Ebay, quoted blockchainexplorer.info as proof of postage!

[jago25_98]

 I did a little experiment selling half a coin a while a go (was worth a lot less). I specified only buyers from the UK and some other things but after a month I got the credit card fraud chargeback as expected

 The winner was in Singapore so proof of delivery didn't seem possible... I should have cut the experiment short there but well...

 So, when it came to responding to the dispute I decided to file under "refund provided". Under tracking number I quoted the Bitcoin address and under tracking company I used 'other' and Blockchainexplorer.info !

 Of course I don't expect this to work with Paypal's robots but I still like to do it anyway because if I was in a court room I could imagine myself doing a fair argument on it - that address is the delivery address and blockchain are indeed proof of delivery! The only thing could be the use of the word 'address' and the virtual world but I think even that could fit!

 I will now do another experiment with a much smaller amount, probably BTC0.01 and have another look at the options to see if I can come up with a way to do it and not get scammed.

Learnt a few things in doing it. One thing is that I'm sure I only wanted buyer in the UK but the scammer was able to put an address in Singapore...
the next is regards proof of delivery - don't necessarily need a tracking number to dispute the claim!

After it all I now see ways to scam anyone - so, so easy. The only difference is I have a conscious and there's no one I hate that much to screw over!

This is a real eye opener because I always thought to myself "well, at least there's always ebay if I want to make some bucks"... but clearly, because ebay UK forces us to accept Paypal... it is not. That is - in a crisis people will get more and more desperate so although this scam is hot on Bitcoin if things get worse this can become more and more prevalent. Even more reason to get into a value providing business that accepted Bitcoin.

If you're interested, the scammers address I sent to was:

http://blockexplorer.com/address/17HX9LAgFWqWiB9B6wo5hWpzGUigBE79Sv

Saranshi Nais
nurainif
naissaran@yahoo.com.sg

Postal address:
Nais Saranshi
Blk 53 Marine Terrace #04-216
Singapore 440052



Note to seller:
17HX9LAgFWqWiB9B6wo5hWpzGUigBE79Sv

I remember reading something about tying an address to an IP somewhere?

[zeroday]

Your eBay account can be closed and all funds seized due to the violation of Terms Of Service.
This is how paypal and ebay make their profit.

[jago25_98]

you think? well its done now so I will report back
the feedback is valuable there but tbh I'm thinking of going stealth with eBay someday anyway to combat the scammers and no funds on there to seize.

[Gator-hex]

I would have refunded his paypal as soon as seeing his address with note saying "delivery only to the United Kingdom".

Ebay are nuts and a law unto themselves. I've been banned twice, once for selling too much (I listed lots of stuff on a free listing day before they had the 100 item limit in place), and once for leaving too much negative feedback (I've never left anything but honest feedback and not excessive at all).

You could also try quoting eBay it's own rules!

"What’s not eligible? Buyer Protection does not cover certain kinds of purchases. These include: digital goods (intangible items)"
https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/paypal-safety-and-security

[farlack]

Your eBay account can be closed and all funds seized due to the violation of Terms Of Service.
This is how paypal and ebay make their profit.

Paypal cant steal your money, they have to pay you within 180 days.

[zeroday]

Your eBay account can be closed and all funds seized due to the violation of Terms Of Service.
This is how paypal and ebay make their profit.

Paypal cant steal your money, they have to pay you within 180 days.

Yes, but before they may refund the most of received payments saying it's high-risk or fraud.

[jago25_98]

I think most likely result is that my account gets shut down for selling a digital good.

could be lucky though. might get an idiot who sees the proof of delivery and acts differently!

worth a shot!

next time might try selling a Cassius coin!

really though the problem here is the eBay/PayPal monopoly.
I believe the monopoly might be broken by sites that search multiple action sites comparing results smoothly to find what you want for where you are. that way, bitmit could be more successful.

the problem blocking this is that eBay can make it difficult for people to search their site through an api or by changing the site code. the only way to prevent this (I think?) is to enforce fair competition from a regulating body. this has happened with PayPal in the USA but as an example you still have to accept PayPal in the UK which I find infuriating.

anyone got any more ideas? how's about a Firefox plugin or grease monkey script that automatically shows bit it results when I search eBay and also copies and listing I make to eBay to bitmit?