posted on December 13, 2000 11:15:13 AM
I have a bidder from Russia who registered with Ebay yesterday, won my auction last night and is now trying to get me to open a Billpoint account so he can pay. He claims to be a US Citizen.
I told him he can pay through Bidpay or send an International Money Order. Something seems fishy about this guy. The cost of the items plus shipping is about $260. Anyone else have anything like this happen?
posted on December 13, 2000 11:35:37 AM
Don't take Bidpay from them either. I questioned a Russian bidder on this board also a few months ago. It turned out that he was using stolen credit cards to pay for ebay items through Bidpay, after he built up 20 or so feedback he started selling high end electronic equipment and scammed people out of at least $20,000. Bidpay did pay me, but I had never mailed the item because the buyer kept insisting that it be mailed to Moscow when the credit card address was in Belarus. He would never email me back, so I kept the item boxed and ready to just in case. A month ago I found out about his scam. I am sure there a good honest buyers from Russia, but none that I have heard of. Be careful what payment you accept, and only mail it to the address that Bidpay or another payment service gives you. I emailed Bidpay once about returning the money, but have not had a reply yet. Heather
posted on December 13, 2000 11:47:09 AM
The one thing I like about Bidpay is that they do screen for fraudulent credit cards. I have a very uneasy feeling about this guy because I told him this morning that Billpoint doesn't process payments from Russia but that is when he started claiming to be a US Citizen with a business in Russia. He keeps insisting on Billpoint, I think he is trying to pull something. In any event it's Bidpay or International MO or no deal.
Thanks for sharing...
posted on December 13, 2000 11:49:51 AM
Good luck with Bidpay, they don't screen all that well since mine was able to scam them so easily. I also think that Bidpay can do a stop payment on a money order, so if you get one from him take it to a grocery store that sells them and they will cash it for you. Heather
posted on December 13, 2000 12:01:45 PM
I believe it has more to do with residiency than it does with citizenship---and where the package is being mailed to.
posted on December 13, 2000 12:02:53 PM
As much as I dislike thinking this, I believe there is some truth to the statement about fraud running rampart in Russia. If I were you, I would insist on US cash only, and check it when you get it. There have been reports of counterfeit money being used to pay for auction wins. Also be aware that if the item is electronics, there MAY be some US restrictions that will not allow the item to be shipped to Russia.
I have shipped all over the world. I had someone buy a notebook computer from me on Amazon and five months later they came doing a fraud investigation.
Don't take any payment other than a safe form of payment. Any service that can charge back most likely will!
And that goes for money orders too. While they can't charge you back they can come after you.
It just isn't worth the grief. If the bidder is serious and the sale large enough offer them a small credit to pay in a safe form.
