of ebay.

Also I recommend you read and make sure to thoroughly understand the 3 following links if you have not already, at a minimum, before continuing on ebay:

ebay Money Back Guarantee

https://pages.ebay.com/ebay-money-back-guarantee/

Selling policies

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/selling-policies?id=4214

Managed payments

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/service-and-payments/managed-payments-on-ebay.html

Additionally, if you have spare time, hanging around these forums and just reading topics randomly (along with the "Buying" forums), you can learn A LOT of information from the experienced buyers and sellers here who volunteer their time to help out those in need.

Wish you the best of luck!

[dirk12955]

Human's have an inner voice that speaks to them sometimes.     Usually this voice tells you 

that you either should,   or should not do something.     There are times where you can avoid getting scammed simply by listening to this inner voice..

On ebay,   anything out of the ordinary should set off alarm bells in your head.

The buyer that wants to pay more than you're asking.

Anything that simply sounds "Too good to be true"

Anything involving gift cards.

Anytime a buyer wants to trade phone calls or text messages.

I'm a veteran on disability but I want to buy this for my Grandson, can you give me a better price.

Can you donate?    I'm disabled.

Etc,  Etc,  Etc....

[doug_5857]

Never sell anything that you can not afford to give away.

[katzrul15]

Well, the really good news, is they wear really big hats - easy to spot. 

The bad news, is this is online and you cannot see what size hats they are wearing.

Wait.  I might be on the wrong thread.  

[jonathankirkland]

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@katzrul15 wrote:

Well, the really good news, is they wear really big hats - easy to spot. 

The bad news, is this is online and you cannot see what size hats they are wearing.

Wait.  I might be on the wrong thread.  

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*takes off his sombrero and slinks away silently*

[katzrul15]

@jonathankirkland 

🙃🪖🧢🎩👒👑

[inhawaii]

How do you keep people from Sri Lanka, who aren't even allowed to sell on ebay, from coming on the discussion boards and asking all kind of ridiculous questions that don't even pertain to them?

[coolections]

Most of it is common sense. Don't read or reply to any emails. Do not accept any form of payment other than approved by Ebay. Do not fall for any sob stories. Check the buyer's feedback from other sellers. (they will be positive but the remarks can tell you a lot). Don't ship anything until after receiving payment. Always get tracking on your packages. Delivery confirmation for expensive items. As someone else mentioned, if yu feel something fishy come here first before doing anything.

[toysaver]

possum bucket dancing

[dirk12955]

I think the Sri Lanka posts are a form of free advertising.     "Look at me,   Here I am,  Buy something!"

[assortedcollectibles]

Just see if they have negative feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anyone with a cat for an avatar...oh, wait 😉

[pikabo-icu]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Anyone with a cat for an avatar...oh, wait 😉

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I see what you did there... ROFL