This will get long...
I sold an item to a new buyer, they paid, received the item. Then once I left feedback about the speedy payment, they filed a return request. I have always packed items extremely well. Ebay said to accept return and start refund process. I messaged the buyer requesting pictures of damage, or report from post office. No response. I messaged the buy about a shipping label. I purchased a Click N Ship label and sent to them. I asked the buyer to make sure and ship in timely manner. I had not given eBay the tracking number yet. No response from the buyer. I chatted with eBay assistant (live chat) mentioning all of this. They suggested contacting the buyer. I asked the buyer when they took the item to the post office, no response. I kept tracking online, and eventually the tracking number showed up. USPS said it is on its way, was not initiated at the buyers post office though. Showed initiated in my state. I tracked it, to see when it would arrive, so I could take pictures of package and contents. Online showed delivered, so I went to mail box..."No Package"!
I called the post office to find out what was going on, their response was it looked like an odd delivery. I ended going to the post office and getting a printout of the total sequence. They mentioned the label was missing QR code and other items. The delivery address was a tiny label it appears in their picture. I mentioned all of this to eBay customer support. They suggested sending picture of delivery label to buyer. (No Response from buyer).
Today eBay says package was delivered and for me to refund the buyer. I have not received the item, and may have to get USPS involved. Trying to show proof that I did not receive the package, the tracking number was used somehow on a different package, the interesting part is, the postage was identical to my payment amount for postage.
Great idea! I had already thought about the post office. And will get with local PD to see about it. The thing the scammer does not realize....the address they sent the gravel to is the home of a local sheriffs deputy. Thank you!
Just finished a long live chat with eBay, they are going to refund the buyer / scammer in full! I asked where I can send the printouts and pictures to, to show what the "buyer" did. They suggested I send pictures of the package and gravel to the buyer, which will allow them to see the pictures also. I asked about it, and was told they will protect users.....:(
I also filed a mail fraud notice with www.uspis.gov. Interesting few days...
Just an update and interesting information, perhaps help others that get hit by scammers. Ebay mentioned in live chat they will refund the buyer in full as a one time courtesy time deal, with no fault of mine. I asked how to send the pictures, and they mentioned to send message to buyer with pictures, and ebay trust and safety would also be able to view them. I did that earlier today. A few moments ago, the buyer finally responded, that apparently they meant to send the gravel to someone else, even though it was my zipcode. And they mentioned they will pay for postage, and if I will relist the item, they will buy it. I have not responded, but will make sure ebay reads the message also. I have added them to my blocked bidder list. Ebay paid the buyer from ebay funds, so hopefully they will release mine quickly.
Thank you all for help and suggestions! I do appreciate it
The latest update just a few minutes ago, Ebay notified me that my appeal is no good, as they determined their decision to refund the buyer was the right thing to do, as the tracking showed returned. I sent them all pictures of the envelope and gravel and address. To top it off, the buyer responded that the gravel was supposed to go elsewhere, and that they would pay the postage this time to return it, and that if I list it, they will bid and buy it, not knowing I blocked them....interesting coupe of days...
I have not had any packages lost or damaged for the many years I have been shipping and packing items. Not just on eBay, but as part of my job working with aircraft parts and supplies. The buyer admitted in a message today, that they have already built the kit, meaning they admitted it was not damaged, and also admitted the fraud of the gravel being shipped back. They asked if I would relist it, and they would buy it, not knowing I have blocked them from bidding. They said they would pay postage to return, knowing they were not going to return it, as they used the items. I may just print all of the communications from them, plus pictures, evidence etc, and mail to Trust and Safety, not knowing if it will help at all. It was for a Flite Test Mini Guinea foam board airplane kit.
Thanks! The buyer has admitted they did not ship it, and that they already built the airplane kit. I had sent them pictures as directed by eBay, so that eBay could see what transpired. The buyer asked if I would relist and they would buy it...I told them not going to list something I do not have.
I do appreciate the comments and suggestions from all on here. Take care and have a great day!
