A buyer returned the wrong item and got a refund, we got nothing, eBay protects sellers in no way

[baronjewelry59]

On October 25th, 2019, I was contacted by eBay customer regarding the item Natural Colombian Cushion Shape Emerald 5.91 Carat 10.88 x 12.45 mm, listed for 900 USD. On December 28th he wrote once again and after long negotiations we agreed on the price 500 USD. The item was shipped on January 7th, 2020.

On January 10th the buyer received the stone and on January 17th he sent it back opening a refund request case. On January 23rd I received back the item which was completely different from the one I’ve sent to the buyer but as system indicated that I received the shipment our eBay balance turned from 531 USD (including tax) to zero plus they charged us 500 USD through PayPal. Considering the fact that previously the buyer wrote that he would agree to keep the stone if I send him 200 USD back I consider it a fraud, because he kept both the stone for 900 USD and got the refund of 500 USD. After long negotiations eBay managed to understand that we are supposed to be refunded with 500 USD charged through PayPal but nobody compensated 500 USD we were supposed to receive for the stone, so the buyer just got an emerald for free (plus 500 USD refund; guess he has a scheme of fraud there with eBay's help) and we were charged twice and I guess lucky to get money back at least once. Additionally eBay still considers this a "successful sale" which is ridiculous beyond understanding and charged us 50 USD for that. And what I like the most - I can't leave any negative feedback on the buyer! I can only address police (which I of course did, they work on the case). 

As a bottom line - sellers, eBay seems to not care about you in any way, save yourself from this only-buyer-oriented platform as soon as possible. We ourselves remove all our listings from here and have no intention to stay. 

[papermoneyforme]

@baronjewelry59 wrote:

On October 25th, 2019, I was contacted by eBay customer regarding the item Natural Colombian Cushion Shape Emerald 5.91 Carat 10.88 x 12.45 mm, listed for 900 USD. On December 28th he wrote once again and after long negotiations we agreed on the price 500 USD. The item was shipped on January 7th, 2020.

On January 10th the buyer received the stone and on January 17th he sent it back opening a refund request case. On January 23rd I received back the item which was completely different from the one I’ve sent to the buyer but as system indicated that I received the shipment our eBay balance turned from 531 USD (including tax) to zero plus they charged us 500 USD through PayPal. Considering the fact that previously the buyer wrote that he would agree to keep the stone if I send him 200 USD back I consider it a fraud, because he kept both the stone for 900 USD and got the refund of 500 USD. After long negotiations eBay managed to understand that we are supposed to be refunded with 500 USD charged through PayPal but nobody compensated 500 USD we were supposed to receive for the stone, so the buyer just got an emerald for free (plus 500 USD refund; guess he has a scheme of fraud there with eBay's help) and we were charged twice and I guess lucky to get money back at least once. Additionally eBay still considers this a "successful sale" which is ridiculous beyond understanding and charged us 50 USD for that. And what I like the most - I can't leave any negative feedback on the buyer! I can only address police (which I of course did, they work on the case). 

As a bottom line - sellers, eBay seems to not care about you in any way, save yourself from this only-buyer-oriented platform as soon as possible. We ourselves remove all our listings from here and have no intention to stay. 

Sorry this happened to you but it becoming far too common on Ebay who is absolutely blind to it and fully supports it in their policies.

[fashunu4eeuh]

I am very sorry you were defrauded. 

As a new seller with very expensive items, you were a prime target. When I advise folks who are interested in doing eBay, i never recommend they start off an eBay selling career with high dollar goods because of the high risk. You were fortunate they didn't try to scam you out of the $2500 earrings. 

As well as contacting the police, i also suggest contacting the US Postal Inspectors. These thieves who robbed you used the mail system in the commission of a crime. The authorities take that very seriously. You can also attempt taking them to small claims court.

Good luck to you in your pursuit of justice—if you alert the scammer of your intentions to pursue this legally, they might return the gem rather than risk it.

[picknparley]

I agree that this needs to be turned over to USPS Mail Fraud.

Informing your buyer that this is your intention just may get things moving in your direction again. I'm hoping that ebay will take very seriously, any seller who is serious enough to pursue the problem using a Federal investigative entity. USPS has their own 'muscle' who go out uncovering these scammers.  It's assumed that ebay will cooperate with any investigations, but that could be quite time consuming considering the number of cases. 

I hope you get this resolved in your favor.  

I also hope the final result is the scammer is in jail. 

[baronjewelry59]

That's why we removed all listings and have no intention to sell anything here. The buyer is here since 2007! And you can't leave negative feedback, I wonder how many people lost their money this way.

[baronjewelry59]

We definitely take that wherever we can just because it is extremely unfair, you know? You try to do fair business and do everything honestly and then some guy just uses eBay to get double profit and eBay stays on his side, while you're left with nothing. Extremely disappointing not to say more.
And 50 USD for SUCCESSFUL SALE? I don't want to know how UNsuccessful sale would look like if the consider this one a success.

[baronjewelry59]

They removed my reply to you probably because I used a BAD word expressing my feelings - which I guess is pretty understandable. Really wish they responded to everything in such a client-oriented way.
The idea of the reply was that the buyer is here since 2007 and you don't expect such stuff from someone who used this platform for 12 years. But it's never too late to begin stealing I guess...

[emerald_door]

I'm really sorry this happened to you and I hope you can get it resolved in your favor.  

[baronjewelry59]

Thank you, really hope so too. Though if it does, definitely not thanks to ebay

[buzzapparel]

You have their personal info, use it to your advantage. 

[fashunu4eeuh]

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@baronjewelry59 wrote:
They removed my reply to you probably because I used a BAD word expressing my feelings - which I guess is pretty understandable. Really wish they responded to everything in such a client-oriented way.
The idea of the reply was that the buyer is here since 2007 and you don't expect such stuff from someone who used this platform for 12 years. But it's never too late to begin stealing I guess...

---

I’m wondering if the buyer’s account was high-jacked by a hacker? Except i wouldn't expect a hacker to negotiate the price. 

[hassle-free]

The same thing happened to me last week, a woman bought a ring for $200 then returned an empty case. Ebay sided with her and automatically refunded her, plus shipping costs. Is there no way to fight this? If I leave her bad feedback she will leave me bad feedback. It's soooo frustrating! The woman did have perfect feedback. Did she just decide to start a life of crime??

[emerald_door]

Every buyer has perfect feedback.  It tells you nothing. 

[ittybitnot]

 Is there no way to fight this?

eBay will not help you.  You will have to report the user to outside authorities.  I would start with the USPS, and their local law enforcement agencies. 

[somethingroyal]

Open a criminal fraud case.  As a buyer I've had to do so when sellers send knock offs, completely different times, or send to wrong address and claim it was delivered.  Ebay allows sellers to cancel purchases as long as they eventually refund the $$.  They sit on the funds, collecting the interest on deposit while we buyers are out of $$ and item, missing out on other similar items.

So don't feel like buyers are protected any more than sellers.