topic Re: Scam buyer? in Member To Member Support

Scam buyer?

sebwyatt — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:00:39 GMT

Hi, ling time eBay user but first time posting, I am selling a fairly high value item, and a prospective buyer asked for international posting to be added. I have sold lots if item in the UK, and unticked international posting to keep things simple for me. The buyer seemed desperate for the item, so I clicked international postage with Global Shipping as default. The buyer replied that nothing had changed still couldn't buy. I checked the buyer and they are based in Israel, I manually added postage and researched postage costs and added international worldwide and EU and added cost that I had been quoted. Buyer then asked if i could post independently ad it was still not showing up. Then buyer started to ask if they could pay via wire transfer. For me this is alarm bells, And i am going to ignore them, but i would be interested in more experienced sellers opinions? Thanks.

Re: Scam buyer?

tressygirl — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:10:49 GMT

To be honest, I would not go any further with this potential sale here.

Send the buyer a polite message that you have added all necessary postage to the listing so unsure why they are still unable to buy.

I'm reading rightly or wrongly, the buyer is asking for an off eBay sale here, too, so best avoid.

@sebwyatt

Re: Scam buyer?

jckl1957 — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:11:35 GMT

I would tell the buyer you have had a change of heart and don't want to send abroad.

Then add them to your blocked bidders list.

They seem to be asking you to do an off-Ebay deal which is unsafe for you and not allowed by Ebay.

Re: Scam buyer?

sebwyatt — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:41:32 GMT

Hi thanks for looking and replying. I have alarm bells, but I just got this message from them, -"Really strange I checked now again And got a refusal. I can buy through EBay, pay through eBay and you will only need to post in independently. Could that be ok?"

I initially posted the item as uk only and when I revised the listing to include international postage the listing started to behave oddly, I used the ebay app first ( i have mixed feelings with the app somethings it does fine others it just cant do) and then revised again on desktop browser version which has my seller hub. But despite inputting options for postage prices etc the listing is showing odd information. I could offer the buyer to complete sale through eBay and arrange postage myself, which is not really a problem, (buyer has supplied address)

Re: Scam buyer?

jckl1957 — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:51:06 GMT

I am not sure how they would pay you for postage if you can't add the international postage to your listing and my own instinct would be to walk away from this sale.

However, if you proceed, to protect yourself:

Make sure they pay through Ebay.

Don't give out any private details - all messages should come through Ebay.

Send using a secure tracked method.

However, remember that the Money Back Guarantee applies to overseas sales and buyers can open 'not as described' cases leaving you to pay for return postage and there are fees on overseas sales.

Re: Scam buyer?

sebwyatt — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:28:25 GMT

Thanks for your advice, i think there is something odd about the correspondence and issues stated.

Re: Scam buyer?

tressygirl — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:39:59 GMT

Yes, just stick to what you have on your listing..... Posting only to UK !

Block them as below, if they become a nuisance with further messages.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/bmgt/BuyerBlock?

@sebwyatt