A question for the E-Bay veterans

[roadrash]

Hey folks...

First, let's establish one thing... I should have read the auction terms more thoroughly. So, yeah... I was lazy and now I'm in a bit of a dilemma because of it.

OK... I recently won the E-Bay auction for an item that I've been wanting for my car. After the auction was over, I realized that they didn't accept PayPal, and the item doesn't qualify for the E-bay buyer protection plan. The Seller requested "check, money order, or cashier's check" (yes, that's specified in the ad) and said that they'd ship the item when my check clears. I asked if we could use PayPal, but they don't have an account.

This makes me uncomfortable because once I mail the check, I have no 3rd party to help me recover my money if the item isn't as described, or just doesn't show up.

So, my question is... is there some other way to recover my money if something goes wrong? Am I missing something obvious?

I don't mind getting negative E-Bay feedback if I back out of the deal, so I can back out if there's no other way to "insure" my purchase.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks!

JMJ

[L84THSKY]

You can start off by posting the link to the auction. How much money are we talking about? Does the seller seem trustworthy? Why do you think you might not like it? I've paid by check before, no big deal.

Originally Posted by roadrash

Hey folks...

First, let's establish one thing... I should have read the auction terms more thoroughly. So, yeah... I was lazy and now I'm in a bit of a dilemma because of it.

OK... I recently won the E-Bay auction for an item that I've been wanting for my car. After the auction was over, I realized that they didn't accept PayPal, and the item doesn't qualify for the E-bay buyer protection plan. The Seller requested "check, money order, or cashier's check" (yes, that's specified in the ad) and said that they'd ship the item when my check clears. I asked if we could use PayPal, but they don't have an account.

This makes me uncomfortable because once I mail the check, I have no 3rd party to help me recover my money if the item isn't as described, or just doesn't show up.

So, my question is... is there some other way to recover my money if something goes wrong? Am I missing something obvious?

I don't mind getting negative E-Bay feedback if I back out of the deal, so I can back out if there's no other way to "insure" my purchase.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks!

JMJ

[96cali]

Tell him you'll throw in another $20 if he/she sets up a PP account or agrees to go through an escrow service.The other option is to ask a site member from here to go pick up the item or check them out before. Are you worried about their condition or just not receiving goods?

In general you can tell a lot about them from correspondence and how willing they are to share their personal info. I know it seems dicey but most ebay deals go fine even if people have an emergency and paying $ for a cupie doll takes a back seat. Don't forget ebay itself has a resolution center which deos not get your $ back but it's something.

Good luck!

[roadrash]

This is the auction. Money: $201 plus about $100 shipping, so $300 total.

The thing that made me suspicious is that a few days ago I read something on E-Bay saying that scammers often hid the identities of other bidders so that they could use shills to jack up the purchase price. Other than that, I don't have any particular reason to doubt the seller. And of course, I just noticed this fine print at the top of the auction page... " Other members can no longer view User IDs and will see anonymous names, such as Bidder 1."

Maybe I'm just being paranoid. But, paranoia aside... do I have any other recourse if there's an issue after I've sent my check? I know that E-Bay has some sort of arbitration system, but I don't think that would be much help.

Thanks for the feedback!

JMJ

[L84THSKY]

That isn't his doing, Ebay started that. It's to stop people from trying to contact the next highest bidder with scams to offer the same product for less.

Originally Posted by roadrash

" Other members can no longer view User IDs and will see anonymous names, such as Bidder 1."



JMJ

[roadrash]

Originally Posted by 96cali

Tell him you'll throw in another $20 if he/she sets up a PP account or agrees to go through an escrow service.The other option is to ask a site member from here to go pick up the item or check them out before.

I thought about both of those. I'll offer the bounty for them setting up a PayPal account when I write this evening. Hmmm... I wonder if we have a member in/near Arroyo Grande, CA?

The seller has agreed to take more photos before shipping them. This will give me evidence of their pre-shipping condition if I need to file a damage claim with UPS.

So, yeah... I guess I'm being paranoid because I finally found a replacement for the chrome albatross that's hanging around the neck of my poor car, and I'm afraid that it's too good to be true. LOL

[Tyler]

His feedback is at 100% and has been a member for several years, i'd just go for it. I haven't sold anyhting on ebay before but i did sell shocks and springs to another member on here. He sent me a money order and once i got it i sent him his stuff.

[marleymon]

i'd go for it with a check, that way there's a paper trail if things go bad (a court needed).... however from the looks of the seller's account..... you will be ok.

nice wheels....no paypal is why you got the great price.

[aceyx]

Fraud using a postal money order is a federal offense.

I NEVER send a personal check. The buyer then has your bank account number.

[tastade]

If his feedback is 99%+ and nothing else has changed lately (like his user ID), you are relatively safe paying him with whatever payment. Just go to a your bank, a gas station, grocery store, post office, or about anywhere and get a money order (some sellers prefer post office or bank money orders). They cost about $0.50.

I never used to accept PayPal as a seller because they charge sellers 3% + $0.35 in fees. That ends up eating into profits fairly bad. The only reason I started taking PayPal was that items generally sold for at least that much more, and I imagine 90% of the people pay with PayPal now. I have even had a few people pay with cash, but that is probably the least safe method of payment.

If you feel unsafe, request "certified mail" when you send it, that requires the receiver of the money to sign and the signature is retained online (proving they received a letter from you). This adds about $2 to the cost of sending the letter.

[96cali]

Originally Posted by roadrash

I guess I'm being paranoid because I finally found a replacement for the chrome albatross that's hanging around the neck of my poor car, and I'm afraid that it's too good to be true. LOL

I can hear him laughing at you now- you better find him, kill him and take the wheels as a preventative measure against internet humiliation. Do it. We won't tell.

[larryn]

I agree with the others. The seller wouldn't risk his stellar rating for a $300 scam.

[ATF]

I don't blame him for not accepting PayPal. He's got 100+ feedback and plenty of sales, I'd say it would be safe sending him a Postal MO.

[zboot]

ditto - postal money order is your best option. You have the most legal recourse if something goes wrong. Then again, if you don't mind having an unpaid item strike for the next 30 days. . .

[pdxmotorhead]

FYI Postal money orders can also be retrieved by the postal service if your willing to take the time if something did go wrong...

Dave