suspicious eBay bid - what to do?

[belinmad]

Lefty friends,
I posted my Yamaha TRB on eBay, and I just got a bid from a guy who a) joined 2 weeks ago, b) has zero feedback, and c) is based out of the Russian Federation.
I sent him a message explaining that if he won, I would take additional steps to ensure I get paid. (i.e. hold onto the bass until funds fully cleared). I received no reply.

What do you guys think? What's your experience in these situations? anything else I could/should do? Should I preemptively block him, or wait for the auction to end?

[bhunt1]

That sounds suspicious to me too. Best thing I can think of is to make sure you have the funds before you ship. Is the buyer paying shipping? I would think shipping would be costly, so I would want that payment cleared before shipment too. Personally I would let the auction run out, and if he wins, make sure you get paid before you ship.

[bugsy]

You can block buyers without feedback from your auctions, maybe you should look into that in the listing
I know I do it

[fivebass52]

Lefty friends,

I sent him a message explaining that if he won, I would take additional steps to ensure I get paid. (i.e. hold onto the bass until funds fully cleared). I received no reply.

I think by the mere fact that he never replied back, is a strong indication that he would have won the bid, paid for it through some bogus means; you would have shipped it off, never to be seen again.... you did the right thing by telling him you would wait until his payment cleared... and that's why he has never replied. In other words, he was on a fishing expedition to see if you were naive.... you did the right thing!

[andrew]

I'd cancel his bid and add the caveat that zero feedback bidders must contact you before bidding.

[Sec-Def]

don't do shit.
I was once a zero feedback two day user bidding on a 2k 1980 les paul custom.
that was 10 years ago and I still have the guitar.
if he wins, do as you would either way (I hope at least) and don't ship before you get the money.

[Frenchy-Lefty]

don't do shit.
I was once a zero feedback two day user bidding on a 2k 1980 les paul custom.
that was 10 years ago and I still have the guitar.
if he wins, do as you would either way (I hope at least) and don't ship before you get the money.

And you live in the Russian Federation too, right?

[Sec-Def]

worst. Israel.

[belinmad]

I ended up cancelling the bid

[Fenakertiban]

Hi!
What a pity that our deal is not completed.
Yes, yes, I'm the guy from Russia. I really liked this Yamaha:(

[fivebass52]

Hi!
What a pity that our deal is not completed.
Yes, yes, I'm the guy from Russia. I really liked this Yamaha:(

Wow, the plot thickens.... Welcome Denis!

[AzWhoFan]

another case of how the world has shrunk due to the miracle of the internet!