posted on July 5, 2001 06:36:06 PM new
An eBayer friend of mine, Debbie, bought a laptop computer new in box for $850, which was a steal. The going rate on eBay is about $1900, but Sony has it listed on their website at $2200. She listed it last night starting at $900, with a BIN of $1900, and a reserve of $1300. Shipping would be $30.00. This is the email she received today, in the "question for seller" format:
"Some quick questions about your item. Please e-mail directly at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx it’s the only e-mail I ever check. Make sure you include the item number in the subject of the e-mail soI know which item we are talking about."
The person didn't state their name. Debbie wrote back to the specified email address (not the one listed through eBay) and asked what kind of questions did they have? Here is the email they sent:
"I am trying to get this as a last minute gift so if we can agree on a total of $1600 for the item, including all delivery costs I will be awaiting the delivery the morning of Tuesday July, 10th . Since I am trying to
get this on such short notice the safest and quickest way to get this done smoothly would be for you to send it COD, Airborne Express, 1-800-Airborne or UPS next day shipping(early a.m. if possible- easier for me to take off mornings from work than afternoons). Please e-mail me back with your name or company’s name so I can get the funds right away to be available for the
delivery and please send me all tracking
numbers/shipping company info. Please contact me by e-mail, if we can work this out. Look forward to hearing back from you. Sandy."
Is it just me, or do I smell a worm? Why did she act so secretive in the first email ~ do you think it was because she knew it was against eBay's rules to sell outside of their realm? And what about COD? Neither of us have dealt in this area before so would appreciate your comments/suggestions. Thanks!
posted on July 5, 2001 06:44:42 PM new
Just my opinion, but when I get this type of offer, I thank them politely, then no-thank-you, then tell them I'd be delighted if they'd participate in the auction.
I also don't like the way this potential buyer has taken over - how to ship etc. Of course they would pay by cc in this rush-rush transaction. By the time any fraud would be detected (stolen card number etc.) the laptop would be shipped, received, and gone.
They're even trying to avoid the USPS - I don't like this one. My sniffer is saying it stinks.
posted on July 5, 2001 06:46:03 PM new
The e-mail doesn't mean anything. I have two and only check one of them occasionally. It's mostly for family stuff.
She's asking your friend to end the auction early at her price. This is frowned on at ebay. I would write her back and tell her that if she's in a hurry for it, I can end the auction (if it has no bids) and relist it for $1600 plus shipping. She can immediately bid on it and I could close the auction at that time. If this isn't satisfactory to her, tell your friend to let the auction run to completion. Not worth getting NARU over.
posted on July 5, 2001 06:49:04 PM new
aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh don't know..
Maybe I'm just getting old and a little more cautious. I wouldn't let it leave my sight until I had $$$ in my big, fat calloused hands.... Big bucks make me nervous...
Maybe a good money order, or something, but NOT COD.
posted on July 5, 2001 06:49:20 PM new
Who buys a laptop computer as a last minute gift? And, for those who do, would they quibble about another $300? If they WIN (want it now), then BIN (buy it now) at the posted price.
Something is not right here. Your friend should proceed with caution. IMO.
posted on July 5, 2001 08:20:16 PM new
Yeah, I smell fraudulent payment here. They could pick up the COD with a bad check or, geez, who knows! A lot of people trying to get something, especially valuable items, by fraudulent means also push you to get it to them the fastest way possible so that they have the item long before you realize you've been screwed.
I'd be REALLY careful here and follow the advise given to decline the offer. Best of luck to ya!
______________________________
posted on July 5, 2001 09:28:43 PM new
IMHO
Fraud risk:
EXTREMELY HIGH,
reasons:
1- Buyer is in extreme hurry to get possession of item.
2- Substitutes a third party to collect payment for you. Most propably an employee that won't care too much if he accepts a fraudulent payment. (bad check, stolen cc, stolen or forged MO, wire transfer on a new account funded with a bad check, PayPal funds created with a bad check)
3- Does not care if shipping cost is outrageous (overnight express). Only that the laptop get's there fast.
4- Transfers the sale off eBay. Seller in a very poor position to complain if there is a fraud.
5- If buyer's ebay id is unknow, impossible to search for other items they are bidding on. Sometimes they will use a newbie account and win several thousands of the same type items right after registering.
6- If ebay's id is unknown, impossible to verify that the contact information is valid before shipping the laptop.
posted on July 5, 2001 10:14:11 PM new
Counter with them sending you a Postal Money order [ actually they would need to send several due to dollar limits on Postal MOs]overnight. Then you will ship insured overnight when the money orders are received.
posted on July 5, 2001 10:49:35 PM new
If they are in that much of a hurry, tell 'em to send the $$$ western union. You can pick up cash 15 minutes after they send it.
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
posted on July 6, 2001 10:58:22 AM new
Thanks everyone for your responses! Wow, I am impressed! =) Here is the email my friend Debbie sent her last night:
"Dear Sandy,
I am in a contract agreement with Ebay and I am commited to honor that. $1750.00 is as low as I wish to go right now since the auction has just started.
I have considered your proposal and this is what I would recommend:
I can change the "buy it now" option to $1750.00 and you can "buy it now". I can only accept a Money Order for payment. I am a reputable seller, you can check my feedback to verify that. You can have the Money Order sent overnight express to expedite this deal, then it can ship next day air to get there by Tues.
I would need your address to give you a shipping quote.
posted on July 6, 2001 11:11:43 AM new
While this is probably enough to scare away a con artist, just for the record, if the email merely said 'money order', be aware that cheapo money orders (sold by supermarkets, 7-11s, etc) can be a problem too. For example, you can stop payment on them, and if you read the small print on the back of the MOs, I think the seller would be stuck.
In cases of suspected fraud, better to ask for a post office money order, bank check, or something like that. Fooling a 16 y/o minimum wage 7-11 clerk isn't that difficult, but defrauding a bank or the US govt tends to scare off the crooks...
posted on July 6, 2001 11:21:46 AM new
COD is not a good way to do business at all.
not to mention they want there price to include shipping costs and COD shipping will be very high cost shipping not to mention they want it shipped like next day or express wow .
posted on July 6, 2001 01:39:58 PM new
Reddeer: yes, I did see that. I gave my friend the link to this thread so she has probably read it too. Hopefully this person will write back and if they DO accept, she can make clear that is the ONLY kind of MO she wants to take. I'll let her know too. Thanks you guys!
posted on July 6, 2001 03:32:57 PM new
WHAT is the deal with COD anyway, with this buyer? Looks like that is ALL she wants to do. Here is her answering email:
"I can do $1750 COD, if the unit is in new condition.
If this does not work for your company, have a good
weekend reguardless and thank you much for your time."
posted on July 6, 2001 04:22:19 PM new
As pushy as this buyer is, if I did COD, it would be "cash only". (I think UPS can be instructed to accept cash only)
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
posted on July 6, 2001 04:52:50 PM new
COD can be very risky for the seller. You can instruct UPS to use COD CASH which is basically money order or certified check. Or you can also accept a personal or business check. The problem is that UPS returns the payment via first class mail, which can take at least a week from the time the buyer receives the item.
FedEx returns payment via FedEx, I'm not sure about airborne.
But the problem is that UPS (or whomever) is not responsible for checking the legitimacy of the payment (as in whether the check is real/ forged) and they will not help you at all if a problem arises. So the merchandise is long gone before you realize that there is a problem. Also, the recipient can stop payment while the money is in transit to you.
IMO, a seller should walk away from any deal that smells fishy. Although the money is lucrative, it's not worth the financial risk in case the buyer is a scam artist. And computers, especially laptops, attract a lot of fraud.
posted on July 6, 2001 06:16:15 PM new
In addition to what has already been said here, I find it suspicious that someone would be shopping online for a "last minute gift" that is needed in such a hurry. And something that costs several hundred dollars is a heck of a "last minute gift", don't you think?
Big bucks make me nervous... 
