How to Handle Case Where Buyer Returned Empty Box Instead of item? (Have video proof of opening)
Ebay just sent me a notice that my dispute case against my buyer had been found in their favor because they sent back an empty box using the label I paid for. I would like to open a dispute and include the video I have of myself opening the return and it being empty. Has anyone been able to fight a case like this, any help is much appreciated.
21 comments
vintagecraze50
·1 year agoOffer free shipping and free returns and deduct 50 percent off the refund citing buyer is a thief and ripped you off.
cravendealsnsales
·1 year agoIn cases like this eBay needs to have an option for Sellers under Seller Hub that allows you to log in & open the item being returned on an encrypted Live feed video. Something that can not be edited at any point. Something under the Return that allows the day of return to log on. Go to Returned Order Review Process On Order. Then A process that walks you through how to do everything. Open Package on Seller Live Return Package Or name it something of the sort. Have all unopened item ready, with all the Postage info inserted. State day, time & order being returned when 1st starting. Start with full inspection of packaging, in live platform return video. Open live, do a thorough overview with any comments, alterations or issues during inspection. state any flaws, or issues like not my item, etc. allow up to 3 mins to recording without any stopping or uploading to the video. Pointing out any flaws originally not there at end of video into the camera.
They should make a system like this to give Sellers a better protection plan without any questions to the integrity of the Seller or item in question.
This would allow them to still give great customer service to buyers, but while stepping up to support eBay Sellers & eliminating any doubt of alteration to evidence. If the item gets opened prior to doing the"Seller Live Return Live Inspection" then additional protections are revoked - aka proceed as they normally would. The same would happen if a Seller decided they do not want to do Live Video Return Inspections - it would forfeit their right to fight against it unless they were free returns ( they should still keep the full benefits of having the option to refund only up to the 50%). I also think they should reinstate restocking fees for Sellers for the buyers that return items " Changed my mind", "Wrong Size - But you put the measurements in photos, description & they just didn't make the effort to see if it fit" , ( Basically any reason that could have been prevented by the buyer when the seller gives all info & additional measurements in their listing. I believe that a lot of good sellers on eBay add even more additional information than buying on platforms/sites like Amazon, Walmart, or any new clothing store even. You get even a better overview due to seeing the EXACT item you'll be getting, close-ups, measurements, & a description that usually states any special attributes, adjustments, designs, or flaws ( along with photo of flaws) - making it way more liking if a buyer was to TRULY overview items they would know that something didn't fit, or something they don't care for was present. Most Sellers will even go above & beyond; Giving any additional measurements or details that you particularly need.
With all the technology that is readily available and the amount of money that eBay gets from us sellers & buyers; they CAN & SHOULD set up something fair for both sides. This would be a way to give Sellers better protections, let eBay set better guidelines on Buyers that scam sellers. If they send an empty box or something completely different- It should be NO REFUND on their part; without the ability of a charge back to be processed. Along with any options to request refunds from any future orders from Any Seller.
gemmintcard
OP1 year agoUpdate! In a surprising turn of events Ebay has approved my appeal and returned the funds to my account. Not sure whether the buyer was actually charged or ebay decided to take a the hit but I was made whole.
I believe a large part of this had to do with the claim being handled by the "High Value Claims Department" due the items value. Here is what I included in my appeal in case this helps anyone else:
-Screenshots of the video showing each side of the package and label clearly
-A picture of the police report # I filled, on the card they gave me (Had to call in the report, not do it online as the "suspect" was known"
-A screenshot of the FTC report I filled
-A screenshot of a small part of the convo I had with the buyer where they oddly claimed the package in my video was not the same box they had used to send the return because it was a different size than the Fedex info (which I pointed out is usually the size given on the prepaid label not an actual measurement taken when dropping it off).
Hopefully this helps someone, document EVERYTHING!
stainlessenginecovers
·1 year agoLike I told you; video and pictures are NOT accepted as proof- after all, I can 'video' an empty envelope/box etc. and who's to know if this was REALLY the package or not? (you can 'show' the label and then 'edit in' 'another package- been done since the 90s' (photoshop for video etc.)
vintagecraze50
·1 year agoGOOD FOR YOU. Always submit police reports etc etc.
aba365
·1 year agoI just had the same thing happen to me on 2 different items. Both buyers from Delaware with seperate addresses. I sent them costume jewelry and both of them sent pictures of some grainy photo that I couldn't make out. I just received an envelope with a thank you card inside from one buyer. That was it. I keep getting messages from Ebay to refund them, I put in a complaint but it is so vague. There is nowhere to post pictures of the return item. I am so frustrated. I don't know who will listen to me or see what I received.
gemmintcard
OP1 year agoSorry, probably a few days too late as I know ebay only gives a few days to refund. In my case there was an option to open a dispute right before I accepted that I received return and that it was ok to send the funds back.
It should be pretty easy to show that the one buyer never returned anything and the other only sent a card (weight should be way off). All I can say is document everything as well as possible, if the dispute gets decided against you appeal with new evidence provided! Good luck
belluscioformals
·1 year agoI'm not trying to offend you or be nasty in any way. However, you have not given this person any relevant advice.Whatsoever! They will always side with the buyer period . the end ,no exceptions. It doesn't matter If it weighs exactly the same. They could simply say they removed or added a little packing. Obviously scammers can see the weight of the package on the label and send back something that weighs exactly the same amount. There is no way around it.It's part of the risk of selling on ebay.
salesmoi
·1 year agoTHIS EXACT SCAM HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES TO ME. grainy photo and plastic envelope with a thank you card in it. Ebay makes you fill out an affidavit when you request the seller protection but they have refunded my money after that the "buyer" files a charge back with their credit card and ebay sides with the buyer (after they already sided with me-took the refund back) and then I had to appeal that. eventually got the money back from ebay but I am hoping they will catch on to this scam and streamline this process. - side note these all were eventually found to be a TEMU scam where a seller on temu sells your product and then sends empty package back to you. all contact information from the "buyer " is fake and no ability to make contact witht the person who received the product or the "buyer " who sold (stole) your stuff.... best of luck out there let me know if anyone else gets this same scam please....
winklers549
·1 year agoyou can go to the post office and request what the return package weight was. Also file mail fraud with the post office.
belluscioformals
·1 year agoAll they have to do is put something in the box like marbles, Pennies, rocks, your choice. Anything that weighs exactly as much as your item weighed.
frankenhobbit
·1 year agoUnfortunately, a video isn't proof. They could just claim you opened the package from the bottom (so leaving the label intact), removed the item, sealed it up again, flipped it right side up and then started the camera. You could even place the package on your porch again and then film opening the door.
I'm not sure if filing a police report in the buyers jurisdiction would be worth a shot? Many, if not most departments allow you to do that online now.
You are unfortunately not the first, and you wont be the last. There are videos out there telling people exactly how to do this scam.
kensgiftshop
·1 year agoSorry, but about all a video would prove is you can make a video.
See if you can get a letter from the carrier stating what the package weighed when returned.
File mail fraud with USPS.
If you have a receipt showing the weight when you shipped and a letter showing the return weight, you might be able to appeal the case.
gemmintcard
OP1 year agoSo you think it is a common occurrence for sellers to fabricate evidence like that? Seems ridiculous to make such a claim as I know many people take video of packages being opened when it comes to high dollar items.
For some unknown reason Ebay only gave me the option to have the item shipped back to me via FedEx, even though I originally shipped via USPS. I looked everywhere to change it but that simply wasn't an option. The buyer then was able to drop the package off at a local drug store, so I dont think it was actually weighed on return. (FedEx tracking shows the weight as .1 lbs/ .05 Kgs)
belluscioformals
·1 year agoHow is that gonna help?They can just put a couple of marbles in there until it weighs the exact same amount as it did when you sent it.
bonanza125
·1 year agoCall Ebay to report the theft.
mybigsale
·1 year ago@gemmintcard
How to Handle Case Where Buyer Returned Empty Box Instead of item?
If the item had free returns, in most cases you would be allowed to limit the refund up to 50% if you accept the return. You can appeal, but eBay starts with the presumption that any evidence can be falsified. So, if eBay assumes your evidence is unreliable, you're not going to have a very good chance of winning. Be sure to report the buyer to eBay Report a buyer (ebay.com)
I have heard of eBay giving courtesy refunds to sellers if they provide police reports for mail fraud/theft in their and the buyers jurisdiction in some cases. You can also file a report with USPS and IC3.gov.
Seller protections | eBay
12345jamesstamps
·1 year agoVideo, emails and anything else won't help.
Buyer can always turn around and do a credit card dispute.
It's just a bad buyer. Block the buyer.
Doing a dispute with this you might get charged another $20. if you lose. I have been there.
I am hoping it was the inexpensive item and not the expensive item.
stainlessenginecovers
·1 year agoVideo is NOT an accepted proof of anything, since it can be altered.
Someone may be along to give you some 'other' advice- but the scam is done by a thief and is pretty much fool proof within the systems on ebay.
gemmintcard
OP1 year agoI mean video showing a package being completely sealed and opened on camera is typically pretty good proof for most platforms. It seems like it would be a very rare occurrence for a seller to fake such a video. I never had access to the shipping label/ so I would have to fake that as well. Can it be done? Sure, but its pretty crazy to assume that.
Evidently you can get anything you want on here for free by simply filling an "Item not as described" return and sending back an empty box. What a joke.
And now Im being charged over $300 in fees, on top of the $35 in shipping I already spent, and I still dont have my item back!
kensgiftshop
·1 year agoRight, that's why you don't sell anything you can't afford to lose online.