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Original poster

Could this be a scam?

13 replies

alltoomuchrightnow · 26/06/2018 21:49

Buyer pays for won item from me, and a few hours emails me asking to send to an alternative address (lucky I read this, as item was about to be sent to the official one)..
I've held fire on posting, as unsure about this. Could he claim the item didn't turn up (ie to the eBay registered address), as I'm sure Paypal would then just refund him? (although I do have a record of his email with alternative address)...
Should I seek advice from eBay? I did email him and suggest he change his address details on eBay but I don't know if it's too late for that re this transaction, as he has paid?
Am scared of being scammed as he paid £162.00 so I'd hate to have to refund that back.

OP posts:
IsAnyoneElseMissingCheese · 26/06/2018 21:52

Only ever post to the official address. This is a big red flag.

You open yourself up to losing the item and the money!

If they refuse then refund them and put back on sale. You could always call eBay too, flag the user, they may have history but they'll Def be able to tell you the rules.

Bombardier25966 · 26/06/2018 21:59

Not necessarily a scam, some buyers ask this without realising the problems it can cause. As a seller I would never post anywhere but the registered address.

Original poster
alltoomuchrightnow · 26/06/2018 22:04

Yes, he may well be not aware of the rules. The new address is in the same town as the old one.
I have been scammed before though in various ways and it's a lot of money to potentially lose. Will take advice from ebay I think

OP posts:
cornishmumtobe · 26/06/2018 22:14

Do not send to an alternative address! You won't be eligible for PayPal Seller Protection if you do as it's a breach of PayPal's user agreement.

Original poster
alltoomuchrightnow · 26/06/2018 22:21

Yes, that's what I thought, Cornish. Am holding fire.. can't risk it. Will speak to eBay

OP posts:
lljkk · 26/06/2018 22:22

pffft... no way Jose. £162 is the big red flag to do do everything by the book (insured when you send it, too)

19lottie82 · 27/06/2018 00:22

Just refund them and ask them to re pay with the new address as the delivery address.

Original poster
alltoomuchrightnow · 01/07/2018 15:55

Customer messaged again asking why I hadn't sent item (it's obvious why!) However , I just spoke to eBay customer service and surprisingly they did say I CAN send to the alternative address.
This seems odd to me. However they say I'm 'covered' as my phone call to them is recorded and they can access my messages to the buyer.
I can't refund/cancel sale as the money was withdrawn from my Paypal account instantly (it wasn't until many hours later that I received the email from buyer requesting alternative address) .So if I'd been quicker it would have been sent to registered address anyway.
So fingers crossed this is not a scam..but eBay say I am safe to go...so....

OP posts:
abbsisspartacus · 01/07/2018 15:58

If it helps I used an alternative address for awhile because I was never in to take parcels and my husband's relative's were in so we sent them there

WiltedDaffs · 01/07/2018 16:05

I had this with a buyer a few weeks ago. Said he had no access to the address on his eBay account so could I send to a different address. I had a look and the address he didn’t want it sent to was a uni halls address so it did make sense.

Was a bit worried but checked and eBay does say a buyer can request items sent to a diff address. Sent it recorded and buyer signed for it so turned out ok. Seems they’ve changed the rules as it always used to be you had to post to the address on he account.

Original poster
alltoomuchrightnow · 01/07/2018 16:33

Ok.. feel slightly more reassured.. my worry was that Paypal always favour the buyer and he could claim it's not turned up... my gut feeling however is he is genuine.. I reckon he just changed digs in the same town... but £162 is a lot of money... I don't have the money in that account as I said, but they would (from my past experience) put it in debit to the tune of that (so any future sales would go to that..) anyway.. shall hope for the best.. Buyer knows that I've rang eBay and that they can access our messages too

OP posts:
19lottie82 · 02/07/2018 00:08

I still wouldn’t send it. By doing so you’re voiding your customer protection. Ebay customer service reps don’t always give great advice, especially if they’re based overseas.

They’re not going to dig out a recording of a phone call on your day so. Honestly it’s not worth the risk for such a high value item. If it was under £20 I wouldn’t worry, but for £162 no way would I risk it.

You can transfer the money back from your bank account to your PayPal account, refund the buyer and ask them to pay again.

19lottie82 · 02/07/2018 00:09

PS and it doesn’t matter that you have a message from the buyer asking you to send it to another address. To maintain your seller protection you MUST send it to the address that accompanies the PayPal payment.

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