Sketchy buyer, I do not want to send a game controller to this guy

[train_slide_central]

I just sold a new unopened authentic PS3 controller for $109 to someone with a low rating of 46, but only 2 purchases in the last year, and I just had reservations about him. Then just now I get an email saying "I certainly hope this Dualshock 3 is a real one."  Just to point out, IT IS NEW SEALED IN THE BOX, and anyone can see that in the photos.    

 100% I feel like he is going to open a claim the minute he gets it and say it's fake, and then send me back a fake one.  I have sold to many people with zero feedback, but in this instance and with the type of product it is, I want to cancel this order.   Maybe I should answer and say,  "thanks for your email, I guess it is fake, do you want me to cancel your order?  Advice please. TY.

[cityslickercreations2004]

" Maybe I should answer and say,  "thanks for your email, I guess it is fake, do you want me to cancel your order?" IMHO that response is a bad idea because it is untrue (per your narrative.) 

You listed this item, sold it and now you need to ship it. Perhaps, a better response to the buyer would be to assure them the item is new, unused and factory sealed. Tell them you need to ship by (day) but are happy to answer any last minute questions.

I understand something about this buyer set off your spidey senses. Perhaps the buyer has been burned from other seller(s),  just doesn't shop on ebay much or whatever. They may be just as suspicious of you as you are of them.

[johnrj1226]

If this  buyer paid in full., your suspicious  mind in not a valid reason to cancel.  Should you do so you will rightfully earn a  "bad seller" hickey on your seller evaluation.  Collect too many of them then you will earn a permanent  place in eBay's "used to be a sellers book".  Your call.

[krazzykats]

With so many copies saturating the market, buyers might assume most are fakes, making them hesitant and uncertain—especially when it comes to a never-opened PS3 controller.

It could go either way; they might scam you, or you might end up with a satisfied customer...

ᓚᘏᗢ

[pastimpressions · Accepted solution]

It's a funny thing.

My neighbor just has no idea how honest I really am. They don't.

Well, your neighbor feels the same way.

It's a funny thing.

Trust is earned. In commerce as in all human interactions. Not merely given.

E-commerce thrice so.

The client cannot see you or the item. They cannot "read" you in person nor study the object in question.

Be positive and simply (and professionally) assure the client about the transaction.

You are building a relationship that could garner you a customer for life.

Best of luck with shop & sales.

[johnrj1226]

Just  food for thought in your listing You  say  you " Ship Fast"  But you ship via Ground Advantage which  USPS estimates is up to 5 business days for deliver after when the  order is scanned in the system,. As a buyer "Ground Service" does not  support the term  FAST...  When I sold on eBay I sold fast too - didn't say I did - but  fast  was shipping via USPS Priority Service as stated in my listing.  Fast is  getting  scanned in no later than 1 day or sooner and late Friday orders shipped on Saturdays.    My  buyers told me I shipped fast and reflected that in there FB comments - proof is in the pudding..

Most my  items shipped  where  scanned in by my USPS mail person picked it up at my home -   knew her  and worked out a system - I paid  here back with thank yous - thing like chocolate covered  pecans, home made Oatmeal cookies with walnuts & raisins (made by me), etc..  She retired and I stopped selling on eBay to enjoy our young Grandson and provide free  day care service and no charge Uber servise for "She Who Must Be Obeyed"..   

[sakic92710]

I've had plenty of buyers with similar feedback.  Very, very low numbers over a year's time.  Never had difficulty with them.  My main concern was if they are going to pay.  Once they did, I was never scammed.  This buyer doesn't use eBay much - maybe because they are suspicious of dealing with the site?  In 24 years, I was only suspicious of a buyer 1 time & I was correct about him.  I'd had well over 100 buyers with low FB.  He was not 1 of them.  Good luck.  🙂

[sakic92710]

I imagine the OP means they ship it fast because they get it in the system quickly.  I ship fast.  It doesn't mean I control the speed of the mail.  I'm in Canada.  I've seen mail sit in a USPS location for a week before tracking shows it moving again. 

[powell-collectibles]

If I was out to use eBay as a vehicle for scamming, I’d buy more than two items per year. And I wouldn’t waste time setting up the situation with questions that might make a seller annoyed or worried. I would just buy a bunch of items,and file for INAD’s when they arrived. 

I’m not saying scammers don’t exist, and I’m not saying that there aren’t telltale signs. I just don’t see anything from what you have written that would cause me to not ship.

If a buyer had a huge uptick in purchases over the past few months, in a large number of seller is calling him out for bad behavior, plus maybe some negative feedback – a lot of negative feedback – left for sellers, maybe I’d be worried.

[vintage-camerastuff]

Shipping fast usually means the seller gets the package to the post office within a 24 hour period.   It still has to go through the postal system which can be very slow at times.   Using Priority mail doesn't get it there any faster.    Delivery time for ground advantage and priority are about the same.   I found priority mail slower on some occasions.

[meme6253]

You sold it, Now you have to ship it or take a hit on your account, We don't get to pick & choose who buys our products.

[train_slide_central]

Great answer, thanks. I'll send him a friendly email reassuring him.   And to those of you questioning my shipping speed, read my feedback on if I ship fast or not. The mail goes out at 2 PM weekdays, and it will be in todays mail. Is that fast enough for you??