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Is this a scam?
Hello,
I recently sold a set of books for $500, I shipped the package out and about a week later I noticed they still were not delivered so I tracked the packages and it showed forward expired. I messaged the buyer to let them know it was showing that there is a forwarding address that has expired and to please contact USPS if he needed to update anything. No response, about a week later I track in again and it shows returning to sender, but the packages are just sitting at the same place for a few days and then moving, they haven't been scanned now since the 13th. I checked out the buyers profile and he had created the profile the day before he bought the books from me and then changed the city on his shipping address after I shipped the packages. I am starting to wonder if this is some type of scam that's out there where they claim they never received the item and then the package is lost. Obviously a postal service worker would need to be involved, I I did not purchase insurance and they were shipped media mail.
inceptions
Mentor8 months agoHi @nikknakz
Why would a buyer scam you if he gets nothing out of it? The books are in the hands of USPS. The buyer will never see them.
When a package is returned to sender, it takes the slow route. It can easily take a couple of weeks (probably more for Media Mail). The 13th was only yesterday so it hasn't even been a full day since the last scan. There may not be a scan every day.
For Media Mail, you will be required to pay the return postage, so be prepared for that.
When the books come back to you, you can refund the buyer then. If they end up being lost (which is not likely), you would take the loss as you didn't insure.
nikknakz
OP8 months agoNo doubt overthinking, Thank you
inceptions
Mentor8 months ago@nikknakz
I understand, and you're welcome. 😊
nikknakz
OP8 months agoHello, I have another question regarding this. The buyer of the books opened an item not received case yesterday claiming that they have never heard of the address the books were shipped to and no one messaged them about it even though I messaged them 3 times about the address having a expired forward. I was wondering if eBay could have possibly messed up when they made the shipping label for me. I called customer service today and they said the only way the address on the shipping label would be different from the address on the shipping details page is if the buyer entered the wrong address at checkout or it the buyers shipping address has changed since they created the eBay account. Since the buyer created their eBay account on Dec. 24th, 2025 same day they bought the books from me the address change wouldn't be the case. The address is the same except for the town, the town name is the only difference. I spoke to my postmaster and they confirmed that the name and the address on the shipping label does have a forward expired. It's weird to me that the buyer has the same house number and street name in the town the are now living in. Buyer won't respond to any of my messages, I offered to refund them once I get the books back or ship them again when they arrive. No response from any of the 6 messages I sent since I first realized there was a problem with the address.
inceptions
Mentor8 months agoHi @nikknakz
You are going to have to refund before the deadline shown in the case. Otherwise, eBay will refund the buyer from your account and you'll receive a defect on your seller metrics.
Luckily the books are on the way back to you.