SCAM ? I see the tracking popping up on my Informed Delivery account
Hello,
I purchased an item a few days ago from a new seller, but only realized they were new after placing the order. I reached out to request a cancellation, or at least asked if they could ship via UPS instead of USPS so I could have better delivery confirmation (weight and photo), but I didn’t receive any response.
Today, I got a notification from eBay that the item has shipped via USPS, and I can also see the tracking in my USPS Informed Delivery account.
At this point, I’m wondering if this could still be a scam, or if I’m overthinking it. Has anyone experienced a similar situation? If it does turn out to be a scam, how does it usually work and what steps should I take to protect myself?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
16 comments
albertabrightalberta
·4 months ago@2014.omra
In this case, your spidey senses were correct but I have advice for the future.
1. Don't ask for changes from what was in the listing, including the shipping service that the seller offers. (Although people do it, it's considered a violation of ebay policy - asking for something that's not in the listing. Since the seller didn't offer UPS, you aren't allowed to ask for it.)
2. NEVER refuse a delivery. That voids the MBG.
3. Don't always assume that a newbie seller=scammer. We all started as newbies.
4. I'm so glad you knew to file a NAD (not as described) claim rather than INR (item not received) case.
The tactic used in this case sounds like one often used by sellers located in China, both the shipment of the "substitute" item so they get tracking and the partial refund offer to get you to keep the NAD item. I'm curious what the seller's profile page shows as the country they're in.
2014.omra
OP4 months ago@albertabrightalberta
Thanks for the advice - really helpful. I had no idea that refusing delivery would void MBG. I thought rejecting it might at least give the seller a chance to apply some kind of restocking fee instead.
And yeah, I totally agree , not every newbie seller is a scammer. But this one had quite a few red flags, especially only using stock photos for the listing.
As for the seller’s location, it shows as US on my end too, but who knows — could easily be masked with a VPN.
glorybells
·4 months agoVPN’s generally won’t work with eBay for that very reason, eBay needs to verify someone’s location. Also, your comment regarding restocking fees, it’s against eBay policy for sellers to charge a restocking fee.
2014.omra
OP4 months agoThanks everyone for the feedback — really appreciate it!
Just wanted to share a final update in case it helps other buyers:
-Yesterday, the seller offered a $500 partial refund, which I declined right away.
-Then today around 5 AM ET, they went ahead and issued a full refund. Given the timing, they’re either an early bird or in a different time zone ahead of the US.
After I got the refund, I opened the envelope out of curiosity and found a printed note inside. It basically said thanks for the order, apologized for the delay, and claimed my item was “in transit” and would arrive in 2–3 business days after receiving that message. So I guess that explains the partial refund attempt.
The funny part is the shipping label on the envelope actually shows the dimensions and weight of the real item (which is big and heavy), so looks like they might’ve paid quite a bit in shipping (hopefully USPS won't refund them)
mudshark61369
·4 months ago@2014.omra ,
"... looks like they might’ve paid quite a bit in shipping (hopefully USPS won't refund them)"
USPS will not refund them, the package/envelope was successfully delivered and signed for. The seller will be out of pocket for that and the final value fees, and they probably received a defect on their account.
Because of the refund you may not be able to leave a non positive feedback that will stick, but give it a try anyway, maybe a neutral describing what happened without any name calling, with the photo of the envelope, will stick.
ryry-jj
·4 months agoIt was a good thing you didn't reject the envelope, had you that would have worked in the seller/scammers favor
2014.omra
OP4 months ago@kathiec @mudshark61369 @powell-collectibles @ryry-jj @soh.maryl
Just wanted to update you. I've received the item today, and it turned out to be a scam. It was basically an empty envelope with a tracking number on it. I didn't open it and not intending to do so. I was going to reject the delivery when I saw the envelope, but then I thought about this might be some evidence on the seller fraud. I called ebay right away and submitted an Item Not As Described return request with the envelope photo attached to the request.
How to ensure that the scammer is not winning this ? Any extra steps or actions I should take ?
soh.maryl
·4 months agoIf you have open an item not as described case with eBay and your case was opened less than 30 days after receipt of the item, I don't see how or why your case would be rejected. Just be sure to return to the case after giving the seller 3 days to respond. You can then ask eBay to step in. Have you read the Money Back Guarantee?
powell-collectibles
·4 months agoThis one should be pretty simple. Straight away, file for a return because the item is not as described. DO NOT file for item not received.
2014.omra
OP4 months agoThanks all for your feedback. Just wanted to share a small update. The seller dropped off the item after 1 day from creating the shipping label. The item location on the listing is Colorado (and this is where the label was created, at least from what I see on USPS). However, I see that the item was dropped off at NH. Good thing is that the seller added a signature requirement cause it's an expensive item. I will keep you posted on the final outcome once I receive the item, hopefully it will be helpful to other people with similar concerns
ryry-jj
·4 months agoYes you are over thinking it. Just wait and see what happens, you have ebay's MBG, just make sure you know how to use it. And BTW, after you purchase an item, that is not the time to ask a seller to change carriers. Personally, as I read it...if I was the seller, you worry me.
powell-collectibles
·4 months agoI wouldn't overthink it. Sure, it might be a scam, but odds are that it isn't. I'd call it highly unlikely.
soh.maryl
·4 months agoWhat kind of scam happens this way -- you bought and paid for. Seller shipped, but maybe a little late? There is visible tracking. So far exactly what would smell scammy to you?
2014.omra
OP4 months agoThanks @mudshark61369 and @kathiec for your feedback. Ok, I will wait and see
kathiec
·4 months ago@2014.omra
New sellers don't automatically equate to scam. And while you can request a cancellation, sellers are never required to grant it, nor are they required to respond to requests for changes to shipping after the sale. Your package has shipped via the carrier stated in the listing. While you're waiting for it to arrive I suggest you acquaint yourself with eBay's Money Back Guarantee:
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy?id=4210
mudshark61369
·4 months ago@2014.omra ,
Just because you bought from a new seller does not automatically mean they're scammers. You might have run into one if the item you bought was listed for much less than other sellers are listing them for and their feedback profile shows they re registered in China.
Because you can see the tracking info in your USPS Informed delivery emails, it means the package is addressed to you. If it were not it would not show up there.
FYI. You can only request cancellation from a seller, and they are not required to agree to one. You also cannot ask a seller to change their shipping service after you have paid.
If you're worried about a fake tracking scam, you would have a better chance of defeating it with a USPS delivery than a UPS one, because there is a better chance of getting a note on USPS stationary than there is if you ask for one from UPS. eBay does not accept emails or screen shots of tracking info as proof, because they can be faked.
If by chance you do fall victim of a fake tracking scam come back to these boards and let us know about it. We can tell you what you need to do to get resolution from ebay.