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Trading Assistants Beware: Third Party Sellers Misrepresenting Items
As an eBay Trading Assistant, you must be vigilant when listing items for third parties.
Not all clients will be honest about everything, and it is your responsibility to find this out before you list their items. Your best protection is to avoid dealing with Third-Party Sellers attempting to defraud you, or your eBay bidders and buyers!
Remember, many unscrupulous Third Party Sellers will say ANYTHING to try to get the best selling price. Sometimes, a Seller will just be unaware of the facts. But in other cases, a Seller may be trying to sucker a buyer, by using YOU as the bait and mouthpiece! Just because a Seller says so, doesn't mean it IS SO!!
Remember, a buyer who is defrauded is entitled to PayPal and eBay protections. That means that if a case is decided in the favor of the buyer, you will end up paying out of your PayPal or linked checking or bank account. And, the eBay Buyer will likely leave YOU negative feedback, and may contact the Better Business Bureau, or the appropriate law enforcement agencies. At worst, a buyer may initiate a lawsuit against you. Through all this, the Third Party Seller is unscathed.
Remember, YOU are ultimately responsible for what you list on your eBay account!!
Common misrepresentations you must watch out for:
Materials: As in jewelry and such: Is it really gold, platinum, or other rare metals or gems? Best to have an item appraised, if you're unsure! Check materials on ALL items, not just jewelry. Remember: Aluminum is NOT the same as Stainless Steel!
Condition: IS the item really new, as claimed? Look carefully for scratches and wear marks.
Authenticity: Is the bag REALLY that sought-after name brand? You have to really know your stuff to not get tricked with this one! Seek more specific information about the brands you are selling on the web. With artwork and other such items, be sure to inquire about a Certificate of Authenticity!
Original Cost: Did the buyer REALLY pay $2,000 for that loveseat? Without a receipt, you must investigate the product and company / store /website it was bought on. E-mail contacts if necessary
Worth / Value: Sometimes a buyer will be unaware that what they're trying to sell is, for the most part, junk. But you may encounter a seller who will tell you that an Ikea bookshelf is really a Renaissance original, imported by their great-Grandfather. Don't buy it. Check, and double- check!
Provenance: Did the last five Presidents REALLY use that same bottle of mouthwash the seller claims he got from their third-cousin, a supposed Secret Service agent? Be careful. Very careful.
Prohibited Items: Is the item something that eBay does not allows? If in doubt, check eBay's policies! No need to get in trouble for a Third Party Seller who doesn't know any better! Besides, YOU'RE the Trading Assistant; wouldn't one expect YOU to know what's against the rules on eBay?!
And now for the scary ones:
Stolen Goods: Are the items actually the property of the seller? Or is there some shady business involved? Is the item really something the Seller is entitled to sell, by actual ownership? Just because a Seller wants you to list the Hell Gate Bridge doesn't mean it is his, or that it's available for sale. The Brooklyn Bridge, well...we all know about THAT one! But be careful; some are wily and cunning, and able to make their story sound like it's the truth. Demand receipts or documents proving ownership, if you feel something is amiss.
Bait-and-Switch: If you are leaving an item with the Seller, be sure that when you come back to pick up when sold, that you are receiving the same item that you inventoried and listed!
Changed Mind: If a Seller decides not to sell after the auction ends, because they found a local buyer willing to pay more, you will be in a bad situation. The Buyer will likely be angry. The Seller, in this case, will have broken a legally binding contract, as all eBay auctioned are consider such, with the exception of real estate listings. You may bring a lawsuit against the Seller who does not follow through with a sale, but this is involved, and costs money and resources.
Dumped Inventory: Be careful if a Third Part Seller asks you to post a check as security of a lot of items that you take to sell. Don't do it!! If the Seller cashes the check, you will be liable. This could be a scam where a person or store is trying to liquidate inventory, and with a signed check, you are the sucker!
Pests and Flith: Don't trust the buyer's word that the items are clean. As the items you will be selling on behalf of third party sellers will be coming from homes, self-storage units, warehouses, businesses, and other places that you are probably not thoroughly familiar with, DO check for rodent droppings, as well as (live and dead) bedbugs and cockroaches. You don't want to bring filth into your own storage facility, nor would ANY eBay buyers wish to receive an item containing such 'extras.'
Remember, it's YOUR reputation and YOUR eBay account! Protect yourself from fraud!!
Whether you are an eBay user or not, if you wish to sell your items with us, please send me an eBay message or e-mail! Serving NYC - Metro NJ - Upstate NJ & NY Regions for on-site service.
'Distance Consignment' by insured mail also an option. Please e-mail for details.l your items with us, please send me an eBay message or e-mail!
Please visit my Trading Assistant HomePage - IslandAuctionAssist.Info
Entire text © Copyright H Miller 2oo7, All Rights Reserved.
Guide created: 01/14/08 (updated 05/31/08)
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