Aquabid Advice

[PlecoCrazy]

Sold some fish on aquabid and a 0/0 person won the auction and wants to pay with money order and no other form, plus they live in California. Sounds like all the fraud sign to look for but he seems genuine. Should I tell them I'll accept it and wait for it to clear or should I just tell this person no and move on. Any opinions from people with experience with this. I have been told that even if it clears people can put a stop payment on it. I want to accommodate people but don't want to get screwed doing it. Thanks.

[Silurus]

I've seen many eBay sellers indicate that they will wait for check/MO to clear before shipping. You should do the same.

[dconnors]

How many of those guys do you have left? Will you be running another auction? As far as the MO goes I would wait for it to clear...I hope its an honest buyer for your sake.

[Birger]

When I use money order's it is paid for at the bank at the time I get it...then it is sent where it is going. The best would be for you to wait until it clears then it is fine.

If you do not understand how money orders work go to your own bank and ask them, I am sure they would fill you in.

[PlecoCrazy]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I guess I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. These 0/0 people are a lot of work. Most of the time I can't get them to respond and the one that does wants this money order thing when the auction clearly states paypal only.

How many of those guys do you have left? Will you be running another auction? As far as the MO goes I would wait for it to clear...I hope its an honest buyer for your sake.

I cleaned out the main tank and caught what was left this weekend. There are about 10-15 left after this auction if the money order clears. I have a really busy weekend and wouldn't be able to respond to questions so I'll probably post a new auction next week.

-Trent

[rickylbc]

I think that is the same guy that posted this on PF.

http://www.plecofanatics.com/forum/show ... hp?t=80023

Is his email address this?
[email protected]


If it is, his one fishy guy...

[TwoTankAmin]

If your aution clearly stated payment by PayPal only, you have every right to refuse the money order.

The odds are what, 50/50 the buyer is legit- if the money order is made out for the exact amount owed and it clears your account before you ship (and buyer must be informed of this in advance), then the odds are in your favor. The decision as to what to do is entirely up to you.

Don't you just love people who can't read and follow simple directions?

[PlecoCrazy]

It is the same guy. Less than a month ago on July 26th he is selling 5xL260 and now he is wanting to by some from me for $76 a piece.
I went through my emails and on July 28th had this from him off of a previous auction I had ran:

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 3:40 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Question regarding AquaBid.com Auction1249262917


A user at AquaBid.com has a question for you about the following item:

User: Thefishbuyer559
Reply Email: [email protected]

The item information posted is as follows :

Item number : 1249262917
Item Title : L260 Queen Arabesque Pleco Hypancistrus L-260
URL Here : http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/ ... 1249262917

How many of the L260 queens do you have? and do you have any adult ones?


The guy must be a scam. Thank you so much for pointing it out. He is selling the same fish at the same time he is inquiring about buying my same species?

He insist he has to use money order and can't use anything else. Who in this day and age doesn't have a bank account to setup a paypal account with anyways? I almost got suckered. No more 0/0's. Its like a second job just trying to sell some fish.

Thank you so much!!! Don't know how you figured out it was the same guy but thanks. If you ever get one of my auctions I'll throw in a free fish for ya.

-Trent

[zipper]

Hi,
thought I'd add my 2 cents... I've been selling stuff on aquabid for a while and I've found that quite a few people insist on not using paypal. Whenever this happens, I kindly tell them I only accept a money order from the US Postal Service. This pretty much weeds out the scammers. They can't use the excuse of not having a bank account, or a credit card or anything. These can't be "faked" and they are as good as cash. Yes, it slows down your turn-over, but if it means one more potential bidder on your auctions, why not?

[rickylbc]

Thanks for the offer, just looking out for everyone. I noticed it when someone pointed he's auction for an L25 and having 0/0 and being in the same location as the one on PF, not having a picture, but instead, a planetcatfish picture.. Then I ran into your auction and saw him bidding on your auction, and now you're saying that he won, I don't know about this guy, not sure what his up to..

[Coryologist]

Hi. Although all of my AB auctions clearly state "Paypal Only," if someone inquiries about using a M.O., I always tell them, "USPS M.O. Only." No one wants a U.S. Postal Inspector, knocking on their door. I have never had a problem.

Additionally, I always inform them that if that want "smooth-sailing" on AB, regardless of their reasons for resisting to do so, a Paypal account is almost mandatory.

We were all 0/0 bidders at one time. lol. - Frank

P.S. Still - in the end, ya' gotta go with your gut.