Opinions wanted. Saw a coin listed on eBay from a buyer ostensibly in Canada. I used eBay messaging system to contact him to see if he would take less. He messaged me back saying he would and sent me a PayPal invoice. Problem: he says he is in Israel but his eBay profile lists him in Ontario Canada. I smell a rat - am I being paranoid or could this be a hijacked account?:hail:
Honestly, if I feel the slightest bit weary of an online purchase, I pump my brakes immediately. Its just not worth the risk when you can find a reputable seller who will more than likely meet your requirements for purchases. I would pass if it was me...
One can specualte for a long time, bottom line you can never know for sure until its too late. I`ve purchased a few items from sellers who are not where their profile says, also item location different from profile location, never had a problem... People can move, we're not in 1920s. If you`re suspicious, stay away. If you really want the item, which can not be found anywhere else, buy through eBay, not PayPal directly, and you`ll get your money back if there is a problem.
If you follow through with the transaction and then have an issue and just happen to mention to paypal that you saw the item originally on ebay but arranged for it outside of ebay for purchase. You'll likely end up sol and to top if off with a banned ebay/paypal account also. Ebay/Paypal doesn't look kindly upon people using different methods to avoid them earning there fee's. I've sold many video games/ blu rays using paypal mostly on other forums and have received warnings from Paypal in regards to using gifted payments whether it be sending them or receiving them when actually exchanging goods in an attempt to skirt fee's. I got this warning after people just sending me gifted payments to try and be nice and avoid fee's when I never requested them to do so and it was only roughly three instances before I got the warning from paypal stating 'they reserve the right to close my account for Tos violations'. I know others have had both their ebay accounts closed and paypal accounts frozen after Ebay/ Paypal found out about them using Ebay to find items and Paypal to pay but then completing the transaction outside of ebay, etc. I would try to get the seller to list the item through ebay and use BIN if you really want it.
I would email the seller back asking that they add the "Best Offer" option to their listing. Then put in your offer and take it from there. That way you do not lose the buyer protection.
You don't say what or how much the coin is, so all I can say is it depends on how much you want to chance it. eBay Buyer Protection covers all be the return shipping. If it is worth that much to you, chance it. If not, don't.
I don't think its that unusual for foreign sellers to list a address in North America. I believe that I've heard of Chinese sellers doing it alot. It doesnt necessarily mean that its a bad seller. Isreal isnt really a place that I've heard alot of scams coming out of, either. But I prolly wouldn't do it, unless it was for an amount of money I really wasn't worried about risking. Or I'd at least delay for a bit and keep an eye on the account.
i use to see it all the time where they list they are a US seller and they are really from another country. i think it is more common than you think. if you are using paypal you have buyers protection.
He may have something to do with the eBay sellers assistant program. Where sellers list items for sale, for individuals that are affraid of doing so themselves, and then they take a commission for it. The selling location and the point it ships from can be half a world apart. If he has an extensive sales history and no negative feedback, you should be alright. Just do the PayPal thing.
