the collector Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Guys, i am in great need of your advice. I Purchased a watch o ebay, the seller has 1400 feedback, almost all is positive (99.2%). The feedback is kept private & all the items for sale have private bidding... The amount is around 500USD The seller does not accept paypal, he only accept money order or personal cheque... I spoke to Western Union and they strongly advised me against sending money to the seller through Western Union due to fraud risk... What should i do? Is there any safe way to send a money order? I am very thankfull for all your advice.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insane Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 I would have no problems sending money in advance to a seller with 1389/1400 positive feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hambone Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 If a guy has been doing business for as long as he claims and to not accept paypal, I would be leery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aclaimsman Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Forgive my ignorance, but if you were concerned about sending that much money why did you not work out payment details before you agreed to purchase the item? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the collector Posted October 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 (edited) If a guy has been doing business for as long as he claims and to not accept paypal, I would be leery. I did not notice that he did not accept paypal when i bid for the item yesterday. I sent him a request for the total and when i was going to pay him today i noticed that he does not accapet paypal, i think this is quite iffy since the seller has been a member since sept 2003 and has sold almost 1400 items.... Edited October 30, 2006 by the collector Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starbug Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 That's if the person selling that is the same person who sold the previous items. It's quite possible you are viewing a listing on a hacked account. Without knowing the item number, or ebay members name and previous history, it's not possible to answer your question with any confidence. Generally, I would be wary of sellers who only want wire payments or the like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the collector Posted October 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Is there any safe way of sending money transfers or money orders? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highflyingclive Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 There could be an innocent explanation. PayPal is not available worldwide. There are some countries where it cannot be used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devedander Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 (edited) No Paypal, private auctions, hidden bidders... $500... what did you buy? It's possible he is legit, but it's hard to sell that much volume at those prices with no paypal. You could try doing a bank wire, which at least ensures the recieving party has a bank account for what that's worth. MO and WU are very hard to get your money back on if you get scammed. Is it international? If it's in the same country things might be a little easier, maybe if it's somewhat close offer to deliver or have someone else deliver payment in person. More info might make it easier to get better info but sounds iffy to me... Edited October 30, 2006 by Devedander Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Ok I know it's only $500 but can you escrow? Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smack Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 What I do in these situations is I ask the seller to place a pieces of paper with the item listing my name and the date. Place the paper with the item and take a pic and e-mail me the pic. If he is willing to do this, you have a 99% chance of getting the item. At least then you know the item exists. Smack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the collector Posted October 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 It is International, the seller is in Elkton, MD.... Seller ID: marvelous-merchandise Feedback: 99.2% Positive Member: since Sep-29-03 in United States Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starbug Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Remember that the new ebay rules state no seller is allowed to accept, or solicit payment via Cash, or Wire Transfer. Although this may only affect UK-based seller! Again, it's difficult to give a good answer without knowing more. If you send a money order or a cheque and it turns out to be a scam, you have no way to get your money back. Unless you really, really want the item and can't live without it.. pass on it. You made an error by not noticing the "No PayPal" policy, so you should explain that to the seller, and tell him that you will agree to complete the mutual agreement not to complete transaction, so that he can claim back his selling fees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elwopo Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Definitely a difficult situation. Seller has 4 negs in last month only. Check the feedback they left for others. For a high volume seller....they don't bother to offer much positive. Seems to only get involved when someone posts a negative or neutral. All items private?!? I can't really understand the reason behind that..... Does not accept PayPal? Many things about this seller send up red flags for me.....but that's me.... I'd say you should think about how badly you really....really want this item. Escrow might be the only way that both parties feel safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devedander Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 I thoght ebays recent policy is you must accept paypal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rboehme Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Did you read the listing? He makes it quite clear that he does not accept paypal. By bidding and winning that auction you have entered into a contractual agreement with the seller. You are obligated to pay him in the manner that he lists on the auction. Payment must be received within 10 days after auction has ended. WE ACCEPT MONEY ORDERS & CHECKS! (7 days to clear) (Sorry Pay Pal is not accepted) Attention overseas buyers: International money order in U.S. funds Only~ Payment I accept the following forms of payment: Money Order Personal Check I am guessing this is the item in question. By bidding on his item, you agreed to use his payment methods. None of those methods are safe for you. But they are very safe for him. If you refuse to pay, the seller can file a complaint with ebay calling you a non paying bidder. Ebay can close your ebay account for this type of activity. I hope you and the seller can come to a mutual agreement. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devedander Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 (edited) While I am still leery (4 neg and 9 withdrawn) he does seem to have numerous items finishing in the high hundreds and all his auctions seem to be no paypal... if he was scamming people left and right his feedback would likely be very bad by now. I would ask for the item pictured with handwritten note and maybe a phone number to call directly (makes me feel more secure) but it doesn't bear most of the signs of the obvious scams (hacked accounts etc). However in all fairness you did bid and accept his agreements (whether you noticed or not) so you would be in the wrong to not pay unless something glaring stands out... hopefully all goes well but either way maybe make it a lesson that in the future buying anything expensive you spend time carefully reading everything. Edited October 30, 2006 by Devedander Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfreeman420 Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 I would not worry with this seller. They have 6 positive feedbacks from today alone. The negative feedbacks look like [censored]. They also have over 100 items still for sale, all antiques. These don't look like the normal items that are conducive to fraud. All auctions state check or money order. I know many sellers hate paypal because of their screwed up policies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hank7502 Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 I would not worry with this seller. They have 6 positive feedbacks from today alone. The negative feedbacks look like [censored]. They also have over 100 items still for sale, all antiques. These don't look like the normal items that are conducive to fraud. All auctions state check or money order. I know many sellers hate paypal because of their screwed up policies. I agree. It looks fine to me. I have had many transactions on ebay and with PayPal, sellers don't like to use PayPal because of the high fees. I bought a watch from a member here and had to bank wire. If you are going to question every purchase, go to the store or a flea market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TTK Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Could be got turned over by Paypal and doesn't accept it now....doesn't look like a hacked account either.....they're usually quick and dirty....! He's holding the chronograph upside down in firts 2x fotys.....that tells me he knows nothing about watches..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikellem Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 In my opinion go for it. I think this person has been around for quite awhile. I am sure you will be fine. This guy may not want to pay the PayPal 3 or 4 % fees... Whatever,, I would bet you are safe! I would go forward if it was me with no problem. -MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest avitt Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 All items private?!? I can't really understand the reason behind that..... @elwopo, There are good reasons for keeping the bidding private, including the rampant "Second Chance Offer" scams. Last spring, I sold a Daytona 6239 package, and I did not keep the IDs private. A couple of months after the auction, I was contacted by a bidder from Italy, who wanted to know where his kit was...It turned out that he had fallen victim to some woman from Chicago, who had made a fraudulent Second Chance Offer, and taken the guy for $1200. I now keep my selling auctions private, to protect the bidders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the collector Posted October 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 The Valjoux movement in this watch is a real beauty, i bought one few weeks ago, and the price is unbeatable as the guy does not seem to know much about the watch. I really want the watch and i want to pay for it, but not sure how... I have never used escrow could you guys explain how it works, and how much the fees are? Thanks. I emailed hime a couple hours ago and asked him why he does not accept paypal, i offered to pay the 4% paypal fees on top of the ending price. I also asked which payment method the seller recoomends, i have not got a reply yet, but lets see hopefully the seller will reply soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Carl Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 It's probably very safe. If you pay with an international postal money order then US Postal Inspectors will become involved at your request if you are defrauded. They have about as much power as the FBI and no scammer EVER wants them sniffing and pissing around their front door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the collector Posted October 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 Still no reply.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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