|
To relay my recent experiences, Ebay is more dangerous for buyers of big ticket items than sellers.
I check the broadcast cameras from time to time and I noticed a lot of cameras and lenses were repeating. Often these images have been stolen from real listings and are complete scams for high dollar equipment. I have also come across the "second chance offer" scam a few times where somebody actually takes over another person's account and try's to re-sell their items. They send out a second chance to bid on the item like the sale fell though and re-direct the communications to their accounts. If the item is expensive, I always request a phone number to call. I figure if the person will talk to you, you have a shot at making an informed decision. Glad you avoided your scam. BTW, you can call Ebay or Pay-pal and they are very helpful. The numbers are on the site or by google search. The main thing is to only consider messages that are in your ebay account, not just your personal e-mail. Ebay always sends one to your Ebay account for verification. |
Quote:
PayPal to be very quick to respond to my concerns on the rare occasions in which I've had a problem. Based on my encounters, I would say that they do indeed care very much. Quote:
of reports about the numbers of bad transactions which are well outside their ability to suppress, available to anyone who makes the effort to look for them. Quote:
would say that they are indeed concerned about fraud after all. Once you've been refunded, you're no longer the victim. That status is then passed on, from you to Ebay / PayPal. Quote:
Ebay / PayPal has no responsibility to tell you whether they reported the seller to the authorities or not. Even if they actually told you they were not going to report the seller, they might have done so anyway. Regardless, they're under no obligation to tell you how they handled it, since you're no longer involved. Quote:
enforcement agency. Nor would Singapore's criminal investigations division want it -- they probably don't bother dusting for prints on a magazine that's been handled by who knows how many people, for a misdemeanor offense that most likely would never go to trial. Quote:
you're not the victim? Were you not rapidly refunded? Here's the documentation of two cases in which Ebay came to my aid rather quickly: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eo...-my-photo.html and http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/taking-c...eople-off.html Ebay's fast response in both instances has left me with a very good impression about how seriously committed they are to combating fraud. |
Quote:
Quote:
|
in your sellers area go to Account, Site Preferances, Buyer Requirements, select SHOW, then EDIT.
and select away all the STUFF you dont want. Here is mine BLOCK Don't have a PayPal account Have received 2 Unpaid Item strike(s) within 12 Month(s). Are registered in countries to which I don't ship Have 4 Policy Violation report(s) within 6 Month(s). Have a feedback score of -1 or lower Are currently winning or have bought 5 of my items in the last 10 days and have a feedback score of 5 or lower You cant set it to excessivly restrictive, but at least you can set it so the constant scammers cant even bid on your auctions. Also while your there check out some other things Payment from buyers - Allow buyers to edit payment totals (NO) Shipping preferences - Exclude shipping locations from your listings and always File an Unpaid against any buyer who doesnt ever pay , give the slow pokes time, NARU the crooks Always Block any buyer you have trouble with, like any buyers that really ticked you off. |
Quote:
The fact that Ebay is online is irrelevant it's a straightforward mail order fraud. Ebay/PayPal have all the information available to them e.g. address & bank account details of the fraudster plus details of all the other fraudulent transactions from that individual. That's why they need to report these crimes to the authorities because unlike the individual victim they have access to the bigger picture. Whether Ebay/PayPal do involve the authorities or not they certainly don't do themselves any favours by their lack of transparency. The suspicion is that in order to make Ebay/PayPal attractive to buyers & sellers they actually do all in their power to minimise reports of the numbers of fraudulent transactions by brushing it under the carpet so people won't be scared off using their service. |
There very much is a difference of law between Europe and the US, some times for the better, other times, not so. And realistically, no ebay transaction is going to get investigated by any police force in the US. There just isn't the manpower for the prosecution to investigate all the cross border legalities of each fraudulent transaction. This is of course not ideal. But having the service is better than not having it.
|
Re: Ebay question (0% feedback buyer)
I just had a 3 day auction that was won by a high bidder. I sent an invoice and the buyer sent a message asking for more pictures of the camera and asking me to verify my paypal address. I simply responded for the buyer to pay by clicking the PAy Now button. I've not heard another word and this was 5 days ago and no payment...I opened a resolution case yesterday - had to wait 4 days after the sell time and now have to wait another 4 days until I can stop the sell - which at this point I'd love to do now!! The address is GA. USA and the name looks to be very Nigerian sounding on the surface which is fine.....but I've been burned before by folks bidding and then never paying....It wastes my time and energy. Ebay is very pro buyer and honest sellers are bit from time to time.....I think bottom line - I'll not be using eBay after this.
|
Re: Ebay question (0% feedback buyer)
Sorry to hear this. eBay is indeed slanted to the buyer, after all that drives their business model. The biggest red flags are any deviation in payment type / method. If they aren't willing to process with PayPal and do so promptly, then doing what you did is the best way to go. File the complaint, go through their hoops. :-/
|
Re: Ebay question (0% feedback buyer)
Got a related question - I opened a resolution case almost 4 days ago - have to wait 4 days after the case initiation before I can "Close the case". What does this mean? I've read and re read the eBay help file and know that tomorrow morning I can "Close the case".
I've sent two emails to the buyer but have received no response at all. Is the "buyer" who is not paying for his winning bid setting me up? I want to cancel the sale at this point to sale to a friend anyway so I'm trying to go through the proper channels and I'd love to see the crook on the other side have a little negative feedback because bidding, winning and then not paying is not cool. When I "Close the case" tomorrow morning what does this do exactly?? What is the resolution case but waiting for time to pass? |
Re: Ebay question (0% feedback buyer)
I had a bad buy experience where the vendor simple did not send the items. The eBay/Paypal resolution system just did not work. It was a sub $400 transaction so probably would be regarded as a less unaffordable loss in amongst the background noise of bigger ticket transactions.
I have since bought through eBay after a boycott of about five months but would never sell via eBay in a fit. |
Re: Ebay question (0% feedback buyer)
Quote:
The second auction for the same phone was won by some person in Florida who accidentally won the auction and decided she wasn't interested in the phone after all. I filed a dispute, she paid, and I shipped. I was dealing with all of this and getting ready for Air Force basic training at the same time. It was pretty irritating. |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:37 PM. |
DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2025 The Digital Video Information Network