Ebay question- What should I do?

[Stumpybc]

This is a bit of a strange dilemma, I have a card up for auction and received the following question from the bidder who is currently winning.

Hi My Friend, I am severely physically disabled, have used a wheelchair sinvce age 12 due to brittle bone condition, and have been a hockey fan since childhood, have been colllecting specific cards of specific players I admire for their leadership and character, I would like to make you an offer for this card of $350.00 which I can pay immediately via PayPal and which would save you some auction costs ... I have been beset by tragedy recently as my wife (who had been at the time a perfectly healthy 53 year old woman) was hit by a car whiloe rossing the street at work on August 12, 2008, almost died, incurred a Traumatic Brain Injury and has been away in a Nursing Center since then so things have been difficult, sportcards have given me a bit of joy during this challenging time, Please let me know if you can consider my offer, Thank You

First of all, I don't think the card will end anywhere near $350 and this guy is already in the lead. He has %100 feedback and 150+ transactions. Second off, I'm a very sympathetic person but when I see something like this on the internet I think it's a trick automatically for some reason. I can't figure out what the angle is though.

Thoughts on what i should do?
Thanks in advance.

[Joncamburn]

I would sell it to them if they are willing to pay an amount you are willing to accept.

[mugatu471]

I would sell it to them if they are willing to pay an amount you are willing to accept.

Agreed. I wouldn't go any lower than what you would accept. The story may very well be true, but I don't think it is..just my opinion.

[habscards]

I would assume that it is the Lemieux/Yzerman card that you have listed. That is a very tough call. You have four great patches on the card but it is only out of 25. It is not like the card is super short printed and it is going for $168.50 right now. My guess is that he may have put in a bid and that he is regretting doing it now. That is a really good price for that card so it is a tough call. Tell him to pay you ASAP and then you will cancel the auction. He probably won't go for that but it is worth a try.

On the second hand I will contradict myself and say that he could be telling you a true story. Not all sob stories on the internet are false. Look at my signature it is a true story.

[BrokenHalo]

Very strange... but then again, I've made offers to buy now on cards I really wanted when I was in the lead on winning the auction for half the cost - but I wanted to ensure I get the card.
As for the sob story.. who knows.. it seems fishy, but at best it's 50/50 -- either way if you're happy to sell it for $350 then tell him to send payment, then end the auction. Win/Win!

Either way keep us posted on what happens! Inquiring minds want to know! lol

[30ranfordfan]

The story, IMO, is irrelevant. If you think $350 is a good price, I'd take it.

I know I've made similar offers in the past. An auction is up.... I've got the leading bid, but I've made an offer (near the top end of what I think it would sell for) to get the seller to end it early, and guarantee I get it.

[Stumpybc]

So I sent him an email saying if he sends me the paypal, I'll cancel the auction and the card is his.

Thanks for your input everyone...

I'll let you know if I hear from him again.

[aweeks]

Please do, as now i'm curious as well!

[Puntown]

this is called a bait tactic and is used by scammers a lot...they bait you in with an offer that is good...send the paypal...get the product and then say it was never recieved...and file for refund with paypal...then the cards gets sold elsewhere...hope it works out for you though

[Stumpybc]

Well, the money has been received and the auction ended. After receiving the paypal, I googled the guys name and after a minute of inter-sleuthing I found him and he looks legit.

I'll be sending the card with tracking and I think I might film myself putting the card in the envelope at the post office and mailing it etc. in case he really is a scammer but after finding a picture of a guy with the same name who is in a wheelchair I'm thinking unfortunately (if you see what i mean) his story is true.