Anyone notice an increase in selling scams? Part 2!

[dahardd1]

On 24th Aug I asked this question-

 "Typically a seller with OK feedback offers goods at a low, but not crazy, price. They then stop sending items and slowly their feedback rating falls as buyers respond, so the whole thing is over in a few weeks when their feedback is obviously appalling. I’ve come across a couple of these in the last few weeks, very annoying as when I bought the items feedback was OK, but by the time I raise a case with Ebay feedback was below 70%. In both my cases ALL feedback was for private listings, so impossible to see what, and how much was paid, for the initial positive feedback"

 Replies suggested illness/problems with sellers, but I was not so sure so searched out a similar seller for the same article. A member since: 07-Sep-19 in United Kingdom Registered as a business seller, 99.8 % +ve feedback 0n about 400 sales when I ordered , all private listings .The estimated delivery time was a lengthy 8-11 days. The Item listed as posted after a couple of days.  I waited and after about 6 days the negative feedback started to appear, as of today 30 negatives in only 3 days, +ve  feedback is still appearing. I don't expect to get the item! I will have to wait till the 11 days for delivery have passed before I lodge a case and a further time lag waiting for a response.

 I don't think this is because sellers are having problems, three "good" sellers turning bad show a trend,  and it seems a fairly sophisticated scam; I will look much more carefully at a sellers credentials now. I know Ebay will refund but how is this being done and can it be stopped?

[pixiesen2012]

it's normally hacked accounts where this happens,

if a price looks too good to be true, it is a good indication that the seller has been hacked and you won't get the item!

always check a sellers feedback to see what they usually sell and when they started selling the item in question,

it is very easy to spot a hacked account if you look properly

[dahardd1]

Many thanks for the replies. With private listings you have no info on items or price. Perhaps Ebay should not allow private listings? - buyers info is now anonomised anyway so no real reason to hide item or price. As I said feedback is always excellent before the collapse and the items are not stupidly priced. Giving bad feedback after the event is a bit too late. Obviously once the negative feedback comes in no one with any sense would buy from them, but that leaves a possible 2-3 week window to hoover up mugs.

[pixiesen2012]

if the listings are 'private' you just have to dig a little bit deeper

you can see a sellers sold/unsold items from the last 90 days if you view their items for sale and click on completed items in the left hand column

[john1297576]

"can it be stopped?" Only if members are more careful and do not allow their accounts to be hacked. There is also the possibility that gullible members "sell" their accounts, not realising the use that will be made of them. The Positive feedback gives the appearance of respectability, but then the Cheap items appear for sale. Selling Accounts is not allowed but that does not mean it does not happen. Research into the past history will generally show hat the selling pattern has changed, and any PRIVATE listings should be avoided. There is no need for them now that all IDs are hidden as a***b for example, and it just provides a means of hiding scammers for the few days they are in business, before moving on to their next hacked account.

[dahardd1]

Thanks, agree with your comments. I now will not use anyone that has private listings, but surely Ebay should end this ability? However it's next to impossible to actually contact them, so I guess we will just soldier on.

[plpmr]

By buyers opening cases and leaving feedback to reflect their experiences.