Buyers address linked to scammers

[1sicbronconut]

I've sold a item and checked the address with a Google search because I was curious about it and the address has been linked to many scams. The buyers profile seems legit, has been on here for quite awhile and has 100% feedback on well over 300 auctions. What should I do? cancel the transaction?

[donsdetour]

Most likely a freight forward company the user uses to have a US address. Check the feedback page to see were they are from.

Note in all the years I have had 1 problem with such. So the scams do happen but are not all that common.

Oh and you can not leave bad feedback for a purchaser: so feedback on a buyer is worthless.

Just saying

[eburtonlab]

One problem with using an address to verify a user is that if the address is a freight forwarding service, the same address is likely being used by many different people throughout the world, the vast majority trustworthy, but some not.

The more people use a common address, the more likely it is to be "linked" to a scam -- either correctly or incorrectly -- but that does not really tell you anything about the individual you are dealing with.

[no_zero369]

If you want 'real advice' come and ask here.  Google responses will always be alarmist and are often uninformed.  So as a seller it makes sense to ask other eBay sellers, like you are doing here.

Cancel the transaction and end up with a defect on your account.

Google HATES freight forwarders (FFer) because they just do not understand how that works in the ebay process.

Point is that once tracking shows 'delivered' to a FFer the seller is done!  Once the package is forwarded the buyer loses MBG protections for INAD, SNAD or damaged in shipping.  Even IF eBay requires a return/refund the seller is only required to issue a return label from the USA address from where it was reshipped.   Seller has no responsibility for the international portion of shipping.  So at worst, it is no different than a domestic return!

Plus any 'extra cost' to get the package from the international location to the USA FFer is usually enough cost that it is a deterrent for returns.  Buyers make sure they want what they order and that it fits their needs as they recognize the return costs are prohibitive.  So unlike many USA sellers who just look at the pictures, my guess if buyers using a FFer are more careful in their selections.

 But anyone sitting overseas that buys your item and pays the extra fare for a FFer plus import fees, etc must really want the item and must have the money to pay for it!  Why would you want to exclude buyers like that?

 Oh I get that there are plenty of people that are jingoistic and fearful of others, but from a business stand point anyone with money is a good buyer.   So no one can stop any seller from being fearful or uninformed and not selling to those using a FFer, but from a business perspective such limits are unwise.

[donsdetour]

"Point is that once tracking shows 'delivered' to a FFer the seller is done!  Once the package is forwarded the buyer loses MBG protections for INAD, SNAD or damaged in shipping.  Even IF eBay requires a return/refund the seller is only required to issue a return label from the USA address from where it was reshipped.   Seller has no responsibility for the international portion of shipping.  So at worst, it is no different than a domestic return!"

Incorrect information:

Unless you can get the user to say it was freight forwarded it is still covered by eBays buyers guarantee:

This is due to the user could be an owner or employee of said company. This has been stated more than once in the community chats...

[brwil85]

It is a freight forwarding company. Check buyers "feedback left for others" and you will see if you are dealing with a crazy person, a scammer, or a genuine buyer.

[brwil85]

One problem with these freight forwarder buyers is that if there is a problem they can not comprenend they need to return it. They honestly think if they are not 100% satisfied that you will just give them a full refund and let them keep the item for free. They will whine and complain and cry and argue and leave negative feedback and open paypal disputes. I really really wish there was some way to block these buyers or that eBay would automatically remove their feedback so you could just ignore them. If they want to take the risk of having the items that I am selling shipped to another country that is fine, but if something goes wrong it is not my problem. 

If you rent a car it says "you can not drive this car in Mexico"

If you drive the car into mexico it is YOUR problem. Your responsibility. Now you need to hire a tow truck and haul the car back to the USA or you are going to pay for the car.

[no_zero369]

@donsdetour 

Yeah, OK be afraid of FFers if you want.  I see several others responding are too.  But many sellers will report they have no problems with FFers.

BUT if one is clever enough they can easily communicate withe the buyer in a way that the buyer self reports that they are using a FFer.  OH WAIT!  I forgot!  NEVER communicate with buyers, that is "poking the bear!"  {heavy sarcasm}

IF the seller is a foreigner, then they are paying with an overseas CC and a seller will see the extra foreign transaction fee on their invoice, such should be enough to proof to over ride any of the concerns you posted.

But if you are not a scammer, photograph as is there were no text and describe like there was no photos then generally one isn't going to have a problem with NAD claims.  Those are rare anyway and with someone overseas, even rarer.

But hey, I get it FEAR and ignorance are powerful motivators.  One is always free to be make decisions from a place of not understanding and of being fearful!