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Stolen in Transit; Abandoned by eBay
Summary: eaglemountainrarebooks shared a frustrating experience about purchasing a rare book for over $3,000, which arrived as an empty package. After attempting to resolve the issue with eBay and involving the credit card company, the situation became complicated when a chargeback was filed, closing the eBay case and voiding buyer protection. eaglemountainrarebooks expressed frustration over eBay's lack of support and difficulty in reaching customer service. Other participants advised legal action and confirmed that the chargeback affected options for eBay's protection. eaglemountainrarebooks sought further advice on any remaining recourse.
In May of this year, I bought a very expensive first edition rare book. This book cost me more than $3,000. It took the seller over a month to actually get it to FedEx in the UK and got to me in the U.S. five days later. I have a Ring camera and when the FedEx person threw the box on my porch, it literally caught air it was so light. The moment I picked up the box (29 minutes after delivery), I knew something was wrong, I opened the box and nothing but bubble wrap was in there. I panicked and immediately filed a case with eBay and messaged the seller why. I waited on eBay to do anything about the case for about 9 days and finally got frustrated and filed a police case locally and disputed the charge on my credit card to hopefully compel some movement. Unbeknownst to me, disputed the charge closes a case. eBay took 5 weeks to respond to my credit card company and denied the request to make me whole and my credit card company put the charge back on my credit card. Now, it is more than 90 days since the purchase (thanks seller), and eBay will not let me do anything or even talk to anyone. I can’t get FedEx to investigate because I am not the shipper and unless the seller signs an affidavit allowing me to request an investigation (which they are ghosting me), FedEx won’t do anything. So, I am out the $3,000, have no book, no allies, no eBay customer service access, no ability to get FedEx to do anything. I thought that eBay backed up its buyers and sellers but apparently with AI, all that has been handed over to a computer I can’t get past. I have been on eBay for 16 years, 100% positive feedback as both a buyer and seller of rare books, have made eBay tens of thousands of dollars in fee revenue and they have just dropped me like a hot potato. I am going to abandon eBay like they have abandoned me, but before I do, am hoping someone out there somewhere could help me. I can’t afford to lose $3,000 because someone stole my book in transit. Please help me. Anyone.
fashionsandbeauty4u
Mentor2 weeks ago@eaglemountainrarebooks
I'm sorry this happened to you.
As mentioned, once you filed a chargeback with your credit card company, that voids your Buyer Protections under the eBay Money Back Guarantee.
With a chargeback, it is the Buyer's bank that makes the final decision, not eBay.
Ebay requires that the Seller pay for Signature Required service for $750+. If they do not, the Seller can lose their protection if you open an Item Not as Described refund request on eBay. Did you sign for the book?
Because eBay can no longer help you, I would strongly recommend that you pursue legal action against the Seller.
eaglemountainrarebooks
OP2 weeks agoNo I didn’t sign for it as the seller did not put signature required on it. The Ring doorbell footage at my house will support this because it shows I didn’t pick up the package off my porch until 29 minutes later.
Did I also void my ability to pursue the “Item Not as Described” option by doing the chargeback as well?
eaglemountainrarebooks
OP2 weeks agoAnd thank you for taking the time to respond. I really do appreciate it!
fashionsandbeauty4u
Mentor2 weeks ago@eaglemountainrarebooks Unfortunately, yes. In general, a Buyer can only open a second case if they first opened an Item Not Received case, then once the package is delivered, they can open an Item Not as Described case.
eaglemountainrarebooks
OP2 weeks agoSorry, one last question…since the seller didn’t require a signature from me, do I have recourse through eBay or just privately through the seller?
fashionsandbeauty4u
Mentor2 weeks ago@eaglemountainrarebooks
Just privately. I would also follow up with the carrier.
disneyshopper
Mentor2 weeks agoUnfortunately, once you file a chargeback with your credit card company, ebay no longer can help you.
eaglemountainrarebooks
OP2 weeks ago · EditedThank you for responding !
Ugh. This is so bad. I’m angry about the theft, angry that I didn’t know a chargeback voided my protection on eBay, mad that some shipping service employee somewhere has a first edition of a rare book and probably threw it away thinking it was some stupid book and of course, devastated to be out so much money and have nothing to show for it and no recourse.
Does anyone know if there is any way to talk to a live person at eBay and see if they will still intervene given the circumstances? I have found it completely impossible to get to a live person on eBay at all.