What's the best way to sell on ebay without getting scammed?

I know paypal can be reversed, will people actually pay with check? Are there ways like paypal that are safer? pst

Money Order is the end all be all as far as the seller is concerned.

BTW as far as I know, unless you selling shit in MMORPGS or that doesn't physically exist then they can't reverse the paypal becuase you have proof.

money order, western union, check (wait til clears)

-- ship using ups/fed ex - sign on delivery only (ie no dropping off item unless signed for by the person shipped to)

I've done close to 1000 sales on EBay and never had a problem. If they pay with paypal only ship to confirmed addresses that're on the account they paid you with and require that they pay the extra for shipping insurance/tracking/sign on delivery. Which is like $2.

And refuse to take bids from people with new accounts or ones that have lots of negative feedback.

Best way is just to have them do money orders or checks. Just make sure you hold the item until the check clears. I've seen people have more problems with bad checks than with paypal reversals

I've always thought that a cheap, universal, paypal-based escrow would be a good way to pay all things ebay. Just collect a 1% service fee on each transaction. I think it would be worth a lot to most for the peace of mind. Anybody want in on it with me?

Confused wrote:

I've always thought that a cheap, universal, paypal-based escrow would be a good way to pay all things ebay. Just collect a 1% service fee on each transaction. I think it would be worth a lot to most for the peace of mind. Anybody want in on it with me?

Interesting thought... until someone sells 23 ostriedges and ues your holding company as an animal zoo holding pen for 4 weeks until the check clears.. and you make 1% on $100.00.

Frashii wrote:

Confused wrote: I've always thought that a cheap, universal, paypal-based escrow would be a good way to pay all things ebay. Just collect a 1% service fee on each transaction. I think it would be worth a lot to most for the peace of mind. Anybody want in on it with me? Interesting thought... until someone sells 23 ostriedges and ues your holding company as an animal zoo holding pen for 4 weeks until the check clears.. and you make 1% on $100.00.

Escrows don't hold inventory. They only hold cash. Then they arbitrate when a dispute arises. A well-written contract will give the escow authority to arbitrate a case without litigation.

Basically works like this:

1) Seller decides to ensure quality of item (as described in the posting) by offering escrow for 1% of the price.

2) Bidder buys item and paypals money into the escrow account.

3) Escrow notifies seller that money is in possession.

4) Seller ships product to bidder.

5) Bidder retreives the product and is either satisfied or dissatisfied.

6) If bidder is dissatisfied, he complains to escrow and the escrow company reviews the posting (which is held on record at the escrow company) and the compaint.

7) If escrow rules in favor of seller, then judgement is passed (all parties are required to accept based on the contract signed at purchase) and the money is dispursed to the seller.

8) If escrow rules in favor of bidder, then the bidder is required to return the product (at bidder expense) and the money is then returned to the bidder once the product is received by the seller.


When you consider that very few feedbacks are generally negative, and only reputable bidders would actually offer escrow, I think it would be pretty profitable.

paypal is 99% safe if you keep records of tracking numbers and make them sign at delivery.

for the 1% risk it really isnt worth the time and the pain in the a*s to do it otherways

Quote:

And refuse to take bids from people with new accounts

I've never understood this position.
How am i going to buy the item i want if i've never used ebay?
Buy 400 other things i dont need just to get the one thing i want..

It sounds a lil silly to me

Brash wrote:

paypal is 99% safe if you keep records of tracking numbers and make them sign at delivery. for the 1% risk it really isnt worth the time and the pain in the a*s to do it otherways

The escow is primarily protection for the buyer. You didn't want to buy those speakers because you were suspicious of the seller. If he offered an escrow (at a cost of $15.87), you could buy the speakers risk-free. Naturally, if he had intentions to rip you off, he wouldn't allow the escrow. I'm guessing that you would have paid $15.87 extra to have those speakers, though.

Aviger wrote:

Quote: And refuse to take bids from people with new accounts I've never understood this position. How am i going to buy the item i want if i've never used ebay? Buy 400 other things i dont need just to get the one thing i want.. It sounds a lil silly to me

What he probably means is dont take bids on things with a significant price tag from new accounts. Ideally, people new to the system should start by gaining feedback with small ticket purchases/sales, showing they are really legit. It's almost like credit, you start small and build up trust.

Aviger wrote:

Quote: And refuse to take bids from people with new accounts I've never understood this position. How am i going to buy the item i want if i've never used ebay? Buy 400 other things i dont need just to get the one thing i want.. It sounds a lil silly to me

I was meaning to put "have anyone with new accounts contact you before bidding" That usually puts a stop to fake bidders. I've yet to have any false bids when I ask them to contact me first. People out to grief bid usually skip past auctions like that.