Seller sent to wrong address but same zip code

[mmrooz18]

Today an received a notification about an item being delivered today. This is two days before the estimated shipping time. The moment I saw the notification, it being an expensive item, I checked all around my residence and neighbors mailboxes and could not find the item.

I then contacted USPS, gave them the tracking number where they said it was delivered but to a place several miles away from my address, not the address i provided to the seller, however in the same zip code as mine. Doing some further searching it seems this is a common scam on ebay to get around the tracking system. 

I then contacted the seller twice with my concerns and cordially asked why they sent it to a different address with the same zip code. I have yet to recieve any response from the seller.

After talking with Ebay and sharing what USPS gave me they said to wait to open a INR case. I must wait until tomorrow to open a case. So basically is this my word against theirs now? I feel like time is against me here as I should gather as much info to defend my case that I never actually received any item. 

I am just unsure what action I should take now. I am very close to just leaving negative feedback and opening a dispute with my credit card company, but I do not want to be too hasty in doing these things. 

Any info on this matter greatly appreciated. 

[mtgraves7984]

Im a not sure if I need to upload a pic to confirm return because I don't have anything to upload.

@mmrooz18 

I think the 'Confirm return' will free up with a photo. Just hover over/right click/save one from the listing and add it.

[ittybitnot]

 I need to upload a pic to confirm return..

@mmrooz18 

Though I would wait for confirmation from USPS that the "delivered"  item was  intended for you in the first place, there have been indications (from reading anecdotal info here) that it does not matter what that picture contains.  One seller complained that his buyer uploaded a photo of some dead ducks instead of the product, and the automated bot process proceeded as normal.  

Perhaps you can show a photo of some "air" or "vapor"?  Just sayin'.  It would be an interesting test at the very least. 

[mmrooz18]

Yes, I think I might  wait for USPS to get back to me before I open any case. I'm just gonna add a stock photo from the listing. Should I even mention they shipped it to the wrong address in the description? Thanks for the input 👍

[ma-647837]

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@ma-647837 wrote:

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@ittybitnot wrote:

I wonder if it would sill apply as a viable alternative for at least the BUYER victims of the fake tracking scam. 

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We'll see, it's in progress today.

But the seller could have more tricks yet.

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And there it is, the seller @ma-647837 issued an undeliverable USPS Return Service label

-- which has the eBay permit  inside the return tracking number 9302 0205 85... 

Unfortunately, eBay considers attempted delivery, to be the same as delivered.

Proof of delivery for returned items
Returns should be sent with tracked shipping that can be independently validated.

We require all of the following to prove a successful return delivery:

• A delivery status of "delivered" or "attempted delivery" (or equivalent in the country to which the item was delivered);
• The date of delivery or attempted delivery;

Normally, if the buyer contacts eBay to point that out, eBay will force a full refund ahead of the 2 business days allowed for the seller to voluntarily refund. But this time, let's see what the eBay bot does on its own without any prodding.

[mmrooz18]

Hey all so good news. I sent the seller one last message to give them another opportunity to make it right before opening a case. About an hour later they just cancelled the transaction and I should be getting a refund soon. So happy this is settled and thanks for everyone's incredible support and input on these forums. You are all the best! 👌

[nenu-5410]

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@mmrooz18 wrote:

About an hour later they just cancelled the transaction and I should be getting a refund soon. So happy this is settled 

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Just as a sanitary check @mmrooz18 

look if your Order Details page shows any refund, pandering or otherwise?

[mmrooz18]

Hey not sure what you are asking? I got the notification from ebay it was cancelled by the seller and refund should be coming 3-4 business days. I dont have to return anything since there is nothing to return. There is already a pending refund listed from my bank. 

Bonus - the seller has now messaged me over 5 messages regarding the negative feedback I left. Odd how they couldn't message me about my concerns when the item was a no-show sent to a different address.

They told me (I to guess garner remorse?) that Ebay suspended their account due to suspicious activity, took down several of their listings including the one I bought (i have no clue how that worked), even sent me screenshots of ebay messaging them. So they basically self reported they were trying to sell me an item while on a suspended account if that possible? I dont know, they are still messaging me and just do not want to engage this person. should I be concern about this? 

[12345jamesstamps]

Sorry, but you are wrong. Notification stated where it got delivered with my name on it correctly but not apartment number. I found my package at the address. And I do live in a big city with lots of apartments and a handfull of 3 story houses. Living in a big city of about 1 million people I don't think the carrier would know me.

Carrier checked off a different address which I then got the notification.

[12345jamesstamps]

When you work for the government and write stuff you have to use correct numbers and spelling in the English language. Gotta wonder why so many packages seem to go missing. I never lost a package mailing it out writing the address on it.

[mmrooz18]

So this seller will not give. After a bunch of incoherent messages the past couple of days, one was offering me discounts on more electronics, today they sent a fake offer on my the one item I am selling to get my attention. Already declined. This is a first for me. Not engaging with this seller at all. Just reported them to ebay. 😅

[ittybitnot]

 I dont know, they are still messaging me and just do not want to engage this person. should I be concern about this? 

@mmrooz18 

There is no reason to message this person any longer.  

Did you get your money back yet?  

[ma-647837]

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@ma-647837 wrote:

---

@ma-647837 wrote:

---

@ittybitnot wrote:

I wonder if it would sill apply as a viable alternative for at least the BUYER victims of the fake tracking scam. 

---

We'll see, it's in progress today.

But the seller could have more tricks yet.

---

And there it is, the seller @ma-647837 issued an undeliverable USPS Return Service label

-- which has the eBay permit  inside the return tracking number 9302 0205 85... 

Unfortunately, eBay considers attempted delivery, to be the same as delivered.

Proof of delivery for returned items
Returns should be sent with tracked shipping that can be independently validated.

We require all of the following to prove a successful return delivery:

• A delivery status of "delivered" or "attempted delivery" (or equivalent in the country to which the item was delivered);
• The date of delivery or attempted delivery;

Normally, if the buyer contacts eBay to point that out, eBay will force a full refund ahead of the 2 business days allowed for the seller to voluntarily refund. But this time, let's see what the eBay bot does on its own without any prodding.

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And there it is again. Sans prodding, eBay did not react to the attempted delivery. Today, the return box with the missing parts or pieces was round-tripped delivered back to the buyer, the original sender. 

Then within minutes, eBay sent a message that the return had been delivered back to the seller's address. 

And now the seller has the usual 2 business days to voluntarily refund, or eBay may automatically step in, even if not prodded to step in, to issue the refund on behalf of the seller.

[ma-647837]

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@ma-647837 wrote:

---

@ma-647837 wrote:

---

@ma-647837 wrote:

---

@ittybitnot wrote:

I wonder if it would sill apply as a viable alternative for at least the BUYER victims of the fake tracking scam. 

---

We'll see, it's in progress today.

But the seller could have more tricks yet.

---

And there it is, the seller @ma-647837 issued an undeliverable USPS Return Service label

-- which has the eBay permit  inside the return tracking number 9302 0205 85... 

Unfortunately, eBay considers attempted delivery, to be the same as delivered.

Proof of delivery for returned items
Returns should be sent with tracked shipping that can be independently validated.

We require all of the following to prove a successful return delivery:

• A delivery status of "delivered" or "attempted delivery" (or equivalent in the country to which the item was delivered);
• The date of delivery or attempted delivery;

Normally, if the buyer contacts eBay to point that out, eBay will force a full refund ahead of the 2 business days allowed for the seller to voluntarily refund. But this time, let's see what the eBay bot does on its own without any prodding.

---

And there it is again. Sans prodding, eBay did not react to the attempted delivery. Today, the return box with the missing parts or pieces was round-tripped delivered back to the buyer, the original sender. 

Then within minutes, eBay sent a message that the return had been delivered back to the seller's address. 

And now the seller has the usual 2 business days to voluntarily refund, or eBay may automatically step in, even if not prodded to step in, to issue the refund on behalf of the seller.

---

The seller ignored the 2 business days to refund, after eBay considered the return delivered, but it had actually round-tripped back to the buyer. 

So a few minutes past the expiration of the 2 business days at midnight Pacific Time, eBay issued a full refund on behalf of the fake tracking scam seller.

The seller planned a fake return address. It would be quicker to contact eBay for a refund when the return delivery attempt failed, rather than await the round-trip back plus 2 business days until a bot refund.

[bjra2]

I met a same case recently.

eBay judged for seller 1st as Tracking says my Zip even if there are huge number of messages in the dispute.

I asked screenshot or pictures but seller only showed by text.

I appealed and eBay finally refunded. 

Upload tracking after delivery was now classic and new Scam is to alter address to have the same ZIP. USPS delivered to the address 1st. Seller packed a garbage of course and Tracking tells to the right zip.

eBay should ask USPS to get delivered address, not just Zip. Delivered to the buyer's zip can not say it is delivered now as scam increases.

[kh-stanley1]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.