my very first scammer!

[saarzi]

ok, sold a top on the 2 Jan. (aus post closed 1-5 jan).

Today, buyer says it hasnt turned up, asks for tracking number. The item has only been in transit for max 5 days.

It clearly says in the postage description this is standard shipping, not parcel or registered, so theres no tracking.

Happy to give him a refund...... 

But then I notice his name on his Paypal account is the same name as a gamer personality who is a bit of a magnet for 30 yr olds with neckbeards who live in their mothers basements playing games all day long.....  coincidence. Its not a "normal" name.

Then I notice, his Paypal account is a P.O. box - Paypal stopped accepted P.O. boxes a while ago, didnt they? fair enough - he has an old Paypal account.

Then I notice, his Ebay account is brand new, opened the day before the purchase. zero feedback.  Old paypal account with new Ebay Id? AND coincidence gamer name with new Ebay ID?  nope.

Im thinking either -

1. The item he brought is less than $17. But - what a fantastic way to scam sellers. No one pays attention to low priced items... most would just refund to avoid a defect. Scam.

OR

2. Fake name was a dumb idea on his part, and the post office wants photo ID to collect the item and he doesnt have it.

My question is - are we able in some way to request Ebay and Paypal to verify the buyers photo ID, proving it matches whats on the address, prior to providing a refund?   seems reasonable to me.

[saarzi]

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@digital*ghost wrote:

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 Fake name is ultimately irrelevant, unless you send person to person (which means only the person named as the addressee can sign for it). Even if registered, there is no requirement for the person named as the addressee to sign, only proof that they have the authority to receive or collect (which is why anyone at an address can sign for a package...unless a person to person service has been used).

You won't be able to oblige eBay or PayPal to request a buyer's photo ID, and as others have mentioned, the buyer is not necessarily the recipient of a purchase, so not matching isn't going to prove much. .

You could request their contact information (they'll receive yours in return), if you want to, and you'll receive their eBay registered details. 

plus letting them know what I'm able to do about it, and when (this includes lodging a formal investigation with Australia Post, and options for refund / replacement - I make sure to let them know I need to pass on all of the adressee  details to Australia Post so that they can conduct the investigation, after which AP will use their internal records to both try and locate the package and look into any processing issues, and that they may try to contact them during the course of the investigation - let them know you're happy to update them on the progress of the investigation as and when AP update you - and do follow through with lodging one 😉 -  it isn't unusual for packages to arrive not long after I've explained all this to the buyer). 

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THANKYOU! i was beginning to think I was speaking a different language.... :s

I didnt realise it was only the authority to pick up the parcel. but final idea is good.

I have been nice to the guy, suggested he check with the post office to see if they have it first (this has happened a few times, they forgot the put the "pick up" card in buyers boxes), and wait a few more days due to the holiday.. and awaiting his reply.

It was really his name (which is the exact same name as a programmer guy who only gamers would know, and its a very unusual name), and the fact that his ID was only opened the day before, and that he also had a PO box, and that his very first buy goes missing, that made me suspicious. Just all seems like a bit of a coincidence.

[cherry*135]

Fake name was a dumb idea on his part, and the post office wants photo ID to collect the item and he doesnt have it.

No, if the parcel wasn't covered for at an extra cost to sender for signature on delivery, etc.. then AP staff don't ask for ID before collection for a P O Box.

I can sign, with my id shown (not that they ask for it as they know me),  for any person the parcel is  addressed to with my PO Box as the address.

Haven't had any sent by person to person.

[peri-landlubber]

My primary address is a PO box & always has been, as I have no street address for mail.  The PO address is on both Paypal & eBay.

[saarzi]

I emailed this guy and said I was happy to refund, but said it might be worth waiting a few more days for it to arrive due to the AP holiday (1st jan - 5 jan). I also said refund would be pending the result of an investigation by AP, as they may still find the item.

He did not reply to my email at all and gave me a negative, saying no tracking (he knows it was never offered) and no item.

When someone has obviously suspicious name on his shipping address, has zero feedback, says item hasnt arrived only 5 days after it was sent and asks for a refund... theres obviously an issue. No purchases at all, yet he certainly knows his way around Ebay.

[lizzy6107]

Curious about postage..

I see that the postage cost on the item is $5.50

I am just wondering, how did you post it for $5.50?

I post large letters, $2.10 or $3.50 or the cheapest for a satchel, $7.20

How do you do it for $5.50

You could register an envelope for that price?

[digital*ghost]

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@gtx305 wrote:

He did not reply to my email at all and gave me a negative, saying no tracking (he knows it was never offered) and no item.

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Sorry to see that 😞

Good reply, though, at least it shows you're willing to help resolve and shouldn't deter many.