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Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
I've got a high 3 figure priced item on eBay. I initially listed it around 10 days ago. It's an auction, but with a BuyItNow a couple hundred more than the starting bid. Also, it's mostly had just 1 person 'watching' the auction at any given time. Here's what's happened so far...
---
August 25th - 6AM - email from eBay: Your item sold!
Buyer requests invoice (default email: "Please send me the total amount for eBay item...") - I do that.
5 hours later - email from eBay: "Listing removed - Unauthorized user of buyer or bidder account"
Suddenly it says it's no longer a registered member on eBay. It was only a 2 feedback user, although it wasn't a brand new account. Shows it was from 2010 I think.
---
So whatever... I guess the buyer was hacked or something. So I relist the item...
8AM the next day - email from eBay - Your item sold!
This time it's an account with over 250 feedback.
Buyer requests invoice (default email: "Please send me the total amount for eBay item...") - I do that.
22 hours later - email from eBay: "Listing removed - Unauthorized user of buyer or bidder account"
Really? Again? Like I said, this time it's a user with 250 feedback. Also from the US. Although unlike the first user, their account is still active and doesn't say 'no longer a registered user' or anything.
---
So I relist again.... 48 hours later...
4AM - email from eBay: Your item sold!
Buyer requests invoice (default email: "Please send me the total amount for eBay item...") - I do that.
This is from an account with 150 feedback.
Now I'm currently waiting for a payment. But there's no chance in hell I expect it. Why does this keep happening? This is extremely weird. Especially since the last 2 accounts weren't some crappy throwaways or anything either. They're legit accounts with a lot of all-positive buyer feedback.
Also, I swear I put 'Require payment immediately' before I re-listed the item last time.... I guess I missed checking the box or something.. |
| bonedaddy101 | 09-04-2016 08:34 AM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
This is very strange! but the only logical explantion i can come to is it must be coninndence.
I would wait for payment with hope, let us know how you got on (: |
| james13v | 09-04-2016 12:36 PM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Could be a coincidence. Tho I've never even had this happen ONCE |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by bonedaddy101
(Post 797533)
This is very strange! but the only logical explantion i can come to is it must be coninndence.
I would wait for payment with hope, let us know how you got on (:
| Quote:
Originally Posted by james13v
(Post 797579)
Could be a coincidence. Tho I've never even had this happen ONCE
| I don't know... seems crazy that it would just be a coincidence. My only theory is that these are somehow accounts belonging to a seller selling the exact same item and they're trying to keep mine off eBay. But I doubt someone would actually own and decide to risk a couple of very high feedback, long-time accounts, just to screw up my listing and take it off eBay so his could sell. They're all in different locations anyway. I would be shocked if it was the same person. The names seem pretty authentic too.
I'm fully expecting another "Listing cancelled - unauthorized bidder or buyer" email within the next 12 hours.
I will re-post it and make sure I check off the 'Require Immediate Payment when buyer goes through Buy It Now' ...although that would also make me nervous, because what if the same thing happens again and the person does pay, then I get the message that it was unauthorized. |
| wtfebay | 09-04-2016 01:47 PM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
There is one way around the immediate payment for buy it now auctions. If you click add to cart, you have the option to request total from seller....the item will still be "sold" but they have bypassed the immediate payment requirement. |
| TOOKNAPA | 09-04-2016 02:50 PM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
If I were you , I'd be extremly careful. It looks like you have to deal with a professionnal scammer. First time he tries it with a 0 feedback account, it doesn't work, second time with a high feedback account, but fail .. But as this kind of people never give up, he try again, and now he is waiting to see if ebay doesn't cancel the transaction because he doesn't want to burn his paypal account.
I hope that's not what happen to you, but that's what it makes me think about. On internet you have some forum like this one where people talk only about how to scam amazon and ebay, and ones you are in their files, it's really not good.
Good Luck |
| peghmeypong | 09-04-2016 02:56 PM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by TOOKNAPA
(Post 797617)
If I were you , I'd be extremly careful. It looks like you have to deal with a professionnal scammer. First time he tries it with a 0 feedback account, it doesn't work, second time with a high feedback account, but fail .. But as this kind of people never give up, he try again, and now he is waiting to see if ebay doesn't cancel the transaction because he doesn't want to burn his paypal account.
I hope that's not what happen to you, but that's what it makes me think about. On internet you have some forum like this one where people talk only about how to scam amazon and ebay, and ones you are in their files, it's really not good.
Good Luck
| Definitely a professional scammer. I get them all the time on iPhones.
They usually ask for my email or a PayPal invoice and then send a ⊗⊗⊗⊗ PayPal email. |
| james13v | 09-04-2016 02:59 PM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by TOOKNAPA
(Post 797617)
If I were you , I'd be extremly careful. It looks like you have to deal with a professionnal scammer. First time he tries it with a 0 feedback account, it doesn't work, second time with a high feedback account, but fail .. But as this kind of people never give up, he try again, and now he is waiting to see if ebay doesn't cancel the transaction because he doesn't want to burn his paypal account.
I hope that's not what happen to you, but that's what it makes me think about. On internet you have some forum like this one where people talk only about how to scam amazon and ebay, and ones you are in their files, it's really not good.
Good Luck
| You think a guy is going to sacrifice a 250 feedback account? For what? It's not like this would shut the OP down. It wouldn't be his fault. What possible scam can you think of, that would benefit someone enough to sacrifice multiple high value accounts, to just have a couple transactions cancelled?
You can call it a scam all you want, but you need to back up that statement with what the actual scam is. |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
When establishing whether a I buyer is a scammer or not, look into the following: - Feedback (the obvious one to go to)
- Member registration date (how long have they been around)
- Buying activity (how frequently, and when was the last time)
- Selling activity (what have they been selling, and at what value)
When you combine those factors, you can sort of tell if their going to pull off a scam or not. |
| peghmeypong | 09-04-2016 03:24 PM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by james13v
(Post 797619)
You think a guy is going to sacrifice a 250 feedback account? For what? It's not like this would shut the OP down. It wouldn't be his fault. What possible scam can you think of, that would benefit someone enough to sacrifice multiple high value accounts, to just have a couple transactions cancelled?
You can call it a scam all you want, but you need to back up that statement with what the actual scam is.
| I've had accounts with 10s and 100s of feedback trying to pull scams. Had one that was a genuine UK company with an online presence and a street address.
They are usually hacked accounts in my experience.
As I mentioned, they send a mocked up PayPal email and pretend to have paid. |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by peghmeypong
(Post 797628)
As I mentioned, they send a mocked up PayPal email and pretend to have paid.
| That has been happening for the 10 years I have been selling on eBay/PayPal. The only reason it continues to happen is because people fall for it.
My advice to everyone would be check your PayPal balance/transactions post payment if you are a victim of such emails to ensure the payment is either available or on hold. PayPal will not hold your balance without any mention when you login to your account. |
| peghmeypong | 09-04-2016 03:33 PM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by Play
(Post 797629)
That has been happening for the 10 years I have been selling on eBay/PayPal. The only reason it continues to happen is because people fall for it.
My advice to everyone would be check your PayPal balance/transactions post payment if you are a victim of such emails to ensure the payment is either available or on hold. PayPal will not hold your balance without any mention when you login to your account.
| I always want to ask them how often it actually works. |
| james13v | 09-04-2016 03:40 PM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by Play
(Post 797629)
That has been happening for the 10 years I have been selling on eBay/PayPal. The only reason it continues to happen is because people fall for it.
My advice to everyone would be check your PayPal balance/transactions post payment if you are a victim of such emails to ensure the payment is either available or on hold. PayPal will not hold your balance without any mention when you login to your account.
| I still don't understand how this works... You can SEE in the ebay transaction if a buyer has paid. I think there is even a warning that says "make sure buyer has paid" if you try to print without a payment. |
| peghmeypong | 09-04-2016 03:43 PM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
It's a numbers game. If they get 1 in 100 to fall for it. They send thousands. |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by peghmeypong
(Post 797630)
I always want to ask them how often it actually works.
| I often like to mess them around when I have a little time on my hands, like replying back something like 'thank you very much for the payment, I can see PayPal will hold on to it, can you send me the address you want me to post the item to, I will send it out super fast delivery'
That gives them a little hope, leaving them shattered when nothing arrives. ;) |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by james13v
(Post 797631)
I still don't understand how this works... You can SEE in the ebay transaction if a buyer has paid. I think there is even a warning that says "make sure buyer has paid" if you try to print without a payment.
| They tend to target the newbies on ebay, as their easily deceived. |
| TOOKNAPA | 09-04-2016 03:51 PM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by james13v
(Post 797619)
You think a guy is going to sacrifice a 250 feedback account? For what? It's not like this would shut the OP down. It wouldn't be his fault. What possible scam can you think of, that would benefit someone enough to sacrifice multiple high value accounts, to just have a couple transactions cancelled?
You can call it a scam all you want, but you need to back up that statement with what the actual scam is.
| Well , I think Yes, and just an example :
I am seller on ebay with multiple accounts, but I never buy anything on it. I have good feedbacks as I am a good seller and buyers loves my products.
But ebay doesn't like my products, so I get banned from selling around every 6 months. I still can buy with this account, but as I already said, I never buy anything. If I want to make few extra $ every 6 month, I can sell this account to a scammer.
ok ? |
| james13v | 09-04-2016 03:59 PM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by TOOKNAPA
(Post 797636)
Well , I think Yes, and just an example :
I am seller on ebay with multiple accounts, but I never buy anything on it. I have good feedbacks as I am a good seller and buyers loves my products.
But ebay doesn't like my products, so I get banned from selling around every 6 months. I still can buy with this account, but as I already said, I never buy anything. If I want to make few extra $ every 6 month, I can sell this account to a scammer.
ok ?
| ok.
But that only addresses one of the things I said.
What scam, are they pulling off? |
| TOOKNAPA | 09-04-2016 04:11 PM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by james13v
(Post 797637)
ok.
But that only addresses one of the things I said.
What scam, are they pulling off?
| I am not a professional scammer, but if you want to know, take a look at some of the forums I mentioned before, and you will see that they have many idea as it's their only job.
But basicly, Item not as described, and they will send you back a package with a stone and a kind note saying "thank you for the phone" |
| james13v | 09-04-2016 05:01 PM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by TOOKNAPA
(Post 797641)
I am not a professional scammer, but if you want to know, take a look at some of the forums I mentioned before, and you will see that they have many idea as it's their only job.
But basicly, Item not as described, and they will send you back a package with a stone and a kind note saying "thank you for the phone"
| I'm not asking how someone can scam someone. That's simple.
I'm asking how THIS specific situation is someone possibly scamming someone. |
| TOOKNAPA | 09-04-2016 05:06 PM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by james13v
(Post 797654)
I'm not asking how someone can scam someone. That's simple.
I'm asking how THIS specific situation is someone possibly scamming someone.
| they do some research and they use their brain |
| james13v | 09-04-2016 05:08 PM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by TOOKNAPA
(Post 797655)
they do some research and they use their brain
| So your answer is " I have no idea how they are scamming this person. But they are dealing with a professional scammer".
:deadhorse: |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by Play
(Post 797623)
When establishing whether a I buyer is a scammer or not, look into the following: - Feedback (the obvious one to go to)
- Member registration date (how long have they been around)
- Buying activity (how frequently, and when was the last time)
- Selling activity (what have they been selling, and at what value)
When you combine those factors, you can sort of tell if their going to pull off a scam or not.
| 1st buyer: 2 feedback, registered in 2006, zero selling activity, buying feedback from 'over a year ago'. From California.
2nd buyer: 250 feedback, registered in 2007, zero selling activity, 3 positive buying feedback within last month, 8 positive buying feedback within last 6 months, the rest are from over a year ago. From California.
The above 2 addresses on the accounts are 45 mins away from each other, both surrounding Los Angeles area. One seems to be an auto business and the other a print shop. One is a guy, one is a girl. Tons of people in LA, though... so they could very well be totally unrelated.
3rd buyer: 150 feedback, registered in 2003, 5 selling feedback from 'more than a year ago', 3 buyer feedback within last month, rest are from over a year ago. Buyer is from Wisconsin. Address belongs to a house.
* No current items for sale or recent completed listings for either buyers.
------
It's tough to imagine someone would waste 3 very solid accounts like that in attempt to scam. Neither do I get what the attempted scam would even be. I wasn't messaged by any of these people. I haven't noticed anyone trying to trick me or deceive me so far. |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by peghmeypong
(Post 797618)
Definitely a professional scammer. I get them all the time on iPhones.
They usually ask for my email or a PayPal invoice and then send a ⊗⊗⊗⊗ PayPal email.
| I've had that before, but this isn't one of those. I didn't receive a single message from any of the buyers so far.
I agree with james13v. It's easy to say it's a scam, but what part about this is a "scam"? |
| TOOKNAPA | 09-04-2016 05:35 PM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by james13v
(Post 797657)
So your answer is " I have no idea how they are scamming this person. But they are dealing with a professional scammer".
:deadhorse:
| no, my answer was " do some research and use your brain" and at the same time you should learn how to read |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
I'm gonna say these are hacked accounts, no other real explanation. |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by MM78
(Post 797674)
I'm gonna say these are hacked accounts, no other real explanation.
| Probably the same person/hacker behind them all... Do you think so? |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcmx
(Post 797676)
Probably the same person/hacker behind them all... Do you think so?
| 100% Guarantee it, just so you know.....you can even buy hacked accounts, so I don't see why it wouldn't be the same scammer. |
| glacier922 | 09-05-2016 03:22 AM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
I wonder if these hacked accounts keep emailing my accounts to ask if my stuff is foo foo. |
| james13v | 09-05-2016 08:26 AM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by TOOKNAPA
(Post 797665)
no, my answer was " do some research and use your brain" and at the same time you should learn how to read
| You made the claim. When a person asks you to back up the claim, you can't tell them to " go read." I mean, I guess you "can". It's a free country. But it makes you look silly. |
| TOOKNAPA | 09-05-2016 09:03 AM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by james13v
(Post 797769)
You made the claim. When a person asks you to back up the claim, you can't tell them to " go read." I mean, I guess you "can". It's a free country. But it makes you look silly.
| Yes, you are right, I am silly, and you are right, it was only a coincidence :doh: |
| peghmeypong | 09-05-2016 09:24 AM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by james13v
(Post 797769)
You made the claim. When a person asks you to back up the claim, you can't tell them to " go read." I mean, I guess you "can". It's a free country. But it makes you look silly.
| I don't think so.
Tooknapa thinks this is a scam of some sort. He/she mas not know precisely which scam or may not want to discuss these scams in open forums, to avoid giving anyone ideas. Often we get questions which appear 'dodgy'.
I happen to agree with them, as you know. I don't know which scam it is. Mocked-up PayPal email, hacked PayPal, stolen credit cards, switch the parcel etc etc etc etc etc.
You can't be too careful in this game. Wherever money changes hands, someone is out to get you. Tooknapa's advice: "Avoid. Looks like a scam".
You want to shoot people down that offer you advice, they stop offering it |
| wtfebay | 09-05-2016 11:16 AM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by james13v
(Post 797769)
You made the claim. When a person asks you to back up the claim, you can't tell them to " go read." I mean, I guess you "can". It's a free country. But it makes you look silly.
| I think its the language barrier...he doesnt understand fully what you are saying, so his responses have been what they have been. |
| peghmeypong | 09-05-2016 11:29 AM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Also, America may be a 'free' country but Thailand criminalised freedom of expression in 2014.
Unless you regard the internet to be the 51st State like your federal government. |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcmx
(Post 797658)
1st buyer: 2 feedback, registered in 2006, zero selling activity, buying feedback from 'over a year ago'. From California.
2nd buyer: 250 feedback, registered in 2007, zero selling activity, 3 positive buying feedback within last month, 8 positive buying feedback within last 6 months, the rest are from over a year ago. From California.
The above 2 addresses on the accounts are 45 mins away from each other, both surrounding Los Angeles area. One seems to be an auto business and the other a print shop. One is a guy, one is a girl. Tons of people in LA, though... so they could very well be totally unrelated.
3rd buyer: 150 feedback, registered in 2003, 5 selling feedback from 'more than a year ago', 3 buyer feedback within last month, rest are from over a year ago. Buyer is from Wisconsin. Address belongs to a house.
* No current items for sale or recent completed listings for either buyers.
------
It's tough to imagine someone would waste 3 very solid accounts like that in attempt to scam. Neither do I get what the attempted scam would even be. I wasn't messaged by any of these people. I haven't noticed anyone trying to trick me or deceive me so far.
| 2nd and 3rd buyer seem genuine. Unlikely to have been hacked accounts.
1st buyer, depending on the value of the item, I would proceed with caution. They seem to be really new to ebay, its that sort that cause issues later.
The better question to ask would be what is the value of the item and what category does it fall under. That would help better in establishing if its a scam, as some categories/item values are more prone to scams. |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
And of course... just got the e-mail from eBay.. for the 3rd time:
"eBay listings removed - unauthorized user of buyer or bidder account" Quote:
Originally Posted by Play
(Post 797898)
2nd and 3rd buyer seem genuine. Unlikely to have been hacked accounts.
1st buyer, depending on the value of the item, I would proceed with caution. They seem to be really new to ebay, its that sort that cause issues later.
The better question to ask would be what is the value of the item and what category does it fall under. That would help better in establishing if its a scam, as some categories/item values are more prone to scams.
| No need to proceed with caution for the 1st buyer. It looks like eBay deleted the account (or may be just a suspension. I know my account said I was 'no longer a user' during a suspension years ago).
The 2nd and 3rd buyers' accounts are still standing. Although the transactions were completely canceled by eBay in every case so far, so I can't proceed with anyone, unless they begin to message me saying they'll buy (which has not happened yet)
It's high hundreds, clothing/apparel/accessory related. Although I've had very few watchers over the course of the last 2 weeks. |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Just out of curiosity, is this item really expensive? rare? high in demand? |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quote:
Originally Posted by MM78
(Post 797928)
Just out of curiosity, is this item really expensive? rare? high in demand?
| It's not really rare or in high demand (only had 1 watcher at most for each time I've listed it. Even after being up for a full week) And as mentioned, pricing is in the high hundreds. |
| ebaymage | 09-07-2016 11:23 AM |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
Quite interesting i never seen such thing happened before. |
Re: Something VERY WEIRD going on while selling this item on eBay
As soon as eBay cancels the transaction, thankfully they automatically give me a credit for the final value fee. Although each phony transaction still counted against me selling limit. Good thing I'm not selling much else right now and that they recently increased my limits.
I have since re-listed the auction after this 3rd attempt, this time checking off the setting 'Require immediate payment for Buy It Now' and it seems to have helped. The listing has actually been up for 3 days without anyone messing with it. |
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