Seller Beware of Buying & Return Scam!
I sold a phone to a buyer in Florida in perfect condition (Pixel 8). About a week later the buyer states that the phone has an issue and wants to return it. I emailed the buyer and ask what wrong with the phone? Again the phone was used by me off and on for about 2 weeks, never took the phone out of my home..just seeing if I wanted to keep it. But decided to sell it and move on. Anyway I waited a day or two to get an answer…no reply? So I send the return label and wait for the return. I track the package on USPS and on the day it arrives at my local post office..I know I would get it that day. I go on with my daily routine and sort of forget to check if the package arrived. That night I get an email from eBay saying they are refunding the buyer because the package was delivered? I never received any package? I ask my family did a package come for me today? Nope we haven’t received anything for you just regular mail. I’m retired so I’m home most of the time. I turn on my computer to track the package..it stated it was returned for a bad address..WHAT! And the buyer call/contacted eBay and said can I have my money back and they gave the refund. So if the package was attempted eBay just gives back the funds? Please correct me if I’m wrong..don’t I get 48 hours to examine the the return to see if there is no damage and I get the phone back in the stated original condition I sold it ?
Also..this I don’t understand if eBay sees the phone is being returned to the send why release the refund? I should get my item back first!
I called the post office several times and finally got a response from the individual whom traces problem packages. He reviewed my complaint and concluded this was a fraud package. Send with my return track number but with a different address on the package, I asked but ( of course he wouldn’t tell what address the package went to ) Since this was a eBay generated label in the system it show that tracking should come to me but the buyer intended to ship it to the wrong address. And what gets me I told eBay I have proof of all this and spoke to them… lord 10 to 11 times and they keep telling me the case was closed and we can’t overturn it. I have been on eBay 20 years, 100% feedback no issues! The buyers account closed due to fraudulent activity?! I’m out a phone and the funds eBay returned to the buyer. You would think that they would want sellers/buyers like me on their platform to show that they are honest sellers and these are the individuals we should take care of, but they won’t refund my money and of course I can cannot get back the phone. This is so **bleep** unfair 😣
r698-90
·1 year agoGood for you, you know nothing about this situation so but our,🤫
ittybitnot
·2 years agoI sold a phone to a buyer in Florida in perfect condition
@sophiawang
Sounds like you may have shipped this to a Freight Forwarder in Florida. Did you Google the address to see? Also use this link to see where your buyer is actually located:
https://pages.ebay.com/services/forum/feedback-login.html
What you describe is a familiar scenario, including the phony tracking return scam that typically ensues.
Buyers that use freight forwarders forfeit their rights to make claims under the Money Back Guarantee. Unfortunately for the victim (you) , eBay treats these the same as any domestic sale, and it is up the SELLER/VICTIM to take action.
Follow the advice given by @ckimodog and use the the blue message button at the top of this page:
https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness
Ask for assistance with your transaction with a buyer who used a Freight Forwarder and phony return scam. They know all about this, and unlike the regular customer service you get in a call back or chat, actually have the authority to take action to help you.
Good luck, and do let us know how it turns out.
You can read some of these for more details to recognize the pattern and know this is nothing new around here:
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Buyer-using-USPS-return-scam-Ebay-decided-case-in-buyers-favor/m-p/34225035#M2339548
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Help-Miami-Freight-Forwarder-says-wrong-item-sent-and-returning/m-p/34234105#M2341629
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Getting-screwed-over-for-months-as-a-seller-on-on-an-blatant/m-p/34253728#M2346631
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Ebay-refunded-a-buyer-without-me-getting-my-item-back-from/m-p/34267762#M2350243
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Return-scam-nothing-new/m-p/34302635#M2358896
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/The-new-buyer-scam-and-eBay-s-ignoring-Policy/m-p/34301810#M2358639
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Return-Scam-so-simple-but-super-effective-What-should-I-do/m-p/34350235#M2371144
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Scam-and-ebay-ignores-it/m-p/34356453#M2372717
kensgiftshop
·2 years agoGet a letter from USPS stating that the package was not addressed to you.
File mail fraud with USPS.
File police reports.
Once you have all those, use them to appeal the case.
ckimodog
·2 years ago@sophiawang
Very sorry for your situation. You can do a few things to perhaps get your money back. Reach out on social media via Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ebayForBusiness/
These agents are US CS eBay employees and may better serve you and your situation. Many positive posts with their ability to be helpful. In the past they were helpful concerning my issue at hand. Give it a try...it might be worth it.
I know in the past many have suggested that you call the police in that person's city & let them know the issue. I don't know how effective it will be but you never know.
If I were you, I would not sell that phone you are selling on this or any other platform. You are setting yourself up for another possible scam. You also should REALLY consider accepting returns. No returns does not mean no refunds.
If you could suggest anything else I would, but we read about these scams daily on this forum in multiples & it's getting worse. The internet has become scam city & from what I have read a $117 Trillion dollar mess!
I hope this has been helpful.
Hang in there & Good luck