eBay/Gumtree Selling Newbie - Am I Getting Scammed?

howtothriftpls on 03/07/2020 - 15:12

I've received a couple messages on my ebay/gumtree listings where the buyer claimed it was a gift for a family member and asked me to ship the item to another state (or even country). When they asked to pay via Paypal I straight up refused because I heard they can claim their money back if it's shipped to an address different to the one listed on their Paypal account (can anyone verify this and clarify how it works?), but sometimes they offer to pay via bank transfer. Is it safe to accept payment via bank transfer if I wait for the money to clear first?

I also noticed that all the people who message me are using accounts that were recently made, which further added to my suspicion.

General Discussion

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Comments

  • CyberMurning on 03/07/2020 - 15:16
    +7

    yes scam.. move on…

    only cash only face to face. FULL STOP NO BUT

    dont worry about others just dont accept

  • rb123 on 03/07/2020 - 15:17
    +2

    Scam

  • kahn on 03/07/2020 - 15:20
    +5

    Add a note to your ad that reads "no scammers, please".

    • mbck on 03/07/2020 - 15:25
      +9

      Oh yeah that's an unbreakable spell

      • dizzle on 03/07/2020 - 16:05

        It's pretty straight forward. That would hold up in court wouldn't it?

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 03/07/2020 - 15:23
    +1

    Scam.

  • DannyC on 03/07/2020 - 15:26
    +3

    SCAM for sure. Gumtree always do cash on pickup, in a secure area with cameras (like a bank or a public office foyer) and just be cautious of meeting at your house for pickup unless it is a large item like a fridge or sofa. Thieves usually target high value small items like phones or laptops etc. From personal experience I didn't follow some of these rules and have been robbed once by 2 blokes.

    Another scam is that they say they are in a major rush and will bank transfer the $$ to you and they fake the receipt of funds, and they want you to send it to a PO Box.

    CASH is KING!

    • howtothriftpls on 03/07/2020 - 15:43

      Am I still at risk even if i take bank transfer and wait for funds to clear first?

      • DannyC on 03/07/2020 - 15:45

        Yes, it needs to clear your bank account ALWAYS first. Anything before there is a risk.

        • howtothriftpls on 03/07/2020 - 15:47
          -1

          But if it clears first, and then I send it, I should be fine right?

          • DannyC on 03/07/2020 - 15:55
            +1

            @howtothriftpls: If the $ was transferred to your bank and it is CLEARED your account, you should be good. Via gumtree i've sent people items to people interstate before, and they have paid via bank transfer and I didn't have a issue. I would be more concerned for the buyer, sending funds to someone you haven't seen in person nor the item. Again just use your common sense to feel out if a buyer is legit. As I said before cash on meetup is what gumtree was designed for.

  • Drakesy on 03/07/2020 - 16:25
    +1

    Don't touch it.

  • cille745 on 03/07/2020 - 16:31
    +1

    I've only allowed bank transfer if its bank to bank and I get a photo of their license beforehand, but honestly not worth the risk

  • Blue Cat on 03/07/2020 - 17:53
    +1

    CASH ON PICKUP ONLY
    Anything else is a scam.

  • cheaplee on 03/07/2020 - 17:58
    +1

    I would probably be happy with cash that has cleared in my account, video of myself dropping it in a post box with the address visible and the package tracked.

    If they get your money back from the bank, which I think would be quite difficult for them to do, you would have all the proof you need that the item was posted to the address they provide and auspost said it got there.

    Make sure it is clear any issues after postage are not your issues.

    EDIT
    It's definitely a scam though

  • ibuy on 04/07/2020 - 00:46
    +2

    If you have setup your Gumtree account to accept payments from Paypal and send the buyer an invoice via the Gumtree app there is no buyer protection.

    Please see here

    https://www.paypal.com/au/smarthelp/article/how-do-i-pay-for….

    You will need to link your Paypal account to your Gumtree account for this to happen.

    If the buyer asks you for to issue an invoice via Paypal DIRECT to their email address then they WILL HAVE paypal protection. So be careful how you accept payments.

    Note that regardless of the paypal method you end up bearing the fees.

    The buyer can still opt to have the item send to another address so long as they setup the address in paypal and select that address when processing payment.

    Note, having said the above, I used to have multiple overseas addresses on Paypal as I operate a reshipper account that sends my purchases in the USA to a USA address that consolidates the my purchases. If your account is now setup as an Australian Paypal account then you can't add USA addresses directly to the account. After a lengthy (if somewhat also heated) discussion with Paypal, the only option was to setup a USA paypal account using the USA address I have so I can continue to have items sent from small sellers in the US. Paypal apparently doesn't believe that a person can live in two countries, dual residency just isn't in their system.

    So your safest bet is normally bank deposit. However the buyer is relying on your honesty and not all sellers are honest and send the goods you saw or send the goods in the condition you saw. This can make buyers less likely to buy.

  • Travis J on 04/07/2020 - 01:37

    Try Western Union, Nigerian Prince's payment of choice. Can't go wrong with that.

    • Forfiet on 04/07/2020 - 10:59

      I hear he has good taste in music…. throw a few itunes cards in too….

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