Am I just paranoid... or are people out to get me?

[antarit]

I cringe when I get the email saying something's sold when the buyer rating is zero.  Call me paranoid...

But in this case, am I wrong?

I sent a sealed Echo Dot. I bought it at Staples hours earlier, still in the sealed box, still in the plastic bag that they come in.

I got a vague Am I supposed to get a cord for the echo dot nothing came with it just the dot itself

The outside of the box lists the contents (dot, power supply, power cord, instructions).  The ad said and I sent a sealed unit. They don't mention the box was open.  Yeah, maybe amazon left out the power supply, cord and instructions on the same one that went to a zero rated user. I know people have to start at zero on ebay, but.....

How does this typically play out / what advice can you offer? Smile and pay for them to ship back the open box, dot and nothing else and refund them? Do I have to send them another dot? Or the refund (I really don't want to deal more with them if I can avoid it).

Is there any process that ebay uses to track people that open new accounts and leverage getting free stuff? with the smile and take it back approach, ebay doesn't even know about a potential problem.

Yes, this can be totally on the up and up, and either maybe I'll get an 'oh, I found it' message. or 3 of the 4 things were left out at the factory....

[antarit]

and if it matters, ebay says it was delivered on 6/24 and I got the email 7/3.... they didn't get to open it yet, I guess...

or they needed the power cord / adapter for their phone?

[antarit]

Sorry, 1 other thing.... I'm envisioning taking this back to staples and saying things weren't in the box.

More than likely they would say they can't take it back if it's missing something / take it up with Amazon, the manufacturer. 

Is that an option to tell a buyer on a sealed box item? You have to look to the manufacturer if there's missing parts in a sealed box?

thanks!

[notactive2021]

I would only worry if it is expensive or electronics. I'm not sure what that item is, but sounds like electronics. I don't get issues from zero I normally see buyers with 20-30 fb give the problems

[antarit]

It's a $55 piece of electronics that Amazon makes / sells... their Echo Dot. Lets you talk to it to play music, order things on amazon, etc.

Interesting - you have problems with higher rated buyers? Legit issues? Any examples you can mention off the top of your head?

[fashunu4eeuh]

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antarit wrote: 

Is that an option to tell a buyer on a sealed box item? You have to look to the manufacturer if there's missing parts in a sealed box?

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Hi, I am afraid that is not on option. On ebay, the buck stops at the seller. Ultimately you are the one who has to make it right. (However, I would take an item back to the retail store if a component was missing.)

As for 0 feedback buyers, I have not had any problems with them. My advice is to treat them like any other buyer and then if an issue arises, come back to the boards for direction. I have had new buyers register on ebay just to buy my items, so i never worry about a sale on the front end. 

[fashunu4eeuh]

Sorry, part of my message didn't post.

As for what to do about your current buyer, there are a couple of things you could do. One is return for refund with you paying the return shipping. Or if you can find the missing component separately, buy one and ship it to them and let them know it's coming. When I have a new in the box item, i usually open it to inspect the contents. That's not always desireable in a factory-sealed item, but it's what works for me.

[tonquar-0]

Thanks. I'm new member, and I am also want to buy something from ebay, so sellers like you are very helpful, rather than sellers who never trust new buyers.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi, @tonquar-0, welcome!

[retrose1]

OP, if you are going to sell trending high risk electronics on an id with less than a few hyndred recent selling feedback, the buyers aren;t out to get you....-.... they are out to get your items for free.

[tamaralea]

No advice here.  Just wanted to say I'm sorry this happened to you.  With over 200 fedbacks, I don't think you are at particular risk for scammers, but maybe that type of item attracts a few more than usual.

I had a zero feedback buyer last week and am worried because her email address is ploy.xxx@gmaildotcom.

[aramintaca]

Have they opened a case? If not reply to them that everything was in the box. You weighed it for shipping and you know this. Ask if there was any tampering to the package. If things are missing, you will have to file an online mail tampering report.
Sometimes this will make a scammer go away. If they haven't opened a case yet you still have hope. Sorry this happened to you and I wish you the best of luck.

[*eponymous*]

Fifty bucks is hardly high risk and add some hundreds to the few hundred feedbacks OP has since such a low % of buyers even leave feedback.

OP is not a new seller and the item is not a phone.

OP,  Just because you might be paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you... 😃

[pingpong517]

to answer...YES, you are and NO you aren't, but the ones out to get you, usually don't give their names...but they are there.... 

sleep well...