Gaslit by eBay.
I'm at my wits end, mates. I'm having anxiety nightmares and PTSD flashbacks because of a lousy purchase gone wrong and a Buyer's Protection that apparently doesn't work.
This is what happened.
A month ago, I purchased a rare $200+ book bundled with a set of tarot cards (I only wanted the book, but the seller wouldn't just sell it on its own), after which the seller said they'd ship the book ASAP, but not the cards because they had relocated them and lost them, so they promised to ship them once they found them.
The book shipped and my waiting began. Two weeks or so later, the seller got back to me and said they'd be shipping the cards the following day, at last. Didn't hear from them after that. Didn't get any shipping details. Kept waiting for the book.
Four weeks and several personal struggles later, I still hadn't gotten anything in the mail, so I decided to track the progress of the book. To my shock and anxiety, it said it had been delivered to and signed by me. Immediately reached out to the seller to try and figure out what had happened. No response.
Went back to my USPS page and downloaded the Proof of Delivery. My address was clearly wrong. Two digits in my unit number were switched.
Despite the mail not being for them, the person who lives at that other address impersonated me by just writing down my name in place of my signature (incorrectly, I might add) and kept what I bought for themselves. Meanwhile, I kept updating the seller on the situation and getting not a single reply.
I then called USPS, who confirmed the address they got was not mine, and said more likely than not the seller must've input it wrong. I gave up trying to reach the seller at this point.
So I escalated the issue to eBay as soon as I could. I explained everything to them, sent them the Proof of Delivery, asked them to contact USPS themselves, and got a message back saying they wouldn't reimburse me because the customer sent them proof the purchase was fulfilled and the item left at the right address.
I don't know what else to do. I've been buying here for almost 10 years, and they kept telling me they appreciated my loyalty and whatnot, but won't even look at my case thoroughly and fairly.
My anxiety is so out of control. My meds are doing nothing for me. I even bought a second copy of the book from a different seller that miraculously appeared shortly after. I'm still $200 short, and of course, the tarot cards never arrived either.
If anyone has any advice, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much. 😔
mx2014.mosq
OP2 years agoUPDATE
It all was sorted out during the weekend, folks; I didn't even have to go to the USPS office.
I had to chat with maybe 4 different customer service representatives, though. I explained the issue and e-mailed the PDF with USPS letterhead to every single one of them; document which very obviously displayed what I had been saying all along: my order was delivered to the wrong address.
This past Saturday, finally, a rep asked me to convert the PDF to a PNG since they'd been having difficulties opening it for some reason, and forward it to them. Right away they submitted a manual refund request, and today I was notified the funds were on their way.
Such bizarre issues. They were really friendly and courteous the whole time, for whatever it's worth. 🤔
What did rub me the wrong way is that I had to invoke my inner Karen to get them to do something. I really tried and managed to show them patience and respect despite my frustration and I accomplished nothing; but the moment I toned my attitude up, BAM! Miracles. I don't like that. 😮â€ðŸ’¨
monica-sells
·2 years agoI have seen way too many sellers "hand write" the address for shipping on some recent purchases I have made...Then, go to the PO and pay retail?
Totally don't understand that. Even though the order details have the right name/address, I have seen packages that had the 'wrong' address somehow get to me...(off by a few numbers or transposed)
Why in the world these sellers do not use at minimum the "print label" or ebay shipping labels for the discount is beyond my comprehension.
To the OP....get solid proof of the delivery to the wrong address from USPS official, then present it to the Facebook Reps....they will research it better for you
safan80
·2 years agolilyswan2
·2 years agomaybe they dont have a printer or its broken? could be they only sell very little so figure they dont need a printer or any scale to weigh a package.
fab_finds4u
·2 years agoSome buyers find it easier to file a not as described case and get a return label and mail back a small package with a note inside saying I'm returning nothing because that's what I received. Nothing.
joeb5281
·2 years agoI basically had the same problem. Buyer returned to the wrong address. I never received the product, Ebay settled in their favor , go to the better Business online and fill out the report, and please pass it on to others as well
kitschy*loot
·2 years agoSince the seller never shipped the cards would the buyer be able to open a not as described case? Would they need the seller to admit they never shipped part of the item so eBay could see that in messages?
femmefan1946
·2 years agoTwo digits in my unit number were switched.
Check the address you have with eBay. If the seller printed an eBay label, the address will be the one you entered.
the person who lives at that other address impersonated me by just writing down my name ...and kept what I bought for themselves.
This is not the seller's fault but is the seller's responsibility, if the shipping address was changed in any way.
Have you gone to the other apartment, knocked on the door and politely asked for your book?
That other person does not necessarily know how to contact you.
So I escalated the issue to eBay as soon as I could.
How did you escalate?
What sort of Claim did you open?
Which social media account did you use?
The phone clerks are subcontractors and do not work for eBay.
They want to get you off the phone , make their quota, and get a pee break.

https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness/ — Message button in upper right on landing page.
https://www.instagram.com/ebayforsellers/

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/How-do-I-contact-Customer-Support/m-p/32016431#M1783851 -> Automated Assistant, type AGENT -> enter. You will then get more options.


The social media Chat accounts are covered by trained eBay employees with some authority.
And you get a transcript so you can compare what you heard with what you were told.
kensgiftshop
·2 years agoGet a letter from USPS stating that the package was not delivered to your address, then use the letter to appeal the case.
safan80
·2 years agoTHIS.
ed8108
·2 years agoHas this matter been brought to the attention of the postal inspector for investigation, could the person who signed for the package, possibly be charged with criminal impersonation ?
Did you file an appeal with ebay of their initial determination ?
mx2014.mosq
OP2 years agoI'm confident I could go to the police with this, but at this point I'm not even sure the seller even sent what I paid for.
I did appeal the initial decision, but eBay said they wouldn't do anything as the address on my account and the one on the Proof of Delivery were the same - which clearly weren't.
I spent the whole afternoon talking to 3 different representatives about it, and the last one supposedly was going to get the case reviewed.
I'm awaiting a response. 🤷â€â™€ï¸
wastingtime101
·2 years agoI also suggest making an appointment with your doctor if your anxiety is that severe and your medication is not helping.
Good luck.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoThe first thing to do @mx2014.mosq is to go your purchase history page on eBay. Open the Order Details. Look at the address on that page. Is it correct or is it the wrong address with numbers switched?
If the address is wrong on the order details, that means it was your error and there's nothing eBay will do. Buyers are responsible for providing accurate shipping address at checkout to be eligible for buyer protections. You can update your address here (both registration and shipping), and next time you purchase check before paying that the faulty address is not still lingering. You can try contacting the person at the other address by calling, writing, or even visiting to see if you can retrieve your package.
If the address on the order details is correct, then follow the instructions here posted by @mudshark61369 on how to handle a shipment to the wrong address when the seller is at fault:
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping/What-do-you-do-when-ebay-support-will-not-help-you/m-p/34080073#M460743
mx2014.mosq
OP2 years agoThank you @wastingtime101. Believe me, I checked and double-checked, and triple-checked. The address on the details page is correct. I'll check your suggestion, too, and give it a shot. 🤞
albertabrightalberta
·2 years agoI'm confused. Why would the seller be at fault.
Assuming that the OP/buyer's address was correct and the seller bought the shipping label through the order, the shipping label would have the same address as the OP's account.
So in that case, the delivery to the address with the transposed numbers would be postal error.
There's still nothing ebay or the seller would do (or should do) but @mx2014.mosq could request that the carrier who misdelivered it go back to his other customer and try to retrieve the package. If the recipient refuses to turn it over, the OP could try a small claims action. The threat of a lawsuit might stir them into returning it.