Interesting read. I had no idea about this scam and it appears I am right in the middle of one. Mind you, the item I sold is nowhere near as expensive. Lesson learned though, and I wont be using eBay any time soon.
Thinking of Selling on eBay using Paypal? Think Again
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Re: Thinking of Selling on eBay using Paypal? Think Again
#92To jump on a point totally unrelated to the post's complaint but related to selling smartphones, I've found that if I'm selling electronics (especially generation-behind iPhones for the family) I can do much better than eBay, even before you discount both their listing fee and paypal use fees. And there's comparatively no risk. For cash: gazelle For slightly more cash (usually just a few percent), in the form of a gi…
Gazelle is worthless and preys on the poor and uneducated. You get less than 50% what you would from selling on ebay. http://www.gazelle.com/iphone/iphone-4s/at-t/iphone-4s-64gb-... vs http://www.ebay.com/sch/Cell-Phones-Smartphones-/9355/i.html...
isn't that the point, you're paying a premium for security.
Re: Thinking of Selling on eBay using Paypal? Think Again
#93Earlier quoted context omitted.
Of course. If you look their website now and their SEC filings, it is clear that eBay is not any more "garage sales on internet with auctions". It is more like discount store. Are there any of YC companies building "garage sales on internet"?
just wondering how would you expect or how do other companies currently avoid fraud. The costs associated or added with constantly investigating fraud would almost seem like a deterrent in making a system useful.
If you look at Paypal's 10-K, they assume an automatic writeoff 4% of their revenues due to losses from chargebacks.
Re: Thinking of Selling on eBay using Paypal? Think Again
#94If this happened to me, small claims court.
Re: Thinking of Selling on eBay using Paypal? Think Again
#95I did recently buy some old equipment for ~$250 on ebay from an amateur seller. I'm not sure what eBay can do, except charge higher fees and provide some insurance.
Re: Thinking of Selling on eBay using Paypal? Think Again
#96Paypal is the most fraudulent company that I've done business with. There for I never sell anything anymore using it, purchase is ok but also risky. A friend of mine purchased an engine part on ebay but received a brick insted. Paypal then refused to give the money back because he had signed it out.
In total I've lost 1000's of dollars due to Paypal just handing it back to the fraudster. It doesn't matter what you say or what evidence you got. Me personally have never won a paypal dispute as a mercher.
My recommendation to other people, I know its a loss of customers but LibertyReserve, bitcoins or old fashion bankwire is as safe as it gets.
Re: Thinking of Selling on eBay using Paypal? Think Again
#97Earlier quoted context omitted.
>If you're selling something like an antique grandfather clock, you should be fine. Paypal orders buyer to destroy antique violin: http://www.regretsy.com/2012/01/03/from-the-mailbag-27/
One bad incident out of millions doesn't set a precedent.
I think you're misusing the word "precedent" here. This absolutely does set a precedent but whether it constitutes a trend or policy change is debatable.
Re: Thinking of Selling on eBay using Paypal? Think Again
#98Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you really want the money back, sue the guy. File a miscellaneous action in Ohio and then use subpoenas to acquire his real address/billing info. Contact the state AG and local federal AG's as well, just for kicks. Note that if you go to file a small claims action, you will actually have to be present in Ohio. They require in-personam jurisdiction. (You do have the option of filing in local federal district court…
You can't sue a fake identity
Presumably the OP has an address where he sent his iPhone. Not sure as IANAL, but he theoretically could sue a Doe at a given address and subpoena for an identity.
Re: Thinking of Selling on eBay using Paypal? Think Again
#99The whole tech culture is also to blame. I'm sure there have been a LOT of great alternate ebay, paypal start ups who just didn't get traction. Bloggers won't talk about you if you haven't raised a million and you won't get much traction on google without bloggers or spending major bucks. My Dreamybids.com site for example, is an awesome service that uses the quibids model. It allows anyone to host their own auctions…
That's not an auction, that is a lottery, a raffle basically.
Re: Thinking of Selling on eBay using Paypal? Think Again
#100The only logical conclusion that can be made from eBay's and Paypal's policies is that they no longer want small sellers to use them. They want professional sellers to sell from their site, people who are used to dealing with chargebacks, etc, and can foot the bill when it comes to chargebacks/fraud. They want to facilitate BUYING from regular people, but make SELLING by regular people very difficult. There is no oth…
Of course. If you look their website now and their SEC filings, it is clear that eBay is not any more "garage sales on internet with auctions". It is more like discount store. Are there any of YC companies building "garage sales on internet"?
Yardsale meets your description and is YC backed.