Am I about to be eBay scammed?

[bluewolf]

Last week I sold a few bits on eBay. The last to go was a set of Titleist irons. They finished on Monday night and up until Wednesday there was no contact from the buyer. On Wednesday morning I received a message saying that he would pay in a few days. Im in no rush so messaged back that it wouldn't be a problem. This morning I received another message stating that he was having trouble with Paypal and would a cheque or cash on pick up be OK (Pick up was never going to work really as there is a fair distance between us).

Now, Im not the suspicious type, but I did check a few things, such as his feedback (plenty bought/sold, but nothing in the last 18 months.), His address (registered to a genuine business). The name on the eBay account is the name on the business details and matches with the name on his first message. HOWEVER, the second message has a different name on it. Ive messaged back that a cheque would be fine but that he would have to wait until it cleared before the irons would be sent.

Am I being overly suspicious when thinking that the person could be waiting to see if I send the irons before payment has cleared?

THanks for your advice...

 

[Phil2511]

Best to be safe rather than sorry. I would do the same.

 

[AmandaJR]

I'd be suspicious for sure and definitely wait for cleared funds in your account before sending the goods.

 

[stevelev]

I would ask him to pay by western union or explain that you will only send when the cheque has cleared.

Better to be honest and make sure you're not the one to lose out.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I think if you wait till the cheque clears you are OK, sounds to me like you are right to be a bit suspicious. A friend of mine sold a car on ebay to someone in Nigeria who asked her to ship it and he would refund the cost. When she refused, he then sent a "bankers draught" that looked like it was printed on toilet paper so she still didn't ship it. She never heard from the buyer again.

 

[brendy]

Did you have many other bids on the clubs?
Id offer them back up for sale/relist.

 

[bluewolf]

Did you have many other bids on the clubs?
Id offer them back up for sale/relist.

Had a few offers. I'll give him a few days to get back to me then i'll either relist (I like selling on eBay, it's fun to watch.) or go to 2nd chance..

 

[bluewolf]

I may have scared him off though, as I did use both of his names on my response..

Dear xxx/xxx

I think he might get the message.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Most people do Internet banking, tell him to make a payment or wait till chq clears
Otherwise you are at risk

 

[DappaDonDave]

Wtf is a cheque?...in my 24 years on this planet I've never felt compelled to write a bloody cheque! PayPal has never skipped a beat, I'd be cautious!

 

[sydney greenstreet]

I always use paypal, and almost all I have bought from prefer this as it also covers the buyer. If I was to sell something on ebay I would never dream of posting until the money was in my account.

 

[Jon321]

As everyone has already said. Don't post them till money is either in your bank and cleared or in your PayPal and your fine. There are some awkward people on eBay so you'll just have to wait and see.

 

[CMAC]

The op has clearly stated he's waiting on payment to clear first before sending, therefore I can't see how you will be scammed!

 

[bluewolf]

I'm not actually worried about not receiving the money, I was concerned that it may be a tactic to delay the whole process, hoping that I'll send out the clubs before the money has cleared. People who are a bit less experienced may fall for this tactic. Or, is there something I have missed that I could still fall for.

 

[Whee]

Just stick 'em in the post would you?

Bernard/Harold

 

[bluewolf]

Will do mate. It'll have to be tomorrow though as I'm just sorting out a bank transfer for a Nigerian prince.

 

[Andy808]

If he does send a cheque, check with your bank when it will be fully cleared. I have heard of cheque being stopped AFTER they have cleared.

 

[HNewby]

The guy does sound quite dodgy!

 

[DavyW]

Re list the product...better to be safe than sorry

 

[CMAC]

If he does send a cheque, check with your bank when it will be fully cleared. I have heard of cheque being stopped AFTER they have cleared.

how does that work then?