Fraudulent item not as described case opened against me because of buyer's remorse?
I had a guy buy a collectible silver bar from me last week for $425. I mailed it out the next day then a couple days later he messages me some **bleep** claim that he was just looking at an offer I sent him when eBay mysteriously glitched and purchased the item for him charging his credit card. He said he had zero interest in keeping the item and wished to return it after it arrived.
The first issue with his claim is that he didn't accept an offer, he paid full price. The second issue is the obvious, eBay doesn't just glitch and buy an item on for you on it's own, and the 3rd issue is why did he wait 2 or 3 days to message me after purchasing the item and after it shipped?
Anyways it was delivered on Monday and as it's silver bullion I had a no return policy which meant that in order to open a return he had to falsely claim the item was not as described. The problem with that is that it was exactly as described and he provided a picture of the bar in his possession as evidence he received it in as described condition.
I was taken a back when I realized my only 2 options to respond to his fraudulent case were to accept the return and provide a refund or refund partially or fully and let the buyer keep the item. Naturally I called eBay customer service for a resolution.
Jay the CS rep told me to ignore the case until it closed and that it would be closed in my favor and since the buyer abused the item not as described MBG feature to start a fraudulent return he would have his account limited in some way.
Well this morning all at the exact same time I received 3 different emails from eBay that the return was escalated to a case for review, that my funds were on hold, and that the case was closed in the buyer's favor and they instructed them to return the item.
I immediately contacted a CS rep by phone. She informed me that Jay gave me bad advice telling me to ignore the case and that the buyer already printed a return label. She told me once I receive the item I can deny the return and file an appeal but now I'm thinking that's more bad advise because from what I understand it says they will refund the buyer as soon as the return tracking shows delivered to me.
What gripes me the most is this buyer is also a seller and he also sells silver bullion....oh and you guessed it, he also says NO RETURNS. eBay used to have a no return policy for bullion. I can't really find if they still have one or not but they do have this in the bullion learning center.....
Can bullion be returned after it's been purchased?
Each seller has its own return policy. The vast majority of bullion sellers - both on and off eBay - don't accept returns. When you buy bullion, the spot price is the No. 1 factor that influences your purchase price - and the spot price is constantly changing. You're locking in the cost of the bullion when you purchase it. If you decide later that you don't want to own the bullion, you can always resell it on eBay.
fashunu4eeuh
·1 year agoHorrible advice given by the phone rep. Always come here first for advice. The phone reps have been known to be unreliable, sadly. So sorry this occurred.
I would suggest brushing up on the terms of the Money Back Guarantee, see link below. (Have included a link to the eBay User Agreement as well.) It is important to keep up with those who would take advantage of the buyer-centric policies here. The better informed a seller is, the better they can protect their interests.
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy?id=4210
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259
silverbuyer13
OP1 year agoThank you, appreciate it! I'll brush up on those.
coastaltechsolution
·1 year agoOuch, yes bad advise from rep.
MBG, always accept return and then when you get item back decide if full refund or partial(if you qualify)
I do not know about past and present Bullion return policies but it is never a good idea to allow eBay to get involved as that only hurts your selling record.
silverbuyer13
OP1 year agoUgh yeah I'm hoping since my performance is perfect and that it was a fraudulent return/item not as described case that if there are any defects or negative feedback added that come out of it, eBay will be able to wipe them from my record. This was so upsetting.
Then to make matters worse I sold an item for $540 last week and it was returned to sender yesterday because the buyer lives in the boonies and is away on work so the carrier apparently said no such number and return to sender. He asked me to forward it to another address when I get it back but I know better than that. I told him he would have to purchase it again with that 2nd address.
So because of a case of buyers remorse then a case of a buyer being out of town I have to refund $965 and be out $670 in profit . Ouch.
coastaltechsolution
·1 year agoIn the case of the returned Item, good call! Only ever send to address that eBay gives you.
You should be protected on that one.
I wish you luck on the first case
silverbuyer13
OP1 year agoThank you. Appreciate it!