Fake eBay buyer accounts out for revenge?

[sparklyaustralia]

Hi all, I sell fashion jewellery and last night, all of a sudden I noticed that one of my popular items on eBay,  sold nearly 18 separate transactions to 15 different people (its popular but not THAT popular), almost all of the buyers from Mexico, almost all of them bought only this one item, almost all of them had their eBay accounts created yesterday and almost all of them bought within a few minutes from each other.. I'm concerned that these accounts are fake created specifically to give me negative feedback and ask for refunds once the items are sent .. here's the strange part, they all actually paid via PayPal and I received all the funds and when I escalated to eBay and PayPal they agreed it does seem suspicious but if these buyers bought and paid then I'm requested to ship out the items .. the other main issue is that my items are very cheap and I'm unable to offer tracking on them so they can very easily claim they never received ... I think it might be someone out for revenge or a competitor .. thoughts anyone?

[***super_nova***]

I had not wanted to exclude newbies from the learning experience of ebay but in view of this thread I think it definitely worth the precaution.

You do not exclude newbies, only those who for some reason do not want to get phone verified.  I have plenty of them showing in my block log, and all but one came back and placed a bid within a short time.  Just from interest, some weeks later I had a look at the one who did not go on with the phone verification; they had 4 negative comments from sellers for non-payment.  🙂 

[*sparklz*]

The verification by phone can be bypassed IF they enter their CC details as verification instead.

[phorum_junkie*]

Telling buyers that you send without tracking to keep costs down is like saying in big red letters COME SCAM ME

[joz*garage]

ive never rigged my listings for free postage (which should really be described as:- price includes postage)

i do offer my items internationally tho so interested international buyers have to contact me for a ship quote or i have to send them an invoice before they can pay.

OP, is it wise to offer worldwide shipment with free postage, or do you calculate your start price to cover for international bidders?  

[cq_tech]

I have had 3 or 4 buyers in Mexico claim non receipt of items in the last several weeks.

Really? Interesting that none of them has left negative (nor even neutral) feedback. 😐

[beach_and_home]

Is it possible the Mexico has only just started seeing Australian listings on their site? Is it possible they have only just got their own local Ebay and they are all just getting on board? Is it possible that it is just a new novelty over there all of a sudden? Has anyone looked into this?

[1sweetap6v8]

You need to protect yourself in this case think of nothing but your own protection.

Firstly there is no law that makes you sell to these people the item you can simply just say you do not want to sell because you feel its risky. BUT that does allow them to still leave feedback which is your main concern.

So what I would do is make sure that it was safe to send , In other words make the buyer pay for SOD. It does not matter if its a $1 item they will still have to pay the insured SOD mail fee.

If they do not want to pay that fee ask them if they want to do a mutually agree to end transaction, if they still do not want to pay the fee or end the transaction ask them what they want to do as its there responsiblity to collect it and you are under ebay ruling to send via SOD for insurance purposes especially internationally. Just remember if you do not send it SOD post you will be held accountable buy PayPal. Buy making this demand it places everything back in the buyers court, they either have to pay the SOD fee or renig on the transaction in both cases its not your concern but the buyers problem.

So send them an email and an invoice with the cost of SOD post and if they do not want to pay then its there problem. If they do not pay you have the right then to escalate it and get back at them and get your FVF back.

DEMAND THEY PAY INSURANCE you have no other choice and it can only work in your favour as its PayPal policy so you can not get any repercussions from it. If they leave neg feedback for it you more than likely will get it removed as its up to them to collect or pay the fee,s for the shipping. And PP demand tracking at any cost and thats the buyers problem.

As for them claiming INAD well again protect yourself from it buy videoing the packaging proceedure the item before it goes in the package as it goes in and then seal it label it and then do the same with the reciept and send it to your customer as a curtousy letter that way they know you have proof it was sent correctly and you can also give it to PP if a dispute does happen. I personally would alos video the packages being accepted buy Australia post to show they have not been tampered with after the videoing has taken place.

This is buy no means fool proof but but geez it will certainly make a lot think twice before trying any funny stuff.

[thevintageread]

I understand your concern!

Seems VERY strange doesn't it.

Can you contact the buyers and say that you are shipping their item but due to unusual demand for this product you have notified Ebay and PayPal and they are alerted for any suspicious outcome that may result from this transaction?

Might scare away scammers and it won't concern genuine buyers.