2. best-of
  3. 125621-2971

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
audiofreak32's avatar
audiofreak32
281 posts
 
I sold a set of speaker cables just recently to someone that was from Vietnam, but wanted the item sent to his friend in California.  I agreed, he sent the PayPal payment and I mailed his package USPS Priority with tracking.  I also even took photos of the package with address and the item in the package.  After a week or so, he says that his friend did not get the package and made a claim on PP.  So I replied to the claim with a lengthy reply to PP along with the tracking number and photos I had taken.  I also included a photo of the e-mail where he had asked me to send to XXX address.  PayPal sided with him anyway and I was out $250. 

PayPal = POOP
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
Even locals like to practice paypal chargeback.
It’s the scammer’s favorite schema using their pal.
Dealing with payment processors or payment processing companies is identical to the boxing ring where you must protect yourself at all times and keep your hands up or you’ll get the blow at any unexpected time.
I have about 6 paypal accounts linked to the generic prepaid card banks so to make sure I’m covered. If anyone provides to paypal their personal bank, they must be out of their minds, because hackers get through paypal all the time to grab your personal info. I always retrieve paypal funds ASAP after payment is received to the different paypal account via friends-family transfer. if they want to place one of my accounts negative due to the scam, i’ll let them do it and ignore forget all the communication.
So I'm charge-back proof. If I loose one of paypal accounts I use, I won't regret and I'll be all right.
jea48
4,446 posts
 
Sold item must be sent to the buyer’s verified address listed on the PayPal account. Period.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Wow what a sad story!!

czarivey
5,946 posts
 
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.

More to discover