Would you ever receive payment through Western Union?

[whattaguy]

Is it safe to receive money through Western Union? This bidder who won my auction was an international bidder, and doesn't have a paypal account.

1. He wants me to ship the package somewhere in CA (no big deal)
2. He either wants my bank account number for direct transfer (no way I'm doing this) or send me money via Western Union.
3. I don't have a lot of time as it is already, hence the Paypal only
4. I specifically said in the auction "no international bidders" and "paypal only"
5. I don't think I'll be protected by E-bay.

Any thoughts?
I am inclined to just repost my item, or ask him to pay a "convenience fee".

 

[Mill]

I'd tell him to fvck off and relist.

 

[EagleKeeper]

If he sends it WU and you withdraw the funds (cash), then it becomes WU problem if he funded the transfer with a stolen CC.

If the funds are made available to you within the time frame specified in the auction, then you are covered. Otherwise follow the path of a bidder that does not pay by the rules listed.

 

[woowoo]

Originally posted by: Mill
I'd tell him to fvck off and relist.

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: Mill
I'd tell him to fvck off and relist.

Seriously. You would probably be ok receiving Western Union before you ship but the the fact that he had the balls to ask for your bank account # should really piss you off.

 

[flamingelephant]

western union = no problem....

he should have read about only using paypal tho

 

[Spikesoldier]

i say let it go through but charge a 25% hassle fee

should have read the rules - he doesnt agree, leave feedback accordingly and relist.

 

[Kelemvor]

Just make sure to NOT send the item until you have the money in your hands. Under no circumstances should you send it before you physically have the funds.

But I'd relist it.

 

[whattaguy]

Thanks for all your replies.

The item's winning bid was $270.
I'll probably ask him for $300 if he wants to follow through with the transaction.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: whattaguy
Thanks for all your replies.

The item's winning bid was $270.
I'll probably ask him for $300 if he wants to follow through with the transaction.

:roll: Greed is what leads to being scammed. I seriously doubt he is actually going to wire you the money and that's it. He has something up his sleeve.

 

[kami333]

I have yet to hear of a seller being scammed after recieving money through Western Union.

And why not just offer it to the next person via 2nd Chance rather than relist?

 

[jjones]

I don't think getting the cash via Western Union is any problem at all, the more important problem is shipping internationally.

 

[whattaguy]

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: whattaguy
Thanks for all your replies.

The item's winning bid was $270.
I'll probably ask him for $300 if he wants to follow through with the transaction.

:roll: Greed is what leads to being scammed. I seriously doubt he is actually going to wire you the money and that's it. He has something up his sleeve.

I appreciate you being blunt with me. Going off the other replies, I will get cash in hand through Western Union. I can then send the item. But, I agree, the safest thing to do is relist. Thanks.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: kami333
I have yet to hear of a seller being scammed after recieving money through Western Union.

And why not just offer it to the next person via 2nd Chance rather than relist?

With cash in hand of course you are safe -- unless the scammer makes some kind of weird demand that you give in to. Why hassle with International Shipping, Customs, and a WU wire? I'd much prefer to do it domestically. The extra hassle isn't worth the BS, possible scam, or having to deal with some fool that can't read an auction description.

 

[Kipper]

Make sure he isn't from one of those guaranteed scam locations. Off the top of my head - African nations, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia should set off alarm bells.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: kami333
I have yet to hear of a seller being scammed after recieving money through Western Union.

And why not just offer it to the next person via 2nd Chance rather than relist?

With cash in hand of course you are safe -- unless the scammer makes some kind of weird demand that you give in to. Why hassle with International Shipping, Customs, and a WU wire? I'd much prefer to do it domestically. The extra hassle isn't worth the BS, possible scam, or having to deal with some fool that can't read an auction description.

apparently you didnt read the first post of this thread. he said the buyer wants it shipped to CA, not out of the country.

if i were you i would say screw you and give it to the 2nd bidder. or relist it if thats too low

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: kami333
I have yet to hear of a seller being scammed after recieving money through Western Union.

And why not just offer it to the next person via 2nd Chance rather than relist?

With cash in hand of course you are safe -- unless the scammer makes some kind of weird demand that you give in to. Why hassle with International Shipping, Customs, and a WU wire? I'd much prefer to do it domestically. The extra hassle isn't worth the BS, possible scam, or having to deal with some fool that can't read an auction description.

Is international shipping that much of an hassle though, it's not that hard to fill out a customs form. Though I did it fairly often so I might be more used to them than other sellers.

Plus isn't CA domestic?

 

[whattaguy]

Originally posted by: MadCowDisease
Make sure he isn't from one of those guaranteed scam locations. Off the top of my head - African nations, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia should set off alarm bells.

This guys from Armenia, but wants it shipped to Los Angeles, CA.

 

[bandana163]

Originally posted by: whattaguy

Originally posted by: MadCowDisease
Make sure he isn't from one of those guaranteed scam locations. Off the top of my head - African nations, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia should set off alarm bells.

This guys from Armenia, but wants it shipped to Los Angeles, CA.

I hope you know how high the internet penetration rate in Armenia is.
0.09%
I think that you might be getting scammed.

 

[jjones]

Originally posted by: whattaguy

Originally posted by: MadCowDisease
Make sure he isn't from one of those guaranteed scam locations. Off the top of my head - African nations, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia should set off alarm bells.

This guys from Armenia, but wants it shipped to Los Angeles, CA.

Whoops, I guess my reading comprehension skills are lacking today.

 

[rahvin]

He is asking to pay you WU, not for you to pay him WU. WU is safe to recieve, not to send.

 

[whattaguy]

Can anyone explain to me the process of Western Union?

 

[raanemaan]

Cash in hand and then ship.

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: whattaguy

Originally posted by: MadCowDisease
Make sure he isn't from one of those guaranteed scam locations. Off the top of my head - African nations, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia should set off alarm bells.

This guys from Armenia, but wants it shipped to Los Angeles, CA.

Relist it. This sounds more than a little fishy.

 

[Bryophyte]

He broke the rules of polite bidding by not asking you for an exception to your listing rules BEFORE he bid. :thumbsdown: