eBay Sellers Beware: Tricks Buyers Use To Get You In Trouble
- Author Elija Warren
- Published August 11, 2008
- Word count 820
eBay is a great place for sellers to find buyers. Most of the time deals go smoothly, and you pocket your money while making a buyer happy. Most of the time, that is.
There are some buyers who are more interested in causing you headaches or even tricking you into violating the law. Some are trying to scam you, some only want to cause you trouble to make themselves feel important or to save themselves a few pennies.
Here are some of the most common traps buyers use to snare sellers.
Under value international shipments – International buyers often request a seller to list an item as a gift when it is not a gift. This is against the law. If customs inspects the package, they may confiscate it. Now who’s headache is it? The seller because he has to issue a refund. What if customs finds an eBay auction number in the packet and decides to file criminal charges. Who do they file charges against? That is right, the seller. The buyer is not at risk because it was the seller who broke the law. Never let an international buyer trick you into listing an item as a Gift if it is a Commercial Sample.
Direct PayPal Payment – Dishonest buyers sometimes ask you to provide your email address, so they can send a PayPal payment directly without using eBay checkout. They do this because they have a personal PayPal account. A personal account cannot be used to pay for auctions. If you are caught participating in this transaction, you could have your account and their account disabled. Your PayPal account means more to you than theirs does to them, otherwise they would not be willing to take the risk. Any honest buyer who pays by PayPal will use eBay checkout and not ask to pay directly.
Buyer Upgrades – Buyer bids on a used camera then complains it is not as advertised and wants to return it. The seller receives a different camera that is scratched up and clearly heavily used. The dishonest buyer has attempted to use eBay to obtain an upgrade. Always record serial numbers or photograph serial numbers of expensive items before shipping.
Buyer Refunds – You receive an email from a buyer claiming the item was slightly damaged or not exactly as advertised, and they want a partial refund. This is always a scam. An honest buyer will want to return the item for a full refund. A dishonest buyer will contact everyone they buy from with the same story, hoping for a partial refund. If they trick a buyer into sending them money, they are ahead, if not, they have lost nothing. If a buyer ever asks for a partial refund, stand firm and give them nothing. It is OK to offer a partial refund as long as the buyer does not suggest it first.
Cheap Shipping – You sell an item on eBay and the buyer wants to pay the least possible for shipping, then demands you ship by first class or media mail. First, the shipping should have been stated in the auction and the buyer is legally bound to honor that shipping amount because by bidding, they agreed to it already. Second, this is a common PayPal scam. The buyer is planning to file for a PayPal reversal and wants to trick you into shipping by a means that has no tracking number. The post office now allows tracking on first class and media mail but few people use it. Never ship a package to anyone without a tracking number.
Unusual Request – Beware of any seller who makes any unusual request, especially if they threaten to cancel the deal. Once the buyer bids and wins, they cannot back out and cannot demand a refund just because you would not follow instructions that were not part of the bid contract. Some dishonest buyers will ask you to ship the item to another name and address(other than the one on the PayPal payment), or ask you to include a note to the recipient, or list a return address they claim is theirs, or anything else that is out of the ordinary. It is not your responsibility as a seller to jump through hoops for a buyer. When a buyer asks you to falsify the return address, they may know the package will be returned to the return address which invalidates the tracking. They can then file a false refund request through PayPal. The same is true if you ship to an address other than the specified shipping address. If a buyer ever sends you a list of instructions, you can bet you are about to be scammed in some way.
Sellers can be very successful on eBay, but one bad experience can really sour your entire week. Being on the lookout for these tricks and scams can make your eBay business run smoothly and profitably.
Elija Warren
You can find more information on using eBay safely at Auction-Safety.org
And you can find free information on how to start and run your eBay business at http://www.DontBidOnIt.com/businessclass.htm
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Commercial Cleaning Services in Auckland: A Deep Dive into Angel Cleaning
- How Anyone Can Start an Online Business Selling Digital Products
- Introduction to Commercial Cleaning Services in Auckland and North Shore
- The Value of a Startup Coach: Guiding Entrepreneurs Toward Success
- Can I Do Affiliate Marketing Without Showing My Face? A Complete Guide for the Camera-Shy Marketer
- How to Merge Images: A Step-by-Step Guide for Online Marketers
- Steady Slope Marketing: Launching Your Small Business with Google My Business and Digital Marketing
- Why Aqueous Ozone Disinfecting is Revolutionizing Restaurant Hygiene
- Top 5 Ways To Generate Low Cost Website Traffic
- 5 WAYS TO EARN MONEY ONLINE FROM CONTENT WRITING
- Our Journey: The Story Behind All Seasons Cleaning Services
- All Seasons Cleaning Services: A Commitment to Excellence in Exterior Maintenance
- All Seasons Cleaning Services: Your Trusted Partner for Roof Cleaning in Vancouver WA and Portland OR
- Energy Efficiency Considerations for Sliding Glass Doors
- The 7 Best Ways To Make Money Online From Home
- 8 Compelling Reasons to Hire the Best Interior Design Firm in Dhaka
- The Ultimate Guide to Selling Your Land in Lee County
- The Process to Make Cannabis Oil
- How to Choose a Profitable Online Course Niche in 2024: A Complete Guide
- Sustainable Comfort: Exploring Heat Pump Replacement Services in Milwaukee
- From Dog Bite to Bath Bliss: The Tale of Bayside Soapworks
- Keeping Your Milwaukee Home Cool and Comfortable: A Guide to Home Air Conditioning Services
- Mastering the Art of the Hustle: Golden Rules for Success
- The Advantages of Toca Boca: Engaging, Educational, and Entertaining
- ac repair somerset
- How to Get the Money to Start Your Business: 3 Simple Steps – No Credit Needed
- How to start making passive income through affiliate marketing.
- How to Start Your Supermarket Business in Dubai?
- The Art of Stain Removal: Proven Techniques for Tackling Tough Spots
- Unlock your Potential: How to Make Money Online Today