paypal... scam?
Discussion
I'm selling some wheels through pistonheads and have been contacted by text and email by a chap who's interested . He asked for some better photos which I sent in order to confirm the condition. He was happy so we agreed a price and I sent him an invoice through paypal. He paid the next day at 1600. then, 1 hr later, he asked for a refund as he's just checked and the wheels won't fit because his car needs 4x100 and not 5x120 like my wheels.
Now don't get me wrong people make mistakes but given that even after checking te additional photos I sent he didn't notice that these wheels need 5 bolts not 4 it all seems a bit suspicious.
If I refund through paypal is there any way this might be a scam?
Now don't get me wrong people make mistakes but given that even after checking te additional photos I sent he didn't notice that these wheels need 5 bolts not 4 it all seems a bit suspicious.
If I refund through paypal is there any way this might be a scam?
Make sure you go into the original payment and click refund.
the only scam I can think of is if he paid with a dodgy card and asked you to send him the amount he sent instead of refunding, although I'm not even sure if this is possible.
As long as you refund the original payment can't see how it could go wrong (famous last words!)
the only scam I can think of is if he paid with a dodgy card and asked you to send him the amount he sent instead of refunding, although I'm not even sure if this is possible.
As long as you refund the original payment can't see how it could go wrong (famous last words!)
You are right to be cautious. The scammers are getting very clever indeed.
As others have said if you refund the amount direct to Paypal from the same account it is difficult to see a scam.
An a accountant for forty years I have watched the scam market grow year upon year. Some of the scams are so complex I honestly think the scammers would make more money in business.
Sadly, like the hackers on the web, I do not think they are motivated by money. I think they enjoy the challenge and the Colditz mentality sets in.
When I saw your post I immediately thought scam.
If its not a scam it suprrises me but I cannot see how it can be in this case.
As others have said if you refund the amount direct to Paypal from the same account it is difficult to see a scam.
An a accountant for forty years I have watched the scam market grow year upon year. Some of the scams are so complex I honestly think the scammers would make more money in business.
Sadly, like the hackers on the web, I do not think they are motivated by money. I think they enjoy the challenge and the Colditz mentality sets in.
When I saw your post I immediately thought scam.
If its not a scam it suprrises me but I cannot see how it can be in this case.
Not sure, as I don't know what would happen if the initial payment into your Paypal account is not honoured from the other side (the buyer's account, I mean, not the spirit world). I know that payments into banks can be withdrawn after some days, can Paypal too? If this is the case what could happen is you could pay the refund then find the original amount is taken out of your Paypal account at a later date. I'd get written confirmation from Paypal that this can't happen before you refund him and if they are unable to do that I'd tell him you're going to wait 10 days to refund him and if he complains tell him tough s
t, he shouldn't have been such a moron.
t, he shouldn't have been such a moron.daemon said:
Liquid Knight said:
Offer a cash refund once the Paypal ballance in cleared into your account, then slap him in the face with it for wasting your time.
I take it you jest?This guy could just be a time wasting muppet who can't count stud holes or a fraudster. Either way you'll find out.
Liquid Knight said:
Two reasons; firstly, cash is a full and final payment of the amount due and nothing more that can not be used as an oportunity to hack into accounts and scalp more money etc.
So, say someone paid you by paypal, and they asked for a refund, you'd give them cash???? Using a fraudulent credit card wont appear as a chargeback on YOUR paypal account until well after the fraudster has the CASH you gave him. Brilliant.
Liquid Knight said:
Secondly, face to face in a public place with cctv will deter any criminal from trying it on due to being rumbled.
You watch too many cop dramas and crimewatch.Liquid Knight said:
Either way you'll find out.
And possibly lose the whole amount as he walks off with your cash, and the transaction gets rolled back.daemon said:
Liquid Knight said:
Two reasons; firstly, cash is a full and final payment of the amount due and nothing more that can not be used as an oportunity to hack into accounts and scalp more money etc.
So, say someone paid you by paypal, and they asked for a refund, you'd give them cash???? Using a fraudulent credit card wont appear as a chargeback on YOUR paypal account until well after the fraudster has the CASH you gave him. Brilliant.
Liquid Knight said:
Secondly, face to face in a public place with cctv will deter any criminal from trying it on due to being rumbled.
You watch too many cop dramas and crimewatch.Liquid Knight said:
Either way you'll find out.
And possibly lose the whole amount as he walks off with your cash, and the transaction gets rolled back.If a Paypal account has been set up using a stolen, cloned or fake credit card the refund goes back on to the card so unless they have set the account up paid for something, canceled the card so the refund goes elsewhere I can't see what the issue is. As it will all be tracable anyway, unless they leave the country they will get caught. I have found that face to face is the best way to deal with problems. Personally I would deliver the wheels and tell the buyer to sell them on at his/her own expence. After all they are sold as described and seen in photographs. It is in no way the sellers fault the buyer can't count holes or have even the simplest mechanical knowledge to be aware that a five stud wheel will not fit a four stud hub. Buyer beware on this one. He/she has bought a set of wheels and it's up to them to sell them on rather than demand a refund.
At best I wouldn't offer a full refund, take the 10% Paypal charge you off at least.
I'm 50/50 on this - it could be a genuine mistake (buyer hadn't thought to check wheels before buying shiny bargain then told mate of his bargain...)
Only offer a refund through the correct process - buyer requests to cancel transaction, you agree to cancel transaction, you refund original payment. DO NOT pay a balancing invoice from the buyer to the same or another paypal account. Also check the ebay help pages on how to proceed when a buyer changes his mind. You'll have ebay fees for the transaction unless it's correctly reversed out.
For selling anything I have abandoned ebay in favour of charity shops, friends & relatives or gumtree (selling for cash). Occasionally I may buy something but then only from established businesses where I can't complete the transaction outside ebay.
Only offer a refund through the correct process - buyer requests to cancel transaction, you agree to cancel transaction, you refund original payment. DO NOT pay a balancing invoice from the buyer to the same or another paypal account. Also check the ebay help pages on how to proceed when a buyer changes his mind. You'll have ebay fees for the transaction unless it's correctly reversed out.
For selling anything I have abandoned ebay in favour of charity shops, friends & relatives or gumtree (selling for cash). Occasionally I may buy something but then only from established businesses where I can't complete the transaction outside ebay.
snowdude2910 said:
just refund it providing you put it through as payment for goods paypal covers you anywhay what wheels are worth £1600 out of interest?? got any pics sounds like something interesting
Think that refers to the time 1600hrs not the value.Make sure you pay a refund through your paypal account and not any other way, just incase he opens a dispute and if paypal can't find a refund through recent transactions they may side with buyer and give him a refund through your account.
Which would leave you out of pocket and trying to get the money back from paypal can be an arse of a job.
snowdude2910 said:
just refund it providing you put it through as payment for goods paypal covers you anywhay what wheels are worth £1600 out of interest?? got any pics sounds like something interesting
Sorry buddy, 1600 was the time not the value! Wheels were less than £150 delivered.Where does the op mention eBay? He posted it on pistonheads!
There are enough mistakes on this thread already to show that mistakes do happen.
Paypal scams are real and now appear to use better English, it's understandable to be cautious but in suprised some people actually get out
of the house!
Although that's probably becoming less common as well.
There are enough mistakes on this thread already to show that mistakes do happen.
Paypal scams are real and now appear to use better English, it's understandable to be cautious but in suprised some people actually get out
of the house!
Although that's probably becoming less common as well.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff