EBay is a great place to buy and sell items, but be careful when browsing its user-generated content. Many people are looking to make quick money by scamming buyers, so it’s important to be vigilant.
Being forewarned is forearmed. Knowing which eBay scams to look out for can help protect you from malicious elements that want to make a living off your money. ..
eBay Seller Scams to Avoid
Be on the lookout for any of the following eBay scams: -The seller offers a great deal, but when you buy it, you find out that it’s not what you thought it was. -The seller offers a high price for an item that is in good condition, but when you buy it, you find out that the item is not as advertised. -The seller offers to send the item to you immediately, but when you try to contact them after buying the item, they don’t respond. ..
Incorrect Name on Shipping Label
If you receive a package that is not addressed to you, mark it as wrongly delivered and return it. If the package has the correct address but the wrong name on the label, sell it to someone who will appreciate its rarity.
EBay sellers can keep money from buyers who return or refuse items, but they must sell the product again to someone else in order to get their money back. If a transaction is finalized like this, the buyer has no recourse to get their money back.
Watch Out for Empty Boxes
This year, there’s a new item in high demand that people are buying right away. It’s the empty box scam.
The item will be listed at or above market value, but the buyer will only find out the box is empty after they purchase it. If the description clearly stated the product was nothing more than an empty box, there is nothing the buyer can do. Make sure to thoroughly read the description before you buy, no matter how much you may want something. ..
Beware of “Untested” Items
The scammer will often list an item for sale at a retail price, but will state that it is “untested.” This means that the seller is likely not even capable of testing the product, let alone selling it. In most cases, this is simply a ploy to get you to buy the product without actually giving you a chance to test it.
When you encounter a product that you’re unsure of, it’s important to do your research before buying. One way to do this is by looking at the seller’s profile and reviews. If the seller has a low feedback score, it may be best to steer clear. Additionally, look at their sales history to see if they have had any successful products before.
This scam is often done through secondary accounts, where scammers buy and sell products to themselves in order to keep their feedback percentages high enough to trick buyers into thinking they’re legitimate. In cases like this, there will likely be a high number of small purchases and sales.
eBay Buyer Scams to Avoid
- The eBay seller offers a low-cost item, but then asks for a large deposit in order to start the sale.
- The eBay seller offers an expensive item, but then asks for a small deposit in order to start the sale.
- The eBay seller offers an item that is not what it seems, and asks for a large deposit in order to buy it.
Buyer Claims You Only Sent an Empty Box
The seller scam involves a person selling something they don’t actually have, often through fraudulent means. This scam can be fought back by taking photographic evidence of the entire packing and shipping process, each and every time.
The scam works like this: the buyer will accuse you of fraud and claim you only sent an empty box. You can contact eBay and appeal the dispute, but if you do not have absolutely every step of the process documented, eBay will rule in the buyer’s favor. eBay is a pro-buyer company, and this scam takes advantage of that fact.
Buyer Claims They Never Received the Item
If you’re buying something from eBay and plan to use their protection policy, be aware that you’ll need to request a signature upon delivery. This is actually required for any purchase over $750, but many sellers are not aware of this fact. ..
Make sure to track every shipment all the way up to delivery and keep documentation showing when it arrives. If you’re shipping something worth more than $750 like a computer or gaming console, make sure to require a signature upon delivery. If the person signs for the package, then they can’t claim it wasn’t delivered.
Buyer Refunds Package with a Broken Item
This scam is all too common. Someone will purchase an item like an iPhone and then claim it was broken upon delivery. They’ll ship it back with a broken iPhone inside, but it won’t be the one you sent–it will be a phone they had lying around for this exact purpose. They keep the phone and get their money back. ..
The best way to avoid this scam is to document everything you can about the item you’re selling. Look for specific serial numbers, IME numbers, and even markings on the item itself or the box. Take pictures. Have all of this information ready in case you need to dispute a refund with eBay. While it isn’t a guarantee, it gives you a better chance to fight the scammer.
