Of course a seller meets a scammer at least once, and I was unlucky to sell an account to wowtrader2008 (Should have realized a scam by the damn name.)
He filed a claim with PayPal about 3 hours after I sent information, so I called PayPal and one really nice man gave me tons of great tips on selling through PayPal.
1. If it's for virtual goods, PayPal CANNOT protect you with their Seller Protection Program. The way to get around it? When the buyer sends the payment, tell them to include a statement that says that they have received or they are aware that it is for the purchase of virtual goods that are soon to come. If a buyer refuses, DO NOT SELL WITH THEM, NO MATTER HOW GREAT AN OFFER! PayPal will use that as your only proof!
2. Use the Invoice creator on the PayPal options, and send the person a statement of the invoice. When they accept payment through that, they are accepting that they are paying for what the invoice states.
3. Ask for phone verification from the buyer, and ask that they send an e-mail stating that they are aware that they are purchasing goods from you. Make sure that it is from the PayPal e-mail they are using. Being the seller of virtual goods is tough, because you have so much more to prove if you are stuck in the middle of a scam.
____________________________________
Other than just tips the PayPal representative, I've learned that I need to be more careful and I've followed these steps for online selling.
1. When you think your transaction might end up bad, keep your main WoW Account Management page open and create a Parental Controls password. Although this can be used to scam as well (Sigh), the strategy is to lock all play time if the person ends up recalling payment. From there, you can recall the account and they will have no access to it, unless you're a little dumb and make the Parental Password your WoW password that you sent them.
2. Try not to sell on a weekend. Blizzard is CLOSED and this is the perfect time for scammers to get you.
3. Stay professional and in touch with PayPal if you are the victim of a scam. NEVER freak out while they ask you for information if you are a part of a claim investigation. Be honest and type your response clearly.
4. Send the SQ/A and change the e-mail after three to five days. If the buyer refuses, try searching for one that will agree to your safety concerns. Though this might seem long, payment will usually reach your bank by then, and if they decide to retract payment, you have your bank to back you up.
5. PayPal does not take AIM conversations as proof, as they state they can be doctored and edited. This one is tough, because they also sometimes accept e-mail, but many times do not. Save what you can but don't rely on just AIM conversations, and document EVERY single communication between you and the buyer.
I'm sure there are more things to add but this is the gist of it. Please comment on what you think.
- Miss Tiki
He filed a claim with PayPal about 3 hours after I sent information, so I called PayPal and one really nice man gave me tons of great tips on selling through PayPal.
1. If it's for virtual goods, PayPal CANNOT protect you with their Seller Protection Program. The way to get around it? When the buyer sends the payment, tell them to include a statement that says that they have received or they are aware that it is for the purchase of virtual goods that are soon to come. If a buyer refuses, DO NOT SELL WITH THEM, NO MATTER HOW GREAT AN OFFER! PayPal will use that as your only proof!
2. Use the Invoice creator on the PayPal options, and send the person a statement of the invoice. When they accept payment through that, they are accepting that they are paying for what the invoice states.
3. Ask for phone verification from the buyer, and ask that they send an e-mail stating that they are aware that they are purchasing goods from you. Make sure that it is from the PayPal e-mail they are using. Being the seller of virtual goods is tough, because you have so much more to prove if you are stuck in the middle of a scam.
____________________________________
Other than just tips the PayPal representative, I've learned that I need to be more careful and I've followed these steps for online selling.
1. When you think your transaction might end up bad, keep your main WoW Account Management page open and create a Parental Controls password. Although this can be used to scam as well (Sigh), the strategy is to lock all play time if the person ends up recalling payment. From there, you can recall the account and they will have no access to it, unless you're a little dumb and make the Parental Password your WoW password that you sent them.
2. Try not to sell on a weekend. Blizzard is CLOSED and this is the perfect time for scammers to get you.
3. Stay professional and in touch with PayPal if you are the victim of a scam. NEVER freak out while they ask you for information if you are a part of a claim investigation. Be honest and type your response clearly.
4. Send the SQ/A and change the e-mail after three to five days. If the buyer refuses, try searching for one that will agree to your safety concerns. Though this might seem long, payment will usually reach your bank by then, and if they decide to retract payment, you have your bank to back you up.
5. PayPal does not take AIM conversations as proof, as they state they can be doctored and edited. This one is tough, because they also sometimes accept e-mail, but many times do not. Save what you can but don't rely on just AIM conversations, and document EVERY single communication between you and the buyer.
I'm sure there are more things to add but this is the gist of it. Please comment on what you think.
- Miss Tiki
