marf Posted December 3, 2023 Share Posted December 3, 2023 I got a message from a potential ebay buyer who has ebay account from 2021 and no feedback or purchases/sales that stated: Hello I’m interested in this book but 647 would like to see it if 960 possible. I’m in the 0343 west end of Toronto. Thanks his name Is this a scammer? I don't believe ebay allows a person to see the comic in person before purchasing as then you would just do a private deal... Also if you have any other tips on how to spot a scammer let me know Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormflora Posted December 3, 2023 Share Posted December 3, 2023 Why would it be a scam if they want to physically see the comic in person? It's not like they're taking the comic for free. If you're afraid that they might come packing and jack it from you on the street, meet up at a police station or in a mall or something. If you don't want to deal with meet-ups, don't offer pick-up as an option. As for eBay policy, yeah, they don't want you to be conducting business outside of eBay, so technically, it would not be allowed, and chances are, a lot of text from either party will be censored in the messages (likely the address), which you two will not be aware of. Or if eBay catches you trying to slide in some deets, they might give you an infraction or warning. I'd just play by the book and tell the person to pay for it first, and then they can pick-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marf Posted December 3, 2023 Author Share Posted December 3, 2023 well if he had 100% feedback and a dozen purchases or sales i'd be less skeptical I'm also not even offering local pick-up on this listing but I guess he saw I was local. Police station is a great idea thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KCOComics Posted December 3, 2023 Share Posted December 3, 2023 On 12/3/2023 at 1:16 PM, marf said: well if he had 100% feedback and a dozen purchases or sales i'd be less skeptical I'm also not even offering local pick-up on this listing but I guess he saw I was local. Police station is a great idea thanks Agreed- if it's all legit he'll happily meet at a police station and tell him it's a cash deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowGradeBronze Posted December 3, 2023 Share Posted December 3, 2023 What's in it for him Vs what's in it for you. You do him a favour (why?) to no real benefit that you get other than a sense of unease. Avoid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Galen130 Posted December 3, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted December 3, 2023 Here’s how you spot an eBay scammer… Dr. Balls, The Lions Den, ThothAmon and 6 others 1 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Furious Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 On 12/3/2023 at 11:54 AM, marf said: I got a message from a potential ebay buyer who has ebay account from 2021 and no feedback or purchases/sales that stated: Hello I’m interested in this book but 647 would like to see it if 960 possible. I’m in the 0343 west end of Toronto. Thanks his name Is this a scammer? I don't believe ebay allows a person to see the comic in person before purchasing as then you would just do a private deal... Also if you have any other tips on how to spot a scammer let me know Thanks!! The zero feedback could mean that this is what he does, arrange local meetups to buy directly. If so, I suspect that getting you to meet him would just be step one in a negotiation strategy. Once you put that skin in the game of showing up with the book, he may try to negotiate price pretty hard from there. The Lions Den and stormflora 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revat Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 I'm not saying this is a good idea or not, but what would be the scam? other than not strictly following ebay's terms of service or the tax requirements of the Crown. I guess there's the possibility of being robbed and/or murdered for your comic - but that seems more serious than "scamming". Or the possibility that he tries to negotiate you down further in person - but that seems less serious than "scamming" (although seriously annoying). This seems pretty far from an "ebay scammer", so on that front you're probably good. stormflora and ThothAmon 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyFish Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 The vast majority of scams involve greed-- the buyer offers you some ridiculous price for something to make you afraid of missing the deal. For me, I don't care if we live on the same street, if you buy something through eBay from me it goes through the US Mail and there is no FTF interactions, ever, period. Hudson 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PovertyRow Posted December 5, 2023 Share Posted December 5, 2023 (edited) Tell them you will be happy to supply hi-res scans. Edited December 5, 2023 by PovertyRow crazyhips 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostboys Posted December 5, 2023 Share Posted December 5, 2023 Meet him wherever he wants...show up wearing all black, gloves and a ski mask. stormflora, comic_memories and AbsoluteCarnage 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Pontoon Posted December 5, 2023 Share Posted December 5, 2023 On 12/4/2023 at 1:07 PM, AndyFish said: The vast majority of scams involve greed-- the buyer offers you some ridiculous price for something to make you afraid of missing the deal. For me, I don't care if we live on the same street, if you buy something through eBay from me it goes through the US Mail and there is no FTF interactions, ever, period. This all the way. I've sold cars and car parts locally through Craig's List or the WantAdvertiser, large, expensive items that pretty much require in person inspection, but anything I list on ebay stays on ebay. I don't have time or desire to save some knucklehead $5-10 on postage on a freakin' comic book or collectible even if they're going to hand me cash. No feedback or purchases after 2 years is a bit odd. Maybe he's looking to mug the OP. Probably farfetched, but stories like that do occasionally turn up in the news. stormflora 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigur Ros Posted December 6, 2023 Share Posted December 6, 2023 (edited) On 12/3/2023 at 12:54 PM, marf said: I got a message from a potential ebay buyer who has ebay account from 2021 and no feedback or purchases/sales that stated: Hello I’m interested in this book but 647 would like to see it if 960 possible. I’m in the 0343 west end of Toronto. Thanks his name Is this a scammer? I don't believe ebay allows a person to see the comic in person before purchasing as then you would just do a private deal... Also if you have any other tips on how to spot a scammer let me know Thanks!! I'm curious what the value of the item is. Offer pics, if he's serious he'll accept them. Anyway, avoid meeting. Just follow the eBay rules. Never know what he's wanting to do. eBay has a huge audience, you don't need the one guy who wants to inconvenience you. Edited December 6, 2023 by Sigur Ros stormflora and The Lions Den 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormflora Posted December 7, 2023 Share Posted December 7, 2023 On 12/4/2023 at 12:24 PM, revat said: I'm not saying this is a good idea or not, but what would be the scam? other than not strictly following ebay's terms of service or the tax requirements of the Crown. I guess there's the possibility of being robbed and/or murdered for your comic - but that seems more serious than "scamming". Or the possibility that he tries to negotiate you down further in person - but that seems less serious than "scamming" (although seriously annoying). This seems pretty far from an "ebay scammer", so on that front you're probably good. There have definitely been cases of in-person theft/mugging in the past, albeit not necessarily with comics. Back when the PS5 and GPUs around that time were just released, there were many cases in the news of people meeting up with others to buy their (scalped/upcharged) items, and then robbing them armed or with a group. Of course, that's not nearly as prevalent nowadays, but there is always that possibility with high priced items. Thus, whether it is eBay or Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace or whatever, any sufficiently expensive item sold in-person should be done in a location with other people around, or with surveillance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Linguini Posted December 7, 2023 Share Posted December 7, 2023 (edited) Meet him at a police station. Seems normal, maybe he thinks he can slickly talk you down in person? Not that odd but something I almost never do. Toronto police stations have these "Sales and Exchange Zones for online sale" areas for these kind of things. Edited December 7, 2023 by Jimmy Linguini stormflora 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Balls Posted December 7, 2023 Share Posted December 7, 2023 On 12/7/2023 at 1:22 PM, Jimmy Linguini said: Meet him at a police station. Seems normal, maybe he thinks he can slickly talk you down in person? Not that odd but something I almost never do. Toronto police stations have these "Sales and Exchange Zones for online sale" areas for these kind of things. OK, sorry this is off-topic, but I didn't realize until now that @Jimmy Linguini and @Jack Linguini are two different people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Pontoon Posted December 8, 2023 Share Posted December 8, 2023 On 12/7/2023 at 5:57 PM, Dr. Balls said: OK, sorry this is off-topic, but I didn't realize until now that @Jimmy Linguini and @Jack Linguini are two different people. Bro, you own a restaurant. Would you confuse fettuccine with rigatoni? Dr. Balls and Pitboss 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellino collector Posted December 8, 2023 Share Posted December 8, 2023 Hello, I once sold a comic on eBay. I live in Queens and the buyer in Manhattan. The buyer said to me, your postage is to high, just go the corner of 67 street and Broadway and meet my husband and give him the comic. When I asked her about my time and having to take the train, she told me not my problem. I refused and she gave me a negative. When I complained to E-bay they looked at the e-mails we sent back and forth and actually removed her negative. She then sent me a LOAD of cussword's and insults and then they just shut off her account. stormflora and Artifiction 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marf Posted December 12, 2023 Author Share Posted December 12, 2023 The value of the item is $500 CAD and there are plenty of thorough pictures. Thanks for all the comments. I decided to avoid to remove all risk , avoid the hassle and not get slaughtered lol. stormflora 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormflora Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 On 12/7/2023 at 3:22 PM, Jimmy Linguini said: Meet him at a police station. Seems normal, maybe he thinks he can slickly talk you down in person? Not that odd but something I almost never do. Toronto police stations have these "Sales and Exchange Zones for online sale" areas for these kind of things. They do? I swear I've never seen them before in my entire life. Must be a downtown-only thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
