eBay

rooba_2300 · ‎10-09-2023

I purchased four pieces of Cronus Zen from an eBay seller with a 99.5% rating. Prior to placing my order, I inquired whether they would ship to a package forwarder, to which they confirmed. I proceeded to order the items, paying a total of $379, and received a tracking number. The seller shipped the package to my address, and upon its arrival, I requested the package forwarder to repack it. However, two days later, the package forwarder informed me via email that the package was empty. I reached out to the seller, who provided me with a picture of the package with my name on it, containing the item before it was shipped. What course of action should I take?

rooba_2300 · ‎10-10-2023

Update (ebay solved the issue)

First Great thanks for everyone her

(please read this carefully)

Here's my story:

I had an unfortunate encounter with an online seller that left me feeling scammed and deceived. It all began on September 26th when I reached out to the seller to inquire about their shipping policies. I specifically asked if they were able to ship to a package forwarder, and to my relief, they confirmed that they could.

Feeling confident in my decision, I proceeded to place an order with the seller. However, I had a special request. I asked them if they could ship the package in a bag instead of a cardboard box to reduce the volumetric weight. This seemed like a reasonable request to me, as it would potentially save on shipping costs.

To my surprise, the seller responded with a question of their own. They asked whether the package forwarder repacked my items. I honestly replied that the package forwarder did not repack the items. Little did I know that this innocent response would set off a chain of events that would uncover the seller's true intentions.

As the days passed, I eagerly awaited the arrival of my package. Finally, on October 5th, it arrived at the package forwarder's facility. However, it was on the following day, October 6th, that my suspicions were confirmed. I contacted the shipping forwarder and requested that they discard all packaging materials. To my shock and dismay, they informed me that the package was empty.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It became clear that the seller had deliberately planned to deceive me. My package had arrived empty, and it seemed that the seller had intended to take advantage of the fact that the package forwarder didn't repack the items. Thankfully, the package remained within the United States.

In an attempt to gather evidence and protect myself, the package forwarder sent me photographs showing the empty package. With this undeniable proof in hand, I realized that I had fallen victim to a scam. It was a stark reminder that not everyone online can be trusted, and it served as a cautionary tale for others in the community to be vigilant when making online purchases.

View Best Answer in original post

an-36344 · ‎10-09-2023

@rooba_2300 wrote:
The seller shipped the package to my address, and upon its arrival, I requested the package forwarder to repack it. However, two days later, the package forwarder informed me via email that the package was empty.

I reached out to the seller, who provided me with a picture of the package with my name on it, containing the item before it was shipped. What course of action should I take?

Completely stop talking or responding to the seller.

No matter where you are in the world

- click RETURN THIS ITEM to start a return request

- use the MISSING PARTS OR PIECES reason

- upload that photo of the package

- add 2 lines of comment

- and click Submit.

Again don't talk to the seller. If you don't get a refund or a prepaid return shipping label with the package forwarder's address after 3 business days, come back to click Ask eBay to step in it.

If you get that prepaid return label @rooba_2300 email that label to your package forwarder to affix and mail back the empty package to the seller, to get your refund.

soh.maryl · ‎10-09-2023

Maybe I am dense, but doesn't "the seller shipped the package to my address" mean that you received the package at your address? So how would you ask the forwarder to repack it?

tobaccocardyahoo · ‎10-09-2023

If @an-36344 's advice does not get you a full refund, a credit card chargeback dispute is in order.

12345jamesstamps · ‎10-09-2023

Isn't it against the law to open someone's mail in the USA? I question the package forwarder who is opening the package and rather not the buyer. I kinda think it's against the law here before going to another country. Just curious, of course.

kitschy*loot · ‎10-09-2023

@rooba_2300... so the seller shipped the package directly to you... or did they ship the package directly to the forwarder in care of your address? I'm confused by your saying they shipped the package to your address and it arrived... if it arrived to your address how is the forwarder contacting you two days later about it?

rooba_2300 · ‎10-09-2023

To my address i mean the forwarder address

fab_finds4u · ‎10-09-2023

I think his address was the shipping address he had it shipped to.

@rooba_2300 If tracking shows delivered the seller's job is done. Packages that have a forwarding address are not covered once the seller proves delivery.

A third party being involved is probably why.

rooba_2300 · ‎10-09-2023

I'm sorry for confusing. I mean to my package forwarder address

kathiec · ‎10-09-2023

@12345jamesstamps wrote:
Isn't it against the law to open someone's mail in the USA? I question the package forwarder who is opening the package and rather not the buyer. I kinda think it's against the law here before going to another country. Just curious, of course.

If you have a contractual agreement with a freight forwarder then no, it's not illegal, because it's being done with your consent. EBay International Shipping repackages a large percentage of the shipments they're forwarding for eBay sellers, as did GSP before them.

kathiec · ‎10-09-2023

I think you should be able to prevail in a not as described case as long as you can get some kind of formal documentation from your forwarder that the package was empty when they opened it. There is an exclusion in the MBG that states once a package is forwarded by a third-party it's no longer covered. But in this case the package was never forwarded, so on the surface it seems that exclusion doesn't apply.

rooba_2300 · ‎10-10-2023

Update (ebay solved the issue)

First Great thanks for everyone her

(please read this carefully)

Here's my story:

I had an unfortunate encounter with an online seller that left me feeling scammed and deceived. It all began on September 26th when I reached out to the seller to inquire about their shipping policies. I specifically asked if they were able to ship to a package forwarder, and to my relief, they confirmed that they could.

Feeling confident in my decision, I proceeded to place an order with the seller. However, I had a special request. I asked them if they could ship the package in a bag instead of a cardboard box to reduce the volumetric weight. This seemed like a reasonable request to me, as it would potentially save on shipping costs.

To my surprise, the seller responded with a question of their own. They asked whether the package forwarder repacked my items. I honestly replied that the package forwarder did not repack the items. Little did I know that this innocent response would set off a chain of events that would uncover the seller's true intentions.

As the days passed, I eagerly awaited the arrival of my package. Finally, on October 5th, it arrived at the package forwarder's facility. However, it was on the following day, October 6th, that my suspicions were confirmed. I contacted the shipping forwarder and requested that they discard all packaging materials. To my shock and dismay, they informed me that the package was empty.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It became clear that the seller had deliberately planned to deceive me. My package had arrived empty, and it seemed that the seller had intended to take advantage of the fact that the package forwarder didn't repack the items. Thankfully, the package remained within the United States.

In an attempt to gather evidence and protect myself, the package forwarder sent me photographs showing the empty package. With this undeniable proof in hand, I realized that I had fallen victim to a scam. It was a stark reminder that not everyone online can be trusted, and it served as a cautionary tale for others in the community to be vigilant when making online purchases.

fab_finds4u · ‎10-10-2023

After saying the picture of an empty package is undeniable proof the package arrived empty I disagree. The freight forwarder could have stolen the item and took the picture.

Just saying.

rooba_2300 · ‎10-11-2023

Not only the picture of empty package.

How is it possible for an item that weights 3.5 lb to suddenly become 0.5 lb.

rooba_2300 · ‎10-11-2023

I have been using that freight forwarder for over 2 years without encountering a single problem, and the total value of items I have shipped through them exceeds $20,000.