Suspicious EBay emails?

[rickoshea52]

I just sold an item on eBay and received an automatic email from the buyer before I have sent an invoice. This all sounds a bit strange to me so I thought I'd ask the opinion of this forum's members.

This is the text of the email I received, I've done some research and it doesn't sound kosher to me;

New message from: cargo2akl (12839)

"Hello, we just won a bid for the item and we have a favor to ask you. Can you please make sure the shipping package has the eBay item numbers on it?

For those of you who are going to separate an item into more than one box, it would be much appreciated if you numbered the packages. (e.g 1/2 2/2) Also, if we need to specify the size, color or any information for the item to be shipped out, please remind us to inform you.

Last but not least, please include all correct items that are shown in the picture and/or your description.

Thank you.

*This message was auto generated."

[Guest]

Never come across this myself, but that`s not to say its not a genuine message, e-bay are always changing things, if you are not sure you can always contact e-bay yourself and ask them.

[eddiesolo]

Never had one of those before, no idea, if in doubt get in touch with Ebay before contacting the buyer-see if it is legit.

Si

[tanktrack]

I am on ebay buying all the time and never heard of this before can I ask were it is being posted too ?

[rickoshea52]

I am on ebay buying all the time and never heard of this before can I ask were it is being posted too ?

To a c/o address is in Harrow that is actually a shipping company. From what I gather, the vendor sends his item with the eBay item number on the packet and sends to this UK address. The packet is then shipped to Japan for example.

The worrying part is that when the final recipient receives it and doesn't like it the push back on the shipping company who in turn go to the vendor claiming damage/non receipt. The shipping company is a middle man and can dodge any responsibility for damage/non delivery and claim back from the vendor.

Google this, it's their delivery address;

Shop Airlines Europe B.V.(c/o Yamato Transport)

Unit 7, Waverley Industrial Park

Hailsham Drive

Harrow Middlesex

HA14TR

United Kingdom

[PaulTRose]

a quick google shows this is common, possibly cos what you have sold is going overseas

[eddiesolo]

I have just opted out of Ebay's Global service, I sold my large X-wing and it is going to France, however after some research I found out that they email the buyer and they pay, but they repackage and it could take weeks for them to get it-something that I still could get negative feedback on. I contacted the buyer and have decided to ship direct.

I noticed that cargo2akl has 100% positive and has shown up on Japanese Ebay-but it is worrying that you could be kicked back and loose out if it all goes wrong.

Si

[rickoshea52]

If you were affiliated or a trading arm of ebay do you think you'd have any feedback that wasn't positive Si?

[eddiesolo]

If you were affiliated or a trading arm of ebay do you think you'd have any feedback that wasn't positive Si?

Good point, dunno then-sounds dodgy to me.

[tanktrack]

I wont sell outside the European union because it could come back and bite me ie taxes or claims

[rickoshea52]

I wont sell outside the European union because it could come back and bite me ie taxes or claims

That's the thing with this though, Steve, you are selling to a UK entity but it is being shipped elsewhere (even within the UK) and you as the vendor bear the risk of any problem.

You send it to A, all packed up with the item number on the packet. A looks at the item number and forwards it directly to a buyer in B. The buyer complains that it is not what he ordered or is damaged and complains to A. A opens a dispute with the eBay vendor and invariably wins leaving the vendor out of pocket. Sounds fair? Not if the packet was damaged between A and B, because the vendor's liability ends when it arrives at A, at least it should do.

You are effectively becoming the packing department of a third party business.

[Ian M]

If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, shoot it and eat it for dinner.

I would contact them and say "sorry I broke it while packing it" either that or "you having a laugh?"

Ian M

[flyjoe180]

All sounds too hard Rick. Reckon Ian's solution is best, can the sale and re list it later with "Within UK or direct to buyers only, no third party handlers".

[spanner570]

I have been dealing on ebay for years and I've never come across this before. It sounds more than a little fishy to me. It reads just like a dodgy email we all get from time to time.

First stop is to contact the buyer and express your concerns, also check the feed back. If still not happy contact ebay..

Keep hold of the item.

If all else fails do as Ian suggests, tell them it's knackered!

[tanktrack]

my advise is to contact ebay voicing your concerns and ask how you legally stand ie ebay if they are concerned then they will cancel the bids or state that once you send to an address in the uk then that is your part of the contract fulfilled and I would not put on any item numbers if the buyer in the uk wants to do this then that is their problem and you are not obliged to cover a third parties broken or faulty item after you have sent it to a first address it would make the thing null in void in my opinion