Does this deal sound too good to be true? Is someone trying to scam me?

[placebooooo]

Hi all,

After browsing the iphone app letgo for some time now, I found a seller who lives in DC (I live in Philadelphia) that accepted to sell me an Iphone 8 256gb unlocked for $380 (listing price was $450).

This sounds way too good to be true. I checked the IMEI number, and it checked out (no blacklist, no icloud lock, and find my iphone is turned off). The phone is completely brand new (sealed). He said that he got the phone as a gift but already has one.

I asked why his location says philadelphia. He said he was there for a conference a few days ago but lives in DC. he said he would be willing to go through paypal. I said okay. I asked him if he could list the item through ebay and I'll purchase it from there. But he said he doesn't want to do that (i know there are ebay fees and what not, but I am positive he can still make more money from ebay since its a brand new phone). He said he will ship through paypal which has the option for a refund in case I want my money back. It's just, I never did paypal transactions outside of ebay before. So I'm skeptical.

Thoughts? Think I should go through with this? Is there anything else I can check the phone for to make sure nothing is truly wrong with it?

Edit: 12/2/2017
Decided not to go through it. Offered him to buy it through eBay and pay the extra fees. He never responded. Need to remind myself: if something sounds too good to be true, it's a scam.

 

[Seliph]

I'd say it's worth it, paypal will have you covered.
Disregard what I said I forgot about the lack of buyer protection.

 

[Costello]

if you pay via paypal but not through eBay, chances are, you aren't getting buyer protection, so if the guy never sends the object, you're screwed.
It sounds fishy that the guy is trying to get you to pay outside of ebay. I personally wouldn't risk it.

I'd just tell the guy "I'd rather buy it through eBay, and let me cover the fee". There's no reason for him to refuse that. You end up paying a small extra fee but at least you get protection. If he refuses, it's likely a scam.

 

[Kioku]

if you pay via paypal but not through eBay, chances are, you aren't getting buyer protection, so if the guy never sends the object, you're screwed.
It sounds fishy that the guy is trying to get you to pay outside of ebay. I personally wouldn't risk it.

I'd just tell the guy "I'd rather buy it through eBay, and let me cover the fee". There's no reason for him to refuse that. You end up paying a small extra fee but at least you get protection. If he refuses, it's likely a scam.

PayPal offers buyer protection if the payment is sent as a transaction. I had some run ins with it before over items I've sold..

 

[DeadlyFoez]

I wouldn't do it. You are better off just buying a phone new from a store because then you are not getting scammed by some random person, you are only getting fucked up the ass by apple.

 

[placebooooo]

if you pay via paypal but not through eBay, chances are, you aren't getting buyer protection, so if the guy never sends the object, you're screwed.
It sounds fishy that the guy is trying to get you to pay outside of ebay. I personally wouldn't risk it.

I'd just tell the guy "I'd rather buy it through eBay, and let me cover the fee". There's no reason for him to refuse that. You end up paying a small extra fee but at least you get protection. If he refuses, it's likely a scam.

This.

The reason why I asked to have the transaction go through eBay is because of buyer protection. I'll let him know that I intend to pay for any additional fees. I don't mind paying the extra few bucks.

However, let's say this person is completely new to eBay (new account and no feedback or anything, which I am assuming will be the case). If I buy the phone from him and he decides not to ship or just delete his account or completely vanish, I can still get in contact with eBay and get my money back right? Is there anything I should be cautious of here? Also, if the item isn't as described, I'll also have the option to return and get my money back. So either way, it needs to happen through eBay or I won't go through the transaction at all.

 

[Quantumcat]

Uh.... Guys.... PayPal has buyer protection when used anywhere.... That's the whole point of it. Have you guys ever use any online classifieds, or Facebook buy sell groups??

Ebay will add even more fees (including in the postage), so be prepared for the price to increase by 10-15% if you make him list there.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

This.

The reason why I asked to have the transaction go through eBay is because of buyer protection. I'll let him know that I intend to pay for any additional fees. I don't mind paying the extra few bucks.

However, let's say this person is completely new to eBay (new account and no feedback or anything, which I am assuming will be the case). If I buy the phone from him and he decides not to ship or just delete his account or completely vanish, I can still get in contact with eBay and get my money back right? Is there anything I should be cautious of here? Also, if the item isn't as described, I'll also have the option to return and get my money back. So either way, it needs to happen through eBay or I won't go through the transaction at all.

PayPal has buyer protection as long as you're not sending it as Friends & Family. Failing that, you also have protection through Visa (and likely MasterCard) if you paid with a card. But PayPal's buyer protection is far less of a hassle since your bank will want you to file a police report.

 

[migles]

yeah, as people mentioned above, paypal protection is now kinda "universal" you just have to choose the right option and not send the money as gift.

https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/paypal-safety-and-security

 

[placebooooo]

yeah, as people mentioned above, paypal protection is now kinda "universal" you just have to choose the right option and not send the money as gift.

https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/paypal-safety-and-security

I’m still kind of scared to go through it lol. Not sure why.

 

[ThoD]

I got a question because this all sounds like a complete waste to me... Since he will be shipping it to you anyway, isn't there an option to pay the company that handles the shipping with cash upon receiving the item? Like, they sends it, when it's delivered, you are asked to pay in order to get the item, then the shipping company deposits the money to their account. Here, we have that option and is by far the most preferred one for such cases as it's safe for both parties!

 

[Devin]

I wouldn't bother unless it's through eBAY. Paypal does tend to side with the buyer most of the time but there is the rare occasion that don't. All it takes is a box, tracking number and a little dry ice to have Paypal think twice. (Not speaking from personal experience.) If you do end up wanting to risk it then ask him to provide a piece of paper next to the unopened iPhone with his username and the date.

tl;dr I wouldn't do it. Not wanting to use eBAY on a sure sell is sketch.

 

[Quantumcat]

I got a question because this all sounds like a complete waste to me... Since he will be shipping it to you anyway, isn't there an option to pay the company that handles the shipping with cash upon receiving the item? Like, they sends it, when it's delivered, you are asked to pay in order to get the item, then the shipping company deposits the money to their account. Here, we have that option and is by far the most preferred one for such cases as it's safe for both parties!

That costs a bit extra (at least it does for me where I live) and it is risky for the seller (you could refuse the package and it will cost him a bit for nothing) and risky for you (he could send you a brick). PayPal is better, since you can complain to them and let them sort it out.

 

[ThoD]

That costs a bit extra (at least it does for me where I live) and it is risky for the seller (you could refuse the package and it will cost him a bit for nothing) and risky for you (he could send you a brick). PayPal is better, since you can complain to them and let them sort it out.

Here, that costs extra, but there's the option for the buyer to pay all the shipping and delivery costs, along with any added fees. Much safer for both parties, but don't know how things work in the US with that, just saying that's an option...

 

[Quantumcat]

Here, that costs extra, but there's the option for the buyer to pay all the shipping and delivery costs, along with any added fees. Much safer for both parties, but don't know how things work in the US with that, just saying that's an option...

If the buyer sends the seller money in advance for the postage, doesn't that defeat the purpose? The seller could keep the postage money and not send anything. If the buyer only pays when they receive it they could just refuse the package and the seller has to pay for the two trips for nothing... Not saying it wouldn't work but there is some trust involved.

 

[ThoD]

If the buyer sends the seller money in advance for the postage, doesn't that defeat the purpose? The seller could keep the postage money and not send anything. If the buyer only pays when they receive it they could just refuse the package and the seller has to pay for the two trips for nothing... Not saying it wouldn't work but there is some trust involved.

That's not what I meant. Here at least, it's possible to send something without paying and the person that receives the shipment will pay for everything, then after deducting shipping fees, the company puts the rest of the money to the sender's bank account or gives them to him in cash. Also, even if it's done like you said, isn't it better giving someone 10$ or so in hopes of them keeping their side of the deal and sending it to you rather than giving them 400+$ through a platform that half the time won't even help you out (Paypal support is crap in my opinion and I speak out of experience)?

 

[Akzar]

I don't think it is all too sketchy just from not selling on eBay. Ebay has had some massive changes in the past years and it is horrendous for sellers, with a lot of scam buyers.

Anyway, as another user mentioned just ask for a photo showing the imie # and his username written on paper next to the phone. I think that is sufficient enough if using paypal.

I personally recomed swappa.com

It's like the ebay of mobile phones.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[330]

He doesn't want to put the item on eBay because he doesn't want to pay double the fees for an item he's already selling for a cheap price. He's 100% in his right to do so. What you're asking him is very unreasonable.

It's like asking the owner of a garage sale to sell his stuff you're willing to buy to a flea market that offers buyer protection.

 

[Quantumcat]

That's not what I meant. Here at least, it's possible to send something without paying and the person that receives the shipment will pay for everything, then after deducting shipping fees, the company puts the rest of the money to the sender's bank account or gives them to him in cash. Also, even if it's done like you said, isn't it better giving someone 10$ or so in hopes of them keeping their side of the deal and sending it to you rather than giving them 400+$ through a platform that half the time won't even help you out (Paypal support is crap in my opinion and I speak out of experience)?

PayPal will take the buyer's side 99% of the time, it is sellers who would be hesitant receiving money through PayPal. The person that receives the shipment doing it how you said can simply refuse the shipment leaving the seller out of pocket for postage both ways plus the fees for the cash on delivery service. Sending money with no buyer protection for the shipping can't be good, there's absolutely nothing preventing the seller from just keeping it and sending nothing. With PayPal they have to or they will lose it.