I've had something listed on eBay for a few months at $2500, with the option to make an offer.
I received an offer of $1800 from someone who's username looks something like "sur_rt_3fi_19n". Not actual username, but already looks weird, but may be a generic name generated by eBay. He has 13 items with feedback from 13 different sellers, but four of those are word for word identical, including the punctuation
("Thank you for an easy, pleasant transaction. Excellent buyer. A++++++.")
Seemed too sketchy, so I let it expire without a counter offer.
Then I got an email:
"I would like to purchase your (item) ,but I am having a hard time with the asking price. Would you consider less, if so, what would it take to make a deal. Has this been for sale since December of 2019? I made an offer of 1800. and received no response."
And then an offer of $1900, which expires in two hours. It says that the guy is in Michigan.
I'm okay with the price, but still not sure if it's a scam.
WWGRMD?
Do you offer returns on your eBay auction? Use PayPal for your payment?
If no and yes, sell it. He can't scam a way out of it.
No on return. Yes on PayPal. Ad says "PayPal only".
word for word identical feedback isn't that odd. When I go to give feedback prior wordings pop up if I want to reuse them. PayPal is some protection but not a 100% guarantee if the buyer disputes for some reason.
Makes sure the buyer has read your description and understands what they are getting. Good luck
Given that eBay's feedback field is so small, I wouldn't be that worried about the feedback. The message does tingle the sketch-o-meter a tad, though.
Can you see what the other items the person bought are? Are they an indicator of similar purchases, or are they "feedback trinkets" - IOW, cheap crap to boost one's feedback?
My big concern would be that if they use a stolen card for the PayPal payment, there is still a chance that you're up E36 M3 creek with no propulsion implement and out both item and money.
Ignoring the sketchy part. I think you can get them for $2000. Sorry the cheap bastard in me came out.
Also, please tell me your PayPal isn't tied to your primary(or any important) bank account. You definitely don't want it getting locked if there's a dispute.
In reply to Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) :
It is not.
For me to use paypal when selling a car on ebay, I always get a little nervous. There are people out there who just use paypal as a free dispute machine to get free things on ebay.
The only time I use it is if I have great comm with the buyer, maybe spoke on the phone. Otherwise I ask for a money order/cashier's check and wait for it to clear. If they come get it in person, I will only accept cash. Either way, I make sure I have the funds cleared and locked before they get the title.
Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) said:
Also, please tell me your PayPal isn't tied to your primary(or any important) bank account. You definitely don't want it getting locked if there's a dispute.
That's something I don't know, and I think I need to learn. Could you elaborate?
I sell a lot on Ebay and use the same pop up when giving feedback on the buyers. So if a person orders from me occasionally they'll get the same exact feedback message over and over, word for word.
NOT A TA said:
I sell a lot on Ebay and use the same pop up when giving feedback on the buyers. So if a person orders from me occasionally they'll get the same exact feedback message over and over, word for word.
This exactly.^^^^^^ I have sold hundreds of items on Ebay and always use the exact same feedback message. It's a saved message and it's exactly what I want to say so I continually use it.
Feedyurhed said:
NOT A TA said:
I sell a lot on Ebay and use the same pop up when giving feedback on the buyers. So if a person orders from me occasionally they'll get the same exact feedback message over and over, word for word.
This exactly.^^^^^^ I have sold hundreds of items on Ebay and always use the exact same feedback message. It's a saved message and it's exactly what I want to say so I continually use it.
I do the same, but this was feedback to a buyer from different sellers. Best case scenario is that sellers just used cut and paste from his existing feedback to create their own.
Cash & Carry brother. Please don't cut me a check for $800 over to pay your driver.
CASH & CARRY.
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:
Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) said:
Also, please tell me your PayPal isn't tied to your primary(or any important) bank account. You definitely don't want it getting locked if there's a dispute.
That's something I don't know, and I think I need to learn. Could you elaborate?
Maybe things have changed - I quit selling on eBay when this started becoming a problem 8 or more years ago - but if you were the seller, and the buyer filed a PayPal dispute, they would freeze the funds in your bank account that was tied to PayPal until the dispute was settled. There were instances of people not being able to pay their bills, but groceries, etc. because they weren't aware of this & had PayPal tied to their primary account.
Maybe I'm old school, but every vehicle transaction I've done has included a phone call.
In reply to Tyler H (Forum Supporter) :
This does not involve a motor vehicle.
Just so you're aware, here is a scam with eBay stuff.
1. Buy the item.
2. Wait for it to arrive.
3. Tell eBay it is not functional or does not work. Post pictures of the busted item you are replacing, not the part you just bought.
4. Seller is forced by eBay to take the return (and pay for return shipping if the seller wants the item back) and refund the money.
5. Even if seller wants the item back, the buyer can always ship the busted one they are replacing.
I don't know how to combat this, but I think you just have to chalk it up to cost of doing business with eBay. And document carefully with photos the condition of your item before you send it out.
In this case though, I bet it's going to be OK. I'm constantly surprised what people buy on eBay.
I'm going out on a limb and and saying that this deal checks out.
This is an automotive related item. I googled the buyer's name and his father owned a dealership in the town where it is being shipped.
