Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

blackstar · Jul 16, 2007, 08:20 AM

hello,
so I use ebay sometimes to buy and sell, I have 45 transactions total.
I put a laptop on last night, and did a pretty high buy it now price, after a couple hours somebody got it with buy it now.
So I did my reseach on the buyer, and he only registered yesterday, and obviously has 0 feedback, and he put his feedback as private. Also his name is t.buyerXXX. So all in all to me it doesnt look very trustworthy. So I was wondering what I can do to not lose money on this. i.e. what can happen when he pays with a confirmed paypal account, and what can happen when he pays but his paypal account is not confirmed...etc...

shifuimam · Jul 16, 2007, 09:42 AM

If he pays with PayPal, you should be able to transfer that money to your bank account relatively quickly.

DON'T SHIP IT UNTIL HE'S PAID AND YOU HAVE THE MONEY. I've dealt with one deadbeat bidder in the past. He never paid me - I reported him, left feedback, and relisted the item. If the guy doesn't pay, eBay will let you report it and relist the item at no additonal cost (you won't have to pay the listing fees twice).

Good luck.

Mastrap · Jul 16, 2007, 10:15 AM

If he wants to pay with anything else but paypal or cash then run.

Powerbook · Jul 16, 2007, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by blackstar

hello,
so I use ebay sometimes to buy and sell, I have 45 transactions total.
I put a laptop on last night, and did a pretty high buy it now price, after a couple hours somebody got it with buy it now.
So I did my reseach on the buyer, and he only registered yesterday, and obviously has 0 feedback, and he put his feedback as private. Also his name is t.buyerXXX. So all in all to me it doesnt look very trustworthy. So I was wondering what I can do to not lose money on this. i.e. what can happen when he pays with a confirmed paypal account, and what can happen when he pays but his paypal account is not confirmed...etc...

When he pays with paypal, don't let him use a creditcard based transfer, as he can retract it easily. Even when you have the money pulled into your bank account - then your paypal account will show a minus.
Better let him make a real bank transfer - that's my method of eBay handling since 1997.

Regards
PB.

Mastrap · Jul 16, 2007, 10:40 AM

^ Chances are, that doesn't work in the US. Few banks allow personal transfers of funds.

Mrjinglesusa · Jul 16, 2007, 11:15 AM

This is exactly why I put a disclaimer in my auctions stating that I do NOT accept bidders with 0 or negative feedback.

shifuimam · Jul 16, 2007, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

^ Chances are, that doesn't work in the US. Few banks allow personal transfers of funds.

Well, you can force your buyers to pay with PayPal via a bank account, which puts real money in your PayPal account, making it harder for you to get screwed over.

You could always play it super safe and make them mail you a money order.

Cold Warrior · Jul 16, 2007, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

^ Chances are, that doesn't work in the US. Few banks allow personal transfers of funds.

I've used several banks -- local and national -- and have never had any issues. Often they'll charge a fee if the "wire" is to an outside bank, but as long as I've had the account and routing numbers, I've never had issues.

blackstar · Jul 16, 2007, 12:46 PM

as it looks to me, he is not paying...which is what i like best in this case...his ebay address is in the US, florida. Does that help me?

Rumor · Jul 16, 2007, 12:59 PM

Give him 48 hours, then relist.

blackstar · Jul 16, 2007, 06:18 PM

what to do? just report to ebay right away? or wait until he sends me a fake paypal payment email?

Hello ,
Season's Greetings to you.I am XXXX from Orlando, Fl ,US.I'm contacting you concerning your item on Ebay which i eventually became the winning bidder for your item.Morever i'm presently serving our beloved nation here in with the United Nation and i intend sending this item to my son who works with the American Embassy in Nigeria as a visa Officer.So i will like you Ship the package via USPS 3-5 DAYS POSTAL SERVICE Shipping to Nigeria and I will like you to go know the Shipping cost and calculate the shipping cost and the item for Payment get back with the amount i will be paying immediately..I will be sending you my payment via PayPal,So kindly send me your (PAYPAL EMAIL ADDRESS) So as to immediately make out my payment.Make sure you get the package ready for immediate or next day shipment okay?.Expecting your reply so as to immediately make out my payment.
Regards
XXXXX
N:B
This is the shipping information...
NAME......XXXX
ADDRESS....XXXX
CITY......IKEJA
STATE....LAGOS STATE
COUNTRY....NIGERIA
ZIP CODE...100001

jonasmac · Jul 16, 2007, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by blackstar

what to do? just report to ebay right away? or wait until he sends me a fake paypal payment email?

You shouldn't report him until he does something wrong. You know, "innocent until proven guilty"? It's an obvious scammer, though...

It's a shame for all the honest Nigerian ebay bidders.

PEPPERRULES · Jul 16, 2007, 09:02 PM

I wouldn't sell to buyesr with zero feedback. You have to watch out for credit card fraud.

PEPPERRULES · Jul 16, 2007, 09:02 PM

Also, even money orders and cashier's checks can be cancelled. Be sure not to ship overseas. This is 99.99% fake.

Powerbook · Jul 16, 2007, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by blackstar

what to do? just report to ebay right away? or wait until he sends me a fake paypal payment email?

Tell him he can have the laptop if he shows up with cash at your door. You don't ship overseas and especially not to Nigeria, period.

PB.

Rumor · Aug 7, 2007, 12:47 AM

Mrjinglesusa · Aug 7, 2007, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by Rumor

You bumped an old thread just for that? What's the point?