Buyer Scammed me

[cosetta]

I have been an eBay member for 25 years.  I recently sold a 10k Disney ring and gave the buyer a good price.  I packaged the ring well and included a sterling silver necklace (free gift for all buyers).  The buyer received the package 2 days ago and messaged me, asking where the ring was.  I told them it was in the package.  I asked if that package was damaged, they said they didn't notice.  I called her Post Office and they said there was no damage.  The lady insisted that the Post Office must have lost the ring.  Post Office took a picture right before putting it on the truck for delivery and no damage and it was bulky, as if 2 boxes were in it.  Buyer stated only the necklace was in the package.  She sent a picture via eBay and her package looked much flatter.  I knew something was wrong.  I called CS and even though they believed me (I carefully packaged it), they stated that I had to accept the return, as the buyer stated she didn't receive the ring.  What now?

[asset_liquidators]

You never should have included the "free gift". This is a clear case of "no good deed goes unpunished". The scammer saw a golden opportunity and jumped at it. You will have to accept the return and send them a return shipping label or ebay will refund them and let them keep the free gift also.

Your options are few at this point but if it was enough value I would take them to small claims court. Sorry you are having to deal with a scammer.

[sapphire_studio]

I have heard that some people can successfully scare buyers into closing cases when they are trying to pull something by talking about bringing in the authorities without actually blaming the buyer directly.

Basically you say something along the lines of:

"I've been doing my research and because of the cost of this item I definitely need to bring the authorities into this. 

 You say the package arrived with only the necklace and I know I sent it with the ring as well, and so that means somebody from USPS must have tampered with the package which is a serious felony because of the cost of this item.

 Luckily USPS measures the weight of the package throughout the whole journey so the police working with the postmaster general will be able to figure out exactly when the ring was taken out.

 The police will need to talk to you I'm sure regarding your side of the story.  What is the best phone number they can reach you at?

Thanks for your help getting to the bottom of this crime."

[cosetta]

Thank you!  Hard lesson learned here.  The Post Office Manager sent me an email stating that the package that I mailed was heavier and Bulkier then the picture of the package afterwards (that the buyer messaged me).  He said he would be willing to speak with eBay, as he felt that I was being scammed.

[mtgraves7984]

What now?

@cosetta 

Please tell me that it was your '10K Rose Gold Plated Round Cut Moissanite Disney Enchanted Belle Inspired Ring', or another ring that you offer Free Returns on. Because if so... you'll be able to deduct 50% of the (impending) full refund if the buyer returns to you anything that is de-valued from the item you listed and shipped. I know it doesn't make you whole, but it lessens the sting a bit. So, please, please tell me it was a listing you offer Free Returns on...

[cosetta]

I offer free returns in all items.  Unfortunately, it was a 10k solid gold diamond Disney Enchanted Belle Ring from Zales.  She stated that it wasn't in the package, just the free gift.  I personally put the Zales box (in bubble wrap) first.  Basically, she is stealing the ring.

[1786davycrockett]

"Your options are few at this point but if it was enough value I would take them to small claims court. Sorry you are having to deal with a scammer."

If 10k equals $10,000.00, that's more than small claims court -- that's felony mail fraud.

The OP should open a mail fraud case with the post office that made the delivery; then contact the local police department in the town of delivery, and file a case for theft, with the cooperation of the local post office.

When the law starts breathing down the buyer's neck, that 10K ring may suddenly reappear.

[cosetta]

Unfortunately, the usps does not weigh the package through the journey.  That was the first thing that I called and asked them.  Also, this person, has no doubt scammed many people and on other platforms as well.  Her wording and defensive (to get me to back off), made this vert clear.

[cosetta]

Thank you, but what proof do I have?  It's he said she said.

[sapphire_studio]

If she doesn't back down after saying you're going to bring in the authorities then you really should bring them in.

 A USPS employee stole 90oz of silver out of a package when I was the buyer.  The police officer told me because USPS had proof that the package dropped weight in the middle of it's journey to me that the postmaster got involved. Ebay refunded me and I made sure the seller had all the information regarding the police case so that they could fight to get their money back from usps.

 You should definitely file a case with usps and call your local police if a message similar to the one I sent above doesn't scare her into giving up on this.

[sapphire_studio]

I think they told me the same thing that they didn't weigh the package on the journey but later when I actually did get a police case opened the officer told me they did have the data about the weight.  Maybe they don't have access to that data with whoever you were talking to but the postmaster can get that data once the police are involved.

 You don't need to figure out how they're going prove if it was USPS or her.  You just should report the crime and let them investigate. 

 I do think it's worth seeing if she will back down without you having to go through the hassle by letting her know that you are going to involve them.  Then call your local sheriff's office  And tell them everything that happened.  Ask them if they recommend opening up a USPS Claim or to wait until they do their investigation.

[1786davycrockett]

@cosetta 

"The Post Office Manager sent me an email stating that the package that I mailed was heavier and Bulkier then the picture of the package afterwards (that the buyer messaged me).  He said he would be willing to speak with eBay, as he felt that I was being scammed."

It's no longer "he said she said."  Your USPS manager is proof against the buyer -- maybe not in eBay-Land, but in the leal "law and order" world.

[1786davycrockett]

"leal" = real

[cosetta]

Thank you!!  Good point!!

[cosetta]

I opened a case, but because the package wasn't tampered with, they closed it.  Also, usps doesn't offer insurance on first class deliveries.  The buyer did not want insurance.