Scammers are aggressively targeting the retro bike community.

[Imlach]

Sorry to hear about you getting scammed.

They're the absolute worst. Especially the ones that put in effort. Scammers online tend to be pretty thick, handing out red flags like there's no tomorrow. Free of charge. I've often posted a listing for something I need, on other platforms, and within minutes you've got nutters claiming they have it, in perfect condition, and they'd love to sell it to you - quickly. Quickly is the keyword here, scammers rarely want to spend too long, unless of course they're trying to extract big sums.

The worst kind of scammer is the vile scum you encountered, the type that writes to you as a likeminded individual, a friend. One that claims to have a genuine connection to what they're selling, and they want to lull you into a sense of security, that they indeed have the goods they offer. They're a different breed of scammers.

I hate the clever scammers, especially, because not only do they nick money from good folk, but they cause distrust in our communities. I personally love when I get to have a chat with the person I'm buying from or selling to, I love hearing the stories behind bikes, components, and I love hearing about a fellow rider's history and current projects/plans.

I wish all scammers were like the scammer I encountered recently. He just spammed loads of threads with: I have "insert bike or component here" perfect condition mail me "email here"

It was easy to weed out the fucker. But who knows maybe he is just a persistent collector that happens to have everything you desire in mint condition

 

[pw_pw_la]

I'll tell you one thing that'a about to make all this worse: Paypal.

As of next year, any payments over $600 in total for the year will be subject to a tax filing. Venmo too.

At least here in the US.

The limit right now is $20K!

I mean, was there no middle ground between $20,000 and $600 they thought we could try first?!

$600. So that's basically half a bargain bike in today's current market.

Which means I think a lot of people are going to be looking at alternatives to Paypal for buying and selling bike parts soon. And I'm sure a lot of those won't come with the same safety net that Paypal (sometimes) provides.

Cash on collection is the way forward from here...

Oh, wait... Would you look at the price of gas/petrol!

 

[Imlach]

I'll tell you one thing that'a about to make all this worse: Paypal.

As of next year, any payments over $600 in total for the year will be subject to a tax filing. Venmo too.

At least here in the US.

The limit right now is $20K!

I mean, was there no middle ground between $20,000 and $600 they thought we could try first?!

$600. So that's basically half a bargain bike in today's current market.

Which means I think a lot of people are going to be looking at alternatives to Paypal for buying and selling bike parts soon. And I'm sure a lot of those won't come with the same safety net that Paypal (sometimes) provides.

Cash on collection is the way forward from here...

Oh, wait... Would you look at the price of gas/petrol!

One extreme to the other. All these financial institutions and what not take a stiff drink before they choose which orifice to molest today.

 

[Elfman]

What if we just put a policy in place that required no PayPal f/f payments unless the buyer explicitly stated their comfort with the f/f transaction? Still allows the option of f/f, but offers a little more buyer comfort.

Case in point: last week or so, Alp was selling some Bonty forks for rather steep asking prices. This sale would be overseas for me, so no possibility of in-person cash on hand. So I counter-offered and added the stipulation of PayPal buyer protection (I don't know Alp from Adam). I of course was willing to pay a little more to cover the fees. The seller then proceeded to essentially call me "childish" for asking for buyer protection.

Am I flaming Alp? A little bit, yeah. But more importantly, I think it is irresponsible for a buyer on this and other forums to deny buyer protection, especially when said buyer will plus up for the fees. Obviously, denial of buyer protection is a red flag...needless to say I don't have any new Bonty fork. But I didn't get any other info that suggested this seller was an illegitimate member on this forum either.

 

[d8mok]

Most sellers on here give the option how people pay. If you want the cover that PayPal offers then you pay the fees on top of the asking price. That’s no problem to any seller who is legit.

Most items on here are significantly less than they sell for on eBay. If you are suggesting the seller to swallow the PP fees too I’d be telling you to simply buy via eBay as most of the time it would work out cheaper for me that way in fees due to the deals they do every week or so.

90% of my items sell via eBay now and to be honest is my preferred selling channel as it’s so straightforward for everyone.

I’m guessing in your example above you didn’t offer him the asking price + the PP fees?

 

[Gtpulse]

If I buy something on here does the seller know how I’ve paid on PayPal? The first few times I bought on here where the seller asked for f&f I just paid goods and services and added the fees - used one of the online calculators to make sure they got the full amount their end of that makes sense? None of them queried this.

 

[Elfman]

Most sellers on here give the option how people pay. If you want the cover that PayPal offers then you pay the fees on top of the asking price. That’s no problem to any seller who is legit.

Most items on here are significantly less than they sell for on eBay. If you are suggesting the seller to swallow the PP fees too I’d be telling you to simply buy via eBay as most of the time it would work out cheaper for me that way in fees due to the deals they do every week or so.

90% of my items sell via eBay now and to be honest is my preferred selling channel as it’s so straightforward for everyone.

I’m guessing in your example above you didn’t offer him the asking price + the PP fees?

I didn't offer him the asking price because it was sky high. I did, as I mentioned, offer to pay for the PP buyer protection fees.

 

[d8mok]

I didn't offer him the asking price because it was sky high. I did, as I mentioned, offer to pay for the PP buyer protection fees.

Maybe his comment was aimed at the lowball offer?

Was he using a translate app maybe and it’s lost in communication. Just throwing ideas.

I’ve no idea as without hearing his side it seems weird. I’m sure if you offered the asking price and offered to cover the fees any seller will be happy to deal. Perhaps lowballing him and then he maybe understood you wanting fees inc too.


(I’m assuming you lowballed him as twice you’ve pointed out how high you found his price)

 

[Magpiegifts]

The only reason I could see for a seller not wanting payment via goods and services is because PayPal can withhold the money from the seller until delivery has been confirmed.
They do this for higher amounts incase there might not be enough funds in said account to refund if say the buyer says it hasn't arrived.

I was caught out like this myself once. Sent a £1000 frame overseas, PayPal withheld the payment. Buyer said it didn't arrive, god knows what courier firm handled it overseas.
I didn't see the frame again nor did I get the money! Never again...

 

[Elfman]

Maybe his comment was aimed at the lowball offer?

Was he using a translate app maybe and it’s lost in communication. Just throwing ideas.

I’ve no idea as without hearing his side it seems weird. I’m sure if you offered the asking price and offered to cover the fees any seller will be happy to deal. Perhaps lowballing him and then he maybe understood you wanting fees inc too.


(I’m assuming you lowballed him as twice you’ve pointed out how high you found his price)

Oh, I'm quite positive he thought I lowballed him, but I thought his asking price was ridiculously high. All value propositions aside, his messaging seemed to take aim not just at my offer, but also the buyer protection. I'm sure his main reason for refusal was my offer, but I found it weird that he was so objectionable to buyer protection. But given the hold that I am now aware PayPal can potentially place on releasing payment to the seller, maybe that explains it.