Return Policy abuse

[duffs_toys]

Last week I sold a McFarlane Dc Multiverse Batman Future State Batman figure to a customer in Chicago.  I packaged the item safely, and shipped the next morning.  The figure arrived to the seller quickly and they opened a return stating that the item was damaged upon receipt.  The pictures sent by the buyer did not match the item, as the symbol on the chest has been covered in glue and the belt ripped off.  The figure shows clear evidence of use and possible customization.  

I inspected the item and contacted ebay customer support and was told that an affidavit would be sent over and and a five day hold would be placed on the account for review.  An hour later the affidavit has not been received and the case is escalated by the buyer and closed by ebay giving the scam artist a full refund. 

I once again contact customer service and am told that they are "sorry" for the situation and assure me that they will come to the right outcome.  Once again the affidavit is promised and never sent.  I file an appeal with pictures showing the differences between the item sent and the item received.  Three hours later the case is closed and they have decided to keep the decision. 

I contact ebay AGAIN, and once again I am told that the case will be reviewed and a hold will be placed on the funds.  3 hours later I get the same canned email response from customer service about my right to get a 50% refund for the damaged goods, and that I should block the buyer (something I did immediately receiving the item back).  Once again i am assured that the item will be handled correctly.

After 22 years of dealing with ebay of following the rules and doing the right thing, I am over it.  Ebay bends over backwards for scam artists and the sellers on left on the hook for the costs.  It has been known that ebay does care about its sellers, and proves this every day.  At this point I doubt very much that this will get resolved correctly and and have lost all faith in ebay.  I will be closing my account when my store subscription comes up for renewal and will be slimming back inventory in the mean time. 

Ebay needs to grow a conscience.   I know that this will amount to nothing, but appreciate the venue to vent with people who have similar experiences.  Thank you.

[shado-x]

All that for one (1) McFarlane Dc Multiverse Batman Future State Batman figure after 22 years on eBay?  Just refund the buyer from the start, block him, report him (using the reporting tool), take it as a tax write off on your gross sales income, and move on.  The other 99% of sales will compensate the loss.  Why go through all that for aggravation when that energy could be used to sell ten (10) other McFarlane toys?

[titipeo]

In your 22 years as a eBay member, did you at least read up and became familiarized with eBay's Money Back Guarantee?

I presume no based on your situation. Bottom line, buyers can submit a claim within 30 days of item receipt. Seller should accept return for a refund, refund without return, reject claim at which point eBay will let buyer keep item and refund them. 

Since the buyer submitted a case, you had to respond to it ASAP as I mentioned above. The affidavit will never come up, as most customer service reps read from a script and tell you what you want to hear. The buyer most likely replaced the item with his. 

[wrong66]

Good old Customer Service to the rescue....Again. Pitiful.

[bonjourami]

When you ignored the case, and the buyer was refunded,you received a major defect, and any hope of winning an appeal was gone.

[ma-647837]

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@bonjourami wrote:

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@duffs_toys wrote:

The figure arrived to the seller quickly and they opened a return stating that the item was damaged upon receipt.  

I get the same canned email response from customer service about my right to get a 50% refund for the damaged goods, and that I should block the buyer (something I did immediately receiving the item back). 

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When you ignored the case, and the buyer was refunded,you received a major defect, and any hope of winning an appeal was gone.

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Wondering how you ignored the case ... when you went with the return and receiving the item back?

[jahood1984]

It's confusing rather you got a different item or not but the first mistake started with contacting eBay.  The script readers will feed you what you want to hear knowing it's not true!  You should accepted the case, bought a label and when they send back the switched out item then you can file police reports and mail fraud cases (if it's worth your time).    Then you appeal with the cases of you could of simply refunded half allowing the scammer a replacement item for half priced.  Honestly with police reports the buyer probably still gets a refund you'd get a courtesy refund, I'm not sure this was a high priced item or not but there can be easy and good money in having no morals on eBay, sadly.  

[rudy2828]

Is this the $17.95 item with free shipping? If so, let it go. Life is too short.

[bonjourami]

"Wondering how you ignored the case ... when you went with the return and receiving the item back?"

Sounded to me like the seller was referring only to the picture the buyer sent of the item received..not to the actual item being returned. And he wanted to refund only fifty percent to the buyer based on the photo alone.Thats what his appeal was based on, then contacting Ebay about it.Which was, of course, the kiss of death. He should have provided a return label, and refund after return, then he could have appealed the case.

[monster-deals]

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@duffs_toys wrote:

an affidavit would be sent over

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What does that mean?

I've been doing ebay since 1997 and have never heard of an affidavit being sent over or anything like that.

Did you get overseas call center flow chart get you off the phone as quick as possible help?