Advice Needed -- How can I avoid getting cheated?

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Posted By: Paul

Someone on ebay with zero feedback has been offering from very nice cards from a particular set. I asked him if he has the one card that I'm looking for (which he hadn't yet posted on ebay), and he said he actually has two. He sent me scans. I've got no doubt the cards in the scan are real. But I'm real reluctant to send $500-$1,000 to someone I do not know. The scans could be stolen. Even if they're not, it could be a scam where the seller keeps my money and the card. I suppose the same risks exist with ebay transactions, but I think all of the cards I've purchased on ebay in this price range and higher have come from people I knew or people who had very high feedback numbers.

Are there any security measures that I can take in this situation? I'd love the card, but the zero feedback and eagerness to sell off ebay are warning signs to me. Any advice would be appreciated.

Unfortunately suspicious on Christmas eve,

Paul

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Posted By: leon

Have you asked to speak with him on the phone or have you spoken with him? Most times I have seen this scare off scammers. Not always though, so you still have to be careful, of course. It's a good first step to ask.. and see the response ....

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Posted By: Paul

Thanks, Leon. He actually volunteered to speak to me, and I did. It left me with somewhat mixed feelings. And there's also my cardinal rule -- he can't spell.

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Posted By: Paul

Does C.O.D. still exist, where the mailman or UPS or whoever won't hand the package over to me until I pay for it? Would I have a chance to open the package before forking over the cash?

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Posted By: Elliot

Offer to pay for an escrow service.

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Posted By: Judge Dred (Fred)

Sometimes you get lucky....

If it were a few hundred dollar item you could have him BIN it and have it payed by paypal.

Since it's a larger amount it's a bit risky. Some people just need a chance:

1) To take advantage of you.
2) To Build some credibility.

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Posted By: JK

pay via paypal by credit card. you can always cancel the credit card payment if you dont get the item from the seller (go straight to the credit card company rather than through paypal's dispute process).

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Posted By: Ryan Christoff

Paul,

I would figure out how much it would cost to buy the extra protection Paypal offers (seems like it's really just insurance) and then ask him to come down that exact amount. That way you're covered if he screws you and if not, it didn't cost you any more than if you didn't have to buy the extra policy.

Unless he's a scammer, he should understand there's a legitimate credibility issue with such a lack of feedback and no hobby references.

-Ryan

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Posted By: Paul

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. The seller has thought better of it and decided to put the card on ebay.

For future reference, are there any escrow services for non-ebay transactions?

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Posted By: Griffin's

I had a guy offer me a $1200. card I really needed but it seemed a bit odd. I just found someone on the board who lived nearby and offered him $50. to pick it up. All went smoothly.

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Posted By: Matt E.

Glad to help out a board member and I am vacation this week so it is not a big deal.

I will be be glad to get your card/s and mail them. Since I am there I might as well sit down with the seller and go thru all the other stuff he has not listed on Ebay. Probably some old T and E cards, what the heck maybe even a Cracker Jack or two.. Just kidding
Call me

Sent you an Email

Matt Engle
Turner Engle

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Posted By: Rick

The Postal Service stills offers COD, although it isn't used much since Paypal and credit cards became so popular. You have to pay the COD charge and sign for the package BEFORE you can open it. You may pay with cash, which is then converted to a money order and mailed to the sender, or you can write a check directly to the sender, but either way you cannot open the package until you have paid for it, and then it becomes your responsibility.

Rick