I’ve recently listed what’s for me a large amount of WOTC cards for sale on eBay, and the amount of people messaging me requesting to purchase one or more cards off of eBay, even asking to drive to my location and do a cash deal, has been unexpected. It is tempting, of course, because the fees and taxes can be rough, but I’ve gotten so comfortable dealing through eBay now that I can’t bring myself to wander from it.
Most of the time I can’t help the feeling I’m just being lured away from the security of eBay and into the jungles of “IG” for the scam.
How often does this happen to you?
Do you feel comfortable selling off of eBay with people who message you through the platform?
Is this something you’d recommend against as an experienced eBay seller?
If someone messages me offering an off ebay deal and they lived in my country, I’d be tempted provided they had decent feedback, weren’t a brand new account, could show they had a profile on a forum such as here or just about anywhere (I used this username on a lot of forums for example). If I had even the slightest sniff they were going to do something dodgy I’d say no.
There’s plenty of scams about “I’ll send a courier to your house” type thing. It’s not worth the risk.
But international then no way. I’ve been using the global shipping programme on ebay for convenience. Shipping international from the UK is really expensive and if I got scammed I’d be fuming. GPS takes care of all of that (for the most part anyway).
I agree, the security provided through eBay is worth the fees entirely. It just doesn’t seem like a good idea, even though the possibility of saving what could sometimes be hundreds of dollars is extremely tempting.
One guy even sent me something like 15 photos of his “references” from other sites along with his request to speak off of eBay. Seems like an entirely different world. A lawless world.
You can still protect yourself off ebay. PayPal f&f off ebay is “safer” for a seller than doing it on ebay.
Most of these people that do this are just desperate to save as much money as possible and are not looking to scam you. Often people with more time than money, especially if it’s a cheap item. That said, at a certain dollar amount it might make sense for you as the seller to go off ebay too.
Genuine question - how could paypal friends and family possibly be safer than ebay? It’s the same as wiring somebody money. Once it’s sent you aren’t getting it back.
I don’t mind doing deals off ebay via paypal goods and services. Far lower fees than ebay and similar protections. Perhaps that’s what you meant?
Edit: I had a senior moment. Obviously it’s safer for the seller lol since someone is effectively wiring you money. I was thinking from the buyer’s perspective.
Yeah you got it in the end. But I will say I forgot about the authenticity guarantee thing (because I still don’t have access to it). That might ultimately be the safest way to sell something. Or at least tied with F&F
i dont bother with this anymore since auth guarantee unless they are paying through f&f or a cash like transaction. the fees you will pay on ebay is well worth it for auth vs. g&s since you won’t be able to get return scammed.
70 “trades” (purchases or sales) in, never an issue. But I am discerning about whom I sell to, and the subreddit self-selects for people who aren’t assholes
I’ve done plenty of deals off ebay without issue. You just need to be careful with who you deal with. I would only buy from reputable IG sellers, but i would sell to almost anyone, offering the transaction to be through Paypal G&S with fee or F&F without fees.
9 times out of 10 they want to offer you lowest comp - sales tax - 13.5% ebay fee. They expect you to accept this because, “that’s what you’d net on ebay”. If you’re desperate to sell, go ahead. But if you wait and it’s priced appropriately a no nonsense buyer will come along and buy it.
Is this not against eBay ToS? And PayPal ToS if you do F&F? You’d have to factor in the risk of getting banned or sanctioned by those platforms. That said, I’d meet someone in person and take cash every time if it were up to me.