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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is this a scam

43 replies

Ithinkitsenoughnow · 26/08/2022 20:57

I have absolutely no idea what the angle is here/how it’s a scam but this feels quite dodgy…please advise as you guys all know about these things:

I have been trying to buy a pair of shoes for ages which are out of stock. Found the pair brand new in box on eBay. Bought them. Immediately get an email saying the seller wants my number to arrange delivery. I think it’s a bit odd so say I don’t want to
give my number. They say there’s a strike so they want to arrange. They send me their number so I text them mine. He calls (I expected a woman as they are women’s shoes but it’s a man) and he says he lives near me and can meet me tomorrow at the station with the shoes/he’s cancelled the order via ebay so the money will be in my account again/I can check.

scam?! Nice bloke?! Does he now have my address?? He has 6 positive customer ratings on eBay tbf.

OP posts:
cathol · 26/08/2022 20:59

Do you want to meet a strange man who has your phone number for him to seep you a pair of ladies shoes?

chillipenguin · 26/08/2022 21:00

You're happy to wait for postage.

Although tbh I wouldn't want them having my address. Also if you don't go through pay pal it's well dodgy.

Ithinkitsenoughnow · 26/08/2022 21:01

cathol · 26/08/2022 20:59

Do you want to meet a strange man who has your phone number for him to seep you a pair of ladies shoes?

I would send DH but even still I think it’s a bit off and I don’t want to send DH to a bad situation. Equally this person now has mi address and lives locally or am I overreacting and it’s fine?

OP posts:
Vapeyvapevape · 26/08/2022 21:01

I wouldn't be meeting a man I didn't know just for a pair of shoes.

Ithinkitsenoughnow · 26/08/2022 21:01

chillipenguin · 26/08/2022 21:00

You're happy to wait for postage.

Although tbh I wouldn't want them having my address. Also if you don't go through pay pal it's well dodgy.

Would he have my address from eBay?

OP posts:
Rocketpants50 · 26/08/2022 21:02

Can you take someone with you? Also if you do open and check the box before you hand over any money.

chillipenguin · 26/08/2022 21:02

Ithinkitsenoughnow · 26/08/2022 21:01

Would he have my address from eBay?

Yes how else would they post them. Once you pay they get given the address.

strandedabroad · 26/08/2022 21:03

It's a scam, you'll likely get charged twice. Make sure the eBay order has been cancelled / request to cancel yourself and don't meet this man.

AuntieDolly · 26/08/2022 21:04

Are they expensive? Perhaps he's going to steal your cash

Rocketpants50 · 26/08/2022 21:06

Am presuming he had your postal address from ebay ready to send? I would message and say your rather large husband is collecting and see if he still wants to sell.

Vapeyvapevape · 26/08/2022 21:07

If he's local why isn't he bringing them to your house ? Why does he want to meet at the station and what's a strike got to do with it ?
If something doesn't seem right then it normally isn't , so I would avoid.

Itshotoutthere · 26/08/2022 21:07

Parcel force / Royal Mail are on strike

sheepdogdelight · 26/08/2022 21:08

Is the money in your account again? Can't see anything too awful about meeting him at the station (i.e. public place), checking the shoes and giving him cash if they are ok. And then blocking his number. If he turns up without shoes, walk away fast.
If you don't feel comfortable, can you go with a friend?

Scurryfunge12 · 26/08/2022 21:09

If he even has shoes, they are probably fake hence he doesn’t want to go through eBay as you will have no comeback. Steer clear.

toomanydicksonthedancefloor1 · 26/08/2022 21:09

I agree, they're probably fake.

MbatataOwl · 26/08/2022 21:10

If he has your address then it could be so that someone/he burglars your home at the time you're supposed to be meeting him.

mattressspring · 26/08/2022 21:11

'I'm not able to do that'

daytriptovulcan · 26/08/2022 21:16

eBay suggests not to transact outside their site. If he cancelled the sale on eBay, you ll be due a refund.
He's probably planning a scam.

Ithinkitsenoughnow · 26/08/2022 21:16

My concern is that if I just cancel and block him he will just show up at my address and I’ll be alone with the children if you see what I mean. Will check bank account re money.

maybe he’s suggesting station as I would feel it’s safer? Or maybe the plan is he never actually shows up?

they aren’t designer shoes so unlikely to be fake

OP posts:
Ithinkitsenoughnow · 26/08/2022 21:16

MbatataOwl · 26/08/2022 21:10

If he has your address then it could be so that someone/he burglars your home at the time you're supposed to be meeting him.

Crikey that’s scary

OP posts:
Ithinkitsenoughnow · 26/08/2022 21:21

It’s too soon to see a refund on my card. Would eBay have sent me a cancellation email? DH says he thinks it’s fine

OP posts:
Ithinkitsenoughnow · 26/08/2022 21:24

His feedback is all over the space of a few days. Eg 4 reviews on the 4th May and then 4 reviews on the 11th and 3 on the 25th which I think is quite suspicious

OP posts:
Name99 · 26/08/2022 21:28

Nope I would not be meeting a random man to buy a pair of shoes.

The very recent feedback is suspicious too. Is it as a buyer or seller?

Piffle11 · 26/08/2022 21:30

The feedback bit sounds suspicious. I'm pretty sure that as soon as a sale is cancelled, you would receive notification from email eBay stating the seller had cancelled. I have sold many items on eBay, and have never offered to meet someone in person. I've always said, 'I can't send it to you tomorrow because there is a strike. I'll send it the day after… '.

You meet in person and give someone cash, you have absolutely no comeback regarding the item. No matter how much you want these shoes, I would give this seller a miss.

IcedOatLatte · 26/08/2022 21:34

How would the seller know in advance that the person who won the shoes would live near him?