Looking for Input - Possible Discogs Scam

So this morning I was looking at discogs, going through a couple of releases that I've been wanting. I was thrilled to see a Music Matters reissue for a great (relatively) price. $50 less than the next cheapest option and $75 less than median sale price. The seller had only one feedback, but it was positive. In a rush to not lose the item to another buyer, I completed the purchase and paid via PayPal using a credit card.

After sending the PayPal payment, I get a text from PayPal that I just paid so and so (not going to put their name on here), if I have questions to log in to my PayPal account. Now, I don't usually get a message like this so now I'm on a bit of alert. So I look closer. There was no link or anything in the PayPal text, so it seems legit. I logged on to PayPal on my PC to investigate further.

Here are the red flags I have discovered
- Seller just joined 7/29/21
- Seller's lone feedback is fake. It is from another user with no buying feedback. There is an order date and a feedback date. They are 4 minutes apart. The "user" that left him feedback has a very similarly formatted user name and has one selling feedback with the same scenario (order and feed back time stamp are minutes apart)
- The seller takes personal checks in addition to credit cards and PayPal. The name given for personal checks does not match the name on the PayPal account, and are not similar in any way.
- Going through the seller's inventory, all his items are listed for $50-$100 cheaper than the next cheapest option.
- All of his for sale items just have discogs info copy and pasted, and from the French language interface of discogs

So I am reasonably certain the seller is attempting some sort of scam. I can not figure out what it is or how - since allowing me to use PayPal and a credit card keeps me quite protected. My questions for you all:
1) Any idea what the end game may be?
2) Any advice on thwarting the scam?
3) Should I try to cancel and get a refund now, or wait and see how it plays out?
4) How long until I should file a dispute with PayPal?

Any other advice is welcome as well.

You know what they say - if it seems to good to be true, it probably is!

 

He wants that check for his own fun soon.....scam

 

What do you mean?

 

Best to ignore that guy. He's never posted anything helpful in any way, shape, or form since he joined. That's why I just keep him off the Ignore List to laugh at his comments. The fact he's serious is what makes his shtick so funny.

Anyway, there's no risk to let it play out. As you pointed out, you're protected so you have nothing to fear. Moreover, all of the info you've discovered won't mean anything if you end up with an as-described copy of an album for a great price.

Also, I ordered through a website that was somewhat shady-looking but only went through the order due to PayPal being accepted as a form of payment. It took an unnaturally long while to get the records due to the pandemic but I eventually got exactly what I paid for.

I'd wait it out and go through the process. Wait a few days, send a message to the seller if you don't get an update, if no response for 3 days after that, use the Discogs function called "Seller not responding?" which will suspend his account automatically if he doesn't respond within 3 days after that. Hopefully, the story will have a happy ending. Worst-case scenario, you'll get your money back. Worth giving it a shot, IMHO. Good luck!

 

If he ships you something, I would suggest you use video to show the package and the shipping/tracking label, and the complete unboxing, just in case what was inside was not what you actually ordered. He'll have tracking proof that it was delivered, but you may actually end up with a 101 Strings album from Goodwill.

 

Yes, I was thinking this 100%. My mother in law was scammed last year buying a coffee machine. They sent her a small China cup. PayPal sided with her so she got her money back, but it is absolutely a method scamsters use.

I just received FedEx shipping info. Hoping I got a great deal and not an attempted scam, but I’m not holding my breath.

 

That doesn't do anything and won't help at all with any arguing against PayPal.

However, if that ever happens, just send him back the same package with tracking number after creating a PayPal dispute and once he get the package back, he also won't be able to argue with PayPal and the $ will be returned to you whether he likes it or not.

 

I don't use the service, so I'm just asking...what does Discogs do to vet their sellers, and resolve issues with buyers? Are they a "hands-off" operation, or do they take any reasonable responsibility for pairing rubes with scoundrels?

 

I think PayPal protects you pretty well, but yeah, I'd document stuff and prepare for a payment dispute. I once bought a Blue Note jazz album at a relatively-hefty-but-still-believable discount from a Discogs seller who then sent me a much less desirable version of the same album. I don't know if that's the type of scam your seller may (or may not) be attempting, but either way, it seems you'll find out soon.

Discogs does seem to offer an avenue for reporting suspicious sellers. I've never used it, but just in case, here it is.

 

Hey Strat-Mangler.....once he has your check he has your routing numbers/bank. He can print some up. Only an idiot sends checks to scammers. This guy is a piece of work. Everything says scam artist.

 

There’s no check involved. It was paid via PayPal.

I agree everything says scam. But I have a 2.5lb parcel due for delivery on Wednesday. We will see how it plays out.

 

Brother you have my sympathy if it is a scam which smells scam. Never send a check to an eBay or Discogs or Amazon seller. Off site is dangerous.

 

Even if he sends you something, you can file a SNAD claim if it's not as promised. PayPal almost always sides with the buyer. But as others have suggested, take video of you opening the package for extra security.

 

So the package was "delivered" today. Not to my house, mind you. Called UPS and they confirmed it was sent to some random address in my zip code (the address was not similar to mine at all - definitely not an accident).

PayPal claim opened, and I've been assured that given the seller won't be able to provide proof of delivery to the correct address, that I have nothing to worry about.

Now I just need to find another copy of this album!

 

Probably a beat up Herb Alpert album in the package.

 

PLEASE provide negative feedback on his profile of your experience! Most people don't and it'd help deter others from bothering with this loser.

 

This ^^^^ x 1000.

 

Always use Yelp reviews to warn about crummy car dealers and plumbers etc.. Rip this scamster a negative.

 

Yes negative feed back left. Looks like I’m not the only one, another member left negative feedback saying scam account.

I am curious what the end game is. Scamming people and letting them pay with PayPal doesn’t seem like a very good plan

 

Yeah, but that's assuming there's a plan.
Did you report the seller to Discogs? I'm curious what they'll do.

 

I did, I’m guessing they will shut him down as his lone positive feedback is clearly fake.

The whole thing screams “not well thought out”, but I mean, it’s a niche market and Music Matters Jazz. Seems like some thought would have to go into it to get that far.

I wonder if he somehow is ripping off PayPal? Idk I can’t come up with a good explanation in my head.

 

It almost sounds like this seller behaves in a similar manner to a Craigslist phony buyer sounding enthusiastic about buying something from you and then never following through. I think they get some jollies in the follies of deception. Anything else just doesn't make any sense. At least there's only one loser in your scenario and it isn't you GM.

 

Can Paypal reversals be done with the same tracking zip as the legit buyer? Herb Alpert to down the street.

 

How will the purchaser prove he didn't get the item when deliver confirmation says it was delivered?

 

Delivery confirmation to the same zip code is probably enough for a reversal. If it says tracking delivered to say 90210 and your address is 90210, yer sunk. The beat Herb Alpert gets thrown out by the wrong person (no return address). Gulp.