HELP! Getting scammed by a buyer wanting to return an item as damaged when it is not

[jennf99]

I was recently contacted by a buyer who purchased a handbag and wallet from me. They originally stated that the purse, that was sold as used in great condition, was damaged. When I asked what they meant by "damaged", they stated that it had more wear and tear than listed and that they wanted a refund. I asked to see a photo of the damage and they agreed. Then they tell me the purse has a hole in it and send me a closely cropped dark photo of a purse with a hole in it. The purse in the photo is a similar color but totally different texture than the one they purchased, plus the placement of the zipper was wrong. So I asked for a photo that was more clear of the purse. Next thing they do is tell me that one of the grommets "fell off the purse". Keep in mind that is simply almost impossible to me. So I ask them to please send me a photo and when they do, I am SHOCKED to notice that the photo is one from my listing (that I took in my house) where they have photoshopped the purse to look like a grommet is missing. They cropped it slightly, but you can totally tell it is MY photo from the listing. This is obviously a scam. There is no way they will send me back a purse that they couldn't even take a photo of because obviously it is not really damaged. I am not sure what to do at this point. I have not yet responded to the return request, but only have a few days left before I have to do so. Please help! Thank you in advance for your advice.

[kensgiftshop]

Not much you can do right now but accept the return and provide a shipping label.

Then wait to see what is returned.

[jhtobias]

Hi,

Just friendly advice because scam buyers target people with no return policy 

As for this case, I would accept the return issue the return postage and wait for the item to come back . If you don't, eBay will close the case anyway refund the buyer let them keep the item and give you a strike against your seller's account .

Unfortunately on eBay and  every online selling platform this will happen, and 100 percent of the time they will side with the buyer regardless if they are telling the truth or not . 

In the future and I had to learn the hard way I would change your auctions to 30 day free returns this does 2 things 

1. It makes scammer think twice because they know you can deduct 50 percent of the item if it is not the same condition you sent it as, or is not even the same item they have sent back 

2. Scammers generally target people with a no return policy because they understand eBay will always side with the person opening up a Item not as described case against the seller 

Unfortunately no returns means nothing on this platform. 

Hope this helps 

[bonanza125]

Listen you need to accept the return. Accept it get the purse back and refund the buyer the money. Then just sell the purse to someone else if its not damaged. They probably are hiding the fact that the purse is not damaged but want to return for refund as not described in order for you to pay the shipping cost. Just tell get it over with and get the purse back. If you let the return sit Ebay will step in and you will receive a defect. You don't want a defect. As a business sometimes you have to write off the loss of the return and just resolve the issue with a return. Block the buyer after things are completed.

[simba6]

You don't want them to  " help " it get  damaged, so, accept the return as others stated.

[kalyoth]

If they open a return request officially - you will need to proceed from there. For now - cease communication with the buyer. Do not refund anything in advance. Make them work for it. Then, just hope you get beyond the 30 day point of delivery without a request being opened.