Can a scammer scam you out of a machine on Ebay?

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marcapra
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Can a scammer scam you out of a machine on Ebay?

Post by marcapra »

I'm a little scared about selling an expensive machine on Ebay. I'm thinking maybe I should pull my ad before it ends. It doesn't have any bids yet, so it would be easy to pull. One reason is I'm a bit ambivalent about selling it. The other reason is what if someone from, say, South Korea, or China, or anywhere bids on it. Per Ebay rules I would have to let them buy using Paypal, which could also involve a credit card. I have heard stories where an expensive machine is sent somewhere and a couple of months later, the owner of the credit card claims he doesn't recognize the charge. I understand Ebay or the credit card would do a charge back on the card and deduct the money from the seller. The owner of the card would not have to return the item, as he would claim he doesn't have it. Any comments as to whether there is any recourse for the seller in this nightmare situation?

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Re: Can a scammer scam you out of a machine on Ebay?

Post by larryh »

You can limit the countries your willing to sell too. I have never attempted a phonograph but am considering it for a smaller one. So far the international shipping center has made it far easier to mail items out of the country since they do the paper work and shipping from the U.S. I have heard of scams as well, best to just avoid selling to places your concerned about.

Larry

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marcapra
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Re: Can a scammer scam you out of a machine on Ebay?

Post by marcapra »

Yes, but a scammer in the U.S. could do this scam just as easily, right?

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Marco Gilardetti
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Re: Can a scammer scam you out of a machine on Ebay?

Post by Marco Gilardetti »

Simply don't sell it. If you're so afraid about being scammed and you see thieves everywhere, there are no words that anyone could write here that might reassure you. It's all wasted time.

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Re: Can a scammer scam you out of a machine on Ebay?

Post by epigramophone »

I would never sell an expensive machine on eBay unless it was collection in person with payment in cash. I would insist that interested parties unable to collect would have to appoint a trusted local eBayer as their proxy, to bid and complete the transaction on their behalf observing your conditions, and that the contract of sale would be between the seller and the proxy.

Anyone unable or unwilling to comply with these requirements should be regarded with suspicion and should not be allowed to bid. You might get a little more by offering to ship the machine, but as you clearly have reservations already is it worth the risk? It is your machine, so you make the rules.

Alternatively, consign the machine to a reputable specialist auction house. They will charge more than eBay, but you will get your money.

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Re: Can a scammer scam you out of a machine on Ebay?

Post by Raphael »

I’ve sold thousands of phonographs, music boxes and clocks on line, and have yet to be scammed. Yes, there are some difficult customers out there, and an occasional return, or false claim of damage, but my #1 choice is to sell on line rather than in person. One runs a far greater risk when having a stranger come to their home to pick up a machine than otherwise. In fact, unless I know the person from past dealings, I no longer honor requests “to come see the item in person”.

Uploading tracking information, and retaining pictures and videos is essential to denying any claim after the shipment is made.

Marco is right, if you don’t feel comfortable selling on line, don’t do it. But I bet Jeff Bezos is glad he went the other route!

Raphael

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Re: Can a scammer scam you out of a machine on Ebay?

Post by HisMastersVoice »

As long as you accurately describe it, and use a shipping method with tracking, insurance, & signature required, there’s really no risk of being scammed. eBay does have a system in place to protect sellers, you’d just need to call them in person should an issue arise. I sold a Victor Z on eBay last year. I shipped it via FedEx. The buyer claimed he didn’t receive the item, so eBay/PayPal took the money back and put it in escrow until the case was resolved. I provided them the tracking information which showed that it was delivered AND had been signed for by the buyer. They closed the case and refunded my money, and also removed the negative feedback he had left for me. There’s always a risk of someone doing this and causing you a moderate inconvenience, but in my 15 years using eBay and just under 2000 items sold, I’ve only had an issue like this maybe 2-3 times and was always resolved in my favor.

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Re: Can a scammer scam you out of a machine on Ebay?

Post by Crank_it_up »

Mark, a high percentage of my phonograph sales over the last few years have gone overseas. When you use eBay's Global Shipping program all you need to do is get it safely to Erlanger, KY. Once it arrives there it is their responsibility to get it to the winning bidder. BUT, you can't predict what that bidder does once he receives your package. He can claim numerous fraudulent acts against you, the favorite seems to be "Item didn't match description" which is extremely vague and plays into the bidder's hands. I have read about some real horror stories. But like Larry said you can limit your countries that you will ship to. But be forewarned not every American bidder is on the up and up. I have been lucky and all of my foreign buyers have been legit (so far). I have some overseas buyers that follow me and made multiple purchases. Good luck to you and just curious whether you would share with the forum just how expensive this phonograph is. I think the most expensive one I have sold on eBay was under $2500. Beyond that I am skeptical even shipping to a neighboring state. Joe

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Re: Can a scammer scam you out of a machine on Ebay?

Post by Uncle Vanya »

I think that Marc mat be referring to an unfortunate experience of mine
In 2007 I sold three Western Electric 555 drivers to a party in South Korea for about $12,000. I shipped via air freight directly to the airport in Seoul. More than two years later the buyer filed a credit card charge back. PayPal was of little assistance. They suggested that I take up the matter in the Korean courts.

Given the size and weight of the machine which Marc is selling I really doubt that an overseas buyer would be seriously interested, despite it's rarity and deisrability, for overseas freight rates are four tea what I was paying in the good old days. I once sent a crated Victrola 10-50 to Oslo by air for less than $600.00, but that was in 2005 or 2006. Now that loose freight is not shipped in commercial passenger liners costs are much greater.

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Re: Can a scammer scam you out of a machine on Ebay?

Post by marcapra »

Good luck to you and just curious whether you would share with the forum just how expensive this phonograph is
It's an Amberola 1A in oak at $3500. It's also for sale in the Yankee Trader. Ebay said they don't have a shipper for an item as large and heavy as mine would be, so they put "Pick up only" on the ad, so that protects me somewhat from scammers. Marc.

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