Suspecting a fraud - Is buyer trying to buy my item, keep it, claim its fake and get money back?

[geisha1920]

Hello,

I am selling a wallet from a luxury brand (rather unknown in Australia) which is an authentic one.

I have received several messages from a seller asking me to buy it right now - outside of ebay.

I declined and the person offered more money..I declined..I was not keen to meet up at night time (strange).

Now the person has messaged me saying that she knows that this is a fake (I know its 100% authentic).

Why would they even message to say that? Seems as if they are still keen to buy it.

I have googled a bit and found that this is a common scam.. Buyer buys items, says its fake, gets money back from paypal and keeps item.

Is there anyway I can prevent this?

What are my options? The auction ends tomorrow night.

I am thinking about cancelling the auction and selling on a different platform or another time. 

[lyndal1838]

Do you have any verifiable proof that it is authentic?

A receipt from the store you bought it from perhaps?  As long as you can prove it is authentic you should have no problem.

You made a good call not to sell off ebay....there is a seller who got caught out when it was not really her fault  and had her selling priviledges suspended for a week.

I suspect the person who contacted you may try to bid with another account and then try to get a refund by saying it is a fake.  She wants it cheap and if you would not sell it off ebay she will try another tactic.

[*tippy*toes*]

Unfortunately, with a high end item and having low feedback, you're going to attract scammers. You did the right thing refusing to sell. I am not sure there is any way to stop someone claiming fake unless you have some proof that the item is genuine. There is a high risk a buyer will claim fake, so they get the item for free. It goes on more than what we realise.

I don't have any suggestions other than putting that buyer on your blocked bidder list. http://offer.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?BidderBlockLogin

I would also set up buyer requirement blocks if you haven't already. It can help stop non paying bidders, overseas buyers and buyers that aren't phone verified. A lot of scammers open new accounts and don't phone verify. http://offer.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?BuyerBlockPreferences

To block overseas buyers, tick all the boxes here (except the PO box option). Select to apply to current listings and apply http://cgi5.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ExcludeShippingList

[rocket2retro]

Unless you have some absolute proof that it is genuine (that you can show eBay in the event of a claim by the buyer), eBay will find in favour of the buyer.

It is fair enough as there are a lot of sellers selling fakes (not always the buyer that's the scammer).

Due to eBay invariably finding in favour of buyers under the money back guarantee (and PayPal ridiculous 180 day returns policy),  I now never sell anything on eBay of more value than I'm prepared to lose.

[phorum_junkie*]

..I was not keen to meet up at night time

I would imagine that would mean they would be paying with cash so no problem about claims and authenticity matters. I know you shouldn't sell off ebay but if it is a cash sale and you took at least one other person with you to meet up in a public place I can't see how that would be a scam.

Unless you do have a receipt from an authorised re-seller I would not advise selling on ebay, perhaps try gumtree or FB for a local buyer, a specialist auction house or a consignment store.

[springyzone]

I was thinking the same, PJ.

If the person paid cash in an off ebay sale, they would have no come back.

I would be extremely careful though about meeting up with someone at night unless it was in a crowded spot, maybe a shopping centre or cafe. And I would have a couple of friends with me. I actually think in this case it is just as well the item wasn't sold this way as there is a danger out in the open that the person can just run off with the item. It happened to the son of a friend of mine. On their front porch, no less.

This buyer though is one to be wary of. Why would they write they think something is fake when they haven't even seen it?

If it is quite valuable and you have no proof of authenticity, I'd pull the ad & sell elsewhere.

[geisha1920]

Thanks everyone.

I have a european ebay account with over 400 positive reviews but cannot sync the two. I have blocked the person now and she just messaged me that she is still keen to buy it.

It just sounds odd. I guess they want to meet up to confuse me by insisting its fake and then try to get it cheaper. 

I will cancel the auction and keep it or sell it elesewhere. I guess ebay is not the right place to sell it.

[many*splendid*things]

Good move removing it from sale -sounds a bit dodgy what you're dealing with.

I'd never advertise for pickup on items small enough to post unless it could be arranged for a busy third party work address or similar (ideally with security vision) - maybe even the local cop shop. And I don't think I'd be comfortable with potential buyer's coming around to my house 'to have a look' either (unless it's big stuff like furniture) in which case having the item in the car port or garage would be preferable - providing you don't also have expensive power tools etc on display in there also. It's just an invitation to having your house cased in my opinion, especially if it's something valuable you're selling (and that there could be other valuables in the same league at your address).