Item not in returned box
Customer returns old heavy military parka. Original box I sent arrives and the item is not in the box, but a couple of old towels. The money, already returned. Aside from a couple hundred dollar loss I am wondering if there is any meaningful way that this can be reported on the buyer aka thief? Or it will just happen again to other sellers... The main way I think maybe the difference in weight of package would be significant from what I sent and what returned. Since I also paid return shipping label via ebay labels it was likely for same weight as original label, I don't know if post notes exact measure when they get it or not? But the discrepancy would be enough to make the distinction right there.
I know I'm screwed just would like to stop them before they con again.
1786davycrockett
·8 months ago@kingsriverboy
First of all -- add the "buyer" to your blocked buyer list, so that they can't pull that stunt on you again.
Second, eBay sellers can report bad buyers now -- go to your "Manage paid and shipped orders" page, and scroll down until you find the actual item which you had shipped -- the "old heavy military parka."
Above your title line for this item is the seller's name & eBay code name -- click on that.
The "Buyer details" box will appear -- and at the very bottom of the box, at the lower left, are the words "Report buyer."
Click on that, and send eBay a detailed complaint about how this thief robbed you.
Right now, it may not do any good; but let's hope that other victimized sellers do the same thing in the future, and that eBay pulls the plug on your "buyer."
Good luck.
kingsriverboy
OP8 months agoThanks to all for reaffirming I am both stupid and a victim and that I am not a super rock star interstellar seller. Thought I made that clear enough at the get-go. My actual question was how I might help this from happening by same buyer to another. Never mind and thank you.
simba6
·8 months agoClassic return fraud. About all you can do is add a bit to all your prices to cover such loss. It's five finger discount without the risk of being perp walked to the mall's security office.
soh.maryl
·8 months agoUh, this could possibly have been avoided if the seller had not refunded before receiving the item back. As you know, eBay does not require a refund before the seller receives the returned item back.
kibble-net
·9 months agoYou would have to take the buyer to small claims court. Good luck with that if you don't live in the same area.
It's possible you can file a police report, but I doubt that will get you anywhere. This is very much a "he said, she said" scenario at the end of the day as little can be proven one way or the other.
Next time, don't refund before you receive the item.
soh.maryl
·9 months agoFor some unknown reason, you apparently refunded before receiving the returned item.
You are not ever required to refund before getting the item back.
Doing that will give eBay the impression that you don't require the item to be returned before being refunded.
You can go ahead with whatever you want to do as far as trying to get your money back, but chances are not good.
Expensive lesson to have learned the hard way. Sorry.
kingsriverboy
OP8 months agoNo I refunded upon receiving notice return had arrived. I was not there that day and didn't want trouble for any delay. And still, if the weight of returned box in actuality was taken by post and not just scanning the return label for the crooks to print, there would be significant difference. As I said, I know I am screwed. Just wanted to help keep it happening to another.
soh.maryl
·8 months agoIn your original message, you state "the money, already returned", but now you state you refunded upon receiving notice that the return had arrived.
yo0339
·8 months agoIt also says @soh.maryl that the customer returned the old heavy military parka, but that's not what happened.
And the original box arrives with a couple of old towels inside, but OP was not there to see that.
It's just a writing style.
soh.maryl
·8 months agoFirst sentence of original message from OP: "Customer returns old military style parka.
Which I interpreted to mean that the customer had returned his purchase.
It's not just a writing style, it's a confusing statement.
stainlessenginecovers
·9 months ago@kingsriverboy how were they 'already refunded'??
Yes, you can gather the info, pictures, difference in weight as shown on your original shipping out to them receipt and the label on the box weight- and contact their local PD and see if they would take a report or do anything with that info. Some will, some will laugh, but worth a try.
If you waited until you received and refunded after receiving (as you should ALWAYS do) and if you were a Top Rated Seller (not sure why you are not) and allow 'up to 30 day returns' or so, you could have cut the refund in half.