@mark82au wrote:
I'm having the same problem now whilst trying to sell a PS4 PRO in Australia. Everyone wants one atm as were all in lock down and many are selling for more than RRP, there's no brand new stock coming into the country and everyone is selling them on eBay trying to cash in.
I'm now on my third attempt at selling mine on auction after the first two auctions fell through as a result of fake bidders. I suspect the same thing is happening to me as did with you back in 2014 except the fake bidders are either other sellers sabotaging competitors accounts or.....Buyers creating multiple accounts, bidding on multiple PS4's at the same time and when all auctions are complete they just purchase the cheapest and disregard the rest.
I've found all these fake bidders seems to have brand new accounts and an eBay score of less than 5. They also have very generic account names like a random name or word then -1 or -2 for example. I got into a live chat with eBay and they seem to give zero **bleep**s.The only solution i've found is to set all buyer requirements to the strictest settings possible and cancel all fake bids as they come in.
My general rule of thumb is, if the bidders account was created in whatever the current month is and/or they don't have a little coloured star next to their user name its fake. Cancel bid and block immediately!
Not having a star doesn't mean they are fake. It just means they have less than 10 feedback.
I have recently sold quite a few items to buyers that have only just created their account that day, or within the previous few days. Some were auctions, some were buy it now. They all paid immediately and have all received their items.
If they win the auction and don't pay, make sure you open an unpaid dispute to give them a strike and to get your fees back. I wouldn't be quick to block any new accounts. That's just silly. Remember, you started with 0 feedback. Imagine if every seller you tried to buy from blocked you?
