The sender of this payment is Non-U.S. - Verified, I think fraud?

[darlene4121]

I have recently sold an eBay item @ $55.05 . First off this item can be purchased from the actually company for $50(Yes, that company accepts PayPal). His PayPal info is confirmed and verified. Buyer is located in Ukraine (Urkrain e-mail address and Ukraine confirmed mailing address) . My main reason for this post is to see if anyone can smell fraud or am I just over reacting? I don't understand why someone would pay more than face value when it is readily available from the company, instantly. User joined Apr-07-10, 0 rating. I usually don't allow users with 0 feedback to bid, looks like I may pay for this the hardway?

Also I would like to add, this payment is being held for 21 DAYS! I am not really sure about this transaction, I really have no way of confirming on this type of item, other than screen shots of trade confirmation, but still with that method I have no way of proving 100% that the buyer received the item. I really should have not messed up the bidding restrictions when I created the auction.

You can purchase these tickets in-game with PayPal for $1 each. This user paid $1.10? Any tips would be great. Thanks !!

P.S. I have not delivered this item electronically as he is not available for online/in-game delivery.

[surplusdealdude]

I wouldn't be too concerned about someone paying more than retail for an item - happens all the time in the heat of an auction.

I've had auctions run up to $74 on items that are available in my store for $25 - the sale went off without a hitch.

I assume that you didn't get Delivery confirmation to the Ukraine, since it would have cost you likely over $100 to do so, so confirmation isn't an issue - you don't have any.

IF the buyer does make a claim, you'll lose, but Ukrane people are pretty honest as a general rule.

Unless there is a real problem in delivery, I wouldn't worry unless a dispute is made.

[darlene4121]

Hi! Thank you very much for the post. It was very helpful! On another note, I was just informed on the eBay boards:

[QUOTE]OP, what you are doing is banned on eBay. Digital delivery is no longer allowed, unless you are paying for a classified ad. You have to physically send tangible goods.

And if you and the buyer have to be online at the same time to complete the transaction, well, good luck. I hope you are willing to deal with more than a few time zones and stay awake 24 hours.

As for the "product" being available from the source, maybe the source does not accept orders from Eastern Europe. Who knows?[/QUOTE]

In my reply, I did not know this. I have seen 100's of these auctions daily. I am willing to refund the buyer and cancel this transaction if that will avoid any run-ins with eBay and their Selling Policy.

I must add that this item was for 50 Magic the Gathering Online Event Tickets.

[surplusdealdude]

Yeah, they're illegal, all right.

I'd say it's up to the buyer and you.

If you're both still willing to go through with the transaction, then do it.  ebay doesn't like virtual items, but they like happy buyers.

[darlene4121]

Thank you for your input surplusdealdude! Kudos to you, my question is answered. Any other input would be greatly appreciated.

[darlene4121]

Here are responses I received on eBay's Seller Central Discussion Board. I am now worried, I do not want to receive negative feedback over this if I decide to back out. I do not want to have a reputation of backing out of commitments nor do I want my account(s) to be banned over this honest mistake. Any suggestions on what you would do or what I should do would be great. Thanks all.

Here are the responses I received:

"You can refund, but run the risk of a neg. as for other listing, they also are in violation. With no way of verifying delivery, you put yourself at risk for a neg, item not received, item not as described. I suggest you read up on user policy,digital delivery."

"I'd say there is a 99% chance that this buyer is going to claim non-delivery. It is against eBay policy to sell electronically-delivered items. eBay can and will shut you down if they become aware. Those supposed to only be listed as classified ads. Your smartest move is to refund the buyer and stop the transaction. You may have to suffer the feedback/DSR consequences."

[surplusdealdude]

Well, there is always a risk of a neg, but if the buyer is getting what they want, I don't see any reason why they would leave one.

If ebay doesn't like your listings, then they'll cancel them and likely warn you the first time.  They don't have to, but they usually do, unless the vilation was major ( like, if you have 1,000 items up that are violations).

As long as you are sending something physical, they're not "virtual" items, but ebay doesn't like WOW items at all.

I'd cancel the rest of those listings, just to be safe.  Perhaps sell them in WOW forums instead.

But I'd go through with this transaction - it sounds like the buyer is honest.

SC guys tend to be a little paranoid.

[surplusdealdude]

Sorry, substitute Magic, the Gathering for WOW.

ebay doesn't like either of them because they had so much trouble with them previously.