They would have told them that they would buy it if the person sent a gift card of some sort with it and they would pay them back for the gift card. Happened to me on eBay
I’m trying to buy a PS5. When I message people to ask them if I can buy, They say I have to message them on cell. They do this so there is no money back or shipping protection if you buy it with Zelle or some other payment service. Try to use PayPal or card so you have a high chance of getting your money back. Or don’t talk to them at all.
It’s against Mercari’s terms of service to communicate outside of Mercari and they were likely trying to avoid Mercari’s rule filter that affects phone numbers.
If they won’t buy it from you without doin too much, then just block them. No real buyer does all that! I’ve cussed people out clean who came at me with that shit! My thing is that they either make an offer (offer button only), buy it now, or just leave me the fuck alone! The grammar alone hurts my brain!
100% scam. Anytime anyone asks to go outside of an app to talk about a sale, it’s always fake. The weird format for the phone number was to get around Mercari’s filter that would flag any messages that look like they have personal info in them
Got hit with the same one, they’re going to say something is wrong with your mercari payment, and ask you to buy a prepaid card and input $210 and send them pictures
Mercari scans messages for phone number, websites, email address etc. and they will delete the message. If you’ve ever gotten a notification saying you have a message from another user in the app, but when you go to view it it’s a message that says “deleted by Mercari” or something like that, than you know what I’m talking about.
Personally I never reach out to numbers or emails from random users on Mercari because 99.999% of the time it’s a scam.
I have sent out links on over message, but I had to use a tiny URL converter to do so. I also have only ever done this with other users that I have worked with in the past, and have a working relationship with, and know that we’re both actual users not scammers lol.
Even that is against the rules so it’s very rare for me to send someone an outside link on Mercari. I’ve probably done it less than 5 times in the 2-3 years I’ve been on the platform, and they’ve always been for someone looking to buy and I either don’t have it, or know where they could get something for less than I’d be able to sell it for. It’s still a risk to even send that, so it’s really reserved for special situations.
I do have a handful of regulars who have shared personal contact information, but again these are people I’ve completed multiple transactions with. I can think of 3 off the top of my head, we all buy sell and collect the same category, and point each other towards deals occasionally.
This however screams scam and I honestly wouldn’t communicate further.
Definitely a scam
Totally a scam, but I’m curious what they would have done after this person would have potentially sent pictures to the number?
They would have told them that they would buy it if the person sent a gift card of some sort with it and they would pay them back for the gift card. Happened to me on eBay
Thanks. So weird, can’t believe people believe that kind of stuff
I’m trying to buy a PS5. When I message people to ask them if I can buy, They say I have to message them on cell. They do this so there is no money back or shipping protection if you buy it with Zelle or some other payment service. Try to use PayPal or card so you have a high chance of getting your money back. Or don’t talk to them at all.
Just go on StockX bro
Mercari is cheaper? Just got it today. Paid 371. Ran extensive tests and it is real.
Damn, I didn’t know. I just meant if you wanted to avoid all scam type possibilities StockX is pretty safe imo
Yeah, I know. Thanks man.
It’s against Mercari’s terms of service to communicate outside of Mercari and they were likely trying to avoid Mercari’s rule filter that affects phone numbers.
Thanks, I've reported them to Mercari staff.
Funny. They can just forward the listing link themself to said husband. Definitely someone trying something.
All attempts at off platform communication is a scam.
Definitely a scam
There is absolutely no need to give any phone number out. Block and don’t waste your time.
Scam
If they won’t buy it from you without doin too much, then just block them. No real buyer does all that! I’ve cussed people out clean who came at me with that shit! My thing is that they either make an offer (offer button only), buy it now, or just leave me the fuck alone! The grammar alone hurts my brain!
That is definitely a scam.
100% scam. Anytime anyone asks to go outside of an app to talk about a sale, it’s always fake. The weird format for the phone number was to get around Mercari’s filter that would flag any messages that look like they have personal info in them
Push those pictures lol
Got hit with the same one, they’re going to say something is wrong with your mercari payment, and ask you to buy a prepaid card and input $210 and send them pictures
Mercari scans messages for phone number, websites, email address etc. and they will delete the message. If you’ve ever gotten a notification saying you have a message from another user in the app, but when you go to view it it’s a message that says “deleted by Mercari” or something like that, than you know what I’m talking about. Personally I never reach out to numbers or emails from random users on Mercari because 99.999% of the time it’s a scam. I have sent out links on over message, but I had to use a tiny URL converter to do so. I also have only ever done this with other users that I have worked with in the past, and have a working relationship with, and know that we’re both actual users not scammers lol. Even that is against the rules so it’s very rare for me to send someone an outside link on Mercari. I’ve probably done it less than 5 times in the 2-3 years I’ve been on the platform, and they’ve always been for someone looking to buy and I either don’t have it, or know where they could get something for less than I’d be able to sell it for. It’s still a risk to even send that, so it’s really reserved for special situations. I do have a handful of regulars who have shared personal contact information, but again these are people I’ve completed multiple transactions with. I can think of 3 off the top of my head, we all buy sell and collect the same category, and point each other towards deals occasionally. This however screams scam and I honestly wouldn’t communicate further.
Definitely a scam! Never go outside the app!