Scammed - eBay assisted buyer to steal from me
My store has a 30-day Auto Return Policy. My level is Top Rated Seller. eBay should have protected me from the scammer who did not return the item to me (she never mailed the item back to me). The buyer opened a case and eBay stated that they had closed it in my favor since the buyer did not return the item. She appealed the decision and they reversed it, stating that I had agreed to refund her and had not done so. So they refunded her the total amount including the shipping and pulled it from my funds. We, as sellers, have no one at eBay to speak with or to discuss the appeal with. I reported the buyer. But really, I feel abandoned by eBay. Seller Protection did not work for me. Sellers are extremely vulnerable to scammers who know how to work the eBay system of requesting to return an item without returning it, then at the last moment open a case, then appeal the case for free merchandise. eBay should stand behind what it promises for Seller Protections.
monster-deals
·2 years agoYou just appeal the appeal.
mudshark61369
·2 years ago@brownlytle,
I've never sold enough to use the auto return system. On the 1 occasion I did have to deal with a return I sent the label manually, but that was years ago.
When the automated return system generates a return shipping label are you given a tracking number? If they do, have you run it through the shipper's tracking system to see where it was delivered to, or called them to see if it was addressed to you? I've heard ebay sends labels in a PDF format that can be edited, so it's possible for buyers or sellers to change the shipping address, which is how the fake tracking scam can be worked. If you are told that the address on the label was not yours, reply to the topic and flag me.
In order for the buyer to successfully appeal, they would have had to provide proof to ebay that they did use the shipping label they were sent and that it had a delivered scan. Unfortunately, ebay cannot access the address or package information from shipping labels, due to shipper's privacy policies. Even if ebay generated the label, the return addressee is considered to be the sender, not ebay. So to ebay a Delivered scan is all they can go by. If you have fallen prey to a fake tracking scam I can tell you how you might be able to get the refund reversed.
brownlytle
OP2 years agoHi. Thanks for responding. eBay never shares the tracking number with me. It would help if they would. Then I too could see if the buyer had mailed the item. Your comment about the buyer having to provide proof that the item was delivered would have been interesting to see timed out since the buyer had dragged her heels in returning the item. She told me she was going to mail it and then apologized that she was out of town and would mail it soon. I thanked her for giving me a heads-up. Then, curiously, she opened a case on the item which was denied and the case was immediately closed. That was when she appealed it and got a full refund. So to me, it was not only a loss of the item but also the $7.99 that I had to refund her. I'll get over it. It was a rare occurrence and it opened my eyes to how much trust I have in eBay to protect the seller - as they have noted on their site. The alarm was raised when I could not reach or speak with anyone at eBay to state that the item was not received and ask why they were refunding not only the price of the item but also the postage. I've blocked her from buying from me and I reported her to eBay so hopefully, if she makes this into a habit to obtain free merchandise, it will be recognized by eBay.
albertabrightalberta
·2 years agoThey do share the return tracking number in the transaction details.
If you go to the order and click the order number link, it'll take you to the order details.
That shows you the original shipping (to the buyer).
On the right side of the page, scroll down to "see more details" where it should show the return shipping label tracking number.
You can paste that number into USPS tracking and it'll show whether the item was ever scanned.
I've contacted ebay on the day after the last day to return items and when there's no tracking because the item was never shipped back, they've closed the request.
brownlytle
OP2 years agoThanks so much for reviewing my situation and providing your thoughts and suggestions.
Being scammed is a risk for online selling. I try to protect myself but it is not easy to think of all scammer angles. I've blocked the buyer from buying at my store. However, it was still disappointing to know that there is no one at eBay to appeal to when this happens. What good is eBay seller protection if eBay does not provide someone to reach out to?
r_lresale
·2 years agoBy automatic returns you mean a return label is sent to the buyer as soon as a request is open correct?
brownlytle
OP2 years agoThanks for responding. Yes. auto returns has worked beautifully for years. I do not mind that a customer wants to return the item. They pay to have the item shipped to them and I pay for any returns. About 99% are honest and return the item.
When a customer requests a return, eBay automatically generates a return USPS label for them to use. I never see the label or know of the tracking number. However, when the customer uses the label and the USPS acknowledges receipt, eBay sends me an email noting that the item has been shipped. In this situation, eBay never notified me that the item had been shipped and the item has never been received.
r_lresale
·2 years agoYes I have the same thing set up and it shows when they put the return in the mail but its been awhile so I don't remember if I could see the tracking number. Within the return details can you not see the tracking history? I have always been able to go in and see it tracking back to me every step of the way. I also get a notification from ebay when it is delivered.
brownlytle
OP2 years agoYes, eBay will send a return label to the buyer as soon as it is requested.