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
Actually there are quite a number of sellers should join together for some chunky class action vs. Paypal on their scam successions. I bet it's going to affect its stance.

Don't forget a SIGNATURE upon delivery. I forgot that little point and took it in the shorts for $1800.00. Paypal did not back me. Recipient said he never received the item despite very detailed information from UPS including GPS tracking of the driver. Lesson learned and no love lost with Paypal...
Addendum: "Swiss" chap chose not to meet my (Albert recommended) terms..."when fun turns into tragedy".....but, disaster averted!  No sale.

Good points though if you do continue to use paypal; only send to verified address listed on paypal account and always get a Direct Signature!
Special thanks to beergut who has made us all sit up in our chairs a bit straighter. - Damn, sorry for your loss though.
Thanks to all who contributed.
...I may close my paypal account.

On this occasion, I might invite the audiogon administrator (after all, it's their site) to hopefully tout the many ways their new payment method would again reinvigorate and reestablish Audiogon as the #1 audiophile site with unparalleled
security.

Perhaps with a "hierarchy/tower portrayal of security" with tenure combined with feedback or other ideas we all might have to flesh out this thread. Times are hard, sales are slow. We need for this to be a viable site for our sales and purchases! Don't let this become another EBay.

Carry this thought forward with your creativity:

How could we enhance security?


 




How could we enhance security?

Pay more commission per transaction and security will get tougher. There also can be some insurance layers added per transaction as well. Lots of different ways of monetary control.

Enhancing security is best when done at your end, not PayPal. 
Scamming customer claims $1800 back? Guess what? In my case $1800 are gone to another paypal account and than to generic prepaid card account and than in my pocket forever. PayPal sets my account to negative, but I don't mind -- LET IT BE... Speaking words of wisdom LET IT BE... Have another account handy to receive funds or will make one -- doesn't take much to clone.