eBay Scam Alert posted by Augustus

[CSJournals-migration]

Yet another fraud on eBay

 

Back in June I sold a rare coin to an overseas buyer. In itself, this should not present a problem ... as I have done this numerous times before. I was particularly fond of this coin, it was a pop2 tied for highest grade coin with me owning both examples. I decided to sell one, and herein lies our story.

 

Problems Arise:

 

1. After buying the coin, my overseas buyer disappeared. I let this go on for 2 weeks, because I understand that desireable coins require a little bit of financing. I sent him gentle reminders along the way, but nothing ever came back.

 

2. I file a non-paying buyer dispute with eBay. With this, the buyer responds immediately. He explains that he is moving and needs to wait to set up his new address before paying for the coin.

 

3. Two more weeks go by, and he finally pays. It is July now. He requests that I ship the item to his new, unconfirmed address instead of his Paypal address. I agree. I figure I'm protected regardless.

 

4. Two days go by and he is singing like a Robin. Where is my coin?, It has been 4 weeks!, blah blah blah. The coin is already on its way. I have provided all the tracking and necessary receipts to him.

 

5. 6 weeks go by, not a peep until he sends an email asking if I've sent the coin. I say yes. I check the tracking, it has indeed arrived.

 

6. Fast forward to today. Buyer has just filed an 'item not received' case with PayPal. It is NOVEMBER 16!! 5 months later!! Apparently, PayPal allows a buyer to file a dispute up to 180 days after he pays for an item.

 

Here is the problem, Canada Post has deleted the tracking information from there system. When I enter the tracking, it says 'tracking number not valid'. In the meantime, I have had money debited from my Paypal account as the money is 'held' during the dispute.

 

So Caveat Emptor! A patient fraudster can wait months until Canada Post deletes tracking information online, and then file a dispute. Allowing him to pocket both his own money and the rare coin.

 

Below: Caligula (Treacherous Roman Emperor who betrayed his own Praetorian Guard only to later suffer at their hands!)

 

See more journals by Augustus

[Nutmeg Coin]

I'm sorry to hear of your troubles with this buyer, some people do no business out of the US due to this type of scam problem. I had a Canadian buyer try the charge back on a gold proof gold eagle, certified, sent via ebay global shipping. Paypal covered the cases fortunately. And it seems the guy was a Canadian accountant, so either someone scammed him using his information or he was thinking of trying to get something for free.

[Abuelo's Collection]

I am sorry. Few suggestions. For international shopping always use the eBay Global Shipping. Besides, always email to you the tracking information. As you know the USPS website offers the possibility of emailing you step by step until delivered. I have in a file copies of every single shipping I ever made on eBay. Last, always send insured. I do. Is more expensive but unless the coin is worth five dollars is not worth the risk. So terrible that there are people so dishonest.

[e1cnr]

what is the buyers user id?

[Neeidea]

Note that the item will not have been delivered by Canada post: try tracking it in the local country using delivery companies there - it would likely have been delivered using the same tracking reference (hopefully).

 

 

 

Side note: As a general principle I avoid GSP like the plague, not only do they open your parcels but ebay also charges you for zero duty rated items (e.g. comics); something fishy there and I have already raised this with Pitney Bowes who run GSP with ebay. Always insure items for the full value for shipping but be very carefull with GSP as it's does not seem good for buyers.

[Nutmeg Coin]

Another option if people have not opted into ebay global shipping is global registered mail; it may lessen the potential for theft and fraud.