got an offer on an item but buyer is wanting more photos sent

[mystuffsale84]

I got an offer from this buyer:

in their profile picture is their email address and they want me to accept their offer but to then send additional photos to that email so they can confirm the items condition before sending payment. Now im like 90 percent sure this is bogus given that they have such low stats. I guess my question is should I accept there offer and see what happens or decline their offer. They offered my exact listing price, if I decline their offer it wont screw anything up for others that wish to make a lower offer right? 

[fbusoni]

@mystuffsale84 

I suggest you decline and block the buyer immediately.

Then report them to eBay for violating eBay's TOS (attempting to divert sales off the platform).

Do not engage in any message exchanges with such people.

Also, you may want to sell your items domestically -- if you ship overseas and are NOT in the eIS program, you have ZERO protection from thieves like the person above.   (If they use a US-based freight forwarder, you have a bit of protection from eBay... but you will not know if they use a FF until the transaction is complete.)

You can block overseas shipping in your business policies.

[fern*wood]

All messaging needs to go through ebay.  There is no need to send anything off ebay through their email.  That is usually a ploy to cheat you in some fashion by obtaining your email address. 

[fm2000]

You can send additional images to the potential buyer via the eBay messaging system, or add additional photos to the listing. There is no reason to have to email him photos. Block him.

Always keep all correspondence with a buyer on eBay! If it doesn't happen through eBay's system that they have access to, you cannot defend yourself if something goes bad (it becomes their word against yours.) You could also run the risk of eBay thinking you are trying to do a deal off eBay to avoid fees.

[mystuffsale84]

yea I assumed so, Ive been had once long ago so I know to definetly confirm payemnt has been recieved before sending anything now lol. So if I decline their offer it wont make it so others cant offer right, I only ask this because they offered my exact asking price( another thing that made me weary of actually accepting). So like because Im declining such a high offer it wont make it so others have to offer that same amount, I dont think Im explaining my thoughts here very well but Im hoping you understand what I mean.

[mystuffsale84]

yea thats another thing that caught my eye as well. In the message I received for their offer the shipping address was in Ontairio Canada ( I live in Canada) but their profile says Germany. Eithere way I do only offer shipping to the US and Can.

[ittybitnot]

@mystuffsale84 

It appears to be a simple variation of the old "text me" (email me) scam.  See if you can report the message right on the message itself.  It used to be on a dropdown under ACTION, but now that they changed the format once again it may or may not be there.  

The idea is to get your contact information to further perpetrate the scam.  Typically, instead of a payment, you get a "fake notice" that a payment has been made, and a handy link to enter a tracking number so 'the payment can be released to you'.  Using the 'handy link' will require you to enter your eBay log in creds, at the very least.  Since it is fake, too, additional problems may arise. 

[dbfolks166mt]

     On occasion I get these types of requests and assume that if one potential buyer is wanting more pictures maybe others are also. I simply take additional pictures and add them to the listing then using the messaging system I let the potential buyer know that I have added additional images to the listing. 

     As others noted there is no reason to take communications outside of the eBay system. 

[brightlightbookseller]

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@ittybitnot wrote:

@mystuffsale84 

It appears to be a simple variation of the old "text me" (email me) scam.  See if you can report the message right on the message itself.  It used to be on a dropdown under ACTION, but now that they changed the format once again it may or may not be there. 

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You can report it using the three dots icon in the top right now.  Same basic mechanism, just changed location (it was missing for a long time in the new message system, but they added it before they pushed the new system on everyone, fortunately).

[mystuffsale84]

yea I got scammed that way once like 15 years ago, on the bright side at least it wont happen again. Kind of an expensive lesson in the long run though lol

[luckythewinner]

The buyer is asking you to contact him outside eBay. Not only is that against eBay policy, but it is also a time-worn technique to initiate a scam.

[cityslickercreations2004]

This a new twist with the profile picture.

Firstly, making an offer, then wanting pictures is backwards. This smells like trouble.

Secondly, if you email them they now have YOUR email address. Ebay may conclude you are trying to take transaction outside of ebay. This will not turn out well for you.

[chapeau-noir]

Declining this person's offer will not affect other offers.

[mystuffsale84]

My post was edited by a moderator speaking about how I was including user IDs to tarnish their reputation (e.g. "naming & shaming"). Theres really no winning on this platform anymore is there.

[stainlessenginecovers]

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@mystuffsale84 wrote:

My post was edited by a moderator speaking about how I was including user IDs to tarnish their reputation (e.g. "naming & shaming"). Theres really no winning on this platform anymore is there.

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That is simply a rule here so I, or anyone else, can spend HOURS creating 100's of posts BADMOUTHING another 'member' (be it buyer or seller) so it makes

PERFECTLY GOOD SENSE! 

This is NOT a place you 'win or lose'.

It is a place to get 'answers' from other knowledgeable members.