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Mark of a scammer...learn not to burn.

So, my ad says USA only and "zero feedback and lowball offers will be politely ignored". Mr. X says he'd like to buy it at my price - I never do "Buy it now", rather preferring to entertain offers only so I can be running the show..not him. I ask to have his phone number so I can discuss with him, answering his "how old. etc." questions directly (and figuring out if he is a knowledgeable sort of audiophile who would be buying a $7K preamp- we audiophiles love to talk audio). Here is a classic response, I think, of a scammer:

"From: (zero feedback guy)  
Aug 1, 2016 9:52pm
I live in Switzerland! You probably don't want to phone me (then there's the 6-hr. time difference). I would want the XXX shipped to my niece in Virginia. Give me your number and a convenient time to call and I'll phone you. What about 3:00pm (EDT) tomorrow afternoon?"

Maybe not a scammer....that's why I omitted (His?) names. But it has all the classical markings, I don't really want to point them out so as to educate any bad guys, but you can spot them. But if it looks like, smells like and walks like this....BEWARE. I'm sure he has a very nice niece but I didn't care to carry on a further discussion with someone in Nigeria or Jamaica. 

(This was a zero feedback chap but be sure to take a look at their feedback record and make sure it hasn't just been packed with recent co-conspirators- often zero feedback sorts themselves- feedback to have some "feedback".)

So now, I want to ask you a question. What worries me, and shouldn't I be worried, about someone with a stolen credit card using paypal? They would "send me money" and only later, after the unit has been sent, would I find out there was a problem with the card. Would paypal then want/pull money back out of my account to cover or is that what you are paying for with 3% fees? Insurance? Or does the credit card company take the hit and that is why they suffer such large losses....(and thought up DEBIT Cards)? Thanks for your help & Be Careful Out There.




truman

Showing 1 response by iopscrl

iopscrl
192 posts
 
"Truman" you violated your own rules.   You stated upfront that buyers with -0- feedback or lowball offers will be ignored.  A -0- feedback buyer contacted you and you chose to engage him.  Granted you did not complete a sale, but you also did not ignore him.

I understand why you were suspicious, but I also see where the buyer has tried to work with you, and offered to call you at their expense.  You can easily verify the location of the caller using online tools.  

I have dealt with foreign buyers who asked for delivery to a US address.  Quite common actually to either lower shipping costs, or to combine with other purchases to ultimately lower shipping costs to a foreign location.  When asked for this accommodation, I in turn ask the buyer to enter the new shipping address into their paypal profile, and then make sure it is verified before I ship.  I also stipulate that I do not ship until all funds have cleared my bank account (not cleared my Paypal account).  Never had a problem.

An alternative is to have the buyer send the purchase funds to their relative in VA, and have the relative purchase a US Postal Money Order that will be sent to you.  You can cash the MO at any Post Office, and you will know immediately if it is fraudulent.
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