Scam. Watch out bike sellers on TM

[rocketman1]

Watch out .
After stuffing me around for days saying he would only pay by Paypal, he sent me an email saying the shipping costs were $1500 and he would arrange to have this payment and the purchase price sent to my paypal account. I sent him my email for Paypal . From his return email I now figured he was an overseas buyer?
After receiving a detailed email , see attached

I returned an prompt email telling him to get stuffed

This is what happens next.
He jacks up the shipping co. and keeps you fully posted, so your his mate, plenty of friendly emails, so far all good , then at the last minute he will email saying the shipping has trouble with him paying them or some similar excuse. My overseas MATE? at the last minute before the truck is to arrive, now panics and send a urgent email, can I pay the $1500.00 to the shipping co. and will get reimbursed, and gives me the shipping co details and bank acct. That's the last you see of your $1500.
There are different slants on this type of scam, be cautious!!

[JimO]

have you been living under a rock?? this is a common occurrence

[FJRider]

The Golden rule in Trademe sales ... money in YOUR account before the item moves ...

[Oblivion]

The Golden rule in Trademe sales ... money in YOUR account before the item moves ...

Also don't accept Paypal for money transfer.

[Gremlin]

The Golden rule in Trademe sales ... money in YOUR account before the item moves ...

And not a cheque you've banked, as it can actually take weeks to fully clear.

[Laava]

have you been living under a rock?? this is a common occurrence

I am sure this is a one-off!
Looking forward to smelling your money, Princewill Goodfortune.
No I do not live in Niggerarea, why do you ask?

[Mike.Gayner]

The Golden rule in Trademe sales ... money in YOUR account before the item moves ...

Here's another rule - if someone from overseas offers to buy your bike for your asking price, without anyone ever having inspected it, it's almost certainly a scam.

Don't be greedy, don't be stupid, and you won't get scammed.

This particular scam is older than time, I'm surprised people still feel to need to rant on it.

[caspernz]

Don't be greedy, don't be stupid, and you won't get scammed.

Only one of those three applies to the OP...I hope

[Fern]

This scam is old as time on trademe/ eBay...

[Yamahardman]

And not a cheque you've banked, as it can actually take weeks to fully clear.

What is this "cheque" you speak of?
hahaha

[EJK]

My mate in Nigeria didn't reply back

What to do?

[caspernz]

My mate in Nigeria didn't reply back

What to do?

It's ok, he's busy helping his sister rescue her royal cousin from the oppressors with the money I sent her last week...

[TLDV8]

Here's another rule - if someone from overseas offers to buy your bike for your asking price, without anyone ever having inspected it, it's almost certainly a scam.

It is not always possible to have a bike looked over so that comes down to homework and communication.
Scams can be a two way street but 1000's of sales are done drama free,plenty of Americans were more than happy to take a paypal or wire transfer payment from me in the past.

It still a case of being sensible,if it looks to good to be true it probably is.

[Akzle]

but... He put 1500$ + the cost of bike in your account?

[Fern]

Even my local ANZ has signs on the way in warning about sending money abroad for these reasons...