Why are people so low?

[Guest]

[blackcat20]

I listed my old mobile phone on ebay, hoping to make a bit of extra case as this month is a financial black hole for me (got all the usual bills, car rego, ortho bills, plus i have to pay for panel beating now that some idiots crashed into my car and driven off  ).

So i listed the phone BIN $195, and this morning found that it had been bought. When to do a postage calculation for the buyer...postcode doesnt exist. Suburb search...same result.

Log on to the actual auction page; buyer has zero feedback, registed yesterday, and is no longer registered 

So it looks like this guy has signed up, clicked the BIN button, and disappeared  Ive sent an email asking them to confirm that they are sincere, but I wont hold my breath.

I just dont understand why someone can this that this is fun?  :'(

[Bitsy]

I've never heard of that! That's absolutely appalling, if that was someone's idea of a joke! 

I have to wonder sometimes how people can even THINK of doing something like that--I mean, how does it even cross one's mind? 

You have to let us know if you ever hear from him. 

Can you report him? Or is it a waste, since he's no longer registered?

[grecopa]

My first thought was that maybe it was a teenager who signed up.  His/her parents found out and shut them down pretty quick.  A possibility, but you should at least get an explination.  

[Bitsy]

My first thought was that maybe it was a teenager who signed up.  His/her parents found out and shut them down pretty quick.  A possibility, but you should at least get an explination. 

I thought maybe someone was having some fun at someone else's expense, but it is very possible that a teenager signed up and their parents shut them down. Maybe that's was the only way he/she could get a phone--maybe the parents took their cell away or something. That would at least be a plausible explanation that wouldn't be as bad as someone doing such a thing on purpose. 

See, Kelly is the good optimist  ...clearly I'm the cynic here.  .

[blackcat20]

Im going to be a cynic; the BIN was done at 2am. And if it was a teenager, why would they use what looks like a fake address. there is no street number, just a non-existent suburb and post code.

I guess Ill give them 24hrs to respond, then file with ebay so at least i dont have to pay final value fees. Im really disappointed, I really need the money right now, and was really excited when i saw that it had been bought... this was the item: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&item=300001082253&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESO%3AIT&rd=1

[blackcat20]

I was able to file a NPB claim, and got an immediate fee refund due to the buyer being no longer registered. Ive now relisted the item

So its all worked out, but I wish people would think before they do stupid things like that...

[bush360]

Sorry to hear about that, my advise is that if you are doing a BIN and you need the money quick you can insist in immediate payment required, it might limit your options to members with a paypal account but atleast you will be paid. I have had similar non paying bidder stuff happen very rarely with my trading cards, i had most problems with video games and DVDs I think certain auction products attract the dodgies.

[Bitsy]

I was able to file a NPB claim, and got an immediate fee refund due to the buyer being no longer registered. Ive now relisted the item

So its all worked out, but I wish people would think before they do stupid things like that...

That's great news! I am glad everything worked out!   Suppose you haven't heard anything from the guy, have you?

[blackcat20]

So much for working out...i got a second buyer, who has sent me a "postal order" via email requesting that I send the item to Nigeria, and then the money will be sent to me. To add insult, the first buyer has contacted me, apologised, and asked that I post the item to Nigeria!
How stupid do I look!  Ive forwarded the "money order" to ebay, and have kept all the other emails, and will send them to ebay later today with a complaint, given my item has sold twice to scammers, and im racking up fees like there is no tomorrow.

I think Ill have to relist the item without the BIN, it seems to be asking for trouble...

[kbmum]

That's terrible!  You can't be the only seller who's had something like this happen.  eBay most definitely should refund all of your fees.  At least you have the item until you receive legitimate payment.

Are you limiting the auction to Australia only?

[blackcat20]

I wasnt limiting it to Australia only, however both "buyers" have (fake) Australian address listed. I think I will be relisting without the BIN auction, and make it Aus only. Its just not worth the hassle. But i definately wasnt going to send the phone without getting the money first...

This is what the postal order email says:
Your $222.00 payment for an ebay item #300001382212 from Miss Mandy Smith as been receive this morning. but your money will be send out to you the same business day after we receive the shipment tracking number from you , Due to the fact that some seller's don't ship item out despite the fact that buyer's have paid for , so we made the policy that seller's must shipped out item within 24 hours of payment notification and send us the shipment tracking number for verification.You are not expected in any circumstances to send the tracking number to Miss yanju smith we are the one to have it first for  verification.
Below is the address where the postal order will be send to. If the address is  correct please mail us back.

Funny they cant even keep the name consistent throughout the email...   

[kbmum]

What a scam.  I'll bet quite a few people fall for it, though.

I don't know about Australia Post, but in the US, you can get a tracking number before you mail an item.  You just need the form with the number on it.

[Morningangel-Iola]

Yeah cos Mandy and Yanju are just the same what a load of poo, you always pay for your goods first. You don't buy your stuff on amazon and say 'yeah I'll pay you when you send it'.

Nigeria rather well known for scams of all sorts is it not? Like begging emails.

[blackcat20]

crazy isnt it? At least im smart enough to realise its a scam, now ive just got to convince ebay to refund all my fees; they like to give back the final fee, but not the listing fee, and its about $3 each time...

[Bryanjs14]

This happened to my little brother 5 times while he was trying to sell his PSP.
Poor kid had to list the thing and think it was sold 5 times before a decent person actually purchased and paid for it.

Same scam, guy has no feedback and is kicked off Ebay within 24 hours.

[blackcat20]

Its absolutely horrible, and ebay arent being much help. I sympathise with your brother.

Ive been trying to get ebay to refund the listing fees as well as the final fees, cos ive had to list three times so far, $3.50 each time, plus $7.50 final fee. I used live chat to talk to someone, at first that said listing fees are charged regardless, until i got through to them that it wasnt my fault id had to list three times. Then they said they would refund, then said "whoops, you are in Aus, we are US, get onto Aus live help". problem is, it doesnt seem to exist, or at least you have a 99% chance of not being able to find the link...its a bit of a nightmare. so far ive reported both buyers, and i guess ill just have to await ebays "24-72hour" response time....

[Bitsy]

That's amazing.  .  I will never understand how or why such scams even cross someone's mind as something to do--did they never learn right from wrong? It's not a difficult concept--it's why we were all born with a conscience. 

I am sorry this has happened to you--  should definitely compensate you for the fees you are out.  After all, it is not your fault that someone tried to scam you.  Why should you have to pay b/c of someone else's immorality? 

[blackcat20]

I got an email (more like an essay) from an actual ebay person this morning which is very impressive. They have apologised for what Ive gone through, and will refund all the listing fees. Ive claimed back the second FVF as the second buyer is also no longer registered.

The email also suggested a number of ways to prevent unwanted bidders, but they still dont have a method from preventing newly registered 0 feedback scammers from buying BIN auctions. So ive suggested there be a way to block that type of buyer from high end items, which are usually the target of these scams.

Either way, glad I am being looked after, and that im getting my money back, even if it is only $20. Ive held on to all copies of emails sent by the scammers, and in fact they had the nerve to send me a reminder this morning that payment is waiting and i need to send the item...as if!  its so very tempting to email them and tell them what i think...but probably not a good idea given theyve had access to my address details etc....


Anyway, I hope this has bought this type of situation to everyones attention, so if you are selling electronics, watch out for newly registered 0 feedback buyers who want you to post to Nigeria...its a scam.

[kbmum]

It's good news that eBay is doing the right thing.   Hey, $20 is a lot of money!  It would take away from your profit when you sell the phone.  I think it's best to ignore the emails from the scammers.  There's no need to call attention to yourself with these unscrupulous people.

[blackcat20]

I agree that $20 is a lot of money, though some people probably would say, hey at least its only 20bucks. Ive got my car rego due today, and things are a bit tight, so that 20 definately makes a difference.

Yep, ill continue to ignore them, not worth making them angry.