posted on November 21, 2000 08:06:07 PM
Hope someone out there can help me with this! Earlier this month I sold a small item (about $10), sent my usual "congratulations" letter, and got a reply saying that the winner would pay via PayPal. Today, 10 days later, I sent a "let me know if you still want this item" message, since no payment had come through. The winner e-mailed me back, saying that she not only had paid by PayPal, but she'd also gotten an e-mail from me stating that the item had been mailed (I never sent this message). At the end of her reply she added "If you don't take PayPal, let me know and I'll write a check."
I'd actually be relieved if this is simply a bidder's delaying move. Is it possible for someone to intercept a PayPal payment (and e-mail the auction winner), or am I having a hopelessly naive overreaction to a twist on "the check's in the mail"?
(And yes, I am phasing out PayPal--too scary at this point.)
posted on November 21, 2000 08:11:55 PM
Write her back and tell her you are worried that someone may have intercepted your account. Ask her to send the email you supposedly sent her back to you with full headers on.
That will tell you something. If she does have a letter, she may be telling the truth. If she doesn't have a letter, ask her to send a check.
posted on November 21, 2000 08:13:33 PM
It is certainly possible for someone to fake a payment notice from PayPal. It happens all the time. A scammer watches your auction end and then lightning fast he sends your high bidder an email pretending to be you. He provides your bidder with his PayPal email address and the rest is history.
posted on November 21, 2000 08:22:47 PM
Do you happen to have a .net email address? There's tremendous potential for fraud in the .net/.com Paypal issue.
But, considering the buyer's caveat, it sounds like a delay tactic.
If you do accept checks, I would suggest simply replying to the bidder and saying "Yes, I do accept checks. Here's the address, please let me know when the check has been sent."
If they did actually send payment via Paypal, it will become clear pretty quickly.
posted on November 21, 2000 08:28:50 PM
I had a buyer just this week that had "made payment" via PayPal. She even forwarded her PayPal receipt to me. This really had me worried because my PP account (catchy, huh?) didn't reflect this activity, yet my buyer's receipt looked real enough. I looked very closely and found that she had misspelled my account name by one letter and apparently PayPal had indeed credited the wrong person.
I simply forwarded the receipt back to my buyer and pointed out the error, and asked in a polite manner that they check their own PP account. They did so and the problem was corrected within a few short minutes.
posted on November 21, 2000 09:16:37 PM
She's fudging. That last sentence "If you don't take PayPal, let me know and I'll write a check" is the tipoff. If she had paid with Paypal, she wouldn't be offering to pay you again.
posted on November 21, 2000 10:16:34 PM
It smells like a stall.
With or without a horse in it!
Ask for the email with headers, that'll decide it for you, if she "can't figure out how to do" that, then it's pretty likely she is stalling.
posted on November 21, 2000 11:39:21 PM
I have found through trial and my error not to accept personal checks from someone you suspect is a suspect. If the person was devious the first time, chances are they will send you a check that will bounce farther than you want it too. Ask for a money order or cashier's check. If the person insists on paying with a personal check tell them you are happy to take their check but due to security reasons the transaction will have to take place through Billpoint. Then send the person a Billpoint invoice for an eCheck. Problemed solved.
posted on November 22, 2000 04:16:20 AM
TripapHoniC
I totally disagree with you on this one.
Take a check, it is no problem to accept a check. Cash it or deposit it, but DO NOT send the item until the check clears. Even if you have to wait until your next statement, so be it. If they choose to send a check just let them know you will take it, but you will not ship until it completely clears which will be about 2-3 weeks (this will usually make the buyer opt for a MO so they can get their item faster).
posted on November 22, 2000 11:59:27 AM
Ok. So cix, you would accept a check. Why go through the whole "keeping up with a check" process when you can just as easily ask for a money order or do a FREE eCheck transaction through Billpoint or several other payment services? I don't know how many items you guys are selling here but I sell hundreds a week and I can't be forced into dealing with someone who obviously lied about sending PayPal payment Like fountainhouse said earlier in this thread, it is obviously a lie, otherwise she/he wouldn't be asking for alternative payment methods, especially if they have already paid. Anyway, it all boils down to personal preference and the situation at hand. This is what I would do. Thanks
[ edited by Capriole on Nov 21, 2000 10:18 PM ]