Need some Ebay advice ASAP
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: SF Bay Area
TonyJ,
Nothing you've mentioned so far jumps out as a danger sign, but I'd be very cautious about using PayPal for a transaction that you're not sure about. PayPal isn't as safe as a lot of folks believe. The good seller rating on eBay is a plus, but eBay accounts with high ratings are the ones that would get hacked for fraudulent purposes, so that can go both ways. Overall, it sounds like you're being a little more paranoid than most, and my guess is the deal is legit, but it's a big purchase, and if you have any nagging doubts at all, I'd say it's best to play it safe and not do it.
See http://www.paypalsucks.com/ for some extreme cases of PayPal horror stories. Granted, a lot of those seem to be very severe cases that you're unlikely to encounter, but it's just something to keep in mind, because it can and does happen on occasion.
Also, if the guy is pushing you to send the money quickly, and to do so only using PayPal, I would ask him why. He could have perfectly legitimate reasons, or he could be full of crap and trying to scam you.
Finally, don't feel any extra security just because you met him over CraigsList. CraigsList is no longer the small community-oriented site it started out as. It's gotten big enough that pretty much everyone knows about it now, including scammers. Fake event tickets are the popular scam, but there are all sorts. For an illustration of the wide range of people who frequent CraigsList, go to the CraigsList main page, click on "Personals", and do a search for "tina"...hmmm...
Nothing you've mentioned so far jumps out as a danger sign, but I'd be very cautious about using PayPal for a transaction that you're not sure about. PayPal isn't as safe as a lot of folks believe. The good seller rating on eBay is a plus, but eBay accounts with high ratings are the ones that would get hacked for fraudulent purposes, so that can go both ways. Overall, it sounds like you're being a little more paranoid than most, and my guess is the deal is legit, but it's a big purchase, and if you have any nagging doubts at all, I'd say it's best to play it safe and not do it.
See http://www.paypalsucks.com/ for some extreme cases of PayPal horror stories. Granted, a lot of those seem to be very severe cases that you're unlikely to encounter, but it's just something to keep in mind, because it can and does happen on occasion.
Also, if the guy is pushing you to send the money quickly, and to do so only using PayPal, I would ask him why. He could have perfectly legitimate reasons, or he could be full of crap and trying to scam you.
Finally, don't feel any extra security just because you met him over CraigsList. CraigsList is no longer the small community-oriented site it started out as. It's gotten big enough that pretty much everyone knows about it now, including scammers. Fake event tickets are the popular scam, but there are all sorts. For an illustration of the wide range of people who frequent CraigsList, go to the CraigsList main page, click on "Personals", and do a search for "tina"...hmmm...
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Undisclosed,
I disagree...a bunch jumps out at me as a danger sign.
The user name sounds like a female name, where this is a guy.
Most of the sales have been for costume jewelry, where this is for a big huge expensive TV. A lot of the car scams that I have seen have been hijacked accounts from people that got good records selling small stuff.
The guy is willing to get you to send only half the cash for a big huge expensive TV. If YOU were selling something worth a bundle, would YOU want only half the cash before you gave it to someone else?
What guarnatee do you have that this thing even works? What is your recourse if it doesn't?
Personally, I've known a few poeple that have bought laptops from e-bay ($1500-2000 range). All of them have had more than one problem. The sellers also took responsibility for the issue...but my friends each paid shipping plus had to deal with being without a PC for 14 days at a time while the seller fixed it.
It's up to you as to whether you want to take the risk or not. I wouldn't...jmo though! Best of luck.
The user name sounds like a female name, where this is a guy.
Most of the sales have been for costume jewelry, where this is for a big huge expensive TV. A lot of the car scams that I have seen have been hijacked accounts from people that got good records selling small stuff.
The guy is willing to get you to send only half the cash for a big huge expensive TV. If YOU were selling something worth a bundle, would YOU want only half the cash before you gave it to someone else?
What guarnatee do you have that this thing even works? What is your recourse if it doesn't?
Personally, I've known a few poeple that have bought laptops from e-bay ($1500-2000 range). All of them have had more than one problem. The sellers also took responsibility for the issue...but my friends each paid shipping plus had to deal with being without a PC for 14 days at a time while the seller fixed it.
It's up to you as to whether you want to take the risk or not. I wouldn't...jmo though! Best of luck.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 13,115
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From: Devil's Island
Definately do escrow. I've sen way too many rip-ofs and have been a victem of one myself. Now I am extremely careful and do escrow as often as possible. Another thing you can do is post in the comunity that is local to this guy and ask if someone is willing to check it out and even possibly pay for it/ship it for you. Kinda like escrow to.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 289
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From: Roswell
Wow, thanks for all the great input guys. I've been talking to him via emails these past few days and he does seem VERY eager to receive that $$. He has however sent me pics of the tv brand new in its box....this is basically a 42' plasma for $1800 and some change. The price was what raised a flag the first time.
I dont think I will go through him, but im still not sure. He did end up sending me an email from that ebay account...
Oh yea, and about those escrow deals, I read an article the other day that was posted here about how those are even scams these days b/c its the seller that actually creates the website and juust takes your money. And while searching for tvs online on ebay the day after i read that article, i busted a guy for it. I looked up all sorts o f info on him, including the escrow website and he just stopped responding to his emails.
Thanks again guys, I appreciate the input.
TonyJ
I dont think I will go through him, but im still not sure. He did end up sending me an email from that ebay account...
Oh yea, and about those escrow deals, I read an article the other day that was posted here about how those are even scams these days b/c its the seller that actually creates the website and juust takes your money. And while searching for tvs online on ebay the day after i read that article, i busted a guy for it. I looked up all sorts o f info on him, including the escrow website and he just stopped responding to his emails.
Thanks again guys, I appreciate the input.
TonyJ
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