Boon Posted October 10, 2005 Report Posted October 10, 2005 I listed my XBOX bundle on eBay for the starting bid price of $350 and buy it now at $450. I get an email that it has been bought- Hello, Compliment of the season to you.I am Caleb Williams from MI USA, but Presently i am leading a conventional church program in London. I saw your item below and i will like to buy it for my daughter that will be starting a Computer science course in University of Nigeria Next week.Do not worry about the shipping,i have an account with fedex and i will be sending you my fedex account number for the shipping . i will be sending you payment via PayPal,so make sure you get the package ready for shipment ok?And kindly send me your paypal address so i can make the payment right away. Regards C.Williams They have an advisement on Craigslist that something like this can very well be a scam, and I've received similar emails from people who I know were scamming me. My question- can people get scammed through Paypal? Like, should I be weary that the only bid was this Buy it Now, he wants to do his own shipping, etc? Guy is a brand new Ebay member with NO feedback. I also mapquested his address, and nothing came up. Thoughts?
Guest MikeSC Posted October 10, 2005 Report Posted October 10, 2005 As long as you don't send before the money is received and in your hand, there isn't a big concern.
Guest MikeSC Posted October 10, 2005 Report Posted October 10, 2005 What the fuck is a "scom"? Or did I buy the wrong vowel? Fucking ebay seller lying to me...
Guest MikeSC Posted October 10, 2005 Report Posted October 10, 2005 Couldn't we shorten it to "Nigeria + money = scam"? I think the entire Nigerian economy is based on internet scams.
the max Posted October 10, 2005 Report Posted October 10, 2005 Could probably just make it "Nigeria = scam."
Bruiser Chong Posted October 10, 2005 Report Posted October 10, 2005 That reminds me of those emails I'd get occassionally where one of my Nigerian relatives had passed away, left me his fortune, and all I had to do to collect on it was...
stahl Posted October 10, 2005 Report Posted October 10, 2005 This is a scam boon. Be careful, this one might involve a clueless fed ex guy showing up at your door wanting the Xbox before you even receive payment. Internet wrestling geek Scott Keith actually had a similar experience he posted in his blog around a year ago.
Mole Posted October 11, 2005 Report Posted October 11, 2005 I was selling my iPod on eBay and someone wanted me to send it to South Africa. I said no.
Boon Posted October 11, 2005 Author Report Posted October 11, 2005 Yeah, I knew this was a scam- trying to see how I can get out of it. What sucks is that he used the "Buy it Now" option, so now my auction has ended, and I have to go through miles of red tape to get this sorted out and hopefully get my auction back up, since I don't see any way to cancel the BiN bid.
Guest MikeSC Posted October 11, 2005 Report Posted October 11, 2005 It's simple. Don't send it until you actually have his cash in hand. Then you send it.
the max Posted October 11, 2005 Report Posted October 11, 2005 Exactly. As the seller, you make the rules. If they don't like it, you don't sell it to them.
Boon Posted October 11, 2005 Author Report Posted October 11, 2005 AAANNNNDDDDDD he's no longer a registered user. Sweeeet.
tominator89 Posted October 11, 2005 Report Posted October 11, 2005 Paypal is extremely easy to rip off. I sold stuff, the guy filed a claim with PayPal claiming that I never sent his items, he left my eBay account feedback obviously stating that he did receive the items, and PayPal STILL refunded his money and ultimately he got it for free. My advice: stick to normal transactions. I've had offers for various deals and I've turned down every one that isn't to my liking. As stated, you are the seller and you dictate the rules of the sale.
Carnival Posted October 11, 2005 Report Posted October 11, 2005 That sucks though that he used the "buy it now" and fucked up your auction.
Boon Posted October 11, 2005 Author Report Posted October 11, 2005 Yep, especially since there were bidders with serious interest.
Carnival Posted October 11, 2005 Report Posted October 11, 2005 Did you have to put up the auction again? and pay for it? Or did ebay let you reinstate it or something?
Boon Posted October 11, 2005 Author Report Posted October 11, 2005 I'm waiting to hear back from them, if they'll put it back up for free.
Guest TheDon Posted October 11, 2005 Report Posted October 11, 2005 I believe with PayPal as a seller if you cant prove that you actually sent the item, PayPal will always refund your money to the buyer. I believe you always have to provide a tracking. I have seen and heard of people who sent items and the buyer acknowledged getting the item but since they wanted to ripoff the sender they just tell paypal or ebay the sender never sent. Also as a seller you can cancel bids if a person cant pay the way you want them to pay and you can cancel bids if the buyer doesn't live where you ship too.
MillenniumMan831 Posted October 13, 2005 Report Posted October 13, 2005 Don't keep any money in your paypal account and you should be fine. If you spend it or deposit it into your checking account, I don't think they can touch the money.
Eclipse Posted October 16, 2005 Report Posted October 16, 2005 I remember getting that email about some Nigerian guy needing my help to transfer money...good times...
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