Is bidpay safe?

[crashwg]

I think someone's trying to scam me.

I'm selling a PS2 on ebay and I just recieved this email...

Hello,

thanks for your quick response, i know this a great product and am purchasing this item for a friend, which I will offer for $500.00 if my offer is accepted, we can end the auction and proceed, which i will make an immediately payment,  kindly send me your contact address, so i can send the payment immediately Bidpay which is a fast and secure.  Note I want this item to be ship upon payment made/payment notification from Bidpay.

I always get intouch with some buyers/friend outside the states.  Meanwhile, am paying for the shipping cost, which I had contact my fedex Courier company concerning the shipment, the shipment will be charge through my fedex account, so you will not be charge for any bill.

If you still have any other item, kindly let me know we can still work things out after this first transaction done.


Waiting for your quick response.

ester

Now it's kinda hard to understand what this person is saying but I think it says that they're willing to pay $500 for a PS2!  I looked up Bidpay and it seems to be a western union company and every horor story I've heard about ebay involves western union.

Is there a way I can block bidders so they don't ruin my action if that is there intent?

[Lilwolf]

I wouldn't trust it.  Sounds like the standard scam.

but bidpay sends a check out.  But I'm not sure what happens to that check if the original goes away.

Also it could be a fake check.

But I would say that if your interested... just to make sure that you state that you will not ship until the check clears the bank even through bidpay.... but even then... I don't see a reason why anyone would pick your PS2 over the other 1000 on ebay.... Unless there was somethign special on it... If there really isn't (so they are making sure they don't loose this once in a lifetime opp) I would say scam.

[monkeybomb]

This is a scam.   It isn't a close call.

[mr.Curmudgeon]

Screw BidPay...tell the person if they really want it to Paypal you the $500 (+shipping) and you'll gladly send the PS2 the next day.

BidPay is outrageously overcomplicated and expensive...I unknowingly won an auction that required payment through BidPay and it sucked going through the process of paying.

I'd avoid that service at all costs.

mrC

[JackTucky]

total scam.  end it.

Art

[Jabba]

Can you say Scameranzoid three times real fast?

[Shape D.]

I deal with fraudelnt customers all the time at work, here's some tips for you.

1) They don't care what it costs, and are willing to offer you a better deal if they think you will go along with it.

2) anything they write is written out lenghtilly with poor grammar. (yes I know thats not a word)

3) They like using "their" ups or fedex number to pick it up.

those are the only ones I saw that applied to you email. but...

4) Relay calls are almost always bogus. I hate relay calls... and fraud monkeys.

[Chris]

And if you end the auction and proceed outside eBay, you're not protected by eBay.