Buyer Returns Conterfeit Item for Return
I recently listed an amethyst Yurman ring that was purchased at Finks. It definitely was authentic and I have the receipt but rarely wore the ring. Sold it recently for a very disappointing amount and then the buyer stated it was a fake and wanted to return it. I knew it wasn’t and was actually relieved when she ask to return it so I told her to open a case and send it back. I went to process the refund before inspecting the item and when I opened the package it was a blue topaz ring with fake diamonds. I sent buyer a message stating she had sent back a replica and it was not cool. She then left me a negative rating.
Has anyone experienced a situation like this and what can be done to avoid this in the future besides not selling on this forum? I have been talking to a rep from the RealReal but seller only makes 60% of the proceeds. It’s just gotten to the point that I don’t feel safe buying or selling jewelry here. I’ve gotten so many glass / lab stones that were advertised as real.
adamcartwright
·8 months agoYou can avoid this in the future by taking advantage of eBay's Authenticity Guarantee.
David Yurman is a brand that will go through authentication if you list it for at least $500, even if you ultimately accept a best offer.
Once through authentication, had your buyer tried to return it, it would have gone back through authentication to you, so this fraud would not have worked.
P.S. Why didn't you take your own photos?
asset_liquidators
·8 months agoI would say to file mail fraud report with USPS and to also file a police report in the buyers jurisdiction for theft BUT, unfortunately you used someone else's pictures so there is no way to prove you ever had that ring in your possession, much less sent it. Always take your own photos. Sorry this happened to you.
pickapaper
·8 months ago@electro-baubles wrote: "Sold it recently for a very disappointing amount"
You sold the ring for a very disappointing amount because you sold it at auction. You have been on eBay long enough that you should know that auctions don't always bring the money you want. In fact, auctions mostly only work for items that are highly collectable or desirable or rare/hard to find and it has been this way for many years now. Nowadays, buyers want immediate gratification. For items that there are already multiple listings (I didn't count them but there are about 20-25 other listings for the same DY amethyst ring), buyers want to buy it now, not wait a week for an auction to end unless they think they might have a chance to have a really low winning bid. You would be better off to research the sold prices for items like yours and list them at "buy it now" at a competitive price.
As for the switcheroo, I'm sorry it happened to you but as others have said, you didn't help your case by borrowing photos from other sellers' listings.
iamalwaysright
·8 months ago@electro-baubles Who is Brigitta? If it’s you, then you can get that feedback removed.
albertabrightalberta
·8 months agoThe OP is Brigitta and her buyer was Cara Ann.
mtgraves7984
·8 months agoHas anyone experienced a situation like this and what can be done to avoid this in the future besides not selling on this forum?
@electro-baubles
I can see that you're not TRS, so I'll skip the seller protections for those. But one way you can mitigate losses like these is to offer Free Returns (if you're an Above Average seller 🤞) on such listings. Then, you'd be able to deduct (up to) 50% on items that are different/destroyed/devalued upon return receipt. If that criteria applies, consider it. Good luck.
adamcartwright
·8 months ago@electro-baubles
You can report the buyer to IC3 for internet fraud/theft and also to the US Postmaster for mail fraud.
But curious why you used others' photos instead of taking your own photos.
Not sure how you could begin to prove what you sold and shipped.
dhbookds
·8 months agoReport the buyer............using the drop down option (scroll down, it's at the bottom) from the sold/shipped page....... it may not help you, but will put it on the buyer's record.
albertabrightalberta
·8 months agoBTW, the comps above show pictures from 2 other different sellers. So the OP went to the effort to go through multiple listings to find images to use in the listing in question.
albertabrightalberta
·8 months ago@electro-baubles
First off, this post is NOT meant to be accusatory and I hope you take it as intended.
I'm sorry this happened but you're going to have a hard time proving a switch.
What I'm going to say confirms the reason why I ALWAYS recommend that sellers take their OWN pictures of the actual items they're selling and what the buyer will receive. My recommendation still doesn't stop scammers from doing their thing but at least you can show that your pictures are your own.
I realize ebay allows sellers to use pictures from other sellers' listings but your issue shows why that's not a good idea.
I didn't look for or find sources of all your images, but the following comps show that at least some of the pictures in the listing were taken from other sellers' listings. Cropping and brightening doesn't change the fact that the pictures don't show the actual item you sold and that your buyer received!
And how do you prove what you sent? Although I'm not accusing you of sending a fake, that's the buyer's allegation and you can't show that you had the real deal.
mtgraves7984
·8 months agoI'm with you, @albertabrightalberta. The truth shouldn't hurt, but sometimes does. 😔
Sorry, @electro-baubles. Not only for the lack of your own pics, but for this part, too. >> "I went to process the refund before inspecting the item and when I opened the package it was a blue topaz ring with fake diamonds."
We live, we learn, no? Hang in there...
bonanza125
·8 months agoYou can report it to Ebay but only so much will happen unless this buyer continues this same behavior. When you say "besides not selling on this forum." Instead of not selling completely place a value limit on what you are trying to sell to avoid big losses. As others stated there is a risk of scams on the internet. It's hard to police and it does happen where it's a loss for the seller.
jasoheat_0
·8 months agoif you mailed it USPS , mail fraud case maybe , I would
msha3839
·8 months agoYou have no proof..
inhawaii
·8 months agoSorry this happened.
Not much you can do.
It's your word against your buyer's.
Ebay will side with the buyer.
animal-house-8
·8 months agoYep has happened, and ebay finial response was since we have no idea what the buyer returned we must side with the buyer and refund their money. Thats it, done and over.
ryry-jj
·8 months agoIt's a risk all sellers take. Selling and listing in a category that first goes to authentication has some protection in cases like this. The burden will be on the seller to prove the item returned isn't what was sent in the first place.
When we shop brick and mortar stores, we all seem to understand shoplifting occurs and it's very difficult to stop without huge resources. But when we then go on-line to buy/sell, we don't expect it. It is going to happen, and it will happen right in front of you with very little protection to stop it...just like in the brick and mortar shops...unless you invest heavily in theft protection
Sell items person-person, craft & antique fairs, let buyers see the item first, then pay, no returns...but on eBay, there are many risks & policies that are very real
bonjourami
·8 months agoSorry this happened, you can try for an appeal after the case is closed. Id recommened using one of the social media outlets to contact Ebay, Facebook has been very helpful with their csrs', use the message link, good luck.