Are there many scams on Etsy???

[Former_Member]

I just received an etsy convo inquiring about purchasing one of my paintings and asking if it was still available, what condition it was currently in, and what the "final" price was. This would be my first "stranger" sale so I am potentially very excited.

BUT the note was written in a manner that reminds me of all the scams that come to my regular email, telling me I've won some foreign lottery. (LOL). It has that same overly formal tone and it is clear to me that English is not the first language of the person writing. And he only joined etsy on February 13th without any personal data as to his location, etc. I don't feel overly confident in this transaction.

I responded as if it was a real inquiry and told him it was available and re-stated the price listed. I offered to ship internationally but wouldn't quote a rate until after I checked on the prices. (I currently only have United States shipping as an option.) I did also offer to lower the price IF it was shipped without a mat. But I'm not going to haggle over prices in my shop.

So.....I guess I'm asking. Does this sort of thing happen often and turn out to be a bad deal? Or....should I be optimistic??? This FEELS like he's going to ask some crazy thing next regarding payment, etc. - but I hope I'm wrong!!

[Former_Member]

My advice is go with your intuition! If you really feel uncomfortable with it, just tell him that unfortunately you aren't shipping internationally ATM.

[Former_Member]

Hi Amy,

You have a beautiful shop by the way! I have multiple shops on Etsy and what I would suggest is that continue to converse with the potential buyer as if it is legitimate . If they are willing to pay via Paypal, ten this is of course a real deal. Sometimes I have had people say that a personal courier will pick up the purchased item as the buyer is overseas. I politely let them know that i ship almost anywhere and I cannot have a personal courier come and pick up the item.
Hope this helps!

[Former_Member]

Hi Amy!

Yea that does sound a little fishy! Maybe it sounds overly formal because english isn't his first language. I have to agree with BaskaDesigns, only accept paypal on this transaction and if you receive the funds, it's all good! Goodluck, hope it is a legit customer!!!

[Former_Member]

Good luck with this! There are a lot of international shoppers on here, 15% of my sales so far have been out of the country. If he is a new customer, he might not understand how etsy works -which would explain asking if it was available and price.

I agree with the above - make sure it's paid with paypal and that you make sure the paypal and etsy address are the same. Do not ship to an unconfirmed address, and include insurance and tracking.

Hope this works out!

[Former_Member]

Thanks everyone. I definitely would never agree to anything but a normal shipping method and paypal payment.

Guess I smelled that one coming, though. :( I just clicked on the user and got the "uh-oh" message that he no longer exists!

Oh well. some day.

[Former_Member]

I got a message like that too, they said they were an oceanographer

[Former_Member]

I had the same kind of email. And at least he ask to me to pay through Western Union 400 euro for his personal agent in charge with the shipment. In my case it was a scam, he asked to me to continue the conversation out from etsy...
He answered to email and I realized that he never read my emails but answered automatically through spam.
In my case (I went to italy police postal...) it was a scam called:

419 scam or nigerian scam

you can find information in internet.

I really hope it's not your situation but be careful!

[Midwestclassiccrafts]

Amy,

I have had at least 4 of these come through to me, and each one has been a scam.

I will reply through the etsy mail system, and tell them if they want the product or quantity of the product they are looking for then they can purchase through etsy and paypal. I have not had one yet that has worked out.

I really dislike these people, you get all excited about it and then reality hits and you realize they are crooks.

I would answer them and keep it all through etsy and paypal, if you are one the very few that it works out for you, then great, but if not you are still relatively safe.

[PoetryUnspoken]

I haven't had that happen on Etsy, but on an appliance I was trying to sell on Craigslist... if they sound fishy they most likely are... and it's good to thread lightly on those. So it's a good thing you found out before it got any further, but sorry this happened to you, Amy, and sorry it happens also on Etsy. I guess people like that will try as many venues as they can!

Your shop is lovely though, and I admire your paintings! :)

[MagpieQuilts]

I had one last week, wanted to converse via email and when I said I would only sell via Etsy check out, they responded with a request for all my info, address phone no. Etc. Reported to Etsy. Looks like a fish, smells like a fish, probably is a fish!

[Netamente]

I've been reading about scams very often these days. What is it happening? Legions of scammers are attacking Etsy, better to be prepared !
Fortunately you trusted your instincts.

[RachelNaderDesign]

Jeanette Gee from snowrobot says:

I got a message like that too, they said they were an oceanographer.

Haha, oh those oceanographers work overtime don't they? I've had a few of those scams.

[Former_Member]

I received a similar email a while back, and I basically just told the person that I accepted PayPal only and that the prices listed were final...that's because it really creeped me out! I think with adding more listings and such, you will gain exposure on the site...your work is so beautiful, I know you will get a legitimate buyer soon!

[KLKingDesigns]

I had one too. When I didn't respond the way she wanted, and stated how I operated, thru ETSY and PayPal, she deleted her "Brand-New" profile!
I started getting wise to scammers, and studying the FBI site, after being targeted by a relationship scam. So have several of my friends. My brother who had an e-business, was always talking about Nigerian fraud, so I started reading. We all need to be so careful, read up on all the scam types. Eventually, you will smell them! It really makes me happy to NOT see sellers and friends get taken in!

[PithAndRootStudio]

I was targeted by this scam awhile back, but not on Etsy:

http://artscam.blogspot.com/2010/08/warning-newest-art-scam-from-michelle.html

The supposed buyer contacted me directly. If they want to do everything their way, with a courier (as was mentioned before), and/or they balk at using Paypal, there is definitely something fishy.

I didn't fall for it, but at the time I wondered what kind of person would do something like that. Scam artists look for personal weaknesses to exploit. Artists are often desperate to make a sale and crave the validation. Sometimes it's hard because you hope for the best, but you should always follow your gut.

[MichyLouDotCom]

here is what I got:

Hi there,
saw your ads on here and i am so much interested, please let me know if its still available for sale, if yes let me know the present condition and your last price you are expecting for it, Please get back to me asap i am so much interested and ready to make the payment without any delay. Please reply me back through the email (michellehurst001@yahoo.com)and i will get back to you.
Thanks.

I knew something was fishy right away and I was reading in multiple posts on the forums here and they have received similar ones. IMy item is ready for purchase so I knew something was up

[MurrayBolesta]

spam convos all the time

[Former_Member]

There are scammers everywhere and its not just limited to Etsy.

Here's a good post that outlines how the majority of them work
http://www.etsy.com/blog/news/2010/being-safe-on-etsy-spotting-and-avoiding-advance-fee-fraud/

If anyone wants to know the 'current condition' of an item that's generally a tip off.

And ALWAYS correspond through Etsy convos and never through email!

[AvantCarde]

Interesting thread - thanks for all of the info - so far, nothing like this has happened to us, but good to keep the discussion open - Julie

[KathrynMDuncan]

I haven't been contacted by a scammer through Etsy, but have been through e-mail. They wanted to send me their credit card info, and send their own courier to pick up paintings. I informed them that they would need to use the Etsy system to purchase my paintings, and use PayPal. I also said I handle shipping my own packages. They went away, after the second try and they got the same answer.

[Former_Member]

Amy, sounds like your question was answered. I have only had a couple of those types of convos sent to me. I feel that so far, etsy does not have to much of that which is nice.

You have a beautiful shop. I wish you luck. If it is overt spam, I report it. and if it is something fishy but I can't tell, then I just politely answer it honestly. I think you are right not to haggle. Someone asked about different ways of paying and I just politely state that I accept Paypal. etc.

Good Luck!

[Former_Member]

I had the "I'm at sea and an oceanographer" and he was going to send an agent to pick up my quilt and could I raise my price to cover the cost to the agent and then could I refund that extra cost to the agent.... WATCH OUT! It was a scam. Use all the etsy precautions they have in place. Don't let someone scam you out of your hard work and money.

[KLKingDesigns]

Scam???? Hi there. My name is Misty and I am a review blogger. I was wondering if you would be interested in doing a review and/or giveaway on my blog. giveawaysandglitter.com . Please contact me if interested. Thanks for your time.

I got this e-mail the other day. It was to my Mom's Cookie Shop. I wrote back and told her she was free to purchase our taster samples and write a review, but that we could not send free product.
Is this a scam? Whether it qualifies or not, I don't like getting hit for free stuff. It seems like anyone could decide one day they are a blogger, and ask for free stuff to review. They'd never need to purchase Anything!
Plus, her ETSY account had only minimal activity. Looked real new. Any one else get these type of convos?

[Nbeads]

Agree with BaksaDesigns
Send your mail after payment cleared through Paypal,there will be no other risk.