"SELLER" Beware! Not All Buyers Are Honest!

Over the past few years, I have spoken with many Internet sellers who are at the point of quitting because they have been ripped-off so many times. Most of them are business owners, many with store fronts, and many who originally saw eBay or some other Internet address as the future of non-storefront business. But no matter how hard you try to run an honest operation, there are just too many crooks out there to consistently make a profit. One man told me exactly how he does it. I was shocked! We were waiting in the Customer Service line in Walmart just after Christmas. He didn't know me from the "man in the moon", but proceeded to tell me all about it. He shops close out sales and buys new merchandise that was returned for some reason. Generally the retailer may have purchased many items at a large discount and wasn't eligible to return them for refund. He looked for laptop computers, and other expensive small electronics with a small scratch or imperfection, greatly reduced to sell fast. He said that he purchased a new Sony laptop computer with a dented case for only $200. Retail price was over $600. He then bought one on eBay and sent the dented one back for a refund. He also said that he had purchased a new electronic Minolta camera outfit with a missing lens. It was on sale at a greatly reduced price. Again, he purchased the same camera outfit from someone on eBay. When received, he contacted the seller and said the lens was missing and sent it back. Each time, the seller ended up absorbing the loss.

I don't know how often this sort of thing happens, but it seems that every time I speak with a seller on this topic, they all have their own version of this same story. It also seems that anything shipped without Delivery Confirmation is less likely to arrive at its destination.

How do we all protect ourselves? Delivery Confirmation is a must. If you are selling anything like a computer, or any other kind of electronic equipment, record all serial numbers. If whatever you are shipping is breakable (Glass, pottery, crystal, etc.), insure for value. Problem is, the unscrupulous buyers always seem to stay a step ahead of the sellers.