New buyers scam

[shaithus]

So I just got screwed by a buyer and EBAY.... situation.... buyer buys a coat for 150.00... waits 4 weeks, requests a return, stating the coat is defective. Ebay forces me to accept the return without proof from the buyer.  Ebay provides a label with tracking number. Buyer waits a week to ship item. Returned items label has been altered by the buyer. The label is addressed to a business close to my home, not to me, the senders name is not the same as the person that bought the item. the buyers address is in New Jersey, the return label indicates its from Florida. Ebay refunds the buyer, they buyer keeps the item and gets the 150.00. Ebay wont accept my photos of the altered label, they wont acknowledge what Im telling them. They say the tracking number indicates it was delivered, thats all the proof they need. The tracking indicates it was dropped off to a receptionist at the business...  BEWARE SELLERS... THIS SCAM IS PROFITABLE AND EBAY WONT HELP YOU!!!!A

[lamber9347]

This platform offers a MBG to all buyers. Your own no returns policy is superseded by eBay’s return policy in the TOS. Unless this is a buyer’s remorse type of return you will have to refund. Once the buyer selects INAD you will have to pay for the return shipping or eBay will deduct it from your account, regardless of what you stated in your own listing. Buyer is not required to show proof that coat was defective. I'm sorry but these are the policies for selling on this platform, it is skewered towards the buyer every time. Best of luck to you....

[pjcdn2005]

The op did accept the return so Im sure that they were already aware that they had to accept it. Their complaint wasn’t about having yo accept a return but that  that the return was sent to a different address, not the one that the buyer was supposed to return the item to.  

[whattheactualfox]

Im going to state the obvious question here. Did you inspect the items to make sure that you got your items back? If I was you and that happened, I would worry more about my merchandise then a return address. Perhaps it was intended as a gift for someone and was reshipped? 

[pjcdn2005]

This isn’t the first time that I’ve read recently about a buyer with a NJ or Delaware address sending the return to the wrong address but with the same zip code as the return address or,  sending back something totally different.  I am just guessing, but it does seem that some of those addresses are freight forwarders and that as soon as the item shows delivered to the freight forwarder the buyer files a NAD claim, someone else in the US returns ‘something’ and the actual item is forwarded to the buyer in their country.  

In situations when a purchase or return is addressed  to the wrong address but with the right zip code I’ve read that if the carrier will send a letter saying that the tracking number was addressed to a different address that it may be easier to win an appeal with eBay. I don’t know how well that works first hand but perhaps someone else can confirm if it does.

[downunder-61]

From this in the OP I would say the item has not been received by the seller because the address returned to was not the address stipulated on the eBay label

Ebay refunds the buyer, they buyer keeps the item and gets the 150.00

[soh.maryl]

Since, from the OP's message, it seems that the address on the return label was altered by the buyer, presumably the OP did NOT receive the returned item.

He is worried more about his merchandise because (please note) he did not receive it back.  

[martin2001]

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@lamber9347 wrote:

This platform offers a MBG to all buyers. Your own no returns policy is superseded by eBay’s return policy in the TOS. Unless this is a buyer’s remorse type of return you will have to refund. Once the buyer selects INAD you will have to pay for the return shipping or eBay will deduct it from your account, regardless of what you stated in your own listing. Buyer is not required to show proof that coat was defective. I'm sorry but these are the policies for selling on this platform, it is skewered towards the buyer every time. Best of luck to you....

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Jees, what is the purpose of your 'answer' where you don't even try to address the concern expressed by the seller?

[martin2001]

First, I would try to get the coat from the business, you say is not far from you. If they don't have it or are unwilling to cooperate then follow the steps below (don;t forget get the name of the person you spoke to and record the date and time of the contact):

1. Contact the buyer and state that you did not receive the item back and also indicate your findings about a different and changed address. Also indicate that you tried to get the coat from the address they sent it to, but was not able to get it. This will prevent other entities during the process to suggest that you simply go and pick up the coat from that business. Asked them to return the money or make steps that the coat is delivered to you. Give them a few days to respond.

If they don't complete the  steps below and then let the buyer know that you have filed fraud, theft and internet crime reports, so the Post Office, FBI and police will be reaching out to them. I would give the buyer the case numbers so they know you actually filed.

2. File a police report for theft either online with your or buyer's local police station or by calling your/buyer's local police. eBay accepts police report as evidence.

3. File a mail fraud report with USPS.

4. File an internet crime complaint - https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

5. Once you have copies of filed complaints and reports with associated numbers, contact eBay via phone or social media (facebook or twitter).

https://Facebook.com/ebay
https://Twitter.com/askebay
http://www.ebay.com/ios
http://www.ebay.com/android

This will take time and effort but it's the only way if you want your coat/money back.

[shaithus]

I couldnt inspect because the package label was altered to go to a business close by.  The buyer altered the label.  Placed the label on an empty box. The postman delivered the package to the business..  im out the item and 150.00.. and ebay wont help me..