Could this be a potential SCAM?

[krwboutiquexo]

I've received a message regarding an item I am selling for £2,500 - they have offered to pay the asking price plus a postage fee (although I stated shipping was free).

The buyer wants me to send a payment request through PayPal to enable them to pay but I have explained this can be done by clicking "buy".

The buyer has 100% positive feedback (over 400 reviews) as a buyer and seller. They have had their account since 2003.

Why would the buyer want me to do this? Could I be being played here?

Please help!!

[red_magpie · Accepted solution]

A novice seller, a £2,500 watch and offering to post it by economy delivery? You will be a target for every scammer on eBay.

You can be certain that this offer is a scam. Don't be influenced by the 400 feedback, accounts are often hijacked. If you sent them a paypal request you would probably receive a fake reply, pretending to come from paypal, and telling you that it's safe to post it. The watch would be long gone before you even realised what happened.

Returning to the use of economy post, this would give you no postal insurance. Do you realise that it it was lost or damaged in the post you would have to refund the buyer if full?

Do you also realise how easy it is for buyers to make false claims under eBay's money back guarantee? EBay would take the buyer's word against yours for any supposed faults or damage. If they returned a cheap watch from a boot sale, don't count on eBay taking your word for this either.

I've been a buyer and seller here for over 20 years, and I wouldn't even think of selling a £2.5k watch here. EBay is a frighteningly risky place to sell anything of value.

[krwboutiquexo · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your valued advice, I have absolutely taken this on board and I am extremely grateful.

[*knight-rider*]

just to add to everyones great advice, i would`nt even consider selling an item that expensive to be posted, i would list as collection only with cash on collection prefered. Your just asking for a world of hurt any other way 🙂

[tressygirl]

You are correct to insist if they want to buy ,  then they go through the correct procedure,  and proceed through the Paypal prompts after pressing the Buy it Now.

Personally,  I would block them, from buying,  it's too exopensive an item to lose,  or to fight later for any case that might be opened.

Account tab  >>  Site Preferences >>  Buyer Requirements >>  Block Buyers who .....

[pixiesen2012]

it's a SCAM

you will receive a fake paypal payment advice,

you'll then send the item and lose it and your money!

put the ID on your blocked bidder list and ignore them

http://offer.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?BidderBlockLogin

[vijorey]

It is a scam

you are also an unregistered business seller and selling illegally on eBay.. you need to upgrade your account ASAP, and before you are in trouble with trading standards.

you are selling multiple new items( capsules) 

[plpmr]

[1] It's a scam

[2] Ignore and block them.

[john1297576]

I don't think you can rely on the Feedback, it is almost certainly a hacked account.

If you actually look into the account you will probably find it has been inactive for a while.

ECONOMY DELIVERY - Have you looked into what if any compensation you will get from your chosen Courier if lost or damaged.

Only using Royal Mail Special Delivery with cover of £2500, would you get anything if lost or damaged. Have you ever read on here about the poor service provided by most Couriers and the long list of items they do not cover and if they do cover the very poor compensation they would pay.

Showing this sort of service just helps to attract scammers, as it shows your inexperience. Selling High Value items on Ebay is VERY risky.