02-24-2015 01:43 PM - last edited on 02-24-2015 01:50 PM by lizzier-ca
A few days ago, I posted a used camera for sale on ebay (my first time selling). I got a buy it now within a few hours, along with a message from the buyer asking for my paypal email address. I naively gave it to them.
Next day, I woke up to a message from ebay:
We had to cancel bids and purchases on the following item(s) for the buyer, , because they were made without the account owner's permission: 181673086253 - Nikon 1 J1 10.1 MP Digital Camera - Red (Kit w/ VR 10-30mm Lens)
It was followed by a message from the following address: It read as follows:
02-24-2015 01:47 PM
I just wanted to add that I really would prefer to reopen the listing, as it had two watchers. Those are potential actual bidders who might genuinely want to buy the camera, not to rip me off! I'm pretty frustrated right now, as I'm sure you can tell... my first experience with selling on ebay, and someone is trying to steal from me... sheesh...
02-24-2015 02:12 PM
I tried to relist the camera, but ebay won't let me. I got a message saying that my listing cannot be completed because I’ve reached your selling allowance in this category.
This scammer is really frustrating me, and ebay has been completely unhelpful. I have tried to contact customer service, but even clicking through to get their phone number just brings me back to the "find an answer" page.
02-24-2015 02:23 PM
Go to the bottom of this page.
RESOLUTION CENTRE.
Open an Unpaid Item Dispute. Unfortunately, you can't do this until 96 hours after the purchase. Annoying.
Mention that the customer wants you to ship to Nigeria.
That should be enough (along with the non-payment) to close the Dispute in your favour promptly.
All the scammer's emails can be deleted unread. They are irrelevant. Do not attempt to communicate with the crook.
Once the Dispute is closed, you can relist.
Actually, since the guy will never pay, some would tell you to go ahead and relist now. But I won't because that would not be eBay legal.
When you relist (legally ) do not accept international customers. Look particularly for the link that allows you to Block entire countries and continents. Don't enter any S&H for overseas.
And look at your Seller Preferences. Block bidders with Unpaid Item Strikes and those without active Paypal accounts. Your scammer doesn't have a PP account, those are fake emails.
BTW, it is not necessary to give your email address to a customer, because when he buys he gets that information.
Try to treat this as another annoying learning curve. Your purpose is to get your selling fees back and to relist. At lease there should be no relisting fee for this failed transaction.
02-24-2015 02:24 PM
You can't "cancel" because eBay has already cancelled the transaction along with any fees that may have been charged.
We had to cancel bids and purchases on the following item(s) for the buyer, , because they were made without the account owner's permission: 181673086253 - Nikon 1 J1 10.1 MP Digital Camera - Red (Kit w/ VR 10-30mm Lens)
If you look at the rest of the message it will tell you the transaction was cancelled and your fees were refunded
As for the harassment.....just ignore them completely.
If you can't resist the temptation to look at the message then set your email system to send them directly to the trash.
You can relist this camera anytime there is no need to wait. Do make some changes however.
Ship only to USA/Canada
Block buyers in Countries you don't ship to
Require a PayPal account
Block non-US PayPal accounts
Use Fixed Price with Immediate Payment Required
Anything less than this and your first experience will simply repeat.
02-24-2015 02:35 PM
The camera is showing up in my sold items, so this is very confusing. It says I'm awaiting payment, and gives me the option to create a shipping label.
To address your other points, I originally listed it to ship only in the US and Canada. The request to send it to Nigeria was made via email. I didn't see a selection to block buyers outside of those countries, but I'll make sure to do so in the future. I probably won't be using buy it now in the future, because of this experience.
As I posted a few minutes ago, I tried to relist the camera, but ebay won't allow me to, as I've reached my limit in that category. I'll have to wait 30 days to relist it, which is very frustrating, given that this problem was caused by a scammer.
02-24-2015 02:41 PM
I edited my draft listing to exclude all countries outside of North America. When I try to post the listing, this is the message I get from ebay:
Sorry, your listing cannot be completed because you’ve reached your selling allowance in this category. Because you’re new to eBay you have a limit on the number of items you can sell in this category per 30-day period. This means you won't be able to complete this listing right now, but you may still be able to list other types of items in other categories. You can come back and complete this listing: • if one of your current listings ends without a sale in this category, or • after 30 days have passed since your first item was sold in this category, or • if you increase your limit by confirming your personal information through PayPal Verification. Learn more about selling allowances by category. These limits help us make sure all new sellers establish a good track record with us and meet their buyers' needs in categories where buyers have higher expectations. The number of items you can list is limited in selected categories for a minimum of 90 days after your first eBay Sale. You can see the date of your first eBay Sale in your Seller Dashboard under "Your eBay Sales." If you haven’t sold an item yet the date will appear after you make your first sale. |
I've done PayPal Verification. My original listing, as I said, is showing up as sold in my items, so I think this is where the problem is, but as I mentioned previously, I'm unable to cancel that sale, and I cannot get through to anyone at ebay for support.
02-24-2015 02:50 PM
" I cannot get through to anyone at ebay for support."
email all details of this failed transaction to raphael@ebay.com Raphael is located in Toronto and may be able to help you or will direct you to where you may get some assistance.
God Luck.
02-24-2015 02:59 PM
Thank you!
02-24-2015 03:15 PM
02-24-2015 03:27 PM
@hazelknits604 wrote:
Oh, femmefan1946, I have tried opening an unpaid item dispute, but it says that the item number is not valid. I'm assuming because it has been less than 4 days, so I'll try again in two days, since it's only been two days.
It won't be any different tomorrow! eBay has removed all traces of the transaction. Did you look at the message again that they sent you, it should be quite clear.
As for blocking countries. Just setting your ship to locations isn't enough, you also have to actually block buyers in those countries through your Site Preferences.
My eBay -> Account -> Site Preferences -> Buyer Requirements ->
While you are there also have a look at your Seller Account, you should be able to see the fees charged and then a reversal of the fees when eBay cancelled the transaction.
02-24-2015 03:54 PM
02-25-2015 10:17 AM
To contact eBay:
At the bottom of any eBay page: click on "Help & Contact" - this opens to a page with 2 tabs - click on "Contact eBay" then "Selling", choose just about any topic, and on the right side you should see "Contact Us". You will be given a toll-free phone number and a one-time passcode. Or use "Call Me" and an eBay Customer Service person will call you back. Have all the details available and if the first Rep cannot help you, ask for a supervisor. If this doesn't resolve your problem, call back and get someone else.
You may find you are on the phone for a long time, so don't use a phone that incurs time usage charges, and empty your bladder before you start the call.