Is this a scam? If so, I can't work it out

[MrsZoidberg]

DS is selling off old games etc. He has sold a very old console, the winning bidder (not new but low feedback due to only buying occassionally) has asked if he can post us cash. He doesn't have Paypal.

Other than Ebay stating that only Paypal acceptable for consoles, can you see any reason not to accept this? So far as we can work out, all the risk is on him, so being naturally suspicious, What am I missing?

nope - I can't see it is a scam. But you could get the notes checked at a bank before you post out the item.

I think the buyer is more at risk - they could send you the cash and you could deny receiving it (not that you would, but you know).

Thats what we thought. It's the tone of the message though i.e very honest, done this before etc,

DH thinks its so he can get our address as he knows we're a techno family [paranoid] He's the other side of the country, so I don't think we need to worry too much

I'm not sure why he wouldn't naturally offer a postal order rather than cash?

because a postal order costs money? I bet it is someone under 18 (which isn't allowed on eBay) but that would make more sense than a scammer.

From the way the email was written, you could be right about age. Very txt spk

A teen may never have even heard of a postal order. :)

I would just tell them to send the payment, and if you don't have it within 4 days open the upaid item reminder as usual. I am sure it will be fine.

ok, thanks. We will wait and see what arrives

thanks for your reassurance

I'd ask for a postal order for both of your protection because the cash could be counterfeit then it gets messy.

You can get someones address and phone number frOm ebay

A paypal account is free, why can't he open one?

Because you need a bank account with debit card for PayPal and guessing his age, I assume he can't.
Tell him to post it recorded delivery to lower the risk

there really is no risk to the seller at all - but take notes to the bank to verify if concerned. The buyer is the one at risk here sending cash in the post - they are relying on the seller being honest. I doubt very much a scammer would be interested in a used console anyway. I doubt it is for very much money anyway?

The plot thickens! He emailed back to say thanks, when his cheque has cleared he will post us the money ??

He then sent us an address that doesn't match his Ebay one.

OK, he is still the one with the risk, and I guess the first one means we'll have to be patient for the money, so still ok.

With the age thing, DS is 15 and has had a debit card for 2 years, so still wonder why not Paypal but the buyer only buys occassionally so not worth the hassle? Does Paypal do any sort of credit check (sorry been on there so long I can't remember)?

Now here is the freaky bit. DS also sold a game (different platform) to someone 5 doors down from where the console buyer lives

I'm not big on coincidence but with the whole world to sell to, this is a bit close! Mind you, I sold two similar items to people in the same village within 2 hours of each other - but they could have been in the same craft club or something.

Oh, with the risk of counterfeit (too small an amount I think) DH used to work in a bank and I used to work for the company that makes Bank note paper! A lot of forgeries are very clever, but hopefully, between the 2 of us, we should be ok

well if he is going to make you wait an age maybe you should open an unpaid item dispute if the money doesn't arrive

No credit check with Paypal noope. My teen has a debit card but I guess plenty of them don't?

but also you need to send to the eBay address, not a different random - and maybe send with a signature via recorded? Maybe he wants it sending to different address so parents don't find out?

I agree though - too much of a coincidence to sell to someone a few doors away. Maybe it is him and his mate who both buy the same sort of stuff. I still think it is a young lad though don't you?

Definately young - the emails are all -"thanks mate", all of them are in lower case, 2 instead of to, etc

It's being posted Collect plus, so it should be signed for but.....

oh I think they are pretty good at getting signatures - I have never had a problem with them

Guess What?

Yep, that's right. Money hasn't been received. No answers to polite chase up emails, so have started a NPB.

What's really annoying is that this is the second time my son has "sold" this console. The first time we got an email saying buyer had bid on another and won both so as he had paid for the other one he wanted to cancel ours.