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eBay Does Not Support You as a Seller - You lose money as a seller
So here is the situation. I sold a phone on eBay that was essentially new. I listed as used as required and also sold it with a charger and case. It sold to someone within a few days. I normally have a 1 or 2 day handling time as I work and cannot always get it to the post office super fast. I was home and able to get this boxed and ready to go the very first day. I had used this phone for a few weeks making sure my apps were transferred to my new phone (I have had my new phone for a few months as it came with my carrier promo). I needed to make sure the apps all had logins, etc before I reset the phone. This phone was perfect in every way, barely used as I had to buy it to replace my previous phone that ended up in a lake. It has a great battery (turned off, it lasted a couple weeks and then was at 87% when I turned it back on) and no problems. Even after resetting, I turned it on a couple times to make sure it was good to go for sale. Nothing wrong with it, in fact, I am 100% confident in this item working perfectly unless damaged in shipping.
The buyer sends me a message and says they are moving, could I send the phone to another address and send them the tracking number. I agreed and setup the shipping to this new address. I packaged it and got it to the post office right away. When I get back, there is a message "Is it shipped yet?" I thought that was odd. I deal in IT and some scammers often say strange things like this. It made me curious, but it was shipped so I gave them the tracking number and said it was shipped.
So it showed the buyer received the phone the day after Thanksgiving. That night, they said it did not power on made a return case with eBay. The supplied an image, but it was literally a black jpg. No phone image, no nothing... black square. I messaged buyer and said the phone should be fine. I said it powered up without issues before sending. Was it damaged in shipping? Were they pressing the power for a couple seconds as needed on S21. I even recommended they take it to a store and have someone check. They never respond.
I checked to see where the package was shipped and it was USA2Georgia address at 8 McCullough Dr Unit U246xx New Castle DE 19720. (redacted unit) I found out this is a service that forwards packages to Georgia (Russia). Also, the buyer had changed their name from biwilxxx8637 (0) to migxxxlas0 (redacted each acct).
I then called eBay and told them what seemed to be happening. I had concerns that I was not going to get the same phone back, or maybe it was damaged on purpose, etc. They said the process is that I send the label for return and then when I get the phone back I can check it and dispute the return if needed. I send a return label and then when I get it, I have a couple days to review the return and make sure all is ok. Or I can dispute the return. I agreed to this as it seemed fair. I had pictures of the IMEI, so they could not return a different phone, etc. I figured I was getting scammed somehow, but the process seemed good. Or at least it is should have been good, but if you think they are on your side, you're 100% wrong. Buyer apparently can do whatever they please to rip you off.
Here is what happened next. I sent that return label (Through eBay and the return process - I had to pay for it of course) right after speaking with eBay. I checked every other day or so to see if the tracking number showed anything and it showed not shipped every time I checked. Until Dec 7th. On December 7th, I get a message from eBay that my case is closed. Here is the message:
"We reviewed this case and decided to issue the buyer a full refund.
We received tracking information from the buyer that shows successful delivery.
A refund of US $314.75 was issued on Dec 7, 2022 to the buyer. The refund includes the purchase price plus original shipping. The refund amount will be recovered from you by eBay."
I called eBay right away (last night) and inquired on why they closed the case and I had not received the phone, no notice of the return, nothing. I also told them I did some research and they originally had an address that went to onex.ru and changed it to the usa2georgia address - BOTH are forwarding services. If a package is forwarded, HOW CAN IT BE POWERED ON? eBay does not care. The buyer called them with their OWN tracking label to prove delivery. I don't know what scam that is, but I never received the phone and it is unlikely anyone did since I live on 8 acres and my neighbors are far away. We have been getting packages (xmas) and mail constantly every day without issues. So eBay said they entered a dispute and someone would call me in 24 hours. I said ok, thanks.
Today, no call. I get an email:
"Thanks for contacting eBay about the "Samsung Galaxy S21" that you recently sold to "xxxxxxx". I reviewed your email, and I understand that you have not received the item back. Don’t worry; I'll take this opportunity to help you further.
Before I proceed, I acknowledge the fact that you are putting your honest effort in order to comply with eBay policies and to maintain a good reputation for your account. I was also delighted to discover that you have maintained a huge percentage of positive feedback score which only proves that you have been a responsible eBay member as majority of your trading partners are stating how great you were as a seller, how smooth the transactions went through and how prompt you are in responding to their concern.
After reviewing your case, I see that the buyer was able to provide us with tracking number 9400111206213951229848 which shows the item was returned to your address. Because of this confirmed tracking information, we decided to retain the original decision.
We realize that you had the best of intentions to work things out with the buyer and its show you approved the return request. I understand that you did not receive the item but the tracking number 9400111206213951229848 shows delivered to your return address, I hope you understand that the tracking information is the only way we have of knowing a package has been delivered.
Please do not feel that we have not considered your side on the matter. As part of eBay, we want to make sure that we exercise fair treatment to all our members.
There may be some other options:
1.The mail carrier may not have delivered the package or may have taken it to the wrong address. I recommend you contact the mail carrier to see if they can provide information about the package's whereabouts.
2.You may want to ask your neighbors if they received the package by mistake.
3.If you purchased insurance on this shipment, we encourage you to file an insurance claim with the shipping carrier.
As part of our helpful guidance, always check the status of the tracking information to see if the item is close to being delivered or if there is action required from you.
I hope this helps explain some options when tracking shows an item was delivered, but you don't have it in your possession.
We appreciate your understanding.
I am confident that I fully explained your issue and that I am of the best assistance with you. Thank you for choosing eBay and stay safe.
Warm Regards,
xxxxxxxx B. (redacted)
eBay Customer Support"
The return label I sent with the tracking number I sent was never used. What they did was create a label themselves (FYI... no idea where to, as the tracking does not show my address! Only that it was shipped FROM CALIFORNIA (I shipped it to Delaware fyi so how did they ship it from California 2 days after requesting a refund)?? eBay thinks I have the phone, that is ridiculous. The buyer did not follow the return policy and eBay DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU AS A SELLER. STOP selling asap. Go elsewhere who will actually support you.
THE FINAL KICK TO ME AS A SELLER - I paid for the shipping label back. I paid for the shipping label there. I got $268 deposited from the sale of this item. eBay is taking $314 out of my account. Why so much??? So I guess I pay for eBay's commission, all the shipping, everything??? AND I LOST THE ITEM. I am done with eBay. You would be too if you are smart. You will sell and sell to make some profits, eBay will put you in the negative after one bad scam in which you are helpless.
I will try to update this with info from the Post Office on this tracking number (I am going to call), it is obvious eBay does not contact and get actual delivery information such as item weight, where it shipped from and to, etc. Only a tracking number proving a delivery somewhere is all they need to rip off a seller. I keep asking eBay to confirm the delivery address on the tracking number, but they can't, they reply with delivery to 'mailbox' at Parker, CO 80138.... incompetence.
I have numerous additional messages from my appeal asking about the tracking and the delivery address the buyer gave ebay, they just reply with same email over and over despite any question I ask. For example, I asked what the address was that they see it delivered to, this is my reply on every inquiry:
"Thanks for contacting us regarding the item " Samsung Galaxy S21" 295332276334, I understand that you did not receive your item despite confirm delivered.
After my careful review on this case, your item is delivered to your address: Delivered, In/At Mailbox PARKER, CO 80138 December 3, 2022, 2:20 pm
Link: https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction?tRef=fullpage&tLc=2&text28777=&tLabels=9400111206213951229848%2C&tABt=true
Please understand that if the buyer claims that the item was not received, the tracking information is the only way we can prove otherwise. Once the case has been escalated, we are compelled to make a decision depending on the information we already have.
As the case is now close, we recommend you to continue working things out with the buyer or consider starting a claim outside ebay's policy and coverage
Thank you so much for choosing eBay as your online buying platform, stay safe!"
This is ridiculous. Work with the buyer outside ebay... they are in Russia!!??!! Can I sue them? eBay gives me ZERO info to go off. eBay is the WORST selling platform out there. I would rather invite strangers to my house off Facebook Marketplace than do anything on Facebook again.
PS - For all of you who will say I should have canceled, I never thought I had to worry about this. I thought eBay protected the buyer AND the seller. Guess not. Knowing eBay will not protect you as a seller, better to stop posting items asap. I have since talked to several others about eBay and they all have had bad experiences as a seller. It is obvious eBay is not the place to do business. STOP SELLING BEFORE THIS IS YOU!
kh-stanley1
·3 years agoHi everyone,
Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.
Thank you for understanding.
hortatorypariah
·3 years agoThere's no doubt that eBay supports buyers over sellers. One thing that really irritates me is how sellers cannot leave negative feedback for non-paying buyers. From what I can tell eBay doesn't sanction non-paying buyers.