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  • #692250
    Pete.
    Participant
      @pete-2

      A few days ago I sold a piece of workshop equipment on eBay worth about £500, the buyer claimed to be from a business, after buying they immediately asked for my address to collect the item.

      I replied with my address and informed them they would need to bring the QR code or six digit number with the QR code, this is the sellers receipt they handed the goods over.

      The buyer ignored my written request in the description asking cash on collection, I do this for two reasons, one being so the buyer can look at the item and make sure they’re completely happy with what they’re buying, the other some people aren’t up to speed with the QR code system.

      I immediately replied with my address and informed them they need to bring the QR code or number written underneath it, this can be found in your purchase history or email linked to your ebay account.

      He turned up with a piece of paper that was just a print off of the screen shot of the listing, I told him I couldn’t hand the goods over as the QR CODE or number is the sellers only proof they handed the goods over, without it the buyer can Just claim  later they didn’t receive the goods and eBay will withdraw the money from your account, you have NO PROOF you gave it to them.

      He got visible agitated started swearing and being aggressive, when I explained this to him, saying his ‘secretary’ didn’t tell him despite all correspondence being signed off with his name.

      20 minutes after he left his so call secretary messaged me in eBay demanding an immediate refund, why she couldn’t have just sent the QR code while he was there will forever remain a mystery.

      If you’re selling anything on eBay that requires collection in person always demand this QR code or cash, I’m 99% sure this person was a scammer.

      Things to look out for, they’ll often try to collect the item immediately to give themselves an excuse they didn’t have time etc to sort it out.

      Try to guilt trip you into thinking you’re wrong for not trusting them (it’s not unreasonable to not trust someone you don’t know no matter how nice they appear)

      Claim ignorance on how the system works.

      Ignore written instructions if you’ve requested cash on collection.

      Be aware of these people, this scam is becoming quite common.

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      #692297
      Hollowpoint
      Participant
        @hollowpoint

        I get these types often. I don’t even entertain them anymore. I make it quite clear in my listing that if an item is to be collected then it is cash only. Online payments get instantly refunded. If they are genuine they will message you to arrange COC.

        #692326
        Martin King 2
        Participant
          @martinking2

          Hi All,

          Could not agree more!

          We generally only make our heavier items, book presses for example, to be cash on collection.

          We have had people turning up wanting to pay online after collection who were soon told “No Chance!”

          Cheers, Martin

          #692376
          Bazyle
          Participant
            @bazyle

            I like most people rarely pick up in person so was unaware the first time of the QR code system. No I don’t read every one of the bombardment of ebay emails.

            Nowadays a better approach is to photograph the interaction handing over the goods and the buyer’s car numberplate. That way you not only have proof of the sale but information for the police if it is a criminal scam.

            #692426
            Pete.
            Participant
              @pete-2
              On Bazyle Said:

              Nowadays a better approach is to photograph the interaction handing over the goods and the buyer’s car numberplate. That way you not only have proof of the sale but information for the police if it is a criminal scam.

              I have to disagree with you that it’s a better approach,  none of what you said will make any sense to the person at the ebay call centre in the  Philippines,  they won’t have the English skills to comprehend why you wrote down someone’s number plate instead of a six digit number showing in your purchase history .

              And the police won’t do anything,  they’ll look at the cctv footage if you have it and ask why you helped load the item in to the persons vehicle and say you willingly handed the goods over, that’s if you can even get hold of them.

              And of course enjoy wasting weeks of your life chasing this up with ebay to be told there’s nothing they can do.

              #692524
              peak4
              Participant
                @peak4

                That’s interesting, as a buyer rather than a seller, I’ve never seen or heard of a QR code or 6 digit number.
                None of my purchases, posted or collected in person, Paypal or Cash, seem to have anything QR shown anywhere, either on my PC eBay account, or Android eBay app.
                I bought and collected something last week locally, paid cash, but had to remind the vendor to mark as “payment received”, as I kept getting reminders from eBay; I’d already left feedback for him, as I always do immediately on collection.

                Please be warned, I was made aware of a slightly different scam when I purchased a 4 disc network storage server.
                The vendor wanted cash and collection only.
                I can understand why, for several reasons, but it did leave me as a buyer a little nervous as I may have had little comeback if it didn’t work; it wasn’t something which could easily be demonstrated for what were quite valid reasons. I was reassured as I was collecting from what was obviously a genuine home address.

                He’d been the victim of a scam previously with a piece of high end electronics kit; I can’t remember what it was now, but significantly >£1000
                Buyer in London legitimately wins auction and pays with Paypal.
                Gizmo dispatched, insured and signed for, apparently all above board.
                Buyer, a couple of days later, registers a formal complaint of the item being faulty.
                Ebay intervenes, item returned to seller, and refund automatically deducted from sellers account, along with return postal cost.
                Seller brassed off, but confused, as he knew the item was good, and not apparently damaged in transit.
                Investigated further, only to find faulty innards in his old outer case.
                Buyer clearly already had a broken gizmo, bought an identical replacement, exchanged the electronic into the sellers case, and returned the item as faulty.
                Even with a photo of the serial numbers, eBay still favoured the buyer, as nothing could be proved.
                It was notified to the police, but I’ve no idea of the outcome.

                Bill

                #692533
                Michael Gilligan
                Participant
                  @michaelgilligan61133
                  On peak4 Said:

                  That’s interesting, as a buyer rather than a seller, I’ve never seen or heard of a QR code or 6 digit number.

                  […]

                  The only time I recall receiving a QR for a purchase, I dutifully printed it and took it with me when collecting … Seller wasn’t interested, but at least I have seen that the process exists.

                  MichaelG.

                  .

                  Edited screenshot of ebay’s message:

                  IMG_9079

                  #692718
                  Nigel Graham 2
                  Participant
                    @nigelgraham2

                    How safe are QR codes?

                    The criminals have now discovered how to stick false ones on car-park ticket machines, diverting the purchaser’s payment and details to the scum.

                    #692725
                    peak4
                    Participant
                      @peak4
                      On Nigel Graham 2 Said:

                      How safe are QR codes?

                      The criminals have now discovered how to stick false ones on car-park ticket machines, diverting the purchaser’s payment and details to the scum.

                      Generating a QR code is easy enough with a free web on-line utility; You need a web site to emulate something for many nefarious purposes, such as a clone for a car park payment site, with a facility to accept payments.

                      image_2023-11-21_014115640

                      Bill

                      #692731
                      Michael Gilligan
                      Participant
                        @michaelgilligan61133

                        … and very easy to read:

                        .

                        IMG_9085

                        .

                         

                        Thanks for making a relatively innocent one, Bill

                        MichaelG.

                         

                        #692762
                        Robert Atkinson 2
                        Participant
                          @robertatkinson2

                          One note for both buyers and sellers, it is against ebay rules to insist on payment by cash. As a buyer I’d never pay cash over £20. The parts swappers are hard to deal with. The only protection ebay recognise is to list as “for parts or not working”. Note that listing as “used” and putting a disclaimer in the description is not accepted by ebay. It’s the selected condition that counts and according to ebay “used” is complete and working. With the new payment system if you use a credit card you may be able to claim off them but if the item is returned it gets difficult. One recourse is the small claims court IF you have a valid name and address for the buyer / seller.
                          In over 20 years s a private buyer and seller on ebay I’ve had very little trouble but what I have seen has been about 50/50 buyer seller. Best advice is don’t buy or sell online unless you are prepared to write the item / money off.

                          #693058
                          Pete.
                          Participant
                            @pete-2
                            On Robert Atkinson 2 Said:

                            One note for both buyers and sellers, it is against ebay rules to insist on payment by cash. As a buyer I’d never pay cash over £20. The parts swappers are hard to deal with. The only protection ebay recognise is to list as “for parts or not working”. Note that listing as “used” and putting a disclaimer in the description is not accepted by ebay. It’s the selected condition that counts and according to ebay “used” is complete and working. With the new payment system if you use a credit card you may be able to claim off them but if the item is returned it gets difficult. One recourse is the small claims court IF you have a valid name and address for the buyer / seller.
                            In over 20 years s a private buyer and seller on ebay I’ve had very little trouble but what I have seen has been about 50/50 buyer seller. Best advice is don’t buy or sell online unless you are prepared to write the item / money off.

                            <p style=”text-align: left;”>Yes, I offer cash for the two reasons originally stated.</p>
                            There are plenty of spares or repairs listed as used, used things listed as new and my personal favourite is dealers writing “plus VAT” in the listing,  which is avoiding ebay fees and clearly against their rules.

                            I never worry about losing money selling stuff, if someone can’t workout how to click on purchase history,  click on the item purchased,  then click show collection code they’re clearly a scammer, like the last guy who came to my home and got told to sod off after a 50 mile trip, if you want to do things by the book, read it first, I didn’t insist on him paying cash, I insisted on my receipt for handing the item over.

                            I would recommend anyone selling large collection only items to educate themselves on this unless you enjoy being ripped off.

                            Getting rid of PayPal only has removed the seller scam of bank transfer,  as there is no longer separate PayPal fees,  it’s all one ebay fee that cannot be avoided regardless of payment, so ebay does try to prevent these fraudsters.

                            #693167
                            Georgineer
                            Participant
                              @georgineer

                              I don’t have a smartphone, so am unable to scan QR codes.  Where does that system leave me?

                              George

                              #693195
                              Chris Crew
                              Participant
                                @chriscrew66644

                                “I don’t have a smartphone, so am unable to scan QR codes.  Where does that system leave me?”

                                Probably safer than the person who scanned a bogus QR code at a railway station car park. This then downloaded a bogus app, as I understand it, which harvested the victim’s payment details and robbed them of a few grand. The newspaper report stated that the car park operator had now removed all QR codes from its car park and advises all customers to download the payment app from Play Store or its equivalent.

                                This has put me on alert and I will never be scanning any more QR codes to order anything from pub menus etc. just in case some thieving scumbag has stuck a bogus QR code sticker over a genuine one. I haven’t been defrauded up to now and I intend to try to keep it that way.

                                #693238
                                Robert Atkinson 2
                                Participant
                                  @robertatkinson2
                                  On Georgineer Said:

                                  I don’t have a smartphone, so am unable to scan QR codes.  Where does that system leave me?

                                  George

                                  There is also a code number you can type in. Only the buyer gets the code.

                                  #693273
                                  Georgineer
                                  Participant
                                    @georgineer

                                    Thanks, Robert.

                                    #693278
                                    Pete.
                                    Participant
                                      @pete-2
                                      On Robert Atkinson 2 Said:
                                      On Georgineer Said:

                                      I don’t have a smartphone, so am unable to scan QR codes.  Where does that system leave me?

                                      George

                                      There is also a code number you can type in. Only the buyer gets the code.

                                      This is what I always use, never used a QR code in my life, also if you’re collecting something where you might have poor phone signal it’s easiest to just write this 6 digit number before you leave your house just incase you can’t access your phone.

                                      Just be careful these scumbags work on people’s ignorance of how the system works,  it might not bother someone to lose 50 quid, but it might ruin your day if your £1200 Myford lathe you just sold has the funds withdrawn from your bank account.

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