Jordan Rookie Scams

[Jnb0123]

All you paypal experts help me understand. I have now tried to purchase 6 Michael Jordan Fleer rookies PSA 8 or better and this is literally what happens every time:

I start with an email asking if they are willing to sell for a cheaper price off ebay. Or I have emailed/text 3 sellers on craigslist who are listing these nice Jordan's. Basically we agree on a price, I pay via paypal goods with Paypal Credit, and they instantly stop responding and never send the card. Then I bring up a case with paypal, they credit my paypal credit account the next day, and the case is won by me around 10-15 days later.

So my question is, what are these people getting by doing this? They have literally never tied up any of my credit, and have never even responded to the cases.

[SteveO21]

You're basically providing them with short term loans.

[Jnb0123]

Originally Posted by SteveO21

You're basically providing them with short term loans.

Interesting. And whats the do for them exactly?

[SteveO21]

Originally Posted by Jnb0123

Interesting. And whats the do for them exactly?

Anything they need it to. They're probably short on funds at the time, you pay them, they use the funds as needed then by the time they get hit with the charge back they've got the funds to pay for it. I had never heard of it before coming to this site and reading stories like yours.

[pejc300]

I don't think they get short term loans...I think they scam. They create paypal accounts under some kind of false pretense and then take the money and run....then paypal can never find them (or doesn't take the time) and paypal is on the hook to refund the money. At least that's what I have always assumed. Scammers are scammers by nature - they are looking to get something for free. They are not interested in getting loans that they want to pay back.

[Jnb0123]

Originally Posted by pejc300

I don't think they get short term loans...I think they scam. They create paypal accounts under some kind of false pretense and then take the money and run....then paypal can never find them (or doesn't take the time) and paypal is on the hook to refund the money. At least that's what I have always assumed. Scammers are scammers by nature - they are looking to get something for free. They are not interested in getting loans that they want to pay back.

This is kindof what I assumed. But I think paypal holds money for new accounts, or accounts with no activity. Also dont you have to link a credit card or bank account? I would think paypal would protect themselves from this kind of stuff.

[pejc300]

Originally Posted by Jnb0123

This is kindof what I assumed. But I think paypal holds money for new accounts, or accounts with no activity. Also dont you have to link a credit card or bank account? I would think paypal would protect themselves from this kind of stuff.

Yeah, it has been forever since I originally signed up for paypal so I'm not sure. It's possible that people build up accounts through very small purchases or something to gain some credibility before going in for the big scam of a few grand. I am not sure though.

[scqg]

Can Paypal make card photo attachment a requirement especially for graded cards with serial number? Too many guys trying to get short term loan these days.

[glen87]

Originally Posted by Jnb0123

All you paypal experts help me understand. I have now tried to purchase 6 Michael Jordan Fleer rookies PSA 8 or better and this is literally what happens every time:

I start with an email asking if they are willing to sell for a cheaper price off ebay. Or I have emailed/text 3 sellers on craigslist who are listing these nice Jordan's. Basically we agree on a price, I pay via paypal goods with Paypal Credit, and they instantly stop responding and never send the card. Then I bring up a case with paypal, they credit my paypal credit account the next day, and the case is won by me around 10-15 days later.

So my question is, what are these people getting by doing this? They have literally never tied up any of my credit, and have never even responded to the cases.

buying a jordan rookie card on craigslist is the first issue

[Jasondr91]

Originally Posted by glen87

buying a jordan rookie card on craigslist is the first issue

You might be shocked how many older people once in the hobby have no interest in ebay, or have somehow come into possession of nice cards and the quick and no fee way to move them is commonly CL. Then of course there are those that gain access to high end cards through crime....and the most anonymous way to keep from creating a trail.....is again, CL.

[Jnb0123]

Originally Posted by glen87

buying a jordan rookie card on craigslist is the first issue

I guess I assumed that scammers would try to get wire transfers or different forms of payment, not paypal goods. I literally have sent paypal goods one day, requested a refund the same day since they didn't respond, and had my money credited back the next day. This really doesn't hurt me in the slightest. Maybe this is because I use paypal credit. I could see it being a issue for people who use actual funds from their bank account.

[SteveO21]

Originally Posted by Jasondr91

You might be shocked how many older people once in the hobby have no interest in ebay, or have somehow come into possession of nice cards and the quick and no fee way to move them is commonly CL. Then of course there are those that gain access to high end cards through crime....and the most anonymous way to keep from creating a trail.....is again, CL.

One of my best friends acquired an 86 Fleer Jordan in PSA 8, as well as the 86 sticker from a person on CL about 4 years ago for $500.

[swerve]

I bought two beautiful sets with PSA 8 and PSA 7 Jordan #57's, along with some other stuff, off of CL just a few months ago. Legit stuff can be found on CL.

[Jasondr91]

Originally Posted by SteveO21

One of my best friends acquired an 86 Fleer Jordan in PSA 8, as well as the 86 sticker from a person on CL about 4 years ago for $500.

Great to hear people are finding deals in there. A very good personal friend of mine, who's also a member here comes across some rather impressive CL finds from time to time. He has what the majority of us don't.....time and patience......and a big G'damn wallet.

[HighGradeLegend]

Why not rat out the scammers here??

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by SteveO21

You're basically providing them with short term interest free loans.

Important part bolded.

I think majority of these guys are simply looking to pay off an urgent bill; or, even more likely, buying another large dollar item for a quick turnaround flip. If successful, they can refund you in full at the end of the paypal investigation (gives them a several week grace period) with profit in hand and essentially no starting capital or expense out of pocket.

At the very worst, paypal will take them to collections, but even then it'll probably be a year after and a credit score is probably the least of their worries.

Fun stuff.

[IronMonkey415]

Rat him out.