AuctionCut

I recently sold an item for £245. I only sell to UK ebay/paypal verified addresses. When I sent out an invoice it was in German; the buyer was registered on the German ebay site and not the UK ebay site; although it specified an address in wales at the end of the address was a German address as well. When I asked the buyer to confirm that he had a UK ebay/paypal verified address I had a response with a different address to ship to in Wales; where he worked. He also informed me that a few days before he had reached his paypal limit and that he was currently verifying his bank account with paypal and that it should be sorted out in a few days and Paypal will show the new address as the verified Paypal address; which will be his work address. He did not give any explanation as to why his account was registered on the German web site.

I have noticed the following

The buyer has kept his feedback comments private although it says he has 100% positive feedback

The name used for his german ID appears to be a valid German name (not a nickname type) but it bears no resemblance to the name being used now.

On searching the www for the new address and name I can find the name/address on a web site; if I can find it then anyone can.

I might sound paranoid but when the information I get from the buyer does not add up I start to ask questions; I like to protect both the buyer and myself.

Has any one experienced a problem like this or has any advice on how I should proceed; my feeling is to inform the buyer that as he does not currently have the funds to pay for the item or a current verified UK ebay/paypal address then the sale is cancelled.

I have asked ebay to check his contact details - it is a breach of ebay policy to provide incorrect contact details.

Alarm bells. This has scam written all over it, especially for an expensive product.

First of all, I would cancel the sale - everything you have said here points in the direction of a hijacked account.

The fact that his FB is private is also alarming - I still do not know why eBay allows this.

Cancel the sale, report the member to eBay and relist.

However, i would tighten up your buyer requirements, and if it is Buy It Now, tick the box where it says instant paypal payment required - if it will allow you.

In buyer requirements, I would really tighten them up.

Good luck.