Zero feedback buyer scam?

[jacliljen]

A zero feedback (new account) buyer did a BIN for an auction item. I purchased the postage and am ready to ship the item. I am now getting messages from multiple different new, zero feedback accounts (poorly worded), all telling me they found the same item elsewhere and want to cancel the purchase and are locked out of the original account. All three of these accounts are from different cities in the USA.

I know that this must be some sort of scam. What do I do next? How do I best protect myself?

I am thinking that I should contact the buyer and confirm the order and ignore/block the harassing new accounts.

[ckimodog]

@jacliljen 

If they were locked out of their account (suspended) chances are they tried to scam another seller with the same fibs.   Only to open yet another account and attempt to do it again to another seller. Something I really wish eBay would address seriously. 

 You're selling sneakers.  High scam items.  Cancel the sale and block them. And auctions will attract more potential scams.  Buy it now/immediate payment required/no best offers.  Just sayin.  You were smart enough to notice this persons behavior.   Good catch. 

Happy Selling. 

[dbfolks166mt]

     Bit of strange bidding history on this item but I would ignore the bogus messages. If the original buyer has not paid, or has not contacted you, ride out the 4 days and simply cancel for non-payment and relist the item, and of course add the winning bidder to your BBL list. I am wondering with regards to the bogus messages if they are being sent from one individual, possibly the original buyer, using a VPN. It looks like you only had two individuals bidding on this item. 

[jacliljen]

Thank for the replies. I do not understand what is going on here. Why would other accounts be messaging me to refund the original buyer?

Here is some additional info. 

1. The original buyer paid immediately 

2. A fourth account, one with feedback, has now messaged me with the identical message:

“Hi, I entered your auction and won $125 on another account. That account of mine was restricted from sending messages, so I messaged you on this account. My foot size is M10, and will not fit your M8 size sandals. I went to another auction, they have a cheaper price than yours, only $50. So please cancel my order. I don't want to buy sandals for $125 anymore, and my feet don't fit in size M8. Please cancel the order now, thanks“

[dbfolks166mt]

Thank for the replies. I do not understand what is going on here. Why would other accounts be messaging me to refund the original buyer?

Here is some additional info. 

1. The original buyer paid immediately 

2. A fourth account, one with feedback, has now messaged me with the identical message:

     I am not sure an account can just be suspended from messaging. This could possibly be a competitor hoping to get you to cancel the transaction so the buyer will look elsewhere for the item. You can ignore or if you want to check possible validity of the messager's claim ask them for the account name through which they bought the item. If they cannot provide you that this is bogus. 

     As a side note I noticed you do not accept returns. You need to understand that not accepting returns does not mean no refunds. 

“Hi, I entered your auction and won $125 on another account. That account of mine was restricted from sending messages, so I messaged you on this account. My foot size is M10, and will not fit your M8 size sandals. I went to another auction, they have a cheaper price than yours, only $50. So please cancel my order. I don't want to buy sandals for $125 anymore, and my feet don't fit in size M8. Please cancel the order now, thanks“

[sextons-sweet-deals]

have you Google map the buyers address to what it looks like? Street view may be old, but you can also do a satellite view which is probably more recent. 

I would also entertain shipping with signature required. If they are a scammer, they will likely refuse the package and it will be returned to you. Hope your using USPS. 

[ittybitnot]

Cancel the sale and block them.

@ckimodog 

Why should the OP cancel and block their original buyer that paid based on subsequent messages from different IDs?  

Indeed, this behavior is a bit different than the regular "change of address scammers" use who are NOT the buyer and contact the seller after the sale to have to product shipped to them instead of the person that paid for it.  Can't say I can find any motivation for this behavior at present.  

I would be more inclined to use the REPORT the message feature (found under the Action tab dropdown on the message itself) and block the IDs that are sending the messages to cancel in the first place. 

If I bought and paid for something from YOU, would you cancel the sale on ME because some other users contacted you to cancel? 

[ckimodog]

@ittybitnot 

I guess I should have just stated to block them.  It was early...lol

And no, I would never cancel a sale from you.  I would be honored. 

😊

[vintagecraze50 · Accepted solution]

Call ebay and haVE THEM CHECK THE ORIGINAL BUYERS ACCOUNT FOR ANY PROBLEMS. CONTACT THE ORIGINAL BUYER even calling them by phone to confirm sale of merchandise.

[vintagecraze50]

Perhaps the other bidder trying to get seller to cancel the sale and try to get the item again?

[vintagecraze50]

Again call ebay and see if these accounts are linked to the same person who bought the item. With that much scam activity I would be calling them to check this situation out.

[jacliljen]

Thank you all for the excellent suggestions and advice. I really appreciate it, though I am still puzzled by all of the harassing messages from parties all around the world! I did report the messages and blocked the senders, and the activity has since died down.

One thing that I considered is that if the outside parties engaged me in a discussion or dispute over the matter, they might trick me into a refund or partial refund. 

I am going to reach out to the buyer to confirm before shipping. FWIW, the buyer has an uncommon name, and her address (confirmed on google maps) is a short drive from the location where, per google search, she apparently has a professional job. 

Thanks again, eBayers!

[jacliljen]

Follow-up:

I contacted buyer. She confirmed that this was her first ever eBay purchase (unsure that she did it correctly) and that she wanted the sandals. I am comfortable with the transaction.

I am not sure what all the other nonsense was about, but it has since died down.

Thanks again!

[mam98031]

@jacliljen 

First the word "scam" is so overused.  For it to be a Scam, you would have to be out money or product or both.  So far you aren't out anything.  

Unless the buyer that actually purchased from you has contacted you about their purchase, you need to ignore all the other messages.  Your contract for this purchase is with the buyer that paid you, no one else.  I understand how unnerving it is, but that doesn't count.  You still need to be ONLY working with your direct customer.  PERIOD.

Doing anything else will put you at risk and potential problems with Ebay and your buyer.  So if your buyer paid, shipped within your shipping terms / stated handling time.  All those other emails either ignore or respond telling them they are not your customer and you will not comply.

You may want to report all those other buyers emailing you and that is actually a very good idea.  It makes Ebay aware of their shenanigans. 

What can I do about a member who's threatening me?

If you ever receive a threat, report it to us immediately.

We'll look into it and determine what action is needed, which could include suspending the member's account. You should also report threats to local law enforcement.

Member-to-member contact policy | eBay

[vintagecraze50]

Good Job!