I think I am getting scammed. Thoughts?

[thedishwitch]

I sold a pair of bowls to a brand new buyer.  I left positive feedback.  Today I receive a return stating one bowl arrived cracked.  The buyer sent photos of a cracked bowl.  The crack looks old, seems to have water damage, and a few dots/spots inside the bowl that mine did not have. 

I guess I have no recourse other than accept the return/refund and then block but wanted to check with others who know porcelain and see if I am just imagining that this is not a photo of my bowl and maybe it did crack and look like that when it arrived a couple days ago.

First photo is inside of my bowls.  Second photo is buyers photo sent with return request.

[simba6]

There is a lot of that these days on eBay.    Just have to add some to all your prices to cover such loss.  Just like B&M stores cover five finger discounts.

[stainlessenginecovers]

I don't see these bowls in your 'sold items' (Mikasa? but these look different).

Nothing you can do if buyer opened a 'not as described' or you 'take returns' which you do for 14 days but the Money Back Guarantee is 30 days. If under that time, nothing can be done, pictures are no proof of what you sent (or, like any 'glassware', damage can occur during shipping. 

Did buyer open an official return? If so, for what reason? When was sale? 

[thedishwitch]

No Mikasa, Tienshen.  I had 2 sets of 2 listed.  One set (this one) in better condition.  Two different buyers  purchased both sets on the same day.  The buyer who purchased the other set was very happy and left positive feedback and sent a message as well mentioning she wished she could find another set.  (wish she'd purchased the second set I had.) Here is the link to the set being returned:   https://www.ebay.com/itm/385399768655

Yes an official return as "one bowl arrived damaged."  I have already accepted return and sent label for return.

But I don't want to paint this buyer with the "scammer" brush and block her if the bowl was truly cracked.  But I swear I just can't reconcile my perfect bowls with the photo of the one the buyer sent.

[momdadsstash]

I totally agree with you that the crack is not new.

However, you "lose" anyway, what with the way the MBG is operated.

[ms.rodriguez*]

Definitely looks old.  You have no choice but to refund. You definitely don't want to lose money and get that garbage back. Refund and block the buyer.   I would definitely report the buyer to ebay just incase he/she has other similar cases.   Eventually, if every seller reports that buyer, he/she will lose their Money back protection.

[12345jamesstamps]

I love the fact you are making the buyer return it. Although you are paying for postage return...should be interesting what is returned. Making the buyer repack something and maybe have to buy tape and then having to mail it takes up some time. Not sure what exactly will be returned...I think buyer might have thought they would not have to return it and get the refund.

The dish looks cracked and re-glued with very cheap glue.

[natoman777]

So here is the deal... many act as if a buyer returns an item you have lost all rights.  The photo clearly shows this is NOT the bowl you sen them.  It is a very old crack.  IF they send it back, contact eBay and tell them what has happened.  If the first caller doesn't help you, request another callback until you get eBay to step in and help you.  They are abusing returns. They quite possibly will not return it, that would be the easiest resolution.  If they do, if it was me, I would not let them win on this.  eBay will help you

[pargran3 · Accepted solution]

Yes, you are probably getting scammed. Like the buyer that sent me photos of chips on the backs of plates the size of silver dollars that were scummy and darkened.

I know some will say just refund and move on. And providing a return label can pinch. BUT. Return for a full refund. 

Just refunding and moving on gives the scamming buyer the idea that is how you get everything on eBay free. At least make them go to some effort to get the refund.

Then report the buyer. Block.

[affordaweb-com]

yes. you are getting scammed and ebay helps facilitate scammers by allowing them to return any item that looks similar to what you actually sold them. Even when you report it to ebay, they will always side with buyer and just refund you seller fees, not your shipping, and not your actual item cost that the buyer kept. They do this because there is no way for them to tell who is actually telling the truth. 

[thedishwitch]

Thanks to everyone.  At least I'm not crazy.  I know that is not my bowl. 

If it was really my bowl and it was cracked, I would have cheerfully refunded, apologized to the buyer,  and not asked for a return.  If they do return, will likely just send their old cracked bowl, and keep both of my bowls.  Seems like a lot of crazy to me to scam someone for a bowl.  Not like its worth a lot. 

I am wondering if they are new to the scam biz and getting their feet wet with a lower cost item, this being their first purchase on the account they opened the same day they purchased the bowls.

And... Insult to injury, they get 30 days to return it.  Can't imagine they would go to all the trouble to send pics and then not actually ship.

After all said and done, I will report this buyer. 

Thanks again.

[thedishwitch]

Exactly!!!