Do you know this ebay user?

Preussen

bracon3

I'd appreciate your thoughts on this ebayer, from a seller's perspective. Would you be concerned about someone who has accumulated nearly 300 feedback comments in just one month of ebay membership? They're all positives, but I cannot help but think there might be some PayPal chargebacks being set up. Purchases range from just a couple of $ to over $1400 per item.

I noticed him bidding on many, many items a couple of weeks ago and blocked him from my auctions. Now he apparently tried to bid, and he has asked me why he is blocked.

Am I overly paraniod? Should I unblock this user? I certainly don't want to miss legitimate bids, but this just strikes me as very odd. I need comments quickly, if possible

Thanks,
Preussen

SYRACUSIAN

Am I overly paraniod? Should I unblock this user?


Yes, totally paranoid. My first impression would be to unblock him, you're losing legit bids from someone who apparently decided to enter the market in a dynamic way, maybe he had another handle before ,maybe not. You can't judge him by the unusually big numbers of purchases in a short period of time, especially with the perfect feedback that supports him. The fact that he asked why he was blocked is on his plus sides too.

Preussen

<< <i> Am I overly paraniod? Should I unblock this user? >>




<< <i>Yes, totally paranoid. >>


Thanks, Dimitri; You're probably right, but I can't imagine anyone averaging over 9 transactions per day for more than a month. Maybe I am paranoid - Preussen

wildjag

It pays to be paranoid when selling on Ebay. But who knows maybe the guy won the lottery and is going wild buying things.

coinpictures

What was the wording and tone when he inquired about his being blocked? Was he polite or hostile? Often this will tell you a lot.

Why not just be candid and tell him why you did what you did and see how he responds? If he's honest, he will see no problem with your being cautious given the possibility of PayPal chargebacks. Then you can unblockhim. If he gets defensive or starts hedging then you'll know you did the right thing by blocking him.

Preussen

Thanks everyone. The inquiry was friendly. Given the short time 'till my auction closings, I went ahead and unblocked him...I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. - Preussen

secondrepublic

Your best bet is to simply stop accepting PayPal... that'll solve the chargeback problem and some others as well.

Preussen

<< <i>Your best bet is to simply stop accepting PayPal... that'll solve the chargeback problem and some others as well. >>


Unfortunately, it would also eliminate the "problem" of people bidding on the auctions - Preussen

secondrepublic

<< <i>

<< <i>Your best bet is to simply stop accepting PayPal... that'll solve the chargeback problem and some others as well. >>


Unfortunately, it would also eliminate the "problem" of people bidding on the auctions - Preussen >>



I don't sell often enough on Ebay to know whether dropping PayPal has had a big effect. I dropped it a few years back but I don't sell enough to have an informed opinion about whether it makes much difference.

What about adding some language to your auctions to the effect that "new" Ebay users (within the last 6 months or whatever) must pay by check / money order?

coinpictures

You cannot do that if you have the PayPal logos in your auction. What you would have to do is set it up so that you do not accept PayPal, and then in the wording of the auction say that you DO accept PayPal from people registered longer than X months. Unfortunately, I believe this would have the same detrimental effect to bidding as not accepting PayPal at all.

Preussen

I didn't intend this to be a debate on the merits of PayPal (although it is an interesting topic). I just wondered if anyone besides myself thought the user's buying pattern was suspicious. I unblocked the user and emailed him with that info (maybe too late) , but he did not bid.

I have considered the risks & benefits, and I have chosen to accept PayPal on my auctions. Still, it never hurts to keep an eye open for potential problems. Thanks for the replies. - Preussen

AuldFartte

His bidding/buying pattern is suspicious as all hell to me, but I'm paranoid too
But I've blocked bidders for less than that.

As far as PayPal is concerned, I think it's an unfortunate but necessary evil if you're a seller on sleaze-bay. Non-acceptance of PayPal does adversely affect the number of bids you'll get on most items. I know that, as much as I detest PayPal, I usually don't even look at auctions that don't accept it. It's how I, and I think, most other bidders prefer to pay.

kimon1230

<< <i>I know that, as much as I detest PayPal, I usually don't even look at auctions that don't accept it. It's how I, and I think, most other bidders prefer to pay. >>


That's my view as well.
I always filter my searches to PayPal

secondrepublic

Sorry to push this thread off topic Preussen

I don't use PayPal and have never had any problem selling stuff.... though I don't deal with the typical range of buyers. Some of my buyers are in Poland and others are immigrants in the US who probably feel more comfortable sending a check anyway.