Seller used a random tracking number (same zipcode as me) to show delivery and ebay will not refund my money
Summary: product2people shared their frustration about an unresolved refund situation involving a scam on eBay, where a false tracking number was used. Despite providing documentation, they faced challenges getting a refund through standard eBay channels. eburtonlab advised using specific terminology like "false tracking" and contacting eBay through Instagram, which led to a successful resolution and refund. tobaccocardyahoo suggested involving the credit card issuer for further recourse. Ultimately, using social media and precise language facilitated the resolution.
I have been dealing with this issue for over a month now and despite being promised a refund countless times and calling many times, I still have not received one. It was an obvious scam and Fedex stated that my address is not attached to the tracking number at all. Plus the seller's messages make it an even more obvious scam. When I first contacted ebay (immediately after seeing it was "delivered" days before the seller said they would send it), they kept telling me to open an item not received case. I knew that was a mistake, but did it anyway and begged for human review, not automatic closure. Of course it was closed automatically and since then, I've just been given the runaround by ebay. I've been told that the phone agents can't issue the refund because it's too much ($720). Is there any way to get in touch with the actual team involved that can issue the refund? Also, I am not being given the option to get a call back. It's just blank now so not sure if that's normal.
I really don't want to waste more of my time going the legal route and getting a refund that way. I would just do a chargeback, but part of the money was from my ebay funds and not bank account.
tobaccocardyahoo
·2 days agoYour credit card issuer will be more willing to resolve your problem than Ebay is. Open the dispute and make clear the tracking was false.
If faced with the same problem, I would have opened the payment dispute while the Ebay case was pending. Your story is common.
eburtonlab
·3 days ago@product2people
If you have contacted the shipping service directly to determine that the tracking number does not correspond to a delivery to your address you are likely looking at a case of "false tracking".
If you can, I would suggest obtaining documentation that shows that the package was not addressed to you, then contacting eBay via social media direct message using Instagram and mentioning that you have a case of "false tracking" to be given an opportunity to share your documentation:
https://www.instagram.com/ebay/
If you cannot get documentation, or if that does not work:
Since false tracking allows a scam seller to win an "item not received" case, the next step would be to file a "not as described" return on eBay and be prepared to return exactly what you received if the seller provides for return shipping, or ask eBay to step in after three business days if the seller does not refund you or provide return shipping.
You may have recourse through your payment method if you are unable to get satisfaction through eBay, though once you involve a payment method, eBay can no longer help with that transaction. Be sure you mention "false tracking" specifically, otherwise your provider may assume a simple missing or stolen package and defer to eBay's ruling based on the tracking showing delivery.
In the future, stick to experienced sellers with a long and demonstrated history and avoid new or unproven sellers, or sellers that show warning signs of being drop-shippers or potential scammers: drastic changes in selling behavior or offering deals that are "too good to be true", or shipping heavy items that are unlikely to be profitably shipped via retail shipping.
product2people
OP2 days agoThanks for the advice. I guess I didn't have the right buzz words for ebay. I already have documentation and it has been uploaded to ebay. They just won't actually send my refund despite saying they are. Problem now is that I already filed an item not received case and it has been over 30 days since the fake delivery so the seller can just deny a not as described case.
I read before that some people have succeeded by sending a legal notice to ebay. Now I just have to figure out how to do so. I swear ebay is just the worst business I have dealt with. All of these customer service agents getting paid for nothing.
eburtonlab
·2 days agoTry reaching out to eBay via Instagram and mention false tracking. See if you can get an opportunity to share your documentation.
If it is too late for help from eBay, then contact your payment method and mention false tracking.
product2people
OPyesterday at 4:25 AMThank you for your help. I did as you directed and used the "false tracking" words. Ebay's Instagram agents were super quick to send the refund. They had me open an item not as described case like you said and then refunded immediately. I'm guessing that ebay's systems makes it impossible for a regular agent to refund when a case has been closed.
eburtonlab
·yesterday at 5:26 AMVery glad to hear that you got your refund!