We’ve recently moved, and are in the process of clearing out some junk. This includes selling things on eBay. Just yesterday I listed a PS2 along with a bunch of games, controllers and a DDR pad. A few hours later, I get a question from someone, asking if I’d be willing to end the auction early if they bought it for $70. Basically, they’d enter their high bid and I would end the auction early. It sounds fishy to me, even though checking their feedback history I see they’ve got 100% positive over the last 12 months, and 200+ feedback total. Still, I decide to go with my gut and ignore their question. If they really want it, they can wait a few more days for it to end. Plus, I’m fairly confident the auction will go for more than $70. So, I didn’t think much of it…
Until just a few hours ago, I get a nearly identical request, from a different user in a completely different state. This one has the same feedback situation, except about 1200+ feedback. And they offered $70 as well.
Now my scam-y sense is really tingling, I just can’t figure out what the scam could be. Someone suggested that it might not be possible to simply end an auction early, and doing so would possibly cancel the auction altogether. Which would mean that any sale would be done outside of eBay, and all the protection they offer would be gone.
Of course, it could also be a couple of savvy business people trying to snag a good deal. Looking through both their recent history, it looks like they’re buying a lot of older gaming equipment and games, maybe for resale at a physical storefront?
I’m probably just going to let the auction ride out, but I wanted some input trying to figure out if it really is a scam.
They just want it for the cheapest price they think they can get that you’ll accept.
Will you get more than $70? Let’s put it this way – $70 would be a damn good deal for someone to buy it for, and I agree, it’ll probably go higher. Depending on how many games are included and what they are, I’d pay more, easy.
The more I think about it, the more I’m leaning towards legitimate, but low-balled offer. I looked at previous auctions before listing, and $70 was on the low-end of things. If they expected it would go for $70 or less, they’d just wait the auction out. If they’re impatient, they’d find another auction closing sooner. Regardless, I sent both replies saying “thanks, but no thanks.”
Working, used PS2 consoles by themselves are typically $25-$40 dollars at the local thrift with controllers. Sold prices on eBay are pretty close to that (some with games).
People will often be looking for a specific game that is hard to get and that drives the desire to acquire it now. The $ 70.00 offers are not absurd re price. I’m betting you have one game they want and they will break out and re-sell the rest.
