[Potential scam] INR case extended indefinitely
Summary: cmy28 suspects a seller of potential scamming after issues with a purchased item, including suspicious tracking practices and unresponsive communication. They provided a media mail tracking number for an expensive appliance and continually updated the tracking, preventing steps from being taken with eBay. cmy28 seeks advice on when they can involve eBay and their options if the item ends up being fraudulent, especially after the return window has ended. christworks suggests requesting eBay's intervention after four days or considering a chargeback through their bank.
This seller is highly likely trying to scam me. Thank you for any guidance.
Seller submitted tracking number the 1st day after my purchase but never dropped it off. They ignored all my messages.
After the estimated delivery date, I opened an INR case. Then the package started moving.
Currently the package has not moved for 7 days. I do not have the option of asking Ebay to step in. Seller updates tracking info every day with the same tracking number.
Additionally, the item in question was an expensive electrical appliance but the tracking number is USPS media mail.
Why do they update the tracking every day? Does it reset the cool down so that I cannot ask Ebay to step in? Exactly when can I ask Ebay to step in and rule the package as lost?
After all this wait, my return window has expired. If I eventually receive an empty package - as I fear that they did send an empty "media mail" - what can i do? Can I still open an INAD case if the return window has passed?
I sincerely appreciate your advice.
mudshark61369
·2 weeks ago@cmy28 ,
We may not be able to help you with the transaction, because you apparently let the time frame for ebay to help you pass. However, if you go to your purchase history, click on Oder details look under the item title and post the ebay item number there, we may be able to tell you how to avoid and/or deal with this problem in the future. Posting the tracking number may help us as well.
"Why do they update the tracking every day?"
I think what you really mean to ask is "why does the estimated delivery time frame change every day? Any time after buying an item that you open a listing, it will show the estimated delivery information if you bought the item on the day you looked at it, not on the day you actually paid for it. Had you looked at the Order details the last estimated delivery date would be shown there and might still show it. Tracking number information only updates as items pass through the shipper's system.
"After all this wait, my return window has expired. If I eventually receive an empty package - as I fear that they did send an empty "media mail" - what can i do? Can I still open an INAD case if the return window has passed".
The return window which is good up to 30 days from the last estimated delivery date, includes being able to file Item Not Received (INR) and INAD issues. If you let it pass then ebay can no longer help you.
christworks
·2 weeks ago@cmy28 Exactly when was the last estimated delivery date? When did you open the INR?
You can ask eBay to step in after the 4th day. If this has gone on so long that the return window has expired, then this is likely why you cannot ask eBay to step in.
You will likely need to do a charge back. Most banks and credit cards give you six months to do that.