Hi, recently I started to sell digital game codes on eBay. I knew what I was getting into and I understood that these type of sales can generate all different sorts of problems. However, it was a more convenient way of selling; such as not having to pack and ship physically which is why I wanted to try it out. For these sales I would just send a message through eBay with the code to the buyer. Around my first several weeks I had no issues. I made dozens of transactions and all of them went smoothly. The buyers were satisfied and I even gained some positive ratings along the way. However, one day 2 freshly made accounts were created and they would eventually be my doom. These 2 accounts were most likely created by the same person trying to snag a couple codes. Both accounts purchase the same product on my store. I usually deliver my codes as fast as possible usually within 1 business day. After I sent my codes one of the accounts filed a payment dispute claiming he "did not recognize the transaction". Of course I clicked respond to dispute immediately only being met by one option, providing a tracking number. As I said previously I send these messages through eBay, therefore I had no tracking number to provide.
I was shocked to see that was the only option. There was no way for me to prove my case or my innocence in this matter. There was some directions next to the dispute saying along the lines of "you don't have to respond if you believe there is nothing wrong". So at the end I did not respond, not that I could even if I wanted to as providing the tracking number was the only way of responding. There was not even a box where I could add some comments. After the dispute was closed of course eBay sided with the fresh 0 feedback buyer. Now I must refund $34.99 to the buyer and another $20.00 to eBay for processing the dispute LOL. Not to mention the buyer also took my code. That might not seem a lot but as a seller you will understand how much that cuts into your profits. I might have to conduct at least 5 to 6 sales to recover that amount lost.
I was out of options so I went to eBay for help. In there help section there was no option for me to appeal the decision of this case. I had to chat with a representative and after a hour long chat they could not appeal the decision because I had no tracking number therefore, no proof of delivery.
I just wanted everyone in the community to hear my story and be cautious if you are doing business in these fields. They are kind of high risk - high reward type of sales. Without tracking eBay always sides with buyer which can often be very annoying. Thank you everyone for reading and good luck on your selling journey.
