Advice on having sold a high value item on ebay

[DVD-Man]

Hi all,

I've sold an item on ebay >£500, a person with only 2 feedbacks and no purchases for 08 or 09 has clicked BIN after emailing me wanting the item.

Now I am really thinking 'wow scam alert', the item is collection only though and they say they will collect but are at the other end of the country.

I've asked him how he is going to pay and either PP or Cash on collection, have yet to get a response.

In his dialogue he says he is coming from a back home from a business trip and will collect.

basically alarm bells are ringing, I've checked out his address on multi map and it's a normal looking house on a normal street.

can anyone give advice on how this particular scam would go down?

fake notes for cash on collection with no way to check since collection he says would be Friday? I could get note detector stuff from a relative to test but not sure how effective they are.

take goods by force?

it could be all legit but you read too many horror stories, I had originally listed it as no paypal accepted but the listing was pulled early on.

Thanks

Liam

[eric pisch]

the business trip aboard rubbish

SCAM ALARM

[Earthworm Jim]

Here is some advise:

DONT SELL ON EBAY!

The place is full of scammers.

[andrewjh009]

Originally Posted by jimthelegend

Here is some advise:

DONT SELL ON EBAY!

The place is full of scammers.

disagree, i've sold about 200 items and only had about 2-3 not pay, so items have then been relisted, even with the fees, you'll still get much more than places like cash converters, cex etc,

[PJTX100]

Originally Posted by jimthelegend

Here is some advise:

DONT SELL ON EBAY!

The place is full of scammers.

I disagree too, for each scam there are thousands that go smoothly. I sold a keyboard recently on ebay for £500+ which I thought I'd get sub £200 for.

As for the OP, not sure. May well be legit, just have someone with you when they pick it up.

[dUnKle]

Accept cash only if picking up
Have someone with you and ideally (although far from always practible) have the pickup not at your own home

If the buyer is genuine then they are not going to mind waiting as you (and then your friend) count the amount and cheque each note as best you can

Agree with the above - yes we heard hundreds of scam stories but there are thousands of sucessful sales for each one

Most expensive thing I sold on ebay was a Denon A1d and that went flawlessly

[as5606]

For anything like cars or the like with large amounts, have them meet you at the bank with a friend of yours and then they can pay direct over the counter and the cashier can check the cash and pay straight in. As soon as its done, hand over the goods or give them the keys. I also have a ultraviolot light for smaller cash amounts that I can use at home. Piece of mind for a tenner.

I feel something else will soon be happening when he all of a sudden cant make it and asked you to send it to Nigeria

[as5606]

Forgot to add. I sold a car on ebay a few years ago for £29,500 and he paid cash. He went to his bank on one side of the highstreet and withdrew in £50 notes, I then walked over the road with this cash in a large envelope tucked under my arm to my bank where I paid it in. To say I was feeling sick was an understatement Can anyone beat that for a ebay transaction

[Naaktgeboren]

Could be legit but in your shoes, I would ensure I invited all my forces mates around that night for a drink.

Get your biggest and meanest mates round that day, ask for cash and ensure you check it's legit before you part with the goods.

[nheather]

I only permit collection if they pay cash, no matter what the amount.

Certainly if it was for that amount I'd insist on cash, arrange to have a another person present (not to sign anything but as a witness should it go sour) and prepare some acceptance paperwork for signature (after demonstration and inspection).

Cheers,

Nigel

[Adam Shaw]

Maybe I'm just trusting, but several times I have had people turn up on my doorstep and pay cash for moderately pricey items.

I have often picked up expensive items in person, and paid cash then too.

Bought both my last 2 cars on ebay, and met a complete stranger and paid them cash each time.

This guy could well be legit, I spend a lot of time travelling, and actually getting round to pickling something up can be a real hassle if you're having a busy month.

Just my 2 pence

[scsracing]

I have sold £500 + items on ebay before and have 900 feedback with no problems to date.

When they pay in cash on collection i always right the model,colour and number plate of the car down.Have someone there with you just in case too.Make sure they sign saying that the goods are as described and they are happy with the goods

I use one of those money markers too and always ask for £10's,£20's and not £50's as i don't have a near by bank to cash it in at the time.

Scott

[loz]

tell him that

1. you would like him to bring some proof of identity
2. you will be taking a photograph of him

genuine customers should have no problem with that.

If he says its a cash deal, why do you want all that?
then say sorry, no deal

[DVD-Man]

Thanks so far guys, 15% of my body thinks and hopes it's legit but the remainder is not so hopeful.

One thing that make me think it's not legit are as follows:-

if he is UK based like his buyers details suggest why did he details say this previously

I have explained in the listing that a valid form of ID is required and I intend to make out a reciept but I'll eat my hat if it's all a-OK.

Liam

[Revaan]

Ask him for a landline which you can ring him on to confirm some details of the transaction etc... at least you can confirm that the buyer is known at this landline (helpful to the police if it is a scam).

But I would certainly do some of the great suggestions so far ;
- fake note detector,
- number plate,
- photo of the buyer,
- someone with you during the transaction.