Walk away? Off ebay offer wants to send payment via check

burke23 · June 8, 2011 2:32AM

So I got an email to purchase a small registry set of mine - sales price would be for around $525. As long as I don't mail before the check clears, do I have any sort of risk? I need clarification from the guy, but he also mentioned something about having his shipper pick up the cards (which of course I am not inclined to do - deal breaker there in case he tries to send bubba bob and bubba joe to my house or something crazy).

Thoughts?

bobbyw8469 · June 8, 2011 2:34AM

No..just wait until the check clears....and use a delivery service like USPS or FedEx...don't give them to Bubba Joe.

VitoCo1972 · June 8, 2011 2:42AM

I wouldn't even be thrown off by a pick-up...just don't meet at your house. Meet at a mall or something. Like you said, wait until check clears.

Dboneesq · June 8, 2011 2:46AM

I also think a check would be OK. Just wait until it clears. I'd tell the purchaser that ALL of your shipments go thru USPS and leave it at that.

stevek · June 8, 2011 2:52AM

<< So I got an email to purchase a small registry set of mine - sales price would be for around $525. As long as I don't mail before the check clears, do I have any sort of risk? I need clarification from the guy, but he also mentioned something about having his shipper pick up the cards (which of course I am not inclined to do - deal breaker there in case he tries to send bubba bob and bubba joe to my house or something crazy).

Thoughts? >>

No problem with his shipper picking up since PayPal is not involved - this would mean he would expect you to waive your posted shipping charges. There is no risk at all to you as long as the check "properly" clears. If it appears to be a legit person, wait about a week, if you have "doubts" then wait about 3 weeks for the check to clear, and make sure you tell him all this up front so there's no misunderstanding.

cards651 · June 8, 2011 3:34AM

I would not allow someone to pick up the cards. I would be a little wary if I received an e-mail to purchase a registry set and then it turned out the person was within driving distance. Simply not worth the risk.

drewsef · June 8, 2011 3:35AM

sounds like the same type of e-mails you get when selling something on craigslist

burke23 · June 8, 2011 3:48AM

<< sounds like the same type of e-mails you get when selling something on craigslist >>

Not on Craigslist, but he is insisting on having "his shippers" pick the cards up. Big warning lights going off.

stevek · June 8, 2011 4:06AM

<< I would not allow someone to pick up the cards. I would be a little wary if I received an e-mail to purchase a registry set and then it turned out the person was within driving distance. Simply not worth the risk. >>

The buyer didn't say, according to the original post, that he was picking up the cards, but that "his shipper" is picking up the cards. He probably has an account with UPS or FedEx and they offer pickup service and will bill the freight charges to the buyer's account.

stevek · June 8, 2011 4:11AM

<< 

<< sounds like the same type of e-mails you get when selling something on craigslist >>

Not on Craigslist, but he is insisting on having "his shippers" pick the cards up. Big warning lights going off. >>

See my last post...I have often done this when my cost using UPS or FedEx pickup was considerably less than what the seller was quoting - again, he will expect you to waive all shipping charges. This offer to use his shipping is not a red flag, especially after a cleared check.

burke23 · June 8, 2011 4:35AM

<< See my last post...I have often done this when my cost using UPS or FedEx pickup was considerably less than what the seller was quoting - again, he will expect you to waive all shipping charges. This offer to use his shipping is not a red flag, especially after a cleared check. >>

Except he won't give me the name of the "local shipper" he uses here...just keeps saying "send me your address and I will send a check and have my shippers pick them up". Absolutely avoiding my concerns (which I stated to him). I got a pregnant wife and kid at home - ain't no way I am taking on this potential timebomb for a $500 sale.

KbKards · June 8, 2011 4:46AM

Huge red flag on insistence of having shippers pick up. Plausible for large items, cars, etc. but no reason for small registry set that can ship for $10-$15. At this point I would not even accept a check because he would need your address to mail a check and it looks like that's all he really wants.

yankeeno7 · June 8, 2011 5:06AM

HUGE red flag because of the "shipper" or "pickup service"...that is a very common Craigslist scam. I dont quite get how they do it because I dont know the details but I had someone try to once do that with me until I investigated a little more. What would be the reason to not give you the information of the company that would pick it up? Just no way...I wouldnt do it. In most instances, I would take a check and have it clear then mail it myself. But in no way would I do it as proposed to you. If he wants the cards bad enough, he will do it on YOUR terms.

CrazyMind2017 · June 8, 2011 5:34AM

Offer to ship the cards for free and see what he says then.

Aric · June 8, 2011 5:44AM

Could you have him send the check to and pick the cards up from your place of work?

burke23 · June 8, 2011 5:44AM

<< Offer to ship the cards for free and see what he says then. >>

I did - and his insistence to use his shipper to pick up at my house (and pay via Check/MO) are why I am cyber-slithering away (not responding to his last email).

EchoCanyon · June 8, 2011 5:47AM

Bring the check to your local bank -- there are LOTS of scams using real-looking checks that get accepted, but eventually denied by financial institutions.

Tell them that you want to go to a check cashing place, and have them cash the check -- they will run.

scashaggy · June 8, 2011 5:55AM

Tell him you will not do business in that way and if he doesn't comply, the deal is off.

Do you have another place that he could send the check? Like a work address or a PO box? At this point, I would not tell him my address.

burke23 · June 8, 2011 6:03AM

<< Tell him you will not do business in that way and if he doesn't comply, the deal is off.

Do you have another place that he could send the check? Like a work address or a PO box? At this point, I would not tell him my address. >>

After repeated requests for details on where I would ship, and stating that I will not do anything but ship via USPS (and him ignoring both) I am punting on this "deal".

To top it off someone is trying to rent out our house on Craigslist (it's for sale - we have moved less than 10 miles away). My brother (who is our agent trying to sell our house) contacted the guy. I guess it can be yours for $800 a month because "I" live in nigeria now working at a mission...seems like a good deal.

smtjoy · June 8, 2011 6:18AM

I have done this before but ALWAYS get the check before hand and make sure it clears, then 2 weeks later I met up at a local starbucks to pass the cards to the person. Worked fine for me, they just didnt want them in the mail, kinda old school.

ICE9 · June 8, 2011 8:04AM

<< ...just keeps saying "send me your address and I will send a check and have my shippers pick them up" >>

Doesn't sound safe at all...he's phishing for your address...you'll never see a check & he probably figures your house is filled with valuable cards; he just needs to case it out for awhile.

stevek · June 8, 2011 8:13AM

Everyone has their own business model. Using "his shipper' is in no way, shape or form an automatic red flag...as UPS and FedEx do this quite safely numerous times a day throughout the country.

As implied in my first post...ya have to evaluate if the buyer is legit or not...if you have his name and address, it's not that hard these days to make a good evaluation by Googling the info. I have stated this in previous threads, I analyze this info in various ways even when I've already been paid with PayPal if the deal is more than I can afford to lose...and if I don't like the buyer, I refund his money.

Since the OP was concerned about safety as well as financial matters, that is a different consideration altogether.

stevek · June 8, 2011 8:20AM

<< 

<< ...just keeps saying "send me your address and I will send a check and have my shippers pick them up" >>

Doesn't sound safe at all...he's phishing for your address...you'll never see a check & he probably figures your house is filled with valuable cards; he just needs to case it out for awhile. >>

You may very well be correct.

CrazyMind2017 · June 8, 2011 9:31AM

<< 

<< Offer to ship the cards for free and see what he says then. >>

I did - and his insistence to use his shipper to pick up at my house (and pay via Check/MO) are why I am cyber-slithering away (not responding to his last email). >>

So he's insisting on having his "shipper" deliver the money order at the same time the "shipper" picks up the cards? And he's unwilling to accept free shipping? I'd say he's a crook phishing for your address so he can case the place and rob you.

If you have a PO Box, ask him to send a check or money order to your PO Box. Then after waiting 10 business days for the funds to clear, you'll ship the cards to him for free at whatever address he chooses.

If you don't have a PO box, tell him the only way to get this done is by meeting you (or having his "shipper" meet you) in a mutually agreed upon public location and that you will accept cash only. Mall food courts are great for this. Lots of people around, and security cameras everywhere. Banks and post offices aren't bad either, but you should be discreet, as this is not really the intended purpose for such locations. I've done transactions in a small Dunkin Donuts without problems, and if there's a large box store near you with a small fast-food type concession stand with a seating area near the store entrance, that's great too. Don't just meet on a random street corner, unless you're in a huge city with a ton of foot traffic.

storm888 · June 8, 2011 9:50AM

The one thing that most counterfeit check scams on/off EBAY/CL have in
common is that the "buyer" ALWAYS wants to use his "own shipping agent."

Run away.

thedutymon · June 8, 2011 10:44AM

<< The one thing that most counterfeit check scams on/off EBAY/CL have in
common is that the "buyer" ALWAYS wants to use his "own shipping agent."

Run away. >>

I think you now have your answer....Pete, don't answer any more of his E-Mails and Block him and give us the Buyer ID so we can add to our BBL.

Thanks
Neil

brendanb438 · June 8, 2011 12:10PM

Scam, scam, scam as already mentioned. Fake check, pickup the product and run like hell so you have no address to try and track a delivery back through.

Or the more evil thing that can happen as mentioned, they stake out your address once they have it and you come home to someone having committed a B&E on your home.

If I get anyone trying to pull this type of crap on me via eBay or Craigslist I just tell them off right away.

burke23 · June 8, 2011 12:23PM

<< Scam, scam, scam as already mentioned. Fake check, pickup the product and run like hell so you have no address to try and track a delivery back through.

Or the more evil thing that can happen as mentioned, they stake out your address once they have it and you come home to someone having committed a B&E on your home.

If I get anyone trying to pull this type of crap on me via eBay or Craigslist I just tell them off right away. >>

Yeah - it was the insistence on my address that pushed me away for sure, along with not wanting to share his info.
Never responded to his last message...will see if he tries me again.

CrazyMind2017 · June 8, 2011 12:49PM

I agree with everyone that it's LIKELY a scam. However, some people are just really neurotic and live on their own planet. He might be a total weirdo, but a harmless one at that. So if this is a set you'd really like to sell for $500-525, I'd e-mail him back offering to meet in person for cash only. If he's legit (probably not, but still possible) and he really wants the cards, he'll meet on your terms with cash. It can't hurt to try. He already has your e-mail address, so it's not like you'd be putting yourself in any additional danger.

brendanb438 · June 8, 2011 1:36PM

<< I agree with everyone that it's LIKELY a scam. However, some people are just really neurotic and live on their own planet. He might be a total weirdo, but a harmless one at that. So if this is a set you'd really like to sell for $500-525, I'd e-mail him back offering to meet in person for cash only. If he's legit (probably not, but still possible) and he really wants the cards, he'll meet on your terms with cash. It can't hurt to try. He already has your e-mail address, so it's not like you'd be putting yourself in any additional danger. >>

If meeting in person and paying cash was an option the person would have offered that in the first place if legit. No one is gonna offer to instead pay you via check or money order and insist that his people come and pickup the item to ship it to him.

I mean hell, I have a bridge for sale, can help you add a foot to your manhood, and know an old lady who just passed away who would like to give ya $23 million, you just need to send me $2k first to start the ball rolling.

Neurotic and living on our own planet? This is nothing more than a scam based on what the OP has already mentioned, the person trying to buy the stuff is dodging any legit questions for that very reason.

Beezer12 · June 8, 2011 1:52PM

Pass.
The way the Craiglsist scam apparently works is:
Buyer offers full price for the item, sight unseen. Wants your address to send a certified check or similar and have his "shippers" pick up the item.
The certified check when it arrives or is delivered by the "shippers" is made out for more than the selling price. They say Oops, my bad, since it's a certified check and obviously good, do mind refunding the overpayment to the shipper? You have money that you shouldn't have and feel obligated to make good, especially since you are eye to eye with the shipper and pay out in cash.
Surprise, the check turns out to be bad. Say goodby to your item and the cash.

stevek · June 8, 2011 6:37PM

<< Pass.
The way the Craiglsist scam apparently works is:
Buyer offers full price for the item, sight unseen. Wants your address to send a certified check or similar and have his "shippers" pick up the item.
The certified check when it arrives or is delivered by the "shippers" is made out for more than the selling price. They say Oops, my bad, since it's a certified check and obviously good, do mind refunding the overpayment to the shipper? You have money that you shouldn't have and feel obligated to make good, especially since you are eye to eye with the shipper and pay out in cash.
Surprise, the check turns out to be bad. Say goodby to your item and the cash. >>

Good info - explained very well.

MCMLVTopps · June 8, 2011 9:39PM

Checks can bite you, visit your banking institution and get the scoop of any dangers involved.

Picking up in person is no big deal (IMO), if you agree with this, make sure it is in a public place (as stated above)...mall, Wendy's, McDs, NOT NOT at your home. And besides, if you agree to a personal pickup, can't they bring cash at the same time?

GL

Yankees001 · June 8, 2011 10:03PM

My only thoughts are ARE YOU CRAZZY??

Right now only accept PP Gift. And ship to him.

Their are too many red Flags all over this deal. Did he ever say who his shipper is? This just sounds like a drug deal to me.

No Questions, they stop by pick up the goods and give a payment (If everything is there.)

I would not accept a Money Order, many of them are more fake than a check. You can print out Money Orders on you computer. A deal like this I would not even accept cash, easy to make good copies.

That is just my thoughts.

Dave

onebamafan · June 9, 2011 12:00AM

Pass.......................

Walk away? Off ebay offer wants to send payment via check

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