eBay

redhonker66 · ‎02-22-2021

Hi,

I got an offer for an item which is clearly a scam. The offer is way too high and it has a message from buyer with his phone/email, asking me to contact him. I skipped.

Then I got another offer which is at the high end of the range. No message attached so it looks normal.

In both cases, they have private feedback and has been on eBay for over 10 years. There are about 10 positive feedback in the last 12 months, no negative or neutral. I'd guess the first case is someone's account got sold or hacked.

I'm hesitating on the second offer, even though it does not look like a scam. Since buyer can't get negative feedback, it's not clear to me what motivate someone to hide the feedback.

Is such offer legit? Or are they more likely scam?

Thanks

tdumonde2014 · ‎02-22-2021

With such limited information one can't say if it's legit or not. Plenty of reasons to make ones feedback "Private", most are innocent. Decline the offer if you are not comfortable.

"Those who enter the arena unarmed or unprepared are quickly dispatched."

pburn · ‎02-22-2021

You were 100% right not to contact another member outside of eBay messaging.

As you know, buyers cannot receive negative feedback. All buying (only) accounts have 100% positive feedback.

Some people have legit reasons for hiding feedback: they buy adult items, or any other type of item they'd like to keep private, no matter what the reason; they buy gifts with that account and don't want anyone else who might have access to their device(s) or account(s) to see their purchases; or, yeah--they might have something to hide.

You just have to do what you think is right. You can decline the offers and add the member id to your Blocked Buyer List if you'd rather not do business with that person. Up to you, really. I don't think I'd be overly thrilled about the offers, but I'm pretty risk-averse.

ittybitnot · ‎02-22-2021

Is such offer legit? Or are they more likely scam?

Unfortunately, if they don't play their "text me" scammer program in advance, you will not know until you accept the offer. I suppose this is for the phone?

The "text me" and "change address" scammers target new low feedback sellers offering this sort of merchandise. Expect more of the same. If you manage to get a real buyer that pays, come back here before shipping it off to Delaware.

nkmipgolf · ‎02-22-2021

2 red flags too close together, I would pass.

redhonker66 · ‎02-22-2021

Yes it's a phone around $500. And I'm fairly new with low feedback.

If I do accept the offer that does not come with text/email address, what would the scammer do next? If the payment is made, what can I do to protect myself? For example, send it insured with signature required?

Thanks

mtgraves7984 · ‎02-22-2021

@redhonker66 wrote:
Yes it's a phone around $500. And I'm fairly new with low feedback.

If I do accept the offer that does not come with text/email address, what would the scammer do next? If the payment is made, what can I do to protect myself? For example, send it insured with signature required?

Thanks

@redhonker66

Short answer... you'd lose.

nkmipgolf · ‎02-22-2021

Very hard to protect yourself from scammers on eBay. If the buyers address is in Delaware it would be going to a reshipper then overseas, one has no idea wear it ends up . Then they just have to say INAD and get a full refund and a free phone. Thanks to eBay's MBG policies.

ittybitnot · ‎02-22-2021

what can I do to protect myself? For example, send it insured with signature required?

The only seller protection offered by ebay is for buyer claims of "items not received" once you can provide online viewable proof of delivery to the address provided the payment. Send it to a different address, and you are hosed.

Signature confirmation is necessary only if the total sale is $750 or more.

Insurance is only good for "lost items" or "damaged items" but may require cooperation of your buyer to satisfy the requirements for the insurance reimbursement. eBay buyers are not required to participate in any insurance issues.

If you accept the second offer and the buyer wants you to text, call, or email, it is NOT a buyer. It is simply a crook just like the first one. You will have to file the unpaid item dispute or find a reasonable reason to cancel the sale, for there is no way you will get any money. All you will get is a phony "you've been paid" email telling you to ship. Never rely on emails as notification of payments.

There is no seller protection for not as described claims. If a buyer should make that sort of claim after the fact, you will be refunding the whole payment including shipping even if they return a box of dirty socks instead of that phone.

You need to read here and learn so you can evaluate your risk tolerance BEFORE you engage in the "trial by fire" method of figuring out what is going on. Any item sold here can be had for free (at your expense) with the right fraudulent claim.

This is why you will be warned NOT to sell anything here that you cannot afford to lose.