Need help with a sale. ??? possible scam

[LJSoroka]

Hi everyone .. .I just recieved an email asking for the total cost of shipping for three of my paintings and to have them shipped to another country.

On this email the names that are listed are only up on one place (my artagent.com) and I have paypal payment method there.

They want to purchase three paintings.
Has anyone heard of "Satagel Retail Inc" or
"http://www.trade-india.com/dyn/gdh/eyp/"

This just has a bad feeling to it.. but maybe that's just because I've never sold three paintings to one person online lol

This is the email :

Hello Linda,

I am Mrs.Caren Satagello CEO of satagel retail inc and we
purchase supplies for our numerous customers worldwide and i
will like to purchase the following items listed below.
ITEM LIST::
Title: Original Oil on Canvas Painting Break Out
Size: 16 x 20 inches

Title: Sunset Silhouette
Size: 16 x 20 inches

Title: A tree at sea
Size: 16 x 20 inches

I will like the goods shipped to my client in Nigeria and
shipping method is preffered DHL,FEDEX OR EMS.I will be paying
via my credit card.Here is the shipping address to further help
you with the shipping cost. Attn:: Dayo Akineye,
190 Palm Avenue,
Papa-Ajao,Mushin,
Lagos State.
Nigeria.23401.

I await the total cost from you shipping cost included so i
can forward credit card details to you for payment.
Regards.

Caren Satagello..

Satagel Retail Inc

Any input would be appreciated.
Blessings
Linda S

[jocelynsart]

Yes, it is most likely a scam. There are various threads regarding the Nigerian based frauds and scams. :-(
Sorry, Jocelyn

[Alena Hope]

I think you should email her back and tell her payment must be received before shipment and you can call DHL and get a shipping cost estimate and let her know how much it will be total (artwork and shipping). Do not ever ever ever ship anything until you have gotton the money, that means until the credit card has cleared the bank and the money is in your possession. You should email her though, it looks like a good sale.

[sandge]

I will like the goods shipped to my client in Nigeria
... I will be paying via my credit card.

I wouldn't even give it a second thought. It would be straight in my deleted folder. :)

[andymathis]

You should go to www.bustedupcowgirl.com, click on Ben's picture and then follow the link to "horse buying scam" and read the stories posted there.

[JoyJoyJoy]

Linda...

Oh, this is a hard call. I know we are all on the lookout for scams, and especially for anything from Nigeria, but not everyone in Nigeria is a crook. I suggest, like a previous poster did, that you email back in a professional manner with the terms you are comfortable with... in how the credit card is to be handled (through Paypal, etc), that you do not ship until payment is cleared, and so on. See what the customer answers... that should give you more information as to whether this is a scam or not.

But, when in doubt, trust your gut instinct! If you think something feels wrong, it probably is!

Good luck, and let us know what happens, Nance

[sandge]

Ah, google coughs it out eventually ... the card not present scam ...
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/scams/cnp.asp

:)

[ElizaLeahy]

Tell them you don't accept credit cards except through paypal. They will then tell you that paypal isn't accepted in their country (it isn't - for the reason that the credit card numbers are stolen).

Then tell them you will happily accept Western Union. You should be happy to accept that - it's cash! They will then tell you that all their funds are tied up, and they have to give you the credit card number and pay that way.

It's a scam, sorry.

[Cattyindigo]

Hi Linda

This sounds like a probable scam to me, I'm sure there are honest Nigerians out there and feel for those who have had their reputations sadly scarred by the amount of scams associated with their country, but don't think I'd take the risk.

One thing that worries me about paypal though I think Elizas suggestions have probably already dealt with this, Is a number of postings I came across on Aussie ebay forums a couple of months ago regarding the ability of buyers to retract paypal payments after they have been made, several Aussies selling internationally (not in the arts category) have had their payments reversed once the buyer is sure the items have been shipped with bugga all chance of recovering their items....don't know if paypal has addressed this issue since, it was a several months ago, perhaps one of the many people wiser and more experienced than myself here can comment on whether this has been an issue for others here...as there seems to be general support in this thread for the use of paypal, but as such I'm leaning towards Elizas suggestions re western union..

hope it works out for you whatever you decide

[LJSoroka]

Thanks everyone :)

I have a feeling it's a scam as well or I wouldn't even be questioning it lol

Anyways we'll .. I did email her back, explaining that I was an independant artist who doesn't have a merchant account therefore I could not accept payment with credit card unless it was through paypal.

I also suggested western Union and also a "certified" cashiers cheque and would have to recieve the funds in my bank account before shipping could take place.

If she is interested in one of these arrangements that I'd be happy to quote her a total cost.

I really do Feel this is a scam and time will tell :)

Just feels good to come here and have those feelings verified lol

Blessings
Linda S

[Antoine]

I have a friend living in Nigeria (he’s an engineer on an oil rig) and he will tell you that there are no art collectors there. I suppose one should not through everyone from a country in one category because there is so many scammers there, but for most poor, African countries the basic needs are all that they think about and buying art is the absolute last thing on anyone’s mind. (With their weak currency buying in $ is also extremely expensive)

I also get scams daily starting with: I am Mrs. xxx from xxx company and … for my client/customer… that is such a typical scam format!

Good luck on this one ;)

[TeAnne]

:mad: Spelling mistakes..........Nigeria............Credit Card!

RED FLAG aka scam

[andymathis]

They will send you a fake cashiers check.

[wayfarer]

I use PayPal as my guide on all international sales. If PayPal will accept it, I'll take the credit card. At the very least, I'll have some protection through PP.

Chris

[Lighthouser]

I use PayPal as my guide on all international sales. If PayPal will accept it, I'll take the credit card. At the very least, I'll have some protection through PP.

Chris

Better read your paypal agreement more carefully - they can and have reversed charges. PayPal provides little protection for sellers.

[jerry lucey]

Nigeria, Liberia ??? one would think the scam guys would find some new places to hang out...btw my grandfather was a finance minister in Liberia and left me 20 millions of dollars (under his beds) and I would love to share it with you because I know you are a great persons....jerry