Any collectors know how to not get scammed on Ebay

[JanuaryStorm]

I've canceled many sales of camera equipment on eBay because someone thought I'd be gullible enough to send stuff to MiddleOfNowhere, Texas, or to an international courier service.

Of course, it isn't just ebay that's messed up. Some scammer bought a statue from me, waited a month, then filed a refund through their credit card as a case of "I did not authorize this purchase," and then promptly deleted their ebay account.

Naturally, paypal (since eBay was still using paypal at the time) went ahead and issued the refund (~$300). I fought it through their resolution center, but they told me I'd be ineligible for a refund since ebay autocorrected a mistake in their shipping address. Part of proving that I shipped the statue is that the address on my shipping label has to match the address of the receiver's paypal account, which it technically didn't.

Thankfully, after enough kicking and screaming, I was able to get my money. eBay wasn't even involved past the point of sale. It was all with the credit card companies and paypal.

Problem is, paypal still technically hasn't closed the ticket yet, so I may still end up losing my money AGAIN.

[Yojimbo]

People like to blame buyers a lot, but I’ve been scammed MUCH more from sellers than buyers.

I can count on my hand times I’ve been scammed by buyers…. Don’t even have enough appendages to count when sellers scammed me (unsuccessfully).

This is out of 1000+ transactions

[Sonic Boom]

I don't get scammed. I let buyers know ahead of time that I will show up to their home to make sure they are satisfied with their purchase.

[qz33]

Originally Posted by Sonic Boom

I don't get scammed. I let buyers know ahead of time that I will show up to their home to make sure they are satisfied with their purchase.

[Ish3183]

I have 4 XM pieces I want to sell off and I don't use social media, so eBay seems to be my only option. However, seeing these comments have me worried about trying to sell on eBay.

[Iko Iko]

Originally Posted by Ish3183

I have 4 XM pieces I want to sell off and I don't use social media, so eBay seems to be my only option. However, seeing these comments have me worried about trying to sell on eBay.

You might have to join a social media site to sell. I have never been on FaceBook but I am considering joining because I also have a few statues to sell (and I'd rather not sell on eBay).

[azurepred]

I'm one who often sells to make room for newer collectibles. I guess I have been lucky so far. As a buyer and seller, haven't been scammed in over 12 years (knock on wood). It's probably just plain luck and % say will probably happen at some point. Ebay and paypal did screw me out of $400 once because I accidentally hit the pay now button twice. I was new to collecting and should have fought it harder.

As a seller who does still go through ebay now and then (because facebook group members can be cheap as hell), I always make sure I take photos of the statue right before packaging and also try to videotape the packing process. For the record, I still hate ebay immensely, but that is the only place I have success selling on when facebook people won't buy the item. Gotta do what you gotta do.

[goatchumby]

Originally Posted by azurepred

As a seller who does still go through ebay now and then (because facebook group members can be cheap as hell), I always make sure I take photos of the statue right before packaging and also try to videotape the packing process.

This right here. Always document items that you're selling down the the individual components. Get those edition numbers on video and a complete view of the contents.

However, this advice would be more valuable if eBay did not automatically side with the buyer on every single sale regardless of fault or intent.

[tarim69]

I sold off about a dozen statues last year with no problems.

Will be selling a few more soon.

[sluysken]

it is true in my experience with eBay they always side with buyer