I am selling my M17x on eBay and wanted to know if this is legit!

I have a buyer but he has a new account so he sent me the following e-mail today and it reads:

Dear xxxxxxx47,

xxxxxxxx47

The PayPal system contiues to provide the following error:

Quote

Return to eBay

At this time, we are unable to process your request. Please return to eBay and try another option.

Unquote

Even through the PayPal account is verified since I sent you an earlier message and I suspect that if due to the fact that the amount of the sale may exceed the limit permitted.

I have been faced with this in the past as the PayPal limit on new account is generally limited to amounts of $800 or less.

This situation could be overcome by you initiating two invoices to cover the bid amount plus the shipping fees through the PayPal system using ?Request Money? ?Send Invoice? ? the amount of each invoice has to be less than $800. This can be sent to me at the following email address:

[email protected]

Alternatively, I could also send the funds under 2 separate payments if I had your email address (reason for my earlier request)?

Let me know how you want to handle if you want to complete this sale?



- 2011xxxxxxxx

So what do you think is it legit and should I comply with his request or report him as a scammer? Thanks!

 

AFAIK if you are not paid specifically for that eBay item in full then you lose seller protection. He is asking you to allow him to split up the payments, that is a big sign that something is very fishy.
I recommend you use the eBay forums (if they are still open) since the people there will be more clued up about this sort of thing and will be the best people to give you a definate answer. I used to know quite alot on Paypal/ebay but its been years since I stopped using them (high fees, low seller protection), and things have changed, so my answer may not be correct.

 

better yet, shoot an email to paypal support, ask them if the following situation can be considered scam (if so, they may already have experienced this and will let you know). Usually they reply within 3-5 hours.

 

If I'm not mistaken, the limit does not apply to credit cards used through paypal and only bank account transfers. If that's the case and the buyer does not have a credit card, perhaps he could buy a reloadable Visa and move the money from his bank to the prepaid Visa and then proceed with the transaction.

My brother bought something over 1000$ just last month using a credit card and brand new paypal account - everything went smooth with no limit issues.

But...as others mentioned, I would e-mail paypal to play it safe

 

As a seller on ebay I know he dose not need your email address to pay even in to payments. Do not give him access to you outside of ebay channels. All is not right.

 

This sounds fishier (is that a word?) then a river full of Samon...axe this deal if he cant get it done without personal info.

 

You got that right, as he paid me using PayPal but then Paypal reversed it stating:
"We've found a potential problem with the payment detailed below. For your protection, we have reversed the transaction."

What is it with people trying to scam an Alienware Computer lol?

 

^ AW will always be a hot item I guess...
Regarding your fishy deal, good thing you stepped back and thought about it.

 

I have, on more then one occasion, spent $2000+ to buy complete computers via paypal using my credit card. I can't think of a good reason why the buyer wouldn't be able to do the same. Not an expert but seems fishy aye.

 

yup.... doesnt sound right....at all....a few errors in his email (spelling, symbols) plus he is trying to circumvent the eBay system, ...you wont be able to talk to (IMO) eBay IF things go pear shape

 

Not to cloud the issue, but...
I ran into this just this morning. Paypal gave me errors repeatedly, just as he is describing, I had to call them to sort it out. I got a good deal on an m17x (840qm, 5870xf, 6g, bluray for 960), but paypal wouldnt let me pay.

Additionally, if he paid and reversed, for gods sake call paypal yourself and try to avoid the ridiculous 21 day hold they may otherwise place on your account. I nearly lost my damn house because it prevented me from making a payment.

 

you know what? I think I messaged you about your laptop, too...you had a pic of it on a bed or something? looked great,, but I got a good deal on the dx11 cards, or yours was next on the list.

 

Yeah I checked with PayPal and I have no problems and no limits. Clearly this guy was trying to scam me which makes me wonder at the intelligence of such a person. I would never send the product until the funds were in my PayPal account, guaranteed and ready to transfer to my bank account. Once I sold a laptop for $1,650, and PayPal put a hold on the funds until I shipped the laptop, but I knew they were good because PayPal vouched for them. Are people really so gullible as to believe that they can get a seller to part with the merchandise without guaranteed funds?