Oh stop being weird!! Why has someone bid more for my item than it's worth in a shop?

[Lauriefairycake]

Should I be concerned they're going to dick me around?

They already asked if they could pay by a post dated cheque for the end of the month and even though I specified paypal only I said yes they could bid only if they accepted that I would wait til it had cleared (10 days) and that i would only send it recorded delivery to their name and address registered with ebay.

With one day to go it's one pound more than you can buy it in a shop.

What could possibly go wrong?

Some people pay more for items and pay full price for vouchers etc. I asked on an ebay forum why people do this, some people dont wish to transfer their paypal funds to their accounts and so leave them and use them on ebay so there is no paper trail!

I thought they just really wanted the items but perhaps I am a little naive.

This happened with me, someone bought a playstation two game for £15 when you could buy it for £10 brand new in shops. I was really concerned they would get it and realise and demand their money back or that they were expecting the special controller with it (although I did say in the listing that it wasn't included) but when they received it they gave me + feedback saying it was great so god knows. I think some people just like winning auctions or can't be bothered to go to shop to buy it.

laurie, i don't think them bidding £1 more than it sells in shops is significant. Some people don't know the RRP or can only shop online so they have no choice.

Happymummy makes a good point about using paypal funds though in this case it probably does not apply since the bidder is asking to pay by cheque.

This bidder has zero feedback - well, we all have to start somewhere. In some ways, accepting payment by cheque is more secure (and less fees) than by paypal because the buyer cannot do the shifty paypal refund.

I think in this case, the biggest risk you have is that of timewasting. But not scamming. I don't think it is a huge risk.

If you are still uncomfortable, you can always remove this bidder's bids before the auction closes and then block this bidder. But that would be very drastic and not warranted in this instance. And your price would go right back to starting, because there are only 2 bidders.

Hope it goes well.

I have had it happen. People just get carried away if other people are bidding!
Sometimes they just don't know the price of it new.