Fraudulent returns
I have had two nearly identical returns this week that have left me scratching my head. Both were for a lot of two 32oz bottles of pet odor eliminator and both were purchased by a zero feedback account. The first return request was because they said the item had arrived damaged and leaking. That made sense to me, so I offered a partial refund to cover the cost of the damaged bottle. They declined and shipped the return. Tracking showed the package originating in a completely different state. When my return arrived, it was a tiny little poly bag containing a cathartt beanie. I sent the buyer a message, reported them, and opened a case. The account instantly disappeared. eBay agreed with me that it was scam and released my funds.
The second return arrived today, also originating from a different state (the same state as the first fraudulent return though) This one was returned because the buyer said the spray was a rip off and did not work. Surprise, surprise! Another Carhartt beanie arrived in my mailbox today. I have sent the buyer a message, but don’t expect to hear back. Should I again ask eBay to step in?
There’s actually a third return request from another zero feedback account citing a damaged bottle. I again offered a partial refund but they have not responded, and I’m half expecting another beanie to be shipped my way.
Can anyone help me figure out what in the world the point is here? If they’re simply trying to get free product, why wouldn’t they have accepted my partial refund offer? I can’t figure out how this ridiculousness benefits them in any way?! I was charged for return shipping, so it does hurt me a little bit, but I still don’t understand what the point is from the scammer’s perspective.
Any tips on handling it as properly as possible are welcome too! Thanks for your time!
ma-647837
·1 year agoIf you look @bontragerbargains you may find your item listed at a bargain price on eBay or another marketplace. When that other listing sells, a zero-feedback account will buy from you, to drop-ship to that buyer.
Then whether or not that's a good sale, each of those zero-feedback accounts will start a request, return junk to you, and get a refund.
eBay can stop* these zero-feedback accounts, since they will all eventually pay from the same funding source or sources, so they are all one scammer or group of scammers.
*Since eBay is paying you out-of-pocket each time, eBay will soon be out of pocket and stop covering you.
gurlcat
·1 year agoWell first of all congrats on winning your claim and getting that (first) account shut down -a lot of people here don't realize that is doable.
I would do the same thing with the second one (and the third, if it comes to it).
As for: " If they’re simply trying to get free product, why wouldn’t they have accepted my partial refund offer? " -You kinda answered your own question, lol. They don't want a partially free product; they want a FULLY FREE product.
Take or leave this advice if you want. I would not be offering any more partial refunds, unless they send a photo of the damaged item, and the damage is very clear. Why should you give up any of your money to someone who could simply be lying? They do it all the time here, you know.