Hmm fishy? Help me with first sale

[marlo]

I would really appreciate some help with my first sale. This guy really wants my product and I really want to get rid of it. Seems a bit fishy though.

He doesn't have an eBay account so his friend is going to buy it. Friend lives in another state.

The item for sale is my stereo system. He already has one of these, but wants 2 to hook up together.

I am charging $100 + he has to pay for shipping which will be around $125.

I haven't posted my ad yet, but the plan is. No returns, what you see is what you get, if damaged on route it's not my fault.

Any suggestions?

[GreenBean]

So here's a case for the experienced sellers.....

Please assist marlo.

Based on info from marlo, I have checked the ebay account that is going to be used.

Take careful note of the following:

longer standing account.

Not much history.

Last transaction was for buying in the second month of 2012.

I say 'hijacked account' & avoid....

Over to ya'll

[biggunn]

Almost always and especially for $225, only ship to a confirmed address.

[marlo]

Ok what I can tell you about the guy without saying names sine that is against the rules.

- He emailed me his phone number. Haven't called since it's long distance.
- He lives in east USA.
- Been in contact for month++ via email.

His friend will be making the purchase on eBay for him. His friends eBay account.

I have already set up a few eBay ads so I think I got a template laid out.

- No returns.
- What you see is what you get - from the pictures.
- Only accept Paypal.
- Damage is not my fault after it is shipped.

I have shown him pictures of the product already.

[unkown5454]

I am so confused with what is going on here. Someone from the USA has been contacting you for a month about a product you do not even have listed on EB? What is that about?

[slokor]

I agree. Some of the details are vague.
Id say the absolute first place to start with in this case is dealing through a phone landline. This landline MUST be verifiable by 411.com using their reverse search and it MUST match the confirmed shipping address used on paypal.
This whole thing about using his 'friend's' paypal/ebay account is a big red flag - do NOT go for it.

[marlo]

Originally Posted by unkown5454

I am so confused with what is going on here. Someone from the USA has been contacting you for a month about a product you do not even have listed on EB? What is that about?

We have been in contact for a month.

I found him from an eBay classifieds post. Looking for my exact stereo. I was originally searching on google to see if anyone else had this stereo for sale. All of a sudden I found this eBay classified ad looking for it.

The 411 shows the county he lives in and the state and city. All are accurate.

[unkown5454]

Ok, story is clear now. Anyways, ship to confirmed address only in PP. He could easily scam you if you send to something else. Signature confirmation and insured.

Nothing is going to be bulletproof. PP is setup so that the buyer can always win. If you need the money badly, take the risk. If not, I'd wait for another option.

[slokor]

The question is does the 411 inquiry show the name as attached to the shipping address. If it does not you have no recourse whatsoever. Its a bad sign.
Since he states he will be using a friends paypal the phone number wont match the name and address anyway though.
I myself would not do it.

[marlo]

Since I haven't actually had any of my stuff sell on eBay yet, where do I see the confirmed Paypal address?

Will that be in the Paypal transactions window?

[eternal]

I would say, if there's a lot of trouble from the very beginning, just avoid, I'm pretty sure there are tons of buyers waiting for that stereo to be posted.

[marlo]

Ok sounds like this is to much of a hassle.

But now tell me this. Since I can't sell it locally should I still try eBay?

I want to sell it for $100, shipping is $125 (I got the exact weight/measurements online).

The stereo is from 2005.

What if I list it and he sees it on eBay and bids ?

Maybe I shouldn't do a buy it now price? Maybe start bidding at $90 ?

[Annelle]

If the guy is so adamant that you should trust him, then say, that he should trust you.

Have him send a postal money order and all is good. With paypal you are asking for trouble with such an odd situation.

Postal Money Orders rock the house down!!! Second only to Cash! IF you are contacting him through e-mail why not ask for postal money order. He is protected because he can see if it cashes out and he will have legal recourse for the money, but not the stereo if it is damaged, But of course you eill insure it and all will be happy!

Yeah PMO's!!!

[GreenBean]

Postal Orders can be forged

[newjerseymax]

tell him to send you cash by western union...

[unkown5454]

Originally Posted by marlo

Ok sounds like this is to much of a hassle.

But now tell me this. Since I can't sell it locally should I still try eBay?

I want to sell it for $100, shipping is $125 (I got the exact weight/measurements online).

The stereo is from 2005.

What if I list it and he sees it on eBay and bids ?

Maybe I shouldn't do a buy it now price? Maybe start bidding at $90 ?

For one, you can block their account from being able to bid on your items. But, what's wrong with local? Canadian Craig.sl.ist works just the same as anywhere else I would think?

[marlo]

Originally Posted by unkown5454

For one, you can block their account from being able to bid on your items. But, what's wrong with local? Canadian Craig.sl.ist works just the same as anywhere else I would think?

it's already been on Canadian Craigslist and usedcanada for a good amount of time. I reduced the price twice on there.

I wish I could sell it local but I haven't even got a bite. After paypal and eBay deductions I would make about the same I am asking locally.

[slapped]

I Do NOT Understand what all this is about,,,First off the OP MUST Realize that ANY Sale Done on Ebay can be Undone VERY Simply by the Buyer opening a "Not as Described" case,, there is NOTHING, NO Disclaimer, No Warning, NO Terms, No Wording, NOTHING that you can add to your listing that will change that FACT,,,,

You MIGHT get some seller Protection if you ship to a Paypal CONFIRMED Address, and YES you can set up your listing to accept ONLY Comfirmed Addresses,,,BUT The VAST Majority of USED Electronics do NOT Qualify for the Ebay/Paypal Seller Protection program,,Check with them FIRST,,,You will NEVER be covered by Seller Protection if you ship to ANY Other addresss other than the buyers Paypal account CONFIRMED address.

So Basically, if you are looking to move a Piece of Junk, it will NOT Work at ALL,

If you are looking to Guarantee 100% that you will not get Scammed, well, there is NO way to do that either,,,if al all possible have the Buyer spend the $125.00 Shipping money on Gas/tolls and PICK UP the stereo in PERSON,,,

ANYTHING other than that, you are going to have to take a Risk,,,PERIOD

[marlo]

Originally Posted by slapped

I Do NOT Understand what all this is about,,,First off the OP MUST Realize that ANY Sale Done on Ebay can be Undone VERY Simply by the Buyer opening a "Not as Described" case,, there is NOTHING, NO Disclaimer, No Warning, NO Terms, No Wording, NOTHING that you can add to your listing that will change that FACT,,,,

You MIGHT get some seller Protection if you ship to a Paypal CONFIRMED Address, and YES you can set up your listing to accept ONLY Comfirmed Addresses,,,BUT The VAST Majority of USED Electronics do NOT Qualify for the Ebay/Paypal Seller Protection program,,Check with them FIRST,,,You will NEVER be covered by Seller Protection if you ship to ANY Other addresss other than the buyers Paypal account CONFIRMED address.

So Basically, if you are looking to move a Piece of Junk, it will NOT Work at ALL,

If you are looking to Guarantee 100% that you will not get Scammed, well, there is NO way to do that either,,,if al all possible have the Buyer spend the $125.00 Shipping money on Gas/tolls and PICK UP the stereo in PERSON,,,

ANYTHING other than that, you are going to have to take a Risk,,,PERIOD

really I thought it was good to be very descriptive? No returns, label any defects, etc. So that doesn't help at all? So if I sell a T-shirt and it's stained when they get it, they can get a full refund? Even though it was not stained.

I would love if the guy could get it. But the cost would probably be over $1000 just to get to me.

How will I know the confirmed Paypal address?

[yotano211]

Originally Posted by unkown5454

For one, you can block their account from being able to bid on your items. But, what's wrong with local? Canadian Craig.sl.ist works just the same as anywhere else I would think?

Maybe the OP lives in a small town or city and wants more chances of buyers. Reason for not using Canada Craig-slist



@OP, So he hasn't called you when Google Voice has free phone calls to Canada for the rest of 2012. I use my cell phone to call Canada and get charged 2 cents/minute.

I guess he can't afford to send 2-5 cents/minute to call you but wants your stereo so "badly".

If I where you, I would not sell it to him. I smell dirty underwear (scam) and for once it's not my.

I have called people to the UK and Germany when I saw something that I wanted. If I see something I want, I will do anything to buy it.

[slapped]

Originally Posted by yotano211

,,,,,,,,,,, I smell dirty underwear (scam),,,,,

"dirty underwear",,,,,,lol,,,,,Man, you need your head checked,,,,,,,,,,,

[yotano211]

lol, I think I need by butt examined instead