Requesting early fraud intervention for two high-value watch purchases
Summary: The discussion, initiated by vegaskwn, revolves around a request for early fraud intervention for two high-value watch purchases. Although most responses do not include specific content, an exchange with participants such as soh.maryl and 12345jamesstamps suggests assistance with a tracking issue for an item shipped from China, referenced by a tracking link from Macao in response to lacemaker3's inquiry. Despite limited direct details in other messages, the main focus appears to be on addressing concerns about shipment status and potential fraudulent transactions.
I recently purchased two high-value watches from the same seller and have concrete proof of a fraudulent listing scheme. I need eBay to intervene now rather than making me wait for the extended "Item Not Received" timeline, as this is tying up thousands on my credit card.
Evidence of Fraud:
Item 1 (60yo Antique Watch): The seller completely cloned a completed auction from a legitimate seller, including their specific "About Our Business" text and photos of a highly distinct, one-off timepiece.
Item 2: The description claims to be an entirely different jewelry business located in Germany, while Item 1 claims to be in the US.
Tracking Discrepancy: Despite claiming US/Germany business locations, the provided tracking numbers originate from China. This matches a known scam format where an empty or junk package is sent to trigger a "Delivered" status.
Given that the seller is demonstrably using stolen assets for a unique luxury item and providing conflicting global locations, will eBay use logic to flag this account and initiate a refund immediately, or am I forced to wait out the fraudulent shipping window?
grand-and-glorious-purpose
·4 months agoForced?
No you can give up now and forget about seeing your money again.
You get to follow the same rules the rest of do there big shot.
lakefor94
·4 months agoIs it being said that everyone is not entitled to early intervention for fraud?
mr._bob
·4 months agoAssuming this is a counterfeit issue, returning it as NAD once it arrives may work.
Assuming this is a Tracking number fraud case; you won't get your money back from eBay. Know that now. The MBG is useless. eBay actively supports fraudulent sellers perpetrating the fake shipping scam. I've had shippers confirm to me that they confirm for eBay when this scam is being used on buyers, and eBay lies to users and says that is not the case; always siding with the Seller claiming that a tracking number (any tracking number, whether it's your item shipped to you or an empty envelope shipped to a Dominos Pizza) is proof of delivery as far as the MBG is concerned.
They will delay and drag it out on you until you **bleep** them off enough, then they WILL close the case in the sellers favor. When you appeal they will close the Appeal in the sellers favor.
You should make a dispute to your CC as soon as the package shows delivered once you've confirmed it wasn't delivered to you. Depending on the shipper, be prepared for HOURS of work trying to get them to send you the proof they give eBay that the tracking number does not match a shipment to your address (took me four calls, 10+ hours, repeated escalations and a week waiting on a follow up with Fedex), but it's probably worth getting in case your bank asks for it.
ccomic
·4 months agoIf you found other evidence that something is wrong, then something is probably wrong, but I've bought maybe a half dozen things from China last year and they all eventually showed up. Tracking varies greatly. Some showed tracking prior to arriving in the USA and others didn't. Delivery times varied from 1 to 3 weeks. I think one of them might have been close to a month.
Some Chinese sellers seem to stonewall issues while others seem to fall over backwards trying to make things right. The message communication is always a bit tricky, so I suggest you keep all your messages simple. Don't talk like you're talking to a child or anything like that, but I found its best to be very simple and direct. Don't add any unnecessary details .
chrispass918
·4 months agoMaybe just get smarter about purchasing stuff?
lakefor94
·4 months agoThat has worked well for me in my 25 years of purchases on eBay. Homework completed is a must for me.
tobaccocardyahoo
·4 months agoEbay demands its procedures be followed.
If you want an exception, you can attempt to persuade your credit card issuer to act now.
If you open a dispute with your credit card issuer, Ebay will not allow you to use their processes, should it fail.
You should have performed due diligence before you placed the orders.
glenvonnie
·4 months agoIf you get an empty box or something similar or if the items show delivered but not to you, don't file an INR because you will lose.
You can file and INAD and then send back what you got, nothing in an empty box.
kibble-net
·4 months agoYou have to wait to open the case, just like anyone else would. Ebay does not make exceptions for "I need my credit card balance to be lower".
If you didn't want money tied up on your card, you shouldn't have bought anything. While it is unfortunate that you got scammed, there is no express lane to resolution.
soh.maryl
·4 months agoAgreed - - there is no express lane to resolution. However, there IS the possibility of a positive outcome when/if the MBG is used correctly and in a timely fashion.
stephenmorgan
·4 months agoWhat you believe may happen and what actually does happen could be several different things. You ordered the item so you will have to wait and see what does happen before you can make a claim with either eBay or your Charge Card.
soh.maryl
·4 months agoBut it's very important that you wait out the time line and open a cases or cases with eBay first.
ryry-jj
·4 months agoBasically, get in line...you're not special. Ebay is automated and you need to follow the their steps and time lines. Ultimately, you have recourse. If eBay doesn't help you or you fall victim to the fake tracking scam, you have your payment source/CC/bank to protect you. But play out the "eBay way" first...once you go to your bank, eBay is out of the picture.
christworks
·4 months agoBut.....they are! They've got 100% feedback and everything. 🙄😄
@vegaskwn You are worried about 'thousands' being tied up on your credit card, then why did you make the purchase? 🙄
vegaskwn
OP4 months ago@christworks The issue is letting bad actors lock up capital that could be deployed elsewhere making actual money. I assumed an experienced seller would understand the basic concept of opportunity cost, but I guess not. Thanks for the insight though!
dryophelia
·4 months ago@vegaskwn
One must have their Bad Actor Radar on at all times.
It’s my starting point. I start with ‘it’s a scam’, and work backwards from that.
soh.maryl
·4 months agoIsn't that money going to be "tied up" for awhile regardless of whether or not there is an issue with an item purchased?
12345jamesstamps
·4 months agoBetween eBay or dispute of buyer's credit card...the money will take longer...much longer returning to buyer from eBay.
Doing the dispute on debit or credit card (online....quicker of course)...that can be rather quick...if you have online banking of the card used. Some banks(big) are rather good settling a dispute fast.
vegaskwn
OP4 months ago@soh.maryl
When I buy an item, the money is 'tied up' in an asset—something I can wear, sell, or trade. When it’s a scam, the money is 'tied up' in an administrative dispute while I hold a handful of air. If you can't tell the difference between an asset purchase and a frozen balance sheet, I don't know what to tell you
soh.maryl
·4 months agoOK, you're right, I don't know the difference between those two things.
Forgive me for posting.
12345jamesstamps
·4 months ago'recently purchased'...'provided tracking numbers originate from China'...tell us the tracking provider and we can assess if it is real what you are saying.
I usually make purchases quite often from China and other countries and tracking numbers do 'not' show up by the provider for many days or even a week beyond the purchase.
I can't even assess a Chinese tracking provider of my shipments coming from China.
vegaskwn
OP4 months agoIt’s Yanwen
12345jamesstamps
·4 months agoI currently have an item coming from China from one of my favorite sellers.
I cannot look up the Chinese tracking but it only shows a number.
I have not received the item yet...usually takes 15 days for me to receive it.
Look in feedbacks of eBay ID seller of your purchase and what country does it say?
My concern is you might get something...coming from China...it might be fake.
lacemaker3
·4 months ago@12345jamesstamps
Here's a link to your tracking for that purchase. It was shipped from Macao, in China.
https://tools.usps.com/tracking/RR351089209MO
12345jamesstamps
·4 months agoI have the latest tracking...when it enters the USA.
My response was more of the beginning of tracking from China.
As per photo...clinking on tracking at the beginning I get this: Photo
And I know it will arrive...so I have no need to translate the site into English.
But thanks.
simba6
·4 months agoYou can't file a case until you allow time to receive the item. The fake tracking number scam comes to mind. Do not file an item not received case if tracking shows delivered. In the mean time, print out copies of those listings. You can submit them if you have to file a case with your credit card. That would only be done last if eBay can't help.
Come back here before taking any action and let us know what happened. You can search these boards for " fake tracking number " there is a lot of info about it. If the seller get removed by eBay, then you can often file a case right away.
stainlessenginecovers
·4 months agoThat will NEVER happen.
The time to do something was 'not buy it before you bought it.
You will just have to wait out the game...
and you will probably 'get something' so do NOT open a 'Not Received' (until 2 days past LAST estimated delivery date)
You will open a 'not as described'.
soh.maryl
·4 months agoTo the best of my knowledge, yes, you have to wait til you can open the appropriate case per the eBay Money Back Guarantee for buyers.
If either item is not received by the last estimated delivery date as seen in the listing, you can/should open an item not received case the next day, or you can give it awhile longer, keeping in mind the 30 day limit per eBay rules.
If you do receive either item, but it's not as described, you have 30 days to open an item not as described case. The seller is required to a) send you a prepaid return label if he wants it back and to refund in full when it's received or b) he can refund without requiring a return. His third choice, not a wise one, would be to do nothing at all, in which case, eBay can intervene and refund you and tell you to keep that item.
You are not exactly "forced" to wait it out but you appear to know how eBay works. Have to ask: Was none of that information available before you made your purchase?
vegaskwn
OP4 months agoNope.. I didn’t discover the cloned listing and put the pieces together until after unfortunately..
soh.maryl
·4 months agoSorry to hear about this. Fortunately, you do have the protection of the MBG.
Be sure to use it, if needed, at the first possible moment.