Help! Am I protected at all?

*suzi* · Apr 27th, 2008, 10:23 AM

Hi ladies. I could use some advice on this one. Yesterday, I purchased this exact Botkier Stevie Clutch at a best offer price of $150.

I really didn't think the seller would accept such a low offer, it was just so cute I thought I would give it a shot. I didn't even bother to read that the seller did not accept Paypal or use insurance. So, today I emailed the seller and asked for insurance. I am very worried because I don't think I am protected at all with a money order - right?

Will the insurance help to protect me? I love this clutch and don't want to cancel the transaction and possibly get a negative, but now I see this person has listed another bag just like this (red flag). What do you all think? Here is the new listing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...E:B:SS:US:1123

geniepr · Apr 27th, 2008, 12:14 PM

I was looking at her feedbcak and looks like if she do have PayPal but prefers money orders. She may bought the bags at an outlet and selling them for a small profit and have more than 1. I think the safest way to go is a cashier's check, make a copy and send to a residential address (not po box) via certified mail.

Good Luck!

*suzi* · Apr 27th, 2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geniepr

I was looking at her feedbcak and looks like if she do have PayPal but prefers money orders. She may bought the bags at an outlet and selling them for a small profit and have more than 1. I think the safest way to go is a cashier's check, make a copy and send to a residential address (not po box) via certified mail.

Good Luck!

Thank you Geniepr. I was really getting worried.

geniepr · Apr 27th, 2008, 04:05 PM

You are welcome.

You should also ask her if she is willing to accept paypal for a faster transaction (if it's okay you can also offer to pay her paypal fees)

*suzi* · Apr 27th, 2008, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geniepr

You are welcome.

You should also ask her if she is willing to accept paypal for a faster transaction (if it's okay you can also offer to pay her paypal fees)

That's a great idea. I haven't heard back from her since my email this morning. That in itself is scary, but I will be patient.

purse-n-boots · Apr 27th, 2008, 04:20 PM

Scary, personally I would never send a cash payment through the mail. Even if you use cashier's check you would have to call the local authorities to do anything if your item never arrives. The police probably won't give the case much thought. If she doesn't have paypal does she have her own merchant account so that you can use a credit card? Perhaps ask her to sign up for Google Checkout?

However - people have sent me cash, money orders, western union in the past and we are really flattered that we have earned a reputation of trust - perhaps this seller is honest as well?

Don't be hesitant to ask her about the new listing either? Perhaps she would think you might be interested in more than one?

aithori · Apr 27th, 2008, 05:50 PM

I would be leery without the protection because of low feedback and the feedback that is there is pretty much very inexpensive or .01 items. The items seem to be legitimate, nice photos on the listings, though most of the winning "expensive" items are already relisted again. Though that could easily be explained by having more than one of an item. Hard to say. I would try to get some kind of buyer protection though, if it was me.

moi et mes sacs · Apr 27th, 2008, 06:46 PM

In some ways the new rule about all sellers accepting Paypal will be welcome in these situations. Personally I would only go ahead if she accepts Paypal. And she should not expect the buyer to pay the fees. The fees are for the seller to pay...we all pay them

*suzi* · Apr 27th, 2008, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moi et mes sacs

In some ways the new rule about all sellers accepting Paypal will be welcome in these situations. Personally I would only go ahead if she accepts Paypal. And she should not expect the buyer to pay the fees. The fees are for the seller to pay...we all pay them

Thanks everyone. I am a bit leary, but I really don't have any choice but to continue on with the transaction. Anyway, I looked at some of the other listings, and she use to take Paypal but said she strongly preferred money orders because Paypal was difficult to deal with.

Also, I wonder why anyone would bother selling something for .01? I wish she would at least respond to my email. I wonder why eBay doesn't protect the buyer regardless of payment type?

LT bag lady · Apr 28th, 2008, 03:07 PM

Have you had the bag authenticated?
If it is authentic and you still want it, send a back check via certified mail so they have to sign for the parcel.

Good luck!
Cheers,

Apr 27th, 2008, 10:23 AM	#1
suzi Moderator Location: Ohio	Help! Am I protected at all? Hi ladies. I could use some advice on this one. Yesterday, I purchased this exact Botkier Stevie Clutch at a best offer price of $150. I really didn't think the seller would accept such a low offer, it was just so cute I thought I would give it a shot. I didn't even bother to read that the seller did not accept Paypal or use insurance. So, today I emailed the seller and asked for insurance. I am very worried because I don't think I am protected at all with a money order - right? Will the insurance help to protect me? I love this clutch and don't want to cancel the transaction and possibly get a negative, but now I see this person has listed another bag just like this (red flag). What do you all think? Here is the new listing. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...E:B:SS:US:1123

Apr 27th, 2008, 12:14 PM	#2
geniepr Member	Re: Help! Am I protected at all? I was looking at her feedbcak and looks like if she do have PayPal but prefers money orders. She may bought the bags at an outlet and selling them for a small profit and have more than 1. I think the safest way to go is a cashier's check, make a copy and send to a residential address (not po box) via certified mail. Good Luck! __________________

Apr 27th, 2008, 04:05 PM	#4
geniepr Member	Re: Help! Am I protected at all? You are welcome. You should also ask her if she is willing to accept paypal for a faster transaction (if it's okay you can also offer to pay her paypal fees) __________________

Apr 27th, 2008, 04:20 PM	#6
purse-n-boots Member Location: Midwest	Re: Help! Am I protected at all? Scary, personally I would never send a cash payment through the mail. Even if you use cashier's check you would have to call the local authorities to do anything if your item never arrives. The police probably won't give the case much thought. If she doesn't have paypal does she have her own merchant account so that you can use a credit card? Perhaps ask her to sign up for Google Checkout? However - people have sent me cash, money orders, western union in the past and we are really flattered that we have earned a reputation of trust - perhaps this seller is honest as well? Don't be hesitant to ask her about the new listing either? Perhaps she would think you might be interested in more than one? __________________ www.purse-n-boots.com

Apr 27th, 2008, 05:50 PM	#7
aithori Member Location: Chicagoland	Re: Help! Am I protected at all? I would be leery without the protection because of low feedback and the feedback that is there is pretty much very inexpensive or .01 items. The items seem to be legitimate, nice photos on the listings, though most of the winning "expensive" items are already relisted again. Though that could easily be explained by having more than one of an item. Hard to say. I would try to get some kind of buyer protection though, if it was me.

Apr 27th, 2008, 06:46 PM	#8
moi et mes sacs Science Geek!	Re: Help! Am I protected at all? In some ways the new rule about all sellers accepting Paypal will be welcome in these situations. Personally I would only go ahead if she accepts Paypal. And she should not expect the buyer to pay the fees. The fees are for the seller to pay...we all pay them __________________ If you never change your mind, why have one? Edward de Bono

Apr 28th, 2008, 03:07 PM	#10
LT bag lady Another addict Location: USA and Ireland	Re: Help! Am I protected at all? Have you had the bag authenticated? If it is authentic and you still want it, send a back check via certified mail so they have to sign for the parcel. Good luck! Cheers, __________________ LT Bag Lady