I Think I Am Getting Scammed

ModernPowerSolutions on 13/03/2017 - 16:03
Last edited 13/03/2017 - 16:03

Hi,

I would greatly appreciate anyones opinions or thoughts regarding this. I think I may have been scammed.

I sold a Laptop on eBay to someone, and offered free postage, excluding the charger.

The customer messages me on eBay shortly after payment via PayPal, saying he must pick it up for school purposes ASAP. The message was written in very poor english.

He purchases it on a Sunday (yesterday), and I reply saying the earliest I could bring it to the office is Tuesday.

So the customer reply's back and says he must pick it up before Tuesday. So I organise to have it at the office on Monday (today).

This morning (Monday) he calls me on a blocked number, and I don't answer (as I don't answer blocked numbers), then leaves a message.

Shortly after, I get a hold of him on the phone, he changes his story saying the laptop is for his mother.

He then arrives to the office, and asks If I could bring the laptop down to him outside. I say that it would be easier just to come up, and I also need him to sign that he's picked up the computer.

He comes up to our level, but refuses to come inside the office twice (possibly noticing our CCTV system inside).

I bring a paper and pen to him outside, he signs the pickup confirmation. He also asks where the charger is, and I say there is no charger included (I made this clear in the listing). He's fine with this.

Shortly after he leaves, I realise I cannot read his last name (it is scribbled on the paper - even though his first name is clear). His signature also looks like scribble.

His first name does not match with what is in eBay. And, his eBay feedback is (1)

I could be wrong about this whole situation, but I have not stopped thinking about this, and trying to determine what is going on (if anything is).

Whats everyones thoughts, and suggestions?

Poll Options

  • 63
    I think you got scammed
  • 2
    I do not think you got scammed
  • 12
    mmmm not sure. Possibly
General Discussion

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Comments

  • ModernPowerSolutions on 13/03/2017 - 16:07
    +18

    My opinion:
    The buyer will open a PayPal dispute for the computer saying they never received it.

    • CyberMurning on 13/03/2017 - 16:42
      +6

      1000% correct~ this what WILL happen.
      so you said you will send it. ebay will ask for proof of delivery (tracking). you cannot provide. so you will need to refund the money.

      oh well…

  • ramb9 on 13/03/2017 - 16:10
    +12

    Withdraw money. Close paypal account.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/03/2017 - 16:15

      This, just hope its under $300 or you'll cop a default on your credit file.

      • CyberMurning on 13/03/2017 - 16:43

        are you sure under $300 is okay? i think paypal will get debt collector for any amount?

    • ModernPowerSolutions on 13/03/2017 - 16:26
      +1

      Good advise - I had not thought of that.
      However, It would not be possible for us - as it was under our company account. It would be too difficult/complex to close and re-open.

      • ramb9 on 13/03/2017 - 17:20
        +4

        OK, try say u have footage of the guy and time stamp collecting item.

        If it all comes down to it, just do a play reenactment with a guy of similar build and clothing lol

    • lgacb08 on 17/03/2017 - 08:13

      Unless you're experienced sellers with lots of positive feedbacks then chances are buyer getting there money refunded into their account before you can even touch it. PayPal holds your money for ransoms for at least 3 weeks normally

  • Sage on 13/03/2017 - 16:14

    So just because you don't think the person who collected it was the same person who paid for it you think it's a scam?
    People share accounts and pick up things for eachother.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/03/2017 - 16:17
      +10

      generally with paypal, you have zero seller protection if they pick up the item and pay with paypal.
      cash is king each and everytime with pick up.

      OP, i would of returned the money to them on paypal and said, pay cash on pick up.

    • ModernPowerSolutions on 13/03/2017 - 16:28
      +1

      Hi Sage,

      I have mentioned many other reasons why I think this is a Scam. Please read the whole post.

  • smashed on 13/03/2017 - 16:15
    +5

    Have you checked the address on the PayPal payment? Does it seem genuine?
    You could send something on to that address recorded and when it is signed for then you can cover yourself.
    Have you checked the buyers bidding history to see what else they have recently purchased?
    Was it expensive?
    Signing for it on paper will not cover you with PayPal unfortunately.
    Check for other CCTV near your building so you can request it or at least scare the person into pretending you have great video of them if they do try to scam you

    • ModernPowerSolutions on 13/03/2017 - 16:31
      +2

      Hi smashed,

      Yeah, that is a good idea. I will give that a go.

      I just realised, their only feedback was from us.

      • smashed on 13/03/2017 - 16:57
        +1

        You can search for a user and then search bidding history.
        It will tell you what they have bid (a more comprehensive picture than feedback)

  • Ughhh on 13/03/2017 - 16:16
    +4

    Whether it's on ebay or gumtree, if buyer pays via paypal —> never accept pick up. Buyer could open an item not received dispute and you would lose as you have no proof of delivery. As far as I know, the pickup confirmation paper you got him to sign means nothing to ebay/paypal. It's not a valid proof according to ebay/paypals T&Cs.

    If buyer is picking up—> only accept cash. If you accepted a seller safe payment, his story wouldn't really matter, doesnt make a difference if he has now decided the laptop is for his goldfish.

    Fingers crossed that the buyer is just a newbie ebay user, because if he wants a free laptop, it won't be very hard.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/03/2017 - 18:46

      I think if buyer buys with PayPal, and selected local pickup there is no PayPal protection for the buyer. In this case, seller could not supply, and no comeback from buyer. I mention as I bought something expensive in a hurry because it was very cheap, and selected local pickup. Then started panicking once I realised there seems to be no paypal protection should they not hand over goods. That's my understanding at least.

      • Ughhh on 13/03/2017 - 18:58
        +1

        Payments via paypal is very skewed towards the buyer. As a buyer, you don't really have much to worry about. The seller however, is putting themselves at risk of not only losing money, but also the item.

        Unfortunately, what should happen isn't always what actually does happen. You could call paypal 10 times a day, threaten contacting the ombudsman and relevant authorities, but you could also avoid wasting such time by just sticking to methods with lower chance of fail/being scammed.

        I haven't been scammed before via paypal pick up. But on whirlpool alone, there are plenty of people who have. I prefer to learn from other people mistakes, rather than my own.

        • [Deactivated] on 13/03/2017 - 19:11

          Yes I assumed in buyers favour, but when you click local pickup it seems one case when not.

  • try2bhelpful on 13/03/2017 - 16:29
    +1

    My suggestion, for future reference, is get a selfie with the person, and the item, when they pick it up. That way if they open a dispute you can show paypal the picture. Also make sure whoever picks it up has some sort of valid ID to identify who they are.

  • JetLi on 13/03/2017 - 16:30
    +7

    in hindsight, you should have photocopied his drivers licence or some other form of ID, the signed collection note doesn't mean much if he provided fake name.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/03/2017 - 16:59

      this..should have took a pic of his license or something

  • pinchies on 13/03/2017 - 17:00
    +4

    RIP $$$. Sorry OP. :(

  • Axelstrife on 13/03/2017 - 17:43
    +1

    sorry but say good bye to that money.

  • sillysam on 13/03/2017 - 17:46

    Go to the police if you have a photo of him.

    Why didn't you just post it? Paypal requires proof of shipping.

  • CyberMurning on 13/03/2017 - 17:47
    +3

    Guys, just a suggestion, when posting item on ebay you can specify that buyers with xx feedback cannot bid your items. Also buyers with xx negative, etc

    • cheapfab on 13/03/2017 - 17:57

      Where is that option? Tried finding it when listing an item but cannot. Is it under advanced settings?

  • Baebs on 13/03/2017 - 18:08

    He'd better pray you never see his scumbag face ever again. At least there is now a lesson to share.

  • supnigs super skids on 13/03/2017 - 19:12

    Intended scam but unsure if he is game enough to go all the way

  • JIMB0 on 13/03/2017 - 19:35
    +1

    Get a copy of the phone message he left while you still can.

    • Baebs on 13/03/2017 - 20:11
      -1

      Likely used a throwaway phone.

  • JCrown9 on 13/03/2017 - 19:58
    +3

    Send him a letter in the post to his registered ebay address.
    make a reciept up / invoice for the item sold. put under shipping that he picked the item up.

    Send it via registered post. This way you have tracking and a signature when he has to sign for the letter.
    Paypa / ebay wont no its only a letter. all you need is a tracking number that shows somthing was delivered, signed for and received :)

    good luck.

    • realfancyman on 13/03/2017 - 20:40

      I think they check weight as well don't they (they make you upload the receipt)? Just put in something that weighs a similar amount to the laptop and you should be fine.

      • JetLi on 13/03/2017 - 20:49

        couldn't the buyer still raise a paypal dispute? The buyer could just argue the vendor sent a book or some other random object that weighed the same instead of the laptop? Either way, the vendor is still screwed if the buyer really wants to be an ass.

        • samfisher5986 on 14/03/2017 - 14:15
          -1

          the buyer can always do that though. If it worked that well people would just buy $5000 laptops from ebay and then claim it was a brick.

        • JetLi on 14/03/2017 - 14:19

          no need to take my comment out of context, my comment is directed to the specific circumstances stated above.

  • hell0 on 13/03/2017 - 20:13

    I agree with JCrown9.

    Send a parcel to his address rather than just a letter just in case.

    If a non-received dispute comes you are covered.

    • Jaduqimon on 14/03/2017 - 11:25

      then buyer files item significantly not as described. sends empty package back for just the postage cost and still keeps the laptop.

      if the buyer wants to scam you, you cant stop it unfortunately.

      • supnigs super skids on 14/03/2017 - 11:48
        +2

        nono, what OP should do is lure the guy back with the "hey, i found the power supply" trick then give him the old one, two thunder and lightning.

        • hell0 on 14/03/2017 - 12:39

          Thats what I was typing until I realised that there hasnt been a chargeback yet so what happens when he comes back and he actually wants to grab it as it is a legit purchase?

        • pinchies on 16/03/2017 - 13:15
          +1

          GREAT IDEA

        • RedRocket21 on 18/03/2017 - 23:30
          +1

          @hell0:

          he could also ask the seller to file a police report and send it to him

  • LYRICALRAVER on 19/03/2017 - 07:37

    adding funds to paypal from a bank account takes too long. i.e. 3-4 days to clear. Why is this?

  • King Tightarse on 20/03/2017 - 12:14

    PayPal Buyer Protection Policy
    Eligibility
    S10.1 You may be eligible for the PayPal Buyer Protection Policy if all the following requirements are met:
    i. Your purchase is not for:
    vi. Items you collect in person or arrange to be collected on your behalf

    Pretty sure you are OK

  • anzacpaul on 22/03/2017 - 12:12
    +1

    Any updates on this?

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