Beware of Phony Buyers

Ebay is a safe and secure marketplace. However, there will always be scammers out there finding new and creative ways to rip off sellers. One of the latest scams was reported on Friday in The Mercury News, in San Jose, California.

A group of international internet scammers are preying on the honesty of people. They are running a simple scam that seems innocent on its face. Here is how it works.

You get an email message from a "buyer" that expresses how eager they are to purchase your item on eBay. You usually are solicited through the eBay contact system. This buyer makes an offer to purchase your item immediately because your item is allegedly in very high demand in their shop. They offer to pay you immediately with a check, money order or cashiers check, but ask that you ship the item to them immediately using a prepaid shipping account.

The honest seller ships the item before the check clears your bank, and you later learn that the check or money order was bogus. There are variations on this scam which require the seller to pay back a supposed "over payment" from this buyer where again the check or money order is not good.

I was solicited just last week by a scammer using this approach. In my particular case the scammer offered to pay for my item (a camera phone) using Western Union. However, due to the high demand for my phone, he wanted me to agree to ship based on telephone confirmation of the money from Western Union. This transaction was taking place on the weekend and I would not have had any means of checking with Western Union at that time. In my case the scammer was emailing me from Africa.

If you are contacted by buyers that want to send checks or money orders make sure that your funds clear before you ship your item. Also, when dealing with overpayments make sure that you have received good funds. Hundreds and perhaps thousands of these transactions are taking place every day. Don't be scammed.

I will be discussnig these scams and various other types of insider information when you attend my seminar on April 30, 2005 in Pittsburgh. Check out the following and register now for this great seminar and learn how to sell on eBay like a pro.
Training Seminar

You Can't Sell Everything on eBay, But You Can Sell Almost Anything

I was recently checking out a new feature on eBay called "eBay Pulse - :Trends, Hot Picks, Cool Stuff." This page provides an excellent source of information about what is hot on eBay. The page also identifies the top ten search words, most watched items, and post interesting facts about eBay. I like to use this site to gather information and I check it out daily whenever I can. You can check this out here:
Pulse

Today on the portion of the site that lists the "Most Watched" items, there is a listing from a guy that is looking for someone to help him payoff his school and other related debt. When I last checked the highest bid was only about $23.00. However, his listing which has only run for seven days has over 12,000 hits. Maybe the listing is a really dumb idea, but this guy knows how to bring people to his listings. Maybe we all need to take a look to see what he did. You can check out his listing which expires on March by searching on eBay for the following item: #5562819330.

Don't forget to check out our next upcoming class for "The Basics of Selling on eBay." This class will be held on April 30 from 9:00 to 3:30. Go to the the following link for more information and to register:
Training Seminar

eBay Seller Training In Pittsburgh - Learn to Sell Like a Pro

Now is your chance to learn from an eBay professional. Harvey Young, an eBay trained Education Specialist is conducting a course in the basics of selling on eBay. Learn the tips and tricks that can help you to earn money selling on eBay from the comfort of your home. Join the online marketplace where over 430,000 people make a part- or full-time living selling on eBay!

You probably know that eBay is the world's online marketplace. Maybe like most people you even thought that maybe you could sell on eBay but don't know how to get started. Now is your chance. You can be taught by an eBay professional trained by eBay to get you started on the road to running your own online business from home.

In this exciting and entertaining course you will learn the following:

How to open a Selling Account and Create a Listing

Basic Photography that will get your listing sold

Pricing Strategies

Using PayPal – the safe and secure source

Advanced selling techniques

Completing the sale techniques

Bonus tips and tricks used to successfully sell nearly 700 items on eBay in just one year.

Local market trends and hot products

THIS IS NOT A SALES PITCH. WE HAVE NO PRODUCTS TO SELL IN THIS SEMINAR EXCEPT TO SHARE WITH YOU OUR ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE FOR BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL EBAY SELLER!

Seminar materials included in the cost of this seminar include eBay’s student guide The Basics of Selling on eBay. Also as a bonus you will be given Harvey’s tips and tricks to successful selling. These tips will teach you to harness the full safety and protection of eBay’s marketplace, provide local buying guides to purchase merchandise for sale, advanced research techniques for identifying market trends that will make money for you on eBay.

You can sign up for the seminar by using the PayPal link on this page. The cost of this seminar is $69.00 per person. Register and pay in advance and receive a $10.00 discount. As an added bonus, advance registrants can register a friend for only $35.00. That’s a combined savings of $44.00 or less than $50.00 per person to attend this incredible seminar.

Date: April 30, 2005

Time: 9:00 to 3:30 (Lunch on Your Own)

Location: Holiday Inn Greentree - 401 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

REGISTRATION IS SAFE AND SECURE THROUGH PAYPAL. SEE BELOW:






Early Registration for $59.00 click here:

To purchase "Bring a Friend Registration for $35.00 click here:

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eBay Education Specialist trained by eBay