Am I being scammed ?

[aussierayli]

I purchased a graphic card on ebay from a complete new seller (no feedback and transaction). I paid immediately via paypal. 

Today I got a message from him that saying '' I am new to ebay and as new seller the funds you have transferred may not be avaliable to me for a max of 21 days. I will keep in constant contract with you to keep you up to date about the shipping'' 

Then I started to worry.  for whoever buys stuff from a new seller, buyer needs to wait for the funds accepted so the seller will ship? I dont understand.  normally I paid and then the seller shipped. how come this time is different? 

I asked him about the shipping then the seller repied ''I can assure you that the order is not in progress it has not been ordered for movement from the supplier and when the funds on PayPal have been accepted rather than pending I will ship the graphic card''

should i report it as a scam? 

[maranock · Accepted solution]

As a new seller they may not be aware that the funds are in their account even if they have no access to it for the time being and so they should post immediately. You will have to message them with this information and that when delivery has been confirmed by tracking info and your feedback then they can call Paypal to have the funds released.

If they won't come to the pary you could suggest that they come to the boards so that they can get the relevant information from the experienced posters here, or you can ask for a refund/cancellation of the purchase.

[padi*0409 · Accepted solution]

It's not really a scam as all new sellers have to wait 21 days or until they can show tracking as delivered or feedback left for the item.

BUT they should not hold your item for 21 days and then send it, you would be perfectly within your rights to open a case with Paypal for "item not delivered" if the estimated delivery date passes.

[kopenhagen5 · Accepted solution]

Send a message to the seller explaining the hold is between PayPal and a new seller, the buyer is still expected by eBay to receive the item within the estimated delivery time. In other words the seller is required to post it within their handling time irrespective of PayPal holds or not.

[aussierayli]

Thanks for reply. now here comes tricky things. the seller replied me he will ship my item but cant guarantee the delivery by 30/3 which is the ETOA and may be as late as 14/4 . however, ebay is showing my item is shipped and ETOA is 30/3. I dont why he said the item has not been shipped but ebay tells me it has. you think I should wait until 30/3 or 14/4 ? he said he can refund me and cancel the deal

[aussierayli]

Thanks for reply.  now here comes tricky things. the seller replied me he will ship my item but cant guarantee the delivery by 30/3 which is the ETOA and may be as late as 14/4 . however,  ebay is showing my item is shipped and ETOA is 30/3.   I dont why he said the item has not been shipped but ebay tells me it has.  you think I should wait until 30/3 or 14/4 ? he said he can refund me and cancel the deal 

[digital*ghost]

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@aussierayli wrote:

I asked him about the shipping then the seller repied ''I can assure you that the order is not in progress it has not been ordered for movement from the supplier and when the funds on PayPal have been accepted rather than pending I will ship the graphic card''

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Sounds to me like your seller is dropshipping the products (this is a common practice, where a customer orders from the retailer, and then the retailer orders from the wholesaler, getting them to ship to the customer directly).

In the past, a seller could start selling this way with no previous history and simply use the payments they receive from buyers immediately to order the goods from the wholesaler. Now, due to the fund holds eBay / PayPal have implemented, sellers really should have some working capital to start up so that they can make the orders without delay (prompt shipping and receipt of the goods can sometimes get the funds released earlier, so it's in the seller's best interests to ship straight away). 

I'm guessing they didn't realise they wouldn't have access to the funds straight away and think this is the correct way to handle it, which it really isn't and they will probably find many buyers won't appreciate the extended wait, even if willing to do so.

So, just in my personal opinion, probably not a scam, but definitely a poorly researched, planned and executed instance on the seller's part, and not really acceptable practice. 

[digital*ghost · Accepted solution]

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@aussierayli wrote:

he said he can refund me and cancel the deal 

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That would tend to indicate the item has not been shipped (not many (if any) sellers would refund for an item they've just sent out, giving the buyer the opportunity to get a free item). The info about fund holds advise sellers to ship quickly etc, to get the funds released earlier, so they may be trying to access the funds by updating the order status.

Now, if you do have the patience to wait it out and see if you receive the card, you have 30 days after eBay's ETA in which to open an eBay request for item not received, and 180 days from the date of payment with PayPal. 

[aussierayli]

Thanks so much for your useful information! now I understood what he might be trying to do. lets say I dont mind to wait. but will I still be protected by ebay if I cannot receive my item eventually, maybe 1 month delay without opening a case?

[digital*ghost]

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@aussierayli wrote:
. lets say I dont mind to wait. but will I still be protected by ebay if I cannot receive my item eventually, maybe 1 month delay without opening a case?

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Yes - if eBay's latest estimated arrival date is 30th March, you will have until around the 29th of April to open an eBay request, (and much longer to open a PayPal dispute).