Messages sent between eBay members have a new addition as of today: a warning that off-site sales are against eBay rules and not covered by buyer protection:
Do not respond to the sender if this message requests that you complete the transaction outside of eBay. This type of offer is against eBay policy, may be fraudulent, and is not covered by buyer protection programmes.
I’m not quite sure if this is a universal development, or just something that’s being tested at the moment: some of my messages today have had it, and some have not. Still, if it stops a buyer or two falling for a fake second chance offer, or paying cash for a car they’ll never actually receive, I’m all in favour.
4 Responses
I have already made 2 signifigant off-ebay sales with this new header in QFS email back-and-forth conversations. Buyers understand the risks and are willing to accept terms with those sllers who exibit a trackrecord of trustworthiness. Buyers are mature enough to not need ebay ‘reminding them’ with flags and warnings etc. My experiences over the last couple of days proved this. Have a great day.
Jeff, I wish you were right about all buyers, but sadly, plenty do fall for the scammers, so I think a warning is perfectly in order.
If a buyer is mature enough, Jeff, you are right that they will know how to identify a good seller from the bad. If they are just starting out, and this is the sector that these warnings are aimed at, they probably will not know, and I see nothing wrong with eBay taking its responsibility to educate seriously.
Everyone has to start somewhere, and at the beginning even things that seem the most obvious to us, are arcane gibberish to someone else…
I also turn a healthy trade with off ebay sales – I hasten to add these are usually on high ticket items where several emails are exchanged and often a phone call or two. I have bought in this manner myself and you get a chance to sound the person out before sending the cash. eBay make enormous profits and savvy buyers KNOW that if they deal direct they can negotiate a better deal.
If ebay weren’t so keen on fleecing sellers left, right and centre, I wouldn’t engage in off ebay sales with gusto.
The direct payments also leave me feeling all warm and cosy.