Sorry to hear that you got defrauded by the buyer. I have been a seller since 1996. As a power seller I had my share of fraud by buyers. Unfortunately, over the last couple of years buyer fraud has run rampant. I sell collectible toys, figures, and cards. I automatically assume 1 in 100 purchases will be fraud or buyer remorse. The buyer will return product as "not as described". As of recent Buyer fraud is averaging 1 in 50. This has finally affected my bottom line. Every couple of weeks buyers are reporting missing pieces, item is broken, item is not as described. Even though there is some seller protection; you are almost never going to be protected for the following. What the buyer doesn't really know is I always do is a visual check and inspection of all of my items I sell if there is no factory seal or tape before I ship. What is happening to me is that I have a near perfect rating so buyer know that I sell products that are new and in accurate condition. Many of the unscrupulous buyers claiming not as described by switching items out for my new item and reporting the item is damaged or used. Some of the items returned are in such poor condition that it is obvious that it has been switched out. My selling history is clear that I have never had issues in the past until recently. In the past, most returns were buyers remorse. Now it is flat out fraud.
Here is the problem I have been reporting to ebay that the item was returned not in the condtition described with judgements against me. In two cases I accepted the items back with piece missing or minor damaged. Items were factory new when I sent them. I have sold many of each item without single incident. What I got back was a item(s) that were clearly used or package torn and tatered even though the customer said her/she never opened the item. Under seller protection I as a seller should be protected. I have a 99.8 percent. One negative from a buyer who claimed a damage and tried to swap out a piece. The piece he tried to return had rusted joints. I tried to issue a refund but he had already given me a negative. What I was told by CS is that Ebay does not know what the condition of the item is in when I sent it. I have no proof that my item was or was not in the condition described as new. I was informed that they will side with the buyer if there is no real issues reported against the buyer history. I was informed that since I am a power seller I should calculate an assumed a risk/loss in my business model if I do business on Ebay. I was pist when the CS told me this. I sell many items that are 200-500 each. My business model can take a hit once in a while but lately it is literally every two weeks that I get a claim. Over the few months I have had over a $1000 in fraud claims. I even had a buyer defraud me and not even return the product. Customer filed a claim forced a refund without even returning the product ($180 new figure). I had to file a dispute with Ebay Superviser just to get my money back. Not a single thing happed to the buyer. On top that I have had and average of 1 cancellation every week on products from buyers who decided they don't want the product. Some legitimate excuses and some totally ignorant excuses. All of which I agree to cancel or accept return on my dime. It has gotten progressively worse over the last 6 month alone.
Many sellers are thinking of going over to Amazon; "don't". Their "risk/fraud" is even worse. Amazon policy will take anything back for any reason and they are quick to kick you off if you do accept returns. Amazon has created this return policy and this virus has passed on to Ebay buyers. Buyers have gotten use to the idea that they can return, switchout, damage items and return it for any reason they want. It is a losing battle my fellow Ebay sellers.
On the other side there are just as many unethical sellers on Ebay who add to the problem. They screw a buyer and the honest buyer in return becomes angry and screws a honest seller. They learn how to work the system.
Good luck and good selling Ebay Sellers!
