A rash of 0 feedback accounts making offers on eBay

I've had the following happen four times in the past week:

A zero-feedback user who just joined makes an offer somewhat under asking for an expensive item.

Now, sure, everyone was once a zero feedback user. But I rarely get these offers, and now I've gotten four of them. And the usernames are very similar (somestring)_(somenumber). It's all quite suspicious.

The weird thing is: If it's truly a scam, why not pay the asking price? Why make an offer?

One more thing: Before I noticed the weirdness, I made a counteroffer on one item. (Listing price $270, offer $199, my counteroffer $220). The buyer then counteroffered $190. I rejected it, of course. But it all seems kind of weird.

 

Too easy for sellers to get screwed on eBay, so you’re right to be cautious. Anytime a very new or low feedback wins an auction of mine (or even buys something outright on discogs), it’s a little nerve wracking. That being said, I’ve not been screwed by a buyer, but I’m not a high volume seller by any means.

Also not sure why they wouldn’t just pay asking if it were a scam.

 

Sometimes they'll buy stuff....try to sell it then get a reason for a refund when they can't.

 

I knew it wasn't just me!

The buyer (something idiotic like imajerk_69) will offer as noted, but in my case, they want me to text them.

I immediately block them, their account is then suspended, and imajerk_70 shows up doing the same thing.

A bot I'm thinking...

 

I just got an offer today from one of these bot accounts; I think it's already been suspended.

No text request this time.