I feel for you Husky This is seemingly a very common eBay scam, and allegedly on many other similar online selling places like Vinted etc. too, which none of them seem very willing to do anything about despite compelling evidence...
It's seriously undermining the credibility of those platforms...
It is scams like that added to the unreliability of many couriers that have caused me to run my sales as 'Collection only'. While I miss out on many possible buyers I still have managed to sell all bar one of my listings, thereby allowing me to ensure the buyer is happy with their purchase before leaving. I take a picture of the item in their hands before they leave.
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
mickthemaverick wrote: 17 Aug 2026, 07:10
It is scams like that added to the unreliability of many couriers that have caused me to run my sales as 'Collection only'. While I miss out on many possible buyers I still have managed to sell all bar one of my listings, thereby allowing me to ensure the buyer is happy with their purchase before leaving. I take a picture of the item in their hands before they leave.
So there I was cleaning the coffee machine, it insists on a backflush every 200 shots. Once its set off you just wait a few minutes. Then the phone rang, landline, a credible local number. And I had time to kill
"Hello, its Frank from Openreach, we've seen an error on your internet connection". Of course you know its the start of a scam, Openrach have built their whole business model around never speaking to customers.
"Oh great, glad you called, I think it's the squirrels"
A moment's silence, "Pardon me?". I sensed confusion.
"Yes, thank you for calling me back, Ive been waiting in". They really don't know what to do it they have an off-script experience.
"They play where the cable comes up out of the duct. I think the younger ones try to tie knots in the line, thats why you can see errors"
Silence.
"Will you be coming round? I guess its a choice of poison or shooting them ....."
He hung up - wonder why. But I had wasted a few minutes of his time and hopefully reduced the number of 'prospects' he could call today.
Richard_C
Current:C4 Max Hybrid, C3 1.2 Auto
Past Citroens: Dyane (x2), 2CV, Visa, BX (x2), Xantia, Xsara Picasso, C4 Picasso,C3 (x2) C5 X7 Tourer, Synergie 1.9TD, C1
Others: Hillman Hunter, Cortina Mk1, Maxi, VWT2, Granada, SAAB 900, SAAB 9-5, R5 Gordini
As you related that one Richard this may bring a smile. After my divorce I used to visit the ex wife's place in Watford to see my son and one Tuesday I was there when the phone rang and she asked me to pick it up. I did and was greeted by a very friendly sounding chap who introduced himself as Grant from a loft conversion company.
"Were we interested in having a survey for a loft conversion?"
"Possibly" I replied "when can you come?"
A couple of minutes passed by while we vetoed Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and settled for Sunday morning. He informed me that he was in Northampton and would have to drive down so I pointed out that she went to church at 10.30 so he'd have to be sorted by then. He said he'd get up early and be there for 9. I gave him the address and we hung up.
I told my son and ex who collapsed in laughter!!
Did I mention they lived in a ground floor maisonette?
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
This is seemingly a very common eBay scam, and allegedly on many other similar online selling places like Vinted etc. too, which none of them seem very willing to do anything about despite compelling evidence...
Thinking outside of the box is better than sitting in a dark one.
so he'd have to be sorted by then. He said he'd get up early and be there for 9. I gave him the address and we hung up.