ANYONE with this same type of issue for Selling ?

[boxlotsunlimited]

I have been a long time seller ( years ) I have watched Ebay change their rules over the years . Some for the better , Some for the ? . I have always maintained 100% feedback yet my funds have recently been upheld for 21 days due to

( Maybe someone can shed light to this issue )

Ok , here goes 

I sold an item to a buyer , this person paid for the item , emailed me back saying it was damaged and not useable. I asked for photos , they sent photos of the item nearly 10 feet away still in the box as I could only see part of the item. it was a microscope I sold to them . I asked for closer photos to see the damage. he did everything but answer my request for the close up photos. He opened a case , Ebay sided with me at first, then the buyer did a Charge back on his credit card , I was unaware what this meant at first then educated quickly . he then told his credit card company that he refuses top pay for an item that is broken and still had not proved his case to ebay or me . now the charge back takes up to 60 days for the the buyers credit card company to decide in whos favor it will be. ok so now more than 2 weeks had past with no resolve. then to hear from ebay " we will let you know what the outcome is when his credit card company decides . I was not a Happy person , but I had no choice but to go along with this. Keep in mind I paid for that Item I listed at $75 , and sold it to him for $117 plus shipping .  60 days pass , I recieve a email from  Ebay , told me The Buyers credit card company sided with him and this case is now close and can not be reopened , It Gets better. I asked for the item back , Ebay said their is nothing they can do and I would have to go to his town in Georgia to file a complaint , I LIVE IN JERSEY !!!  He Not only kept my Item , And My money I spent for that item , and he got me for the shipping cost as well with insurance he requested and paid for on his credit card . Ebay put a strike on my account for un resloved case !!! Are you F** Kidding me ?  I pay High Ebay fees for WHAT REASON ???  regardless . I do some research , look up the buyer and his feedback , I find well over 15 other sellers screaming about Charge backs from this seller and contact ebay to show them this and their response is we will look into this . This seller is still on here today 9/18/2018 selling item  as I asked ebay how does this happen ? I reached out to one of his ( The Buyers who scammed me ) sellers and they gave me this buyers other accounts in which he sells Microscope Parts . mmmm  well is this a FLUKE ??? should Ebay be accountable as I used their service to be Scammed .

My thoughts on this matter :

Ebay , this sight was once a very well oiled machine . Now I wont bring myself down to your level to say what I would like to say about your services .

Maybe a class action suite would be a good beginning . 

Your Input Please ?

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

Your funds should only be held to a maximum of three days after confirmed delivery. Are you posting the tracking number to your Ebay account or shipping through Ebay?

[m60driver]

In this day and age of snowflakes and instant gratification you are always better off to always accept a return.  It use to be that any chargeback allowed for both sides to provide a written account to Merchant Services, the old consortium that oversees the VISA and Mastercard network. But with a third party (Ebay) in the middle you don't really have a chance.

[annasunicorns]

I have run into a buyer unreasonably demanding a return, but, I just accept the return. Nicely, since malicious buyers can do exactly what this one did.

This guy sounds like a scammer, on top, with a record. Report him to ebay using the report buyer form, and be thankful you can add hkm and his aliases to your block list.

[iamonourside]

I am very sorry that happened to you.  To answer your question directly, yes it has happened to me. And in much the same way - except for the charge back part.  And many others, even if not to the replies you've gotten so far. 

What is left for you to do is NOT likely to bring any remedy, but you can decide if it is worth your time:

1. USPS insurance: Did you actually file a claim?  The buyer did NOT pay for the insurance because you refunded his payment.  I would file ASAP, maybe beat the buyer to the punch, then file an appeal if necessary.

2. File a police report in your jurisdiction and in his.

3. File a claim of mail fraud with the postal inspector.

4. Usually I advise and live by "live better and let lie", protect your good name and good will, but if the case calls for it... Shame the thief on facebook or other social media, anywhere but ebay. (get his/her email from your paypal transaction, google him/her.... ) My thief was actually running for Congress! 

And then, see if you can live with this happening on everything you sell.  Because that is the way it is.  Budget for a loss in shipping and always respond to return request with, "Return the item for a refund."

PS Even for visible damage, USPS insurance does not cover the cost of shipping.  So heavy things, like a microscope, better to give "free" shipping, include shipping cost in price and get adequate insurance.

As for a class action suit, I'd call that "jousting with windmills."

Good luck.