Buyer Return SCAM or No SCAM?
First time I’ve seen this type of fraudulent return and not sure if this is a new variant by a fraudulent seller. Sharing with the community my experience.
Buyer (New with no feedback) purchased a mantle clock from me ($160). After delivery, buyer, filed a return request stating found better price. Ebay issued a return label. I offered to negotiate a partial refund instead of return, which received no response. Three days later tracking showed shipped for return.
I monitored the return tracking with the last 2 posts being US Postal Service has package out for delivery on March 4th and then again on March 5th. Never received the package, nor did USPS declare delivery.
On March 6th, I went to the post office to resolve issue. I told them the missing package was in a box at least 18”x 10” x 6” and approximately 4.5 lbs. They were unable to locate the box but found an undeliverable envelope that matched the bar code scan.
The envelope did not have my address and said, “Parcel Return Service, Smartpost / Returns”. The tracking number under the bar code was different than the tracking number provided on return. The US Postal Rep demonstrated for me that the envelope bar code scanned the correct tracking number, even though the printed number below bar code was wrong. It was undeliverable as it didn’t have my name and address on it and they could not release it to me due to that. I took photos of the label and envelope for documentation.
I gave eBay the details and images to show what was sent and that it was likely an altered label, not the package expected, and undeliverable. Ebay ended up closing the case in favor of refund to Buyer, but did not deduct refund from my account. Ebay picked up the cost of refund. Ebay customer service was unable to elaborate as to how the decision was made. I was thinking if I just ignored the situation as not delivered to me, if they would have refunded buyer from my account.
Wanted to share my experience as this just seemed very unusual and not sure if it was a Scam or a screw up from eBay on return shipping label.
