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eBay question
So, I have something for sale on eBay with a starting bid of $1000 and I had a BIN of $1500.
Someone on eBay contacted me asking whether I would be willing to sell it for $1050 + S&H. I figured this is a valid request and entertained the idea. I asked the person some question and he answered and asked me some of his own. So far so good.
This morning I sent him a message asking to confirm the offer he made so as not have any confusion and he did the following:
1) Sent me an message like this:
<< <i>Dennis,Priority Mail shouldB10 2 12$.IfUsend Flat Rate Box it should Bno more than $7.50.If Udid't know that I have givenUgood info.If the package weight over 5-6 pounds is best2slbs.Flat Rate USPS Priority 2-3 days.The Flat rate is best when sending anything from 6-7 lbs2 40 pounds.It is a great alternative.Also ifU go2USPS.comUcan get the FREE USPS boxesUwant4 free.Just sign up&they get delivered2the door.There R other items all free,thatUcan get including envelopes etc.ifUwant.The boxesRFlat Rate&Regular.Make sureUuse the correct box4the weight.It is explained at the site.U also can schedule your carrrier2pick up your packages at your door&very easy2do.No trips2P.O.any more. IfUare ready2do this then I w/send U the required amount through Paypal immedietly upon seeing your reply&I will need your Paypal account name to send you money.Umust pull the auction first.My feedback speks for itself for your comfort. >>
My name is not Dennis and I never signed as Dennis and, his messages until this one were written in perfect English.
2) He bid on the item but, with a different account. This is what he said about that:
<< <i>Dennis, I made a bid of $1000.00 on the item for you but I will expect you to pull for me and I pay out agreed price. I have the other account for just this purpose. I stayed at another location for a while and use this occasionally. It is the one bid you have >>
Why use another account just because you changed location?
Am I being paranoid? It's my first eBay sale and though up until this morning I was feeling pretty comfortable communicating with this person, I'm starting to get suspicious.
The account through which he's communicating has a rating of 721 with 1 negative from over a year ago and the one he used for the bid has a rating of 1001 with no negatives.
Someone on eBay contacted me asking whether I would be willing to sell it for $1050 + S&H. I figured this is a valid request and entertained the idea. I asked the person some question and he answered and asked me some of his own. So far so good.
This morning I sent him a message asking to confirm the offer he made so as not have any confusion and he did the following:
1) Sent me an message like this:
<< <i>Dennis,Priority Mail shouldB10 2 12$.IfUsend Flat Rate Box it should Bno more than $7.50.If Udid't know that I have givenUgood info.If the package weight over 5-6 pounds is best2slbs.Flat Rate USPS Priority 2-3 days.The Flat rate is best when sending anything from 6-7 lbs2 40 pounds.It is a great alternative.Also ifU go2USPS.comUcan get the FREE USPS boxesUwant4 free.Just sign up&they get delivered2the door.There R other items all free,thatUcan get including envelopes etc.ifUwant.The boxesRFlat Rate&Regular.Make sureUuse the correct box4the weight.It is explained at the site.U also can schedule your carrrier2pick up your packages at your door&very easy2do.No trips2P.O.any more. IfUare ready2do this then I w/send U the required amount through Paypal immedietly upon seeing your reply&I will need your Paypal account name to send you money.Umust pull the auction first.My feedback speks for itself for your comfort. >>
My name is not Dennis and I never signed as Dennis and, his messages until this one were written in perfect English.
2) He bid on the item but, with a different account. This is what he said about that:
<< <i>Dennis, I made a bid of $1000.00 on the item for you but I will expect you to pull for me and I pay out agreed price. I have the other account for just this purpose. I stayed at another location for a while and use this occasionally. It is the one bid you have >>
Why use another account just because you changed location?
Am I being paranoid? It's my first eBay sale and though up until this morning I was feeling pretty comfortable communicating with this person, I'm starting to get suspicious.
The account through which he's communicating has a rating of 721 with 1 negative from over a year ago and the one he used for the bid has a rating of 1001 with no negatives.
0
Comments
Russ, NCNE
////////////////////////////////////
NO !
Sounds like a Nigerian-scam variation, to me.
The English - especially if it changed from early emails -
is a HUGE red-flag.
You did not say what you are selling, BUT if you are selling
a laptop computer, this is CERTAINLY a scamster.
Could be a recently hijacked account. There will be no
valid PayPal payment.
And remember, if you ship to an unconfirmed addy, you
WILL lose your item and your money.
I would cancel his bid, and add him to my blocked bidders list.
Report the bidder to EBAY. At the very least, he is asking you
to do an off-EBAY transaction. (Fee-Circumvention.)
My gut may be big but, it hasn't let me down yet
Ken
Will’sProoflikes
San Diego, CA
alcoholanon - used for the communcation
wgb48 - used for the bid
I just blocked them both and reported the user
The point is, you have nothing to lose - you'll get your money prior to you shipping the product. The only thing you might consider doing differently is, taking a personal or cashiers check - eliminating the possibility that he will attempt to do a chargeback. But really , I think his feedback more than speaks for him. You have no idea the amount of time and effort and bending over backwards for so many newbies this buyer has done in order to keep his good feedback at that level of transactions.
As far as the last msg's, his creativity wouldn't bother me. He's bored.
However, if I have any doubts, I ask for a phone number and establish contact. Easy to pick up the phone and say Hi. Then follow your gut.
Lots of transactions are done outside of Ebay
Good luck
Looks like I'm in the minority on this one. Any hoots, if it was me I'd confirm a couple things, get a check and mail it. Nothing to lose really. However, make sure ck has completely cleared.
San Diego, CA
<< <i>I would consider reading the rules for selling weapons on ebay also....they are quite frank about selling such items especially the point that they can be sold only in the US....read hereebay rules >>
Thanks. I am located in the US and only offer domestic shipping so, I guess that would cover it.
<< <i>I would consider reading the rules for selling weapons on ebay also....they are quite frank about selling such items especially the point that they can be sold only in the US....read hereebay rules >>
eBay sez:
Knives: Knife listings are generally permitted on eBay, with certain exceptions:
Switchblade knives: The interstate sale of switchblade knives is prohibited by federal law; therefore switchblade knives may not be listed on eBay. Federal law defines switchblade knives as “any knife having a blade which opens automatically (1) by and pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife, or (2) by operation of inertia, gravity, or both.”
Disguised Knives: Knives disguised to look like a harmless item are not permitted on eBay. These items include but are not limited to belt buckle knives, lipstick case knives, air gauge knives, and writing pen knives.
I'd say his listing is fine. It's clearly not a switchblade or disguised as anything but a big honkin' knife.
I'm not desperate to sell. If they get sold, great! If not, I get to keep them a bit longer. No harm, no foul.
Will’sProoflikes
<< <i>Red flag. Act accordingly. >>
This just happened to me a month ago on a $900 deal. First replies were worded in understandable English, then the next were muddled puddles of broken English. I wish I had been as patient as you and stopped and asked. I didn't notice until after the buyer had paid, that he had paid with a different account than the one he replied from. End of story...I'm out $900 and the product. RUN!
Why step over the dollar to get to the cent? Because it's a 55DDO.
JoHoNew
Fighting the Fight for 11 Years with the big "C" - Never Ever Give Up!
Member PCGS Open Forum board 2002 - 2006 (closed end of 2006) Current board since 2006 Successful trades with many members, over the past two decades, never a bad deal.
<< <i>As a seller an buyer on eBay the past six years this deal has all the signs of a ripoff. Never exchange messages with anyone on an eBay deal except through their message system. Even dealers you have dealt with before, I got ripped on a hijacked account three years ago from someone I had several dealings with, the hijacker was smart enough to use the customer information this guy had to rip off several previous buyers. If you used any links from his e-mails to go to either eBay or Paypal he may have already ripped you off. >>
It was all through the eBay messaging system and I know better than to wantonly enter login information on a page just because it asks for it. I've spent most of my life in computer security
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>Get his address, we should all go dog pile on him and give him english lessons. >>
and maybe a kidney punch or two.
<< <i>Cancel and block. The guy's a moron. Trouble waiting to happen. >>
Run as fast as you can from this Bozo!!
JT