[HELP] P2P Buyer sent less than agreed - Was I "bullied" into a trade?

[Dogedegen]

I felt pressured because I didn’t want to get my account sanctioned or flagged for "holding" funds, so I just released the coins. Now I feel like I got played.

Nobody pressured you to do anything here, you made a mistake due to your inexperience or perhaps some issues relating to dealing with conflicts. Please learn the difference because cases where there is actual pressure or coercion are quite different and they may even be criminal offenses. Nothing was done to you here by the other party in order to pressure you to accept.

I'd appreciate any tips on how to handle these "price switch" situations. I’m trying to keep my account rating high but I don't want to keep losing money.

Good platforms will never punish your account for opening disputes even if you are a new account, keep this in mind. Basically what a good platform will do is investigate your claim and if it is proven true it will rule in your favor. Actually a good platform will welcome customers like you because you are preventing bad traders from doing harm to other people. I never had this specific issue when it comes to P2P, but I did have on Ebay and places like that and I always opened a dispute no problem. Sometimes the sellers agreed outright that something was wrong and I was right, other times they tried to fight me but since my story was true and the evidence was there I won the disputes. It is important that your story is true and that you are not opening false disputes and all should be well on a good platform. Usually P2P platforms prefer chats to be conducted on the platform itself because that gives the dispute team an easy insight in to what really happened.

[tbct_mt2]

• Was I actually at risk of being sanctioned if I opened a dispute?

If you are a scammer, made a scam trade, and tried to open a dispute or your trade partner opened a dispute, likely you will lose with that dispute and your account will be banned by the P2P trading platform.

• Is this a common tactic to bully new sellers into a lower rate?

It's not allowed on P2P marketplaces as it is a kind of scam method used for creating pressure on trade partners in order to trigger them more easily making mistakes in the trades.

• If this happens again, what is the best way to handle the moderator dispute without looking like the "bad guy"?

If you have a bad trade with a trade partner, don't trade with him in the future.

To choose a trade partner, choose the one that has an old account, big total trading volume, total numbers of completed trades, high successful trades, and the average release time/ trade completion is small, as well as good reputation/ trust feedbacks.

What you should avoid?
Trade partners with things opposite than what I mentioned above, and trade offers that are "too good to be true".

[Salahmu]

You weren't at risk for P2P sanctioning and besides P2p exchange have advised for thorough confirmation of the money the buyer sent before you should do anything, the bargaining was also something you shouldn't engaged because before the bargaining started you had already seen the price they were buying so is automatically the same rate you should have also sell without any negotiation of paying different amounts. If you meet any buyer with the same attitude don't bargain anything with them even if they requested, because P2P wouldn't take your money for not accepting the different terms the person gave you

[Dogedegen]

It's not allowed on P2P marketplaces as it is a kind of scam method used for creating pressure on trade partners in order to trigger them more easily making mistakes in the trades.

While you are correct about it not being allowed, it is incorrect to mention creating pressure in this case because there was no pressure. The user made their own mistake willingly and they invented pressure that was not there. People will try to scam online it happens all the time, but in this case there was no pressuring of any kind to accept anything. It is not like the person from the other side of the screen can come through your computer and do something to you, the pressure was imaginary and self-created.

If you have a bad trade with a trade partner, don't trade with him in the future.

This is insufficient without leaving a bad review and reporting him, otherwise we allow people like this to continue to scam and annoy other users. Never ever should you forget to leave a bad review in cases like this.

You weren't at risk for P2P sanctioning and besides P2p exchange have advised for thorough confirmation of the money the buyer sent before you should do anything, the bargaining was also something you shouldn't engaged because before the bargaining started you had already seen the price they were buying so is automatically the same rate you should have also sell without any negotiation of paying different amounts. If you meet any buyer with the same attitude don't bargain anything with them even if they requested, because P2P wouldn't take your money for not accepting the different terms the person gave you

Yeah this was a case of inexperience. I don't know any real platform where people are being punished for opening legitimate disputes. It is more likely that a platform will appreciate the opening of real dispute even if it is extra work for them because it helps them recognize bad actors and clean the platform of them. They can't know that a trader is bad and scamming if nobody report them, how could they!

[Rgram]

It’s not uncommon for traders to try and cheat you on a good trade. Always coming up with excuses on how the exchange does charge them fees for the trade and how they did boost their ads to be more visible.

I usually view these type of traders with lots of skepticism as, they’ve already shown themselves to be dishonest with their schemes and methods. What’s there to do, avoid going for those top adds completely. Look for ads that fall within range of Bitcoin price and you might not encounter all these.

My questions for the veterans here:

• Was I actually at risk of being sanctioned if I opened a dispute?
• Is this a common tactic to bully new sellers into a lower rate?
• If this happens again, what is the best way to handle the moderator dispute without looking like the "bad guy"?

1. The dispute option is there for both parties. Should you feel cheated as in this case, don’t realize trade. Proceed with the dispute and the buyer would be faulted.

2. Yes, but it’s not about newbie traders, they try this with just anyone and hope they get something out of it.

3. Simply ask the merchant to pay what is stated in the trade and in the event that you are short paid, request for your balance, should the buyer refuse and you are running out of time, go ahead and dispute the trade. Don’t do refunds except required to do so by support.

[Cookdata]

My questions for the veterans here:

• Was I actually at risk of being sanctioned if I opened a dispute?
• Is this a common tactic to bully new sellers into a lower rate?
• If this happens again, what is the best way to handle the moderator dispute without looking like the "bad guy"?

I'd appreciate any tips on how to handle these "price switch" situations. I’m trying to keep my account rating high but I don't want to keep losing money.
- Newbie trying to learn

You used Bybit right? You are not aware but stay away from Bybit. I don't like that exchange. Ever since p2o stop working in Binance and Kucoin, that place became a mess with scammers and cheaters. They beg too much on that app and it makes me wonder if we have hoenst traders on the app, there are other exchanges that offer same p2p services, just look into them.

To answer your questions, I'm going to combine them and give you everything in one:
Never trade outside the exchange even if they promised to send money first, secondly if they send an incomplete payment, don't release coin to them, you are the seller and not the buyer that means you are at advantage here, chat them to send the rest money, if they refused the appeal the customer care will step in. You can use appeal to threaten them, they will send it ASAP because once they are appeal, they can go days without trading on the exchange as punishment. Stay safe.

[B-BossMan]

My questions for the veterans here:

• Was I actually at risk of being sanctioned if I opened a dispute?
• Is this a common tactic to bully new sellers into a lower rate?
• If this happens again, what is the best way to handle the moderator dispute without looking like the "bad guy"?

I'd appreciate any tips on how to handle these "price switch" situations. I’m trying to keep my account rating high but I don't want to keep losing money.
- Newbie trying to learn

You used Bybit right? You are not aware but stay away from Bybit. I don't like that exchange. Ever since p2o stop working in Binance and Kucoin, that place became a mess with scammers and cheaters. They beg too much on that app and it makes me wonder if we have hoenst traders on the app, there are other exchanges that offer same p2p services, just look into them.

To answer your questions, I'm going to combine them and give you everything in one:
Never trade outside the exchange even if they promised to send money first, secondly if they send an incomplete payment, don't release coin to them, you are the seller and not the buyer that means you are at advantage here, chat them to send the rest money, if they refused the appeal the customer care will step in. You can use appeal to threaten them, they will send it ASAP because once they are appeal, they can go days without trading on the exchange as punishment. Stay safe.

It's actually so annoying seeing how the numbers of scammer or beggers rather keep increasing day by day on Bybit. I also make used of the bybit purposely for exchanges, but believe you me when it comes to payment, i don't usually tolerate nonsense at all,some of these vendors/buyers behave sometimes as if someone is getting the money freely or easily without any efforts. So never accept any incomplete payment from any buyers, it actually spoils someone's plans at times.

In the other hand and my own opinions, the main problems actually came from the chart box that was provided for communication, that box truly creates an avenue for begging,manipulation,harassment and much excuses. Hadn't been there's no the chart box all these issues wouldn't comes up or increased the way they do. At this points, we the sellers need to stay consistent and be vigilant, in order to avoid giving all these scammers a chance of having opportunity to take the advantages. Caution ⚠️ matters alots.

[Davidvictorson]

I’m a bit of a newbie to P2P and I think I just made a mistake. Looking for some advice so I don't get burned again.
I was in a trade today and we were bargaining the price in the chat. We finally agreed on a rate, but the buyer sent a lower amount than we discussed and immediately clicked "Payment Completed."
I felt pressured because I didn’t want to get my account sanctioned or flagged for "holding" funds, so I just released the coins. Now I feel like I got played.
My questions for the veterans here:

• Was I actually at risk of being sanctioned if I opened a dispute?
• Is this a common tactic to bully new sellers into a lower rate?
• If this happens again, what is the best way to handle the moderator dispute without looking like the "bad guy"?

I'd appreciate any tips on how to handle these "price switch" situations. I’m trying to keep my account rating high but I don't want to keep losing money.
- Newbie trying to learn

lol this happened to me today exactly as you have narrated.
I am damm sure that the platform it Bybit.
Well, I’ll tell you what I did incase of next time. First I took a screenshot of our chat so that I have an evidence against him. Secondly, I told him straight up that if he doesn’t send the balance I won’t release the coin. Guess what, he did. Just take note of this because there will be a next time.

[nc50lc]

-snip-

You used Bybit right? You are not aware but stay away from Bybit. I don't like that exchange. Ever since p2o stop working in Binance and Kucoin, that place became a mess with scammers and cheaters.

He replied to my question in page1, he said it's "Binance P2P".
Here's the link to his reply: /index.php?topic=5580653.msg66632891#msg66632891

I don't know why p2p stopped working in your end but it's still functional in some countries, even on those that banned the exchange (non-P2P).

[B-BossMan]

-snip-

You used Bybit right? You are not aware but stay away from Bybit. I don't like that exchange. Ever since p2o stop working in Binance and Kucoin, that place became a mess with scammers and cheaters.

He replied to my question in page1, he said it's "Binance P2P".
Here's the link to his reply: /index.php?topic=5580653.msg66632891#msg66632891

I don't know why p2p stopped working in your end but it's still functional in some countries, even on those that banned the exchange (non-P2P).

I think the problem or banned order came from Government due to the allegation of exchange rate manipulation.
Check here👇

https://azasend.com/news/binance-p2p-ban-in-nigeria-reasons-timeline-and-a-safer-alternative-for-crypto-traders/
https://www.mariblock.com/stories/binance-ends-naira-support-in-nigeria-amidst-regulatory-pressure

[SeriouslyGiveaway]

I think the problem or banned order came from Government due to the allegation of exchange rate manipulation.
Check here👇

https://azasend.com/news/binance-p2p-ban-in-nigeria-reasons-timeline-and-a-safer-alternative-for-crypto-traders/
https://www.mariblock.com/stories/binance-ends-naira-support-in-nigeria-amidst-regulatory-pressure

Years ago, two Binance staffs were arrested in Nigeria as an effort of government to do ransom attack for money against Binance.
Two Binance executives detained in Nigeria for two weeks.

It was a noisy and famous event as Nigerian government did made a funny accusation like Binance P2P marketplace affected their Nigerian national fiat currency purchasing power, that is untrue. Their Naira lost purchasing power because of their national issues, not because of US. dollar or Binance or Binance P2P.

Binance perhaps no longer want their company and staffs to have other detainment from Nigerian government and they proactively did what they thought is right and safe for their staffs.

[Felicity_Tide]

• Was I actually at risk of being sanctioned if I opened a dispute?
• Is this a common tactic to bully new sellers into a lower rate?
• If this happens again, what is the best way to handle the moderator dispute without looking like the "bad guy"?

AFAIK, in any transaction dispute that involves you selling to a buyer, the buyer is actually at risk of being penalized _{(I guess it affects their rating)}, and a decent number of them are actually scared of that. Personally, I don't fancy the idea of negotiating a different price from something else that the exchange has fixed. Filing a dispute for cases like that might be a bit complicating for the exchange to sort out. And of course, a lot of merchant likes taking advantage of others, so you have no choice than to get used to it and find ways not to be a part of it. And If it happens next time, I guess you already know what to do. AFAIK, Binance should be more competent when it comes to sorting out disputes, than the other exchanges.

[knowngunman]

Do not release the coin if the buyer does not send the complete amount of money. On the P2P platform that you are using, there is a message section that you can contact the buyer. Contact the buyer and let him know that he did not send the complete amount of the money that he supposed to send. Do not release the coin if the person did not complete the payment. The exchange will be on your side.

Exchange will never be on his side in this case.

The first mistake he made was bargaining the price with the buyer. Bargaining of price apart from what's displayed on the ads page is completely against exchange rules. Secondly, once you release the coin, exchange marked the order as completed and therefore make it almost impossible to open a dispute on this case.

The exchange is playing their part to keep everyone safe in P2P but people still find it difficult to abide by the rules. In the P2P page you'll see a pop up notice that says "Do not release coins until you receive and verified the full payment in your bank account". I don't know which other ways we expect the exchange to protect us if we aren't keeping to their terms.

The moment you open room for price negotiation, you're definitely giving room for scam.

[sonrevelio]

You can try appeal if the amount isn't the same as the amount shown in the p2p order or the verified amount. If the rate is 100 USDT and receive 110 usd fiat then that's what you will get since that's the total amount set based on the ad price even if you did ask for a bargain. The only way to do it safely is to change the ad price to the amount what you wanted and let the buyer use the ad price you set.

[Charles-Tim]

Exchange will never be on his side in this case.

The first mistake he made was bargaining the price with the buyer. Bargaining of price apart from what's displayed on the ads page is completely against exchange rules.

The buyer will be the one that will start the bargaining of the price as usual, not the seller which is the OP. Although, he supposed not to have done that, but the exchange will go through their messages.

Secondly, once you release the coin, exchange marked the order as completed and therefore make it almost impossible to open a dispute on this case.

Yes, but this is not completely true.

OP is not saying he wants the remaining money back, he is asking the questions in case of next time.

But anyone that make such a mistake, if the person noticed within few minutes, he should message the buyer and tell him that he sent less than necessary. I have seen someone this happened to before and the buyer sent the remaining amount of money. This is better than to do nothing.

[tech30338]

Is this from an exchange if its in an exchange the above recommendation should be followed do not release until the buyer gives the remaining agreed value, or try to explain to buyer maybe he miscalculated the amount and sent not the exact or the fund is low and will send using different account this has happen to me although he send me the remaining balance before reaching out and ask me to release it.
They might be also reported and might cause bad on his account, have they already settled the issue?

[Zlantann]

lol this happened to me today exactly as you have narrated.
I am damm sure that the platform it Bybit.
Well, I’ll tell you what I did incase of next time. First I took a screenshot of our chat so that I have an evidence against him. Secondly, I told him straight up that if he doesn’t send the balance I won’t release the coin. Guess what, he did. Just take note of this because there will be a next time.

I have seen two members mentioning Bybit. It seems Bybit is notorious in such experiences. Anyway, the OP clarified that it was Binance and not Bybit.

To clarify, the platform is Binance P2P.

The mistake he made was to negotiate the price after the deal had been sealed. He wouldn't have released the coin no matter the pressure that was mounted on him by the buyer. I have heard one bet me that I should reduce the agreed price because he would not make a gain if he paid me what was stated in the exchange. I just told him to pay me accurately or cancel the trade. 

[The Cryptovator]

To clarify, the platform is Binance P2P.

The bargaining wasn't my doing; I opened the trade at the advertised rate, but once the order was active, the seller began negotiating in the chat and asking for a different price than what was locked by the system.

You should mention it on the main post which exchange have you been using for peer-to-peer trading. It's true sellers/buyers target news users for the scam. They send partial payments and marked payment as completed, but you have to make sure whether you received full payment or not. You must need to check your balance on the bank or other accounts to see if you have received it or not. I am not sure how you guys negotiate the rate, I never did it.

If the buyer or seller doesn't send the exact funds, then you really don't need to be afraid about a dispute. You can explain the situation to Binance about what happened with you if the seller or buyer disputes it. Because you are legal here and you did nothing wrong at all. Still, you can report to Binance what happened with you; talk with them. There is even no hope, but at least let them know about this seller. You always show history how much have you received.

[Ronsbit]

To clarify, the platform is Binance P2P.

The bargaining wasn't my doing; I opened the trade at the advertised rate, but once the order was active, the seller began negotiating in the chat and asking for a different price than what was locked by the system.

You should mention it on the main post which exchange have you been using for peer-to-peer trading. It's true sellers/buyers target news users for the scam. They send partial payments and marked payment as completed, but you have to make sure whether you received full payment or not. You must need to check your balance on the bank or other accounts to see if you have received it or not. I am not sure how you guys negotiate the rate, I never did it.

If the buyer or seller doesn't send the exact funds, then you really don't need to be afraid about a dispute. You can explain the situation to Binance about what happened with you if the seller or buyer disputes it. Because you are legal here and you did nothing wrong at all. Still, you can report to Binance what happened with you; talk with them. There is even no hope, but at least let them know about this seller. You always show history how much have you received.

The last time I encountered such, I did not release my coin, and I noticed something they do, they request cancellation from you so they could receive a prompt for them to choose, as I'm just trying to figure out how the scenario played that day, but I had to report immediately, while uploading a screen recorded video of my account for verification and that was how the exchange cancelled the transaction and openned another trade. We just have to be careful, as these guys are very smart and can come in a way you will never expect them to play.

[Abu-Naim]

I am not sure how you guys negotiate the rate, I never did it.

I don’t know if it is only my country vendors that convert crypto to fiat currency for us, I am making reference to Nigeria precisely. The vendors have that habit of bargaining always; if you chose a random vendor based on rating, some of them do clearly state it that they charge some amount due to bank charges and so on, if you don’t agree to their terms, don’t click on them, but some will not include it, but once you initiate trade with them, they will come to your dm in the space providing the exchange Bybit precisely to complain to you of the rate and how they are charged, some will attempt deducting more than $1 equivalent from your money; if you don’t agree, they do cancel trade which is very bad, and Bybit needs to question them.

Furthermore, some do send incomplete funds just as you say, but only newbies will fall for their trap in think because we are suppose to confirm our pay before we release coin to the vendors.