eBay selling experts: how can I not get screwed by this?

[Birdie2000]

I'm selling a set of hard to find headers on eBay. Someone messaged me asking me about a fitment problem that is common with the car (although also common enough that this could potentially be a shot in the dark by a scammer). Said it would fit, gave him some other year specific info and he thanked me. Few minutes later he asked if I would consider an offer or do I want to let the auction play out.

His offer is very generous. Normally they don't go for a whole lot because everyone wants long tubes, but I could see these going for much more to a specific buyer concerned about ground clearance.

Is this a common scam? He sounds like a real, English-speaking person at the very least. Is there any way I can do this with reasonable assurance I won't get screwed if he does something silly? There are already a couple small bids on the item fwiw.

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[AutoRoc]

Let him bid his amount.....no? Is it an auction or just a fixed price listing with a "make an offer" option? If its an auction, maybe he just wants you to drop a reserve price and this is his tactic.

Money talks!

I'm no expert but ive been screwed by a 1 star buyer winning my auction and then never paying...

 

[Birdie2000]

No reserve, but minimum bid was lowest I'd accept. He's offering way more than I expected to get, around what new long tubes would run, hence why I'm trying to find a way to safely do this haha. Still very early in the auction, got bids within the first few hours it was listed. Dude has 328 feedback but hasn't had any activity in a few months.

They are rare and desirable to the right buyer, so this isn't totally out of the realm of possibility.

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[Hugger Z]

I bought my tractor that way. Found it on eBay, found out the guy was local(ish) in MI and went to see the tractor. Bought it outright instead of going through the auction. As the auction owner you can take it down at any time. Unless you are trying to continue to process the transaction through eBay. Cash talks, if he sends a valid payment, ship him the parts.

 

[The Man]

change the amount on the auction, include a buy it now, with his price as the buy it now. tell him to go through ebay. include a little bit more to cover the fees...

 

[AutoRoc]

Let it auction out. He will drive the price up and you get fatter knots in those pockets. Dollaaaz!!

 

[Birdie2000]

There's no way anyone else will let the price get near the price he offered, lol.

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[sofa king]

If he sends payment, end the auction and ship the parts.
I wouldn't end the auction though until you get some sort of confirmation he is really sending legit payment.

 

[kammi10]

If he sends payment, end the auction and ship the parts.
I wouldn't end the auction though until you get some sort of confirmation he is really sending legit payment.

this ^^^^

i would try and do it outside of ebay and then you get more money after they take all their fee's.. tell him to send the money asap via paypal then end the auction. wait until payment clears your bank account and then send the items out.

 

[AutoRoc]

There's no way anyone else will let the price get near the price he offered, lol.

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Must be a saudi prince hard up for a set of used headers. Don't forget shipping cost. lolz.

 

[ultradriver10000]

change the amount on the auction, include a buy it now, with his price as the buy it now. tell him to go through ebay. include a little bit more to cover the fees...

Why? This will just cost everyone more money. EBAY & Paypal are the same company you don't have to use ebay to be protected with paypal.

Just have him send you the money VIA paypal. Once you have the money ship the parts, its that simple.

Take photos of the parts, of them boxed up, the tracking number and require a signature when you ship it.

this ^^^^

i would try and do it outside of ebay and then you get more money after they take all their fee's.. tell him to send the money asap via paypal then end the auction. wait until payment clears your bank account and then send the items out.

^^^ this

 

[DarkoStoj]

Make sure you ship to the paypal address listed in his account. That is the only way to be protected by fraud.

 

[Birdie2000]

He wanted everything to go through eBay and PayPal, which made me feel a little better although it shouldn't. I don't mind the fees because I'm still coming out way ahead. Payment showed up in PayPal almost immediately and I will be taking every precaution when shipping to fight my case if he tries any bullshit.

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