New scam on Ebay

jacobyguy

Matt
Silver Member
I purchased a Bob Frey sneaky on ebay from a new seller. the seller communicated well and left personal touches such as signing off with his name (in this case Justin). I was weary of the sale off the bat because it was a 0 feedback seller but I thought no problem Im protected right? So I welcomed the seller to ebay and asked if I could assist in any way to not be afraid to ask questions. If not I told the seller I would appreciate tracking info after the package was shipped. a couple days after the sale I received a message from the seller with the tracking number. the seller did not add it in the spot where its useful and allows you to click on it and it shows you where the package is. but instead it was in the message. No biggie. I checked the # on the USPS page and it comes up manifested but not accepted. This is normal when someone prints a shipping label and doesn't take it to the post office immediately. Again nothing out of the norm. So I check it again a couple days later. still not accepted at the post office. I message the seller and ask what the delay is and I got the" I got it out today don't worry Im sure it will be updated soon". Irritating but normal. This is where it get interesting. I purchased the item on the 12th and today on the 19th the seller enters the tracking number in its proper location. Except its a different tracking number and it says its been delivered on the 15th!!!! So Im sure the seller immediately sends out some small insignificant piece of junk mail with tracking info and when enough time passes enters that number which frees up the payment and the money is GONE. I am fortunate that Ebay allows a 1 time reimbursement for items that have tracking that say they arrived and did not. so if this ever happens again on purpose or not, Im eating it I guess. Lesson; Stay away from 0 feed back sellers and make sure tracking is entered in the proper spot.
 
If I have any doubts about a seller I'll use my credit card when making a paypal purchase..
Most CC companies are very good about refunding charges when fraud is involved..
 
This sounds like the guy did pull a fast one, but just because USPS doesn't track doesn't mean it is not shipped in all cases. I have decided for the most part to only ship cues and shafts via FedEx, I have personally dropped off packages at the post office, had them give me proof of acceptance and still have had items not track for several days. It is really frustrating as a seller, as well as, a buyer. I decided it is worth the few extra bucks to make sure my buyer knows his package is on the way.
 
I purchased a Bob Frey sneaky on ebay from a new seller. the seller communicated well and left personal touches such as signing off with his name (in this case Justin). I was weary of the sale off the bat because it was a 0 feedback seller but I thought no problem Im protected right? So I welcomed the seller to ebay and asked if I could assist in any way to not be afraid to ask questions. If not I told the seller I would appreciate tracking info after the package was shipped. a couple days after the sale I received a message from the seller with the tracking number. the seller did not add it in the spot where its useful and allows you to click on it and it shows you where the package is. but instead it was in the message. No biggie. I checked the # on the USPS page and it comes up manifested but not accepted. This is normal when someone prints a shipping label and doesn't take it to the post office immediately. Again nothing out of the norm. So I check it again a couple days later. still not accepted at the post office. I message the seller and ask what the delay is and I got the" I got it out today don't worry Im sure it will be updated soon". Irritating but normal. This is where it get interesting. I purchased the item on the 12th and today on the 19th the seller enters the tracking number in its proper location. Except its a different tracking number and it says its been delivered on the 15th!!!! So Im sure the seller immediately sends out some small insignificant piece of junk mail with tracking info and when enough time passes enters that number which frees up the payment and the money is GONE. I am fortunate that Ebay allows a 1 time reimbursement for items that have tracking that say they arrived and did not. so if this ever happens again on purpose or not, Im eating it I guess. Lesson; Stay away from 0 feed back sellers and make sure tracking is entered in the proper spot.

This does not sound right. If it is a new seller, paypal holds the money until the buyer is satisfied. Paypal and Ebay makes it tough on new sellers.

Just because it shows a package is delivered, that does not release the money to the new seller.

Whoever you talked to from Ebay must be new and don't know the rules.
 
I purchased a Bob Frey sneaky on ebay from a new seller. the seller communicated well and left personal touches such as signing off with his name (in this case Justin). I was weary of the sale off the bat because it was a 0 feedback seller but I thought no problem Im protected right? So I welcomed the seller to ebay and asked if I could assist in any way to not be afraid to ask questions. If not I told the seller I would appreciate tracking info after the package was shipped. a couple days after the sale I received a message from the seller with the tracking number. the seller did not add it in the spot where its useful and allows you to click on it and it shows you where the package is. but instead it was in the message. No biggie. I checked the # on the USPS page and it comes up manifested but not accepted. This is normal when someone prints a shipping label and doesn't take it to the post office immediately. Again nothing out of the norm. So I check it again a couple days later. still not accepted at the post office. I message the seller and ask what the delay is and I got the" I got it out today don't worry Im sure it will be updated soon". Irritating but normal. This is where it get interesting. I purchased the item on the 12th and today on the 19th the seller enters the tracking number in its proper location. Except its a different tracking number and it says its been delivered on the 15th!!!! So Im sure the seller immediately sends out some small insignificant piece of junk mail with tracking info and when enough time passes enters that number which frees up the payment and the money is GONE. I am fortunate that Ebay allows a 1 time reimbursement for items that have tracking that say they arrived and did not. so if this ever happens again on purpose or not, Im eating it I guess. Lesson; Stay away from 0 feed back sellers and make sure tracking is entered in the proper spot.


There is more than one way to skin a cat. Since you are dealing with a scumbag why don't you try this: Assuming you paid thru paypal. Open a dispute but instead of saying the item was not received open the case for "Item was not as described", ie didn't match description. warped, damaged, make up something. Paypal will rule in your favor and force the seller to accept a return. Of course the seller is not going to complain because he is trying to scam you anyway. Once paypal completes there investigation they will tell you it ok for you to send the item back. Send him a box full of hot air with something heavier to match the weight of what a cue would weigh and send it with signature confirmation of course. Once the package has been updated as returned you can call paypal and the will put thru the refund regardless of if the scumbag has any $ in the account or not under the paypal buyer protection. I am not an advocate of normally doing things underhanded but why should you be the one
holding the bag. GL.
 
I don't even sell to zero feed back buyers. You can block them from your auctions in your preferences.
 
The same thing happened to me with the same bob frey cue. the seller sent me a tracking # but the junk mail went to rite aid in my town instead of my address. It took four calls to e-bay and the only reason I got my money back is because I filled a report with IC3, and internet scam report, I gave the # to e-bay and they refunded my money. I will never buy anything from a (0) seller on e-bay. BEWARE
 
EBay should be able to see his PM with a different tracking number and just refund you outright.
 
Zero feedback =Do NOT buy from or sell to
Buy here, from members that have a lot of good trade history.Paypal can be helpful, especially if it is funded by a Credit Card,but it doesn't prevent us from our own greed.Escrow service is available here too.If it seems too good to be true,it usually is.
BTW,I am sympathetic for the members that got hurt here, and a long time ago,I got burned too.When we are greedy,or we think that we are smarter than everyone else,we are fooling ourselves.There is a good reason that everyone else stayed away from those new sellers.Just my 2 cents.
Marc
 
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I always talk with a 0 transaction newbie on ebay by giving my phone number with dots like 999.999.9999 and ebay will not kick the message out. If they see my history and feel comfortable, they send me package once away from ebay. I was took several years ago and this is the only way I roll. Then, if the package item is good, I then make payment. I follow up having him post a two bit item in ebay, pay for it, like $ 1.00 for two postage stamps, I buy that through ebay in which I can then leave feedback and help get them of the " 0 " as we all have been there. Extra work, but, I can go the extra mile. I do believe that ebay certainly has a lot of this crap going on and I'm sure it reflects a lot of work hours which is why the fees are there. Don't know of a great resolve, but, I am glad to be reminded of some options seen above. Thanks for the post and answers.
 
to the op:

did he ever send anything to you or what was the status saying on the tracking # he listed?

you should def be covered against this and not just on a one time courtesy basis from ebay or paypal. this is a scammer.

between him switching tracking numbers verifiable by your pm's and him not having signed proof of delivery to you, he should be on the hook.

Also, as one other member posted, he was on the same seller and a bob frey cue as well and he says the seller sent something to rite aid in his town. wondering if he did similar with you.

The reason that is of interest to me is because:

a. if it isn't sent to your address he has no leg to stand on.

b. if the package he sent, assuming he sent one, isn't the right size and weight to match the cue he sold, not just a 6' x 9" jiffy pak, then once again, he has no leg to stand on.

glad you got your money back and thanks for alerting us to this scam.

best,
brian kc
 
This concerns me. I was getting ready to post a stick on eBay and am now concerned that you guys will avoid my offer. I'm gonna post it on AZ and get some opinions or maybe an offer. How do you guys handle buying and selling here since I'm new. Thanks
 
There is more than one way to skin a cat. Since you are dealing with a scumbag why don't you try this: Assuming you paid thru paypal. Open a dispute but instead of saying the item was not received open the case for "Item was not as described", ie didn't match description. warped, damaged, make up something. Paypal will rule in your favor and force the seller to accept a return. Of course the seller is not going to complain because he is trying to scam you anyway. Once paypal completes there investigation they will tell you it ok for you to send the item back. Send him a box full of hot air with something heavier to match the weight of what a cue would weigh and send it with signature confirmation of course. Once the package has been updated as returned you can call paypal and the will put thru the refund regardless of if the scumbag has any $ in the account or not under the paypal buyer protection. I am not an advocate of normally doing things underhanded but why should you be the one
holding the bag. GL.

I am not sure scamming the system to get back at a deadbeat is the best route to take. If paypal finds out somehow you will get your account cancelled.
 
I am not sure scamming the system to get back at a deadbeat is the best route to take. If paypal finds out somehow you will get your account cancelled.

If ebay had any investigative prowess they would not have allowed this scam to
succeed in the first place.
I think being honest and following the rules is normally the best course of action.
However, It is not the op buyers fault that ebay/paypal is set up to protect buyers and
bends sellers over at every opportunity. Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire.
 
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