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Anyone else seeing a dramatic increase in buyer fraud?
Summary: replacementradios reported an uptick in buyer fraud, where used items are returned as new, which has prompted them to start documenting their items for protection. They are grateful that a platform has supported them but find the situation concerning. keli.us.kpvkmr8 shared a similar experience with sellers providing misleading tracking information. The discussion seeks to understand if others are facing similar issues and potential strategies to mitigate losses.
Over the last couple months we have been seeing a dramatic increase in buyer fraud. Specifically, buyers sending back their Used version of the New part we sent them. We used to get this maybe once a year but it has happened 4 times in the last 2 months alone. It has gotten so bad we now take pictures of expensive items before shipment, so the warranty markings, seals and serial number are recorded for potential future use.
Thankfully eBay has stood behind us in each incident so far, but the process is time-consuming and, more importantly, the trend is very concerning.
Anyone else seeing this on their sales of New items? What kind of things are you doing to help limit this or increase your odds of not having a total loss?
Thanks in advance.
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keli.us.kpvkmr8
·1 week agoSure seems like it. I'm not 100% sure just yet, but I believe I've encountered 2 sellers this week. I had 1 seller supply a tracking number that went to a completely different city 200 miles away and another used the U.S. Mail and the items were not delivered to my address, simply says delivered to my town. Around 300 USD.
oldwestgold
·8 months agoSelling auto parts and electronics. I'm sorry to say you are just one of the sellers impacted by fraudlent buyers. Hopefully, you will continue to discover ways to protect your business. So far, it sounds like you are doing a great job. Good luck!
jdbelt1960
·8 months agoThat is the oldest trick where someone buys a new part and tries to return the old part as a defective delivery. I am sure it is not confined to online but brick and mortar as well. Maintain serial numbers and try other security things. You have a lot of parts that are valued and hard to find.
ten_o_nine
·8 months agoSellers now attribute many of returns to fraudulent or abusive behavior, including 'empty box' scams and stripped components. This surge is concentrated in high-value electronics specifically GPUs and CPUs, and automotive parts.
To mitigate these losses, retailers are implementing non-removable UV security seals and RFID tracking to verify inventory authenticity upon return.
tobaccocardyahoo
·9 months ago@replacementradios
You have about 400 sales in the past 90 days and have experienced a 1% fraud rate. There are many sellers who would envy your track record. And many B&M retailers who would as well.
oldwestgold
·9 months agoIt really depends on the items you are selling, nothing more, nothing less.
replacementradios
OP8 months agoBoy do I wish that were the case. But I am only talking about a certain type of fraud, and I was concentrating on higher dollar items as well. (Granted, I was not entirely specific about that...)
l5vw
·9 months agoCurious how E-bay has stood behind you as it seems like the buyers always "win" ? We have also had a streak like onefootflipper said where we hit the scammer slots and had 4-5 over Christmas when we rarely have this happen. Best of luck
inhawaii
·9 months agoSmall part time seller here.
I only average 1-3 sales per day.
I have not experienced a increase in fraud.
onefootflipper
·9 months agoIt is likely more that your particular scammer slot machine just happened to hit 4 times in a row than it is there has been a huge overall uptick in scam purchases.
oldwestgold
·8 months agoeBay doesn't care anymore. I have been here for 27 years and continue to see the negative impact of these types of issues and fraud on eBay. THEY DON'T CARE. The bottom line is their bottom line. As long as eBay gets its money, they couldn't care less about supporting sellers here. Fraudlent buyers will win 9 out of 10 times. Sellers should just prepare themselves financially and mentally. It's only a matter of time before you have the wonderful experience of going through this - repeatedly. We see it on the news every day. It's easy to understand where it comes from. Have a great day!