Scammed?

[chicang5188]

High priced, vintage toy lot purchased (paid in full) in mid-December 2024. Listing at the time said delivery would be within 30 days, or by mid- January dates (did not recall the exact dates from original listing) and since that time, the listing has changed delivery dates to February 2025. 

Contacted seller 10 days ago (about 12 days after original purchase date) inquiring about when items would ship since purchase was over $800.00, and I wanted to track it. Response was that this was not urgent for shipment, that it takes time to package, and that it would be within 30 days of purchase.

Something did not seem right with this transaction, and I asked ebay for a refund as it seemed this could be a scam and quite expensive for me.

Ebay denied refund as seller claimed items were being "prepared for shipment," and so I waited.

Yesterday, received a small package that was shipped for $12.50 (a fraction of actual shipping costs paid) and had only 3 of the many items purchased in the Lot of 50+  items from the seller. The items were not even packaged, just flopping around in the box, so no care by seller was indicated in "preparing to ship," items to me.  I contacted seller and she said that items are coming in several packages, but TRACKING now shows item(s) delivered to me.  Seller also responded again that it "takes time to package items and ship."

Feel this is a SCAM and mail fraud on part of seller. My experience has been that lot-type purchases are usually boxed together or show multiple tracking; this one seemed very off to me.    At this point, it probably does not matter when, just IF these will be shipped to me.

Not sure if I should file "items not as described," and return what was sent to me back to her, or what to do at this point. Really seems like a SCAM by the seller: showing items were delivered based on tracking, but only 3 out of over 50 items were received in a very small shipment on a very high priced purchase. 

Would like all my money refunded at this point and return the small box of items back to seller. Ebay won't be of much help, I'm concluding. (I had only one other case where there was a problem in 20 years on ebay).  Will probably need to go through my credit card company to dispute the purchase.  

Thoughts?    Helpful comments?    Thank you.

[soh.maryl]

If it's within 30 days of your receipt of this item, why not just open an item not as described case with eBay?

The seller will be required to send you a prepaid return label.  Upon receipt of that returned item, the seller is required to refund you in full.  If they don't do that, you return to the case and ask eBay to step in.  They will tell you to keep the item and will refund you in total.  

ALL eBayers need to get acquainted with the MBG so that they will know what to do if/when a transaction goes wrong.  Not sure why you'd feel that "eBay won't be of much help".  All you need to do is use the tools they give you.

[mudshark61369]

@chicang5188,

You could have found the last estimated delivery date for the transaction by going to your purchase history and clicking on the Order details button.  Not by opening the listing itself which shows a delivery date if you buy the item that day.

The type of dispute to file would be Item Not As described reason Missing parts or pieces. The seller would have to send you a return shipping label or refund you in full within 3 days of you opening the dispute and if they do not, on day for you open the dispute and click on the Ask ebay to step in button. They will refund you from the seller's account.

Because of how you described the purchase, I have to ask if you checked the seller's feedback profile page before buying from them? It sounds to me like the seller is either a new one or very inexperienced. 

[djvp53]

It sounds like a scam to me too. At best, you are dealing with an honest but entirely undependable seller. Sometimes, it's hard to tell the difference but from your perspective, it doesn't really matter which. I agree that you should open a return request because the item was not as described, because it was missing parts or pieces. 

Be careful not to select the reason that the item was not received.  If you do that, the seller will be able to provide the tracking number for the items that were sent to you and eBay will deny your claim.

I'm sorry you were so disappointed by this seller. Good luck.

[nobody*s_perfect]

---

@chicang5188 wrote: ... Not sure if I should file "items not as described," and return what was sent to me back to her, or what to do at this point. ... showing items were delivered based on tracking, but only 3 out of over 50 items were received in a very small shipment on a very high priced purchase. 

Would like all my money refunded at this point and return the small box of items back to seller. Ebay won't be of much help, I'm concluding. ...

---

Don't jump to conclusions just because your clim for "not received" didn't work out.  It seems that if you had waited until after the latest estimated delivery date (based on your transaction record, not on the date shown in the listing page) then you should have won the claim.  Especially since the seller apparently didn't purchase postage that included Signature Confirmation, which eBay requires for seller protection when the transaction is over $750.

Now you have received an item not as described, and that's the claim that you should file.  Here's a link to eBay's buyer protection  policy, which they call the "Money Back Guarantee":

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy...

[chicang5188]

Thank you for your comments and suggestions.

[chicang5188]

Thank you for your suggestions. I do check Feedback prior to purchasing, and agree this may be a case of inexperienced seller, or just a scammer. 

[chicang5188]

Your suggestions and comments are appreciated. Thank you.  I will try doing as you say. 

In 20 years on ebay, never an issue and great sellers!  Just had a situation a few months ago where six items under $30 each were not received, and seller won partially on the appeal claiming they tried to deliver even though the items never came to my home, seller claimed "porch pirates" would steal from my home (Nope! have cameras and live at the end of  a large cul de sac/neighborhood watch, etc). Ebay determined I would get 1/2 my money back and part of the order, but Seller has never sent the items paid for totaling over $100. So, I feel there are not many options for buyers to get connected with Ebay assistance - thus "ebay won't be of much help..." and this is a FAR LARGER expense purchase I am writing about currently.

Again, thank you. 

[chicang5188]

Very good point, maybe the seller is getting around doing a signature by sending in small batches instead of all at once, I guess, even though the actual total purchase on this ONE LOT item listed exceeds the specified $750 requiring it. 

Your suggestions are appreciated, and I will take it further.

Thank you.

[team1-86]

Total bull****

I ordered an item marked 10 day shipping, and suddenly get an email / ebay receipt that it'll arrive on the 30th of April.  Whut the actual F***k!   Not happening.  Reached out to ebay support to get the AI bull**** and "sorry cannot cancel order as its being shipped out"  Yeah ...  from CHINA.   Not at all happy about this, and I'm disputing with my bank.  Rotten scammers!