eBay Xbox Digital Code Scammer Caught in The Act?

manbearpig on 09/12/2018 - 13:10

So I sold an Xbox game code to this guy on eBay on Friday. I specifically stated in the listing that the card would be sent by Australia Post. After the buyer purchased it, he sent an email asking if I could send him the code first, for faster access, and then send the card in the mail.

Well aware of the scams myself (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/236300), I sent the code by registered mail the day after (yesterday). I then sent him a reply saying that I cannot send codes due to scammers, and that I had sent the code by registered mail that day.

If this was a legitimate buyer, they would shrug it off as just having to wait a few extra days. However, the buyer then sent me an email saying he couldn't accept this and asked me to cancel the order (funny because he asked if I could send the code THEN send the card by mail, but now he's saying he can't accept this method). At this point, I told them him that the sealed card had already been sent, and that he could expect to receive it in a few days. I also said that returns are not accepted (as specified in the listing), so if he no longer wants it, he'll have to resell it himself.

The next reply I got was simply, 'Sorry I refund', as if he had ignored everything I just said.

From my point of view, it looks like the guy planned to scam me by redeeming the code then opening a dispute the next day before I had sent the card. But his plan was foiled, and now he's trying to get out of it.

What should I make sure I do from here to protect myself? Since I have proof of postage, will PayPal side with me if the buyer opens a dispute?

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Comments

  • garetz on 09/12/2018 - 13:24

    As long as you show it was sent and registered, then you are covered.

  • Cheeper on 09/12/2018 - 13:25

    How can he open a dispute for "change of mind?? Good luck with that.

  • bobbified on 09/12/2018 - 13:49
    +1

    There's scam buyers, but I'm sure there's scam sellers too…

    Registered mail or not, what's to stop someone from sending a used card with zero value?

    (I'm not suggesting that OP is a scammer. Just really wondering how you prove anything.. it's your word against theirs and who's side would Paypal/eBay take when there's a dispute).

    Best to just not sell it online if you dont have to.

    • manbearpig on 09/12/2018 - 15:46

      It's much easier to scam a seller than to scam a buyer. eBay is rampant with scamming buyers. Many ozbargainers have experience being scammed this way.

      I've never read anyone create a post about a seller sending a used code by registered post…

    • garetz on 09/12/2018 - 14:19
      +2

      The buyer bought a code knowing it was going to be sent by snail mail, sounds like a scammer to me. Once you send the code by email or ebay msging, then you are not covered by any protections, and you lose your money, ebay keeps all correspondence.

      • qwerty on 09/12/2018 - 15:08

        People dont read all the stuff on ebay , you dont know if its a scammer or not

      • Axelstrife on 09/12/2018 - 15:09
        -2

        I don't think you read my comment.

        What's stopping you from posting the code like you stated then when you get home from the post office mark it as sent and input the tracking number THEN message them the code so they don't have to wait days or longer for it to arrive?

        Sounds like they just thought you would be a reasonable seller and send them the code as well, you even said they said "he sent an email asking if I could send him the code first, for faster access, and then send the card in the mail."

        • manbearpig on 09/12/2018 - 15:38
          +2

          Clearly you haven't dealt with these scammers before to be so naive. It's easy to be a 'nice' guy until you get screwed over. Check my link in my original post to see my past experiences.

          Had I removed the seal, scratched the card and sent him the code, the card is then 'used'. He could then use that against me in a dispute.

          • Axelstrife on 09/12/2018 - 15:47
            -1

            @manbearpig: Used is when the code has been entered into wherever you redeem the code (not all codes come with a scratch off thing like that)
            That is why Paypal doesn't offer seller protection for digital codes like this.

            • manbearpig on 09/12/2018 - 15:50

              @Axelstrife: This particular code does have the scratchie, and it's sealed in plastic. The picture shows this.

              Even if the code hasn't been redeemed, it doesn't look good for me if the buyer receives a card that's been scratched and had the plastic removed…

              I was being cautious. I would've liked to be a 'nice' and 'reasonable' seller, but when you've dealt with these scammers before you have to look out for yourself first.

              'Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.' Know that one?

              • Quantumcat on 09/12/2018 - 15:55

                @manbearpig: It doesn't make any difference to whether they will scam you by saying the code is scratched, if you send it scratched or unscratched. They can just scratch it after they get it.

                • manbearpig on 09/12/2018 - 16:24
                  +1

                  @Quantumcat: You could say the same thing for literally any other item though. 'I ordered a physical copy of this game, but I was sent this game instead'. 'I bought this collector's card, but I was sent a piece of cardboard instead'.

                  If it comes to that, PayPal should cover it instead of siding with the buyer or the seller. If they side with the buyer, then I'll make a complaint with the FOS and get my money back that way.

                  • Quantumcat on 09/12/2018 - 16:56

                    @manbearpig: Maybe but there's no point being so careful about sending it in one piece

              • Axelstrife on 09/12/2018 - 18:57

                @manbearpig: The buyer requested the code himself so there no need for it to remain sealed.

                Since your selling a digital code there really no way to be cautious you decided to take the risk selling online like that. The way you went about using snail mail to post a digital code was completely unnecessary since the risk is exactly the same as if you messaged them the code only that you're risking getting negative feedback due to making them wait for no real reason.

                Next time try listing on Gumtree and Facebook market place both are large.

                Every digital code ive sold on eBay has luckily worked out but i listed EVERY time knowing i may loose it for no money gain.

                • manbearpig on 09/12/2018 - 19:38

                  @Axelstrife: The risk is is no way the exact same. I wouldn't call it uneccesary either. Last time I got a chargeback for a code I sent, PayPal requested proof of postage, which I didn't have because I sent the code digitally. By sending it by email, I open myself up to the 'unauthorized payment' chargeback scam, whereas by sending it by mail, I make it more difficult for the buyer.

                  We'll see what happens.

                  • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 16/12/2018 - 17:25

                    @manbearpig: I'd also assume if you opened up the code and sent it to them via ebay/email, they'd claim it then claim it was "used". As the item's been scratched and unpacked, you have no real defence against it.

                    Especially seeing as it would have to be opened before sending via post…for obvious reasons.

                    I'm on your side here. Better safe then sorry. All a legit buyer loses is having to wait a day or 2, you'd be out money if you aren't careful.

  • pegaxs on 09/12/2018 - 15:13
    +6

    Doesn’t matter. He will get the code, use it and then claim that the code was used when he went to use it. That’s what happened when I sold a code. Said it was postage only and registered. A day after it got there, I had a dispute lodged that it was a used card and no game. PayPal refunded the arsehole and I lost both my game and my money.

    All you have done is slowed down the process for the refund, not stopped it.

    If I sell digital codes now, it’s only bank deposit, postage or cash on pick up.

  • Danstar on 11/12/2018 - 10:41

    I sold 2 codes recently on ebay too. Was very sceptical on the buyers, one seemed very legit. One seemed a little dodgy as he quickly replied on wanting the code sent via message, but never replied once I sent it when I asked if it worked. But it was weeks ago, so i'm assuming i'm in the clear now

    • manbearpig on 12/12/2018 - 01:29

      I had my funds reversed a month after I sold a code before.. the buyer opened a case claiming it was an unauthorized transaction. You just never know.

      • Danstar on 12/12/2018 - 06:17

        Yeh I was thinking of closing my PayPal Account, but it's been about a month now.

  • DrLobster on 11/12/2018 - 22:51

    There are some moral ebay people out there. I too also sold a digital game with scratch panel. Buyer asked if I could scratch the panel and send the code. I did. I then went to the post office and posted the card registered post the same day to try and avoid being scammed. No issues, wasnt scammed and positive feedback left.

    • manbearpig on 12/12/2018 - 01:31

      I'd say they're in the minority.

      I sold two more codes recently. One was 3 weeks ago. I asked the buyer to confirm before sending any code via messages. He hasn't responded yet, so i haven't sent it. I expect a reversal to happen any day now.

      The other one sold yesterday, but within a few hours, it was cancelled due to being unauthorized… I hadn't send anything, so that was lucky.

      Dodgy all around.

      • DrLobster on 12/12/2018 - 01:49

        Admittedly my sample pool was one person and a low value item. I am surprised these incidences are never taken seriously and prosecuted.

    • DooDah on 14/12/2018 - 13:39

      This is exactly what I did recently, except I got scammed. I assumed it would be fine as the buyer had 1k+ feedback.

      Got the funds reversed about 3 weeks later based on unauthorised transaction. Not so annoyed about the $$'s more annoyed that I didn't know better.

  • ozdesi on 16/12/2018 - 14:32

    You will be fine as long as you have pictures of the posted item, registered post tracking code. Lodge PayPal complaint with all the proof you have.

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