Selling electronics on "the bay"

[Edcculus]

This is the first time I've listed electronics on ebay. Its a very gently used iPhone 5 (black 16 gb).

Its been up a few hours and I've had several people contact me asking to sell it to them at X price directly through paypal.

I'm guessing I probably don't want to do this? I know if they pay through Paypal, there is some protection for both of us, but I kind of see this as sketchy. Thoughts?

 

[ArNav]

Aside of breaking EBAY's rules, it's probably better for you. They won't have the EBAY buyer protection and won't be able to demand their money back.

 

[Austin]

You should have listed it here. Nevertheless, for items like this, I prefer craigslist. You list. They contact you. You meet them in a seedy part of town. They pay cash. No paypal fees or refutes.

 

[one cut]

You should have listed it here. Nevertheless, for items like this, I prefer craigslist. You list. They contact you. You meet them in a seedy part of town. They pay cash. No paypal fees or refutes.

I love the seedy parts of town, I used to get my cartridge razor blades there from skinny pete

 

[Edcculus]

Didn't think about listing it here. Its been so long since Ive used the BST part of this forum. I was under the impression it was only shaving related items.

 

[ArNav]

You should have listed it here. Nevertheless, for items like this, I prefer craigslist. You list. They contact you. You meet them in a seedy part of town. They pay cash. No paypal fees or refutes.

I used to by my Rolexes from this guy:

 

[bakerbarber]

I sell all my cell phones on eBay when I buy new ones.

I sold my Nexus 4 the same day my Nexus 5 arrived.

eBay charges about 10% in fees and Paypal charges another 7~8% on top of that.

I never thought to sell mine here either, but it's a good idea.

Just make triple SURE you wiped it clean first!! No personal info left- not even fingerprints!!

9 times out of 10 my buyer is in Eastern Europe and I get more than I expected. So it makes the fees easier to swallow.

Good luck!

 

[life2short1971]

If you have an auction going with bids let it roll. If no bids yet I would cancel the auction and sell it on here to save the fees. Beware Ebay its a treacherous place. If you vary from the rules at all you have no recourse in the event of a problem or fraud.

 

[Edcculus]

I put it up this morning. it has 1 bid and about 6 people watching it. Thats about 6 hours in with 6 days left to go. Looking at what other iphone 5 are going for, I feel like I should get more than what all these people are offering "off line".

 

[life2short1971]

You will get what the others are getting at auction. The ones who are trying to buy early are usually looking for the steal.

 

[Toothpick]

I've sold all my old phones on ebay. All the old iPhones and a Blackberry.

I put them auction style. It still never fails to have several people message me offering to buy it now. I kindly tell them to place a bid and good luck. I'm also VERY specific about where I will ship it - Which is only within the USA - since I do free shipping it keeps the cost low. All my old phones have sold for more than the upgrade price for a new one so I never worry about fees. I just do it this way because it is the most convenient for me.

 

[Edcculus]

Ok, need a little more advice!

The phone sold at a very good price for me. Unfortunately, I forgot to put in that I would only ship within CON US. Now the winner wants me to ship it to Vietnam. He asked for a quote for USPS International 3-5 day, which I gave to him. He said he'd have no problem paying the extra $80. I told him to pay through the paypal link on the auction, and when I saw that a payment had been made for the correct amount (item+shipping) that I'd ship it out.

Now hes saying that the link in ebay is giving him an error about my paypal acct, and that he wants my paypal address so he can pay me directly. Seems to me, this is a scam because he wants to circumvent Ebay and go through Paypal.

Soooo, can I just tell him "sorry, I will only ship CON US and only accept payment through Ebay? Can I just re list the phone after that?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[life2short1971]

You should be able to send him a money request. http://pages.ebay.com/help/pay/paypal-international.html

 

[Edcculus]

Thanks, but is that safe? I told him I can't give him my paypal address and that he has to use the pay now button on the auction. I have a strong feeling hes trying to scam something here and I don't want to get caught with my pants down. IMO anyone trying to circumvent the system seems shady. I don't know what he's trying to pull, but it doesn't feel fully legit to me.

Here is our back and forth so far:

him

I'd like to buy this item to give to my girlfriend on her birthday. Could you let me know the shipping costs via Express Mail International USPS 3-5 days to Hochiminh city, zipcode 70000 / 700000 Vietnam ? Is edcculus GMAIL your paypal account ? Thank you for cooperation.
The preference link to check shipping quotes.
http://ircalc.usps.com/MailServices.aspx?country=10502&m=13&p=0&o=1&mt=24

me

The quote online says it will cost $____ USD to ship 3-5 day to Vietnam. I would prefer to ship within the US, but if you can add the shipping cost on top of the final price and pay through the Paypal link the ebay listing provides, I will ship it to that address.

If you want me to do that, the total will be $____ USD. Again, I'd rather ship within the US.

I removed the prices FYI

him

Unfortunately, I was out of city on the business trip so I could not get the item if you ship to US. The item will be lost.
So pls help me ship the item to Vietnam address.
is edcculus GMAIL your paypal account ? I will send the payment soon $___.
This is Vietnam address.Could you ship before this weekend? Pls prepare for the shipment. Thanks.
Vietnam address.
(he gives a full address here)

me

Ok i will prepare to ship. Please pay the cost + shipping through the paypal link in the eBay listing. That way we are both protected. When I see the payment has cleared I will ship the phone.

him

Sir.
I got this message in order to make the payment. That is the reason why I need your correct paypal ddress. "We cannot process this transaction because there is a problem with the PayPal email address supplied by the seller. Please contact the seller to resolve the problem. If this payment is for an eBay listing, you can contact the seller via the "Ask Seller a Question" link on the listing page. When you have the correct email address, payment can be made at www.paypal.com. "

It just seems to me he's trying to do everything in his power not to pay through the ebay pay now link. His address on ebay is listed as a San Fransisco address, but he wants me to ship to Vietnam....

 

[life2short1971]

I would contact eBay and/ or paypal and follow their directions to the letter so you are covered against any fraud and do not ship to other than the address that is listed on the account.