Should I ship or refund - YAET

[dman]

I sold an item on ebay for $45 (some FRS/GMRS Radios). The person who won the auction registered that day and is from Romania, supposedly. They said a friend in the US would contact me about the payment and shipment of the items. =BAD (I read that long Laptop thread, but, this is a $45 item... and I'm the seller, so the circumstances are a bit different).

About an hour later an email arrived, payment had been made to paypal (I checked my paypal account) and a confirmed address was given. =GOOD

Shortly after that an email was sent asking to do my best to get the items delivered by Tuesday, as the 'friend' was leaving for Romania that day. = BAD

So, I sent a reply back stating that the items would not be shipped until today at the earliest and that they would NOT arrive by Tuesday and would they like a refund instead. I haven't' heard back yet.

Paypal said if I ship to a confirmed address using track-able shipping I'm covered. Everything I've read indicates I'd be covered for the full payment, but I'm guessing it's a hassle at the least. I'm willing to get negative feedback and not ship (but provide a refund) but maybe I'm overreacting?

Is there a good chance they are scamming using a confirmed address? Is there something I should do to further check this out?

--
Other weirdness:
I searched the INTERNET on the Name of the friend, but, no listing (annoying but not necessarily a problem). So I searched on the address @ google and I was able to track down someone with the same last name as the 'friend'. The person is listed as an 'appraiser' in San Antonio, but, it was a woman. There was a phone number so I called it and no answer. A minute later she called back asking if I called that number. I said yes and she basically confirmed the auction was ok but was not very giving of the information, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, my instincts say just offer a refund and be done with it... but... thought I'd poll you all.

 

[Eli]

Hmm... What? So you called the lady, and it was indeed her auction ?

I'm kinda confused by your last paragraph.

It sounds kinda hoaky to me.. I dunno.

 

[vegetation]

If they want it shipped to a confirmed address, it sounds fine to me (assuming you have a premier account -- free accounts do NOT have protection). However, if this moron is demanding it be delivered by Tuesday and you don't feel it can get there on time, then don't do it, as the buyer can refuse the package. Or in this case, the package will sit in a postal facility and be returned to you as undeliverable. Either way, you get your stuff back but you eat all postage costs for nothing. They can do a chargeback on you since the package was undelivered.

 

[Ulfwald]

Hmmmmm

I would have the funds transferred out of the account to a checking account or to the Credit card (if possible), or have a paper check cut to you. Once the funds are out of the account and are in your possesion, then send it. This way Pay Pal has to go after the person who is truly responsible for fraud if it comes down to that.

 

[conjur]

Move the money out of Paypal so you know you have it and then ship it. It's Friday...3day air should get it there in time, eh?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Ulfwald
Hmmmmm

I would have the funds transferred out of the account to a checking account or to the Credit card (if possible), or have a paper check cut to you. Once the funds are out of the account and are in your possesion, then send it. This way Pay Pal has to go after the person who is truly responsible for fraud if it comes down to that.

You would think it works that way, but I don't think it does.

Assuming worst case scenario, PayPal will just take your account into the negatives. Then they close your account and come after you.

 

[woowoo]

Refund the money
Paypal WILL NOT HELP YOU if you get burn'd

Danger Will Robinson
Run Away, Run Away

www.paypalsucks.com

 

[dman]

Originally posted by: Eli
Hmm... What? So you called the lady, and it was indeed her auction ?

She fessed up to it after a while, but, it sounded off. Who knows, maybe it was weird that I called and she was being cautious. After re-reading the paypal policy, they do NOT protect the free accounts. (I have a business account though).

Anyway barring any unforseen updates I plan to refund the money and take any negative feedback I may be entitled too.

Thanks.

 

[dman]

Originally posted by: conjur
Move the money out of Paypal so you know you have it and then ship it. It's Friday...3day air should get it there in time, eh?

Nah, I only added cost for ground shipping into the auction. Normally I'd let a person with a decent amount of feedback (and no negatives) pay extra for faster shipping, but, this situation is too messed up to do that. I told them (yesterday) ground shipping or refund, and am awaiting a response.