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Last Post Dec 1, 2009 8:11 AM by: pargran3
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psxn64008
Posts: 3

Buyer wants to supply me with a Fedex shipper number. Scam?

Nov 25, 2009 10:55 AM
I have a fairly expensive item up for sale ($800 computer part) and so far two buyers have expressed interest in purchasing it. Both though want to supply me with a Fedex shipper number and have me ship it that way. Is this a known scam? I've never had anyone ask for this before and I've probably sold around 300 items between 2002 when I started and now.
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whoop-de-do
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Re: Buyer wants to supply me with a Fedex shipper number. Scam?

Nov 25, 2009 11:24 AM
They could divert the package to another address and then claim Item Not Received with PayPal. Don't do it.
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airsheep
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Re: Buyer wants to supply me with a Fedex shipper number. Scam?

Nov 25, 2009 11:26 AM
The Fedex shipper number could also be unauthorized, leaving you with a shipping charge if the owner of the account won't pay for the shipping.


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**laska
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Re: Buyer wants to supply me with a Fedex shipper number. Scam?

Nov 25, 2009 11:26 AM
Yes, it's a known scam and works as whoop has said. Never let the buyer control the shipping.

“Fraud is the creation of trust and its betrayal”
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ittybitnot
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Re: Buyer wants to supply me with a Fedex shipper number. Scam?

Nov 25, 2009 2:13 PM
Is this a known scam?

Yes. You may find yourself out the money, the item, and Fed-Ex will send you to collections for the bill owed.

Perhaps you can elaborate a bit on the communications you received? The scammers are not too inventive, the the communication may be recognized right away. Remove any personal information and post the text here. Most have seen them all.
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karma_baby_karma
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Re: Buyer wants to supply me with a Fedex shipper number. Scam?

Nov 25, 2009 10:40 PM
SCAM!!!
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n.s.sherlock
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Re: Buyer wants to supply me with a Fedex shipper number. Scam?

Nov 26, 2009 4:55 AM
>>Scam? You betcha!

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◄► Occasional Grammar Tip: Alot is not a word.
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psxn64008
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Re: Buyer wants to supply me with a Fedex shipper number. Scam?

Nov 26, 2009 5:16 AM
This one was from a buyer with <20 feedback but they were accumulated over several years:

"Sounds good. If I buy this right now, can you ship it out today via FedEx Priority Overnight if I give you my FedEx shipper number for this one time shipment? Please let me know asap."

Then from a canadian buyer with what I'd consider a stellar record, after I told them I didn't want to ship outside the US:

"That's too bad...I'd be interested in the Buy it now option and have a Fedex account to make shipping easier. Thanks anyway though..."

It's a hot item that just came out so the requests for overnight shipping aren't cause for alarm. I was just wondering what could go wrong with this and some of these posts have convinced me not to do it on something this expensive. I won't be too broken up if it doesn't sell on my terms since I bought it for myself and was only selling it because of an unexpected price jump raised the going rate well above what I value it at.
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n.s.sherlock
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Re: Buyer wants to supply me with a Fedex shipper number. Scam?

Nov 26, 2009 5:24 AM
The scam plays on the seller's greed ("I'd be interested in the Buy It Now price") , desire to avoid shipping hassles and costs ("have a FedEx account to make shipping easier"), and guilt ("that's too bad").

As stated, when the shipper picks it up, you may have no idea to where it is being shipped, nor may you get any way to prove that YOU shipped it.

"Stellar records" belong to the account holder. The account could be hijacked.

◄► View my US Trade Dollar eBay guide.
◄► Occasional Grammar Tip: Alot is not a word.
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pknopp
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Re: Buyer wants to supply me with a Fedex shipper number. Scam?

Nov 26, 2009 6:26 AM
I've done this twice.

Both times though they were very well known collectors in their fields and had very exacting specifications for shipping (the one guy even had the shipping box he wanted used sent to me).

Being that you are dealing in one of the most highly scammed areas of eBay, I'd pass.
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sib2048w
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Re: Buyer wants to supply me with a Fedex shipper number. Scam?

Dec 1, 2009 7:43 AM
Hello,

I'll join the discussion. I had an item sell recently. I started to phone individual buyers to ensure they can be reached at their provided telephone number. I have recently bought and sold on e-Bay, and of about 40 transactions, there were about 5 scams. I detected 3 before any damage was caused, I lost $ 710.00 US which PayPal reimbursed, and 1 other of which the facts I forgot.

Anyway, back to "I have a FedEx account, can you ship".

My phone call and later e-mails gave me a sense that this person was "legit". I agreed to have FedEx pick up the item, I signed for the item, and have a FedEx receipt.

However, before I would recommend using a buyer's shipper, I would have to scrutinize the person very carefully. Unfortunately, it's too bad there are so many scammers out there.

I hope I helped a little,

Stacey Bindman
Montreal,Quebec
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pargran3
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Re: Buyer wants to supply me with a Fedex shipper number. Scam?

Dec 1, 2009 8:11 AM
This works if YOU also have a fed-ex (UPS or whatever) shipping account. If you do not, pass with a sorry, but this will not work for me.

Radine

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