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AIBU?

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Original poster

A scam?

15 replies

petuniasandpetals · 12/05/2025 20:52

I'm selling a piano on eBay. The buyer wants to collect this week.
The buy it now price is 100 and they asked the reserve which is 75.
They said they would pay the reserve.
I watched the auction and no one bid although there were two watchers.
They've now sent me an email which says they bid 76.
I've told them they can pay the buy it now price and I'll refund the difference.
I m just not sure what to think. They asked a while ago what it played like. I can't see anything much about them but positive reviews.

OP posts:
CleanShirt · 12/05/2025 20:54

Why not just keep the bidding open?

dogcatkitten · 12/05/2025 20:54

Nothing to lose if they come and try it, if they don't like OK, if they do they pay and take it. I would want cash.

Piffle11 · 12/05/2025 20:55

I’m not sure what you mean about refunding them the difference? Did they actually bid £76 during the auction? If so, and the reserve was £75, then surely they have won the auction at £76?

CallMeFlo · 12/05/2025 21:05

Sounds more like you're scamming them. If they won the auction at £76 why on earth would they pay the BIN price of £100 then get a refund. That makes no sense. Your BIN price is irrelevant now they won at £76 so that's what they pay.

What on earth makes you think they're scammers

WiddlinDiddlin · 12/05/2025 21:22

If no one bid... then no one bid. Relist.

It sounds like they're trying to get you to sell it off eBay, for a smidgen over the reserve price. If you want to do that you can, but then you'll have none of the protection sellers have when selling through eBay.

If you want to sell it to them, at the price they're offering, relist it with a buy it now, and send them the link asap.

Original poster
petuniasandpetals · 13/05/2025 08:52

He had v odd reviews but I reduced the price to the reserve and he’s agreed to buy and come tomorrow. We shall see.

OP posts:
PlanetOtter · 13/05/2025 08:55

Pianos are so hard to sell, I’d jump at anyone who wanted to do the hard graft of taking it away. I can’t see how this is a scam.

Piffle11 · 13/05/2025 10:10

If he comes tomorrow and wants it, make sure he pays cash.

I’m still not clear as to whether he has bought via eBay or just told you how much he would pay… If this transaction is happening outside of eBay, definitely take cash as you will have no comeback.

Agix · 13/05/2025 10:29

Make sure it's all done through ebay. Do not do anything off of ebay.

DriveMeCrazy1974 · 13/05/2025 10:32

Piffle11 · 13/05/2025 10:10

If he comes tomorrow and wants it, make sure he pays cash.

I’m still not clear as to whether he has bought via eBay or just told you how much he would pay… If this transaction is happening outside of eBay, definitely take cash as you will have no comeback.

You can't pay cash on collection anymore on eBay. You have to pay via their payment system and then you're given a code that the buyer has to give you and you have to enter into eBay before you let the item go. It's another way of eBay taking full control of what you sell and your money. You can only pay cash on collection for vehicles and caravans.

Thelnebriati · 13/05/2025 10:36

It's a scam. By making an offer using email and offering cash on collection, he is effectively trying to get you to trade outside of ebay. In your shoes I'd contact Customer Services and report this. Use the web chat and talk to an agent, don't just click the report button.

Helenloveslee4eva · 13/05/2025 10:36

It’s a piano. Presumably a fairly ordinary one and they are going to take it away - take the reserve and let them - cash on collection only.

pianos are almost impossible to get rid of and you have a buyer 🤪

Helenloveslee4eva · 13/05/2025 10:38

Thelnebriati · 13/05/2025 10:36

It's a scam. By making an offer using email and offering cash on collection, he is effectively trying to get you to trade outside of ebay. In your shoes I'd contact Customer Services and report this. Use the web chat and talk to an agent, don't just click the report button.

Having tried to give away a fairly decent piano I’d take cash on collection for them to take it away ..

Thelnebriati · 13/05/2025 10:43

Thats not how ebay works. If you want cash on collection, use Facebook marketplace or Gumtree.
OP has two problems; selling a piano (which is a massive PITA) and navigating the ebay system (which is a massive PITA).

Original poster
petuniasandpetals · 13/05/2025 13:15

It’s actually a very unusual piano but you are right. Still v hard to sell. He’s paid on eBay so all good!

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