How do I, as a buyer, ensure I never come into possession of stolen goods if I buy something on eBay?
If I see a classified ad in the newspaper for, say, a top-of-the-line computer for $100, I instantly presume it’s stolen. In fact, if I bought it and later the cops charge me with possession of stolen goods, I’d have a difficult time avoiding conviction.
On eBay, though, if I won the same computer for the same price, I’d presume the seller took a risk with a low starting bid and it didn’t pan out.
Given this difference, isn’t eBay a haven for thieves? If not, why not?
That, and to be a seller, you basically have to identify yourself and your address via a credit card. Most thieves don’t want to do that–I’m sure there’s ways around that, but it’s likely mopre trouble than it’s worth. It’s a lot easier to sell off the back of a truck.
Well from a practical perspective if a thief is even moderately sophisticated they won’t be selling for an absurdly low price. They’ll make more money by offering a great deal, but not a “stupid great” deal. A super low price will simply raise suspicions.
Desperate thieves will likely sell to an intermediary (fence) who will put the unit on eBay. Some of the biggest sellers on eBay are pawn shops who went online with their inventory.
The main risk for an eBay fence is if something has a serial number and the buyer decides to research the unit and sees the unit is flagged as stolen. The fence seller needs way to insulate themselves from people or the authorities who might come after them.
The thing about the “too good to be true” price, though, is the seller has little control over the final price. I’ve sold a few things on eBay (I didn’t steal’em, honest… I have the receipts ) and each time I set the starting bid to $1. Isn’t this recommended practice? I assume the risk that someone may bid $1 and win - I’d be obliged to sell it at that price.
On the other side, I’ve picked up a couple items at surprising prices: e.g. a beautiful violin for my daughter at $15. At that price I would be suspicious if it were a classified ad in the newspaper. Although, I guess I wouldn’t be if it were a yard sale.
So along comes Hamburglar. Having tired of quarter pounders, he starts stealing home electronics. He strikes in another town, or another province (he lives in Canada), so there’d be no apparent connection between the auction and any police report.
If Hamburglar puts your MP3 player on eBay, how would you identify it, click “ask the seller” and request the serial number? Not a bad idean, I guess… does anyone do that? I as a buyer would have no indication at all the MP3 player is hot, so I bid, win the thing, wipe the burger grease off and listen to tunes blithely unaware I am at risk of criminal prosecution.
What pattern would eBay’s software reveal in this case, I wonder?
Hint: Pay with credit card/ VISA debit card. If vendor insists on Paypal, empty your Paypal account, then fund the transaction through your credit card/ VISA debit card. If vendor insists on Check/Money Order, cap purchase price with shipping at $15. Thieves rarely bother with con jobs that cheap…
) and each time I set the starting bid to $1. Isn’t this recommended practice? I assume the risk that someone may bid $1 and win - I’d be obliged to sell it at that price.