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Question regarding potential scam

S

seeknowsage

Limp Gawd
Joined
Sep 14, 2005
Messages
302
First off, I apologize if this is posted in the wrong forum. (If this is indeed the case, would it be possible to move this thread to the appropriate forum?)

I have an item that I am attempting to sell via pm. However, the buyer wishes to pay via paypal, Bank America transfer, Western Union, or money order. The buyer is offering more than I originally asked. Regardless, all the information he has provided thus far appears to check out.

My first inclination is that this is a scam, even if he isn't asking for a refund of the excess money. So naturally I want to walk. Nevertheless, are there any steps I could take (maybe asking for a money order from a specific business, such as Wal-Mart, and allowing it to clear prior to shipping) to protect myself (short of walking away)?

Again, the potential buyer is willing to provide any personal information I'm asking, and I've confirmed the details through internet search engines (such as zabasearch.com). I'm looking for any and all advice I could get (possibly including setting up an ebay auction to provide another level a security, no matter how small that may be).
 
seeknowsage said:
First off, I apologize if this is posted in the wrong forum. (If this is indeed the case, would it be possible to move this thread to the appropriate forum?)

I have an item that I am attempting to sell via pm. However, the buyer wishes to pay via paypal, Bank America transfer, Western Union, or money order. The buyer is offering more than I originally asked. Regardless, all the information he has provided thus far appears to check out.

My first inclination is that this is a scam, even if he isn't asking for a refund of the excess money. So naturally I want to walk. Nevertheless, are there any steps I could take (maybe asking for a money order from a specific business, such as Wal-Mart, and allowing it to clear prior to shipping) to protect myself (short of walking away)?

Again, the potential buyer is willing to provide any personal information I'm asking, and I've confirmed the details through internet search engines (such as zabasearch.com). I'm looking for any and all advice I could get (possibly including setting up an ebay auction to provide another level a security, no matter how small that may be).
Click to expand...

well if your thinking Ebay is gonna protect you more your way off base!
the onyl form of payment I would take is via PP
Make sure he has a confirmed Addy
Also ask for his personal info like name tele addy ect ect
call him up on the phone
make sure the land line matches the addy he gave you
 
watertown28 said:
well if your thinking Ebay is gonna protect you more your way off base!
the onyl form of payment I would take is via PP
Make sure he has a confirmed Addy
Also ask for his personal info like name tele addy ect ect
call him up on the phone
make sure the land line matches the addy he gave you
Click to expand...

He hit it on the head.
 
AVAFREAK182 said:
He hit it on the head.
Click to expand...

I like a few others have been doing this to long LOL, its good to see people asking for advice, though not the right area maybe, but i hate seeing people get scammed.

nmm they moved it to the right spot LOLz
 
Yeah, either way the final decision is up to you.

I would personally, like you did get all of his info and confirm it.

I would then call him and carry on a little bit of a conversation.

I would then (if everything matched up and seemed fine), let the guy purchase the item, not forgetting to get signature confirmation as well as insurance. From what I've heard lately, for large ticket items buyers on eBay are now saying they didn't get it even though the DC number said they did, filing a PayPal dispute, and unfortunately winning.

Also, make sure it is NON CC funds, as CC can do charge backs.

Hope this helps somewhat.

EDIT: Also be sure to confirm his references (e-mail Heat account, PM on eBay, etc.).
 
seeknowsage said:
I have an item that I am attempting to sell via pm.
Click to expand...
Did the buyer contact you via PM here?

One of the reasons for the 50-post minimum for FS/T is because we've had n00bs pulling scams here. Urge you to use caution when dealing with a brand new member with no/low posts who wants to conduct business only thru PM.
 
Thank you all for the advice!

I plan on contacting him via phone (a land line, no less) this evening. I'll post an update as it becomes available!
 
Maybe Im misunderstanding something here, but why not accept Western Union? I would think walking into a Western Union and being HANDED the CASH would be ALOT safer than hoping either a Paypal dispute or chargeback doesn't occur.

I would be leary as a BUYER if the SELLER would only accept Western Union but I have a hard time seeing how the SELLER would have a problem with having the cash in hand.

Personally, I do not trust Paypal to protect my interests. I would be much more comfortable with GoogleCheckout vs Paypal to protect you from a chargeback, not to mention it is cheaper.

Btw, the ebay auction offers absolutely zero protection and is just a waste of money.


Edit: I orignially skimmed the OP and just noticed this line -"The buyer is offering more than I originally asked." Yeah definate red flag. How about a bit more info, like your asking price, buyer's offer, buyer location (US or international) and the item being sold. If you are low balling yourself on the item, then I could see the higher offer but without any further details, I would also be leary of anyone offering MORE than I was asking.
 
Personally, I have little experience with Western Union. If I decided to go that route, would I be able to pickup the money in cash form without any possibility of a "recall" on the funds transferred?
 
I guess to be fair, the item in question is sort of uncommon, and I priced it fairly low for a quick sale. I've had numerous offers for it, and there is the possibility he tried to offer an amount I couldn't refuse.

But again, I'm leery myself.
 
Western Union is very safe for the seller as the buyer has no real recourse once the seller has the money. USPS Money Order is also pretty good, because it has actual cash value. With the MO option though, the seller has to be careful that they are completely legit, because any discrepancy between their ad and the actual product could be construed as mail fraud.

Personally, if I were buying anything, I would NOT be using western union. USPS Money Order would be much better.
 
Unfortunately, the buyer just backed out.

Given a recent burn, I'd rather be more safe than sorry. The buyer seemed very legit, but the deal was not to be.
 
Personally, USPS MO is the best route as long as you cash it at your local US Postal office before sending out your merchandise. Also, sometimes if the item is highly sought after and i know others are bidding for it, I normally offer a price higher than asking so i make sure i can get it (offer the seller can't refuse sort of way). So, it may not mean that he was a scammer.
Regardless, moot point right now, but just for future reference.
 
Not to highjack this thread, but how easy is it to have paypal reversed? I had a guy respond to one of my for sale threads. Sent payment through paypal, but I had asked him if he had heatware...he responded "what is heatwire?". He had a forum join date from over a year ago, but not a single post. Should I be worried about a possible paypal reversal? Is that even possible?
 
fowlrock said:
Not to highjack this thread, but how easy is it to have paypal reversed? I had a guy respond to one of my for sale threads. Sent payment through paypal, but I had asked him if he had heatware...he responded "what is heatwire?". He had a forum join date from over a year ago, but not a single post. Should I be worried about a possible paypal reversal? Is that even possible?
Click to expand...

If you're the Buyer, the only thing you have to worry about is
getting the item, and then that it is as described and working.

For PayPal to do a reversal (other than sadistic whims), either
the buyer's account has to have trouble (NSF at bank, bad CC, etc.)
or the Buyer has to have filed a Dispute / Complaint, in which case
they (PP) will put a Temporary Hold on the funds.
 
artless1 said:
If you're the Buyer, the only thing you have to worry about is
getting the item, and then that it is as described and working.

For PayPal to do a reversal (other than sadistic whims), either
the buyer's account has to have trouble (NSF at bank, bad CC, etc.)
or the Buyer has to have filed a Dispute / Complaint, in which case
they (PP) will put a Temporary Hold on the funds.
Click to expand...

I was the seller...
 
fowlrock said:
Not to highjack this thread, but how easy is it to have paypal reversed? I had a guy respond to one of my for sale threads. Sent payment through paypal, but I had asked him if he had heatware...he responded "what is heatwire?". He had a forum join date from over a year ago, but not a single post. Should I be worried about a possible paypal reversal? Is that even possible?
Click to expand...

Well I think I am the one who has asked you what heatwire is. I understand your concern. I am amazed to see how many people gets concerned when someone makes an offer in ebay from abroad. I guess scam is a real concern there. Take all precautions you need but remember that is not only you that might feel concerned. Honest payers are also penalized by scams from the other side ;-)

BTW I am not in a hurry to receive what I've paid for, fowlrock. Please feel free to investigate me as much as you wish. After all I won't arrive at the US before July, 4th.

Finally, I don't know about the other guy mentioned here but I feel very much like him as I do my best to let the other side feel confident about my intentions. Specially because it is usually due to a great commercial opportunity ;-) In some countries taxes are really outrageous: I have bought a bass in the US for US$ 1000. The same bass here costs US$ 4000

BTW if you want to check the buyer get his confirmed address in paypal and send him a telegram with a code and ask him to send it back to you :)

[]

jholanda
 
jholanda said:
Well I think am the one who has asked you what heatwire is. I understand your concern. I am amazed to see how many people gets concerend when someone makes an offer in ebay from abroad. I guess scam is a real concern there. Take all precautions you need but remember that is not only you that might feel concerned. Honest payers are also penalized by scams from the other side ;-)

BTW I am not in a hurry to receive what I've paid for, fowlrock. Please feel free to investigate me as much as you wish. After all I won't arrive at the US before July, 4th.

[]

jholanda
Click to expand...
I'm not concerned, just cautious. ;) I'm glad you posted in here, and I do feel bad that some bad apples has raised caution and made people leary of dealing with people new to the trading game.

The console will ship out tomorrow...UPS doesn't pick up today for some reason.
 
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