Uneasy about a rental

[carters4usm]

I just auctioned a rental through Ebay. I've gotten concerned about completing the transaction though, because there appear to be discrepancies in the names, email addresses and physical addresses being used (winning bidder shows a different name and N.Y. mailing address, but the payment and name being given for the reservation is coming from an individual in Mexico.) We don't do a lot of rentals and I've gotten uneasy about this transaction plus the whole issue of any potential liability/legal issues that might be complicated from the fact that the renter is from another country. Any thoughts on this situation?

 

[GeraldineT]

A sure way to find out is to ask them. I used to use my husbands ebay account which was linked to my paypal but we were just married and my paypal was in my maiden name with my old address. Never thought to change them until someone mentioned it to me. I also used a different email than I would ask them to email me at because I had opened the paypal with my home account but at the time was working and it was easier to use my work account since I had limited access at work.

Granted none were out of the country but maybe they moved, uses a spouses, friends account or even an account opened years ago.

 

[vacationhopeful]

What is their eBAY feedback like?

Many foreign persons use a MAILDROP for US Dollar dealings to get a US credit card and buying goods delivered with a US address. I ran into this with a PAYPAL person and a rental. I did have concerns and cancelled the deal and refunded their payment. Then, I learned that many overseas countries have unsecured postal systems. These mail drops will courier packages to their clients - box everything that arrives and use a secure delivery service by weight. Some will scan bills/mailings and email; packages are boxed.

I figured this out by googling for the business phone at the warehouse and residents. Sometimes it is a local where a clerk/family friend for the old country is doing this for their friends. There was 30+ people living at a warehouse; it was a mail drop.

Use your own judgment - spyder sense. Ask for a email of the PASSPORT or DRIVER's license of the inbound guest - to get the NAME spelled correctly. Ask for a USPS money order to pay for the rental.

Be creative. We all might need to become creative if your postal system provides less service in the future.