Buyer Fraud. Buyer switch and returned their defective item that isn't mine

[sai83her]

I need help and advise because right now my blood is boiling. I sold a item and yes the buyer is a drop shipper. How do I know this, because the buyer left a request not to leave any invoices, bill or any evidence of ebay into the package. 

So I sold and sent the item (motherboard) and as soon as it was was shown delivered, the buyer open a return request that it was defective. I always test my item ( computer parts ) before I ship it out. But I had no choice but to accept the return as ebay policy of SNAD overrides everything. You either accept the return or give them a refund. So I chose to accept the return and see what was going on.

Today, the package came back. To my disappointment, The buyer took all the accessories and return a old dusty board that isn't even mine. The serial numbers are different. The Security tags I put on all my items are not even there. The buyer return a similar item that isn't even mines. So in conclusion they pull the switch. Now what can I do? I don't have the option to deduct a percentage or anything. This is so wrong because I'm out of money, they have my item and I got their junk. Any helpful advise would be welcomed.

[ittybitnot]

Now what can I do?

@sai83her 

Sorry this happened to you.  What you have here is called a "faulty return".  There is no eBay seller protection for faulty returns.  eBay expects you to refund the buyer anyway.  They call it part of doing business.  

You can refund the buyer, and report the buyer and eBay may kick back to you a portion of the return shipping cost.  They will do nothing to help you recover your item or the money you received from the sale. 

Your only chance would be to report the buyer to outside law enforcement agencies.  That will not be worth a thing if your buyer resides outside the country and used a freight forwarder.   These may include your local law enforcement agency (they forward the info to the buyer's local agency), the law enforcement in the buyer's jurisdiction, the US Postal Inspectors, the federal icc.gov internet fraud, etc. etc. 

When you get case numbers, you can appeal with eBay.  They probably won't do anything, but it is worth a try.  On occasion, they will give you a "one time courtesy refund".  Once, when in your position, I forwarded the case numbers to the buyer (so he could be kept informed about the progress of the cases filed against him).  I got an overnight CASH in the mail from that buyer as a result.   

Scammers of this sort KNOW eBay will do nothing.  The eBay policies make it easy to steal, and the seller pays for it.  

[inhawaii]

Sorry but I don't think there is much you can do.

Ebay will not take sides or look at evidence.

It's a he said/she said situation.

In which case they always find in favor of the buyer.

Being scammed once in a while is all part of doing business online.

Let's hope it doesn't happen too often.

P.S.   You can report the buyer, but you'll never know what actions ebay will take (if any).

[sapphire_studio]

Normally I would say you were out of luck but because they were drop shipping maybe it's worth trying to call eBay to see if there is anything they can do to help you. I know they really don't like drop shippers. 

So sorry this happened to you.  Someone returned a junk drawer lot to me without the most valuable part of it (the pokemon cards) and I recorded opening the box. Ebay says it doesn't matter the seller has to eat the cost of scammers scamming. But I just wonder if him drop shipping will make any difference in your case.

[whiteyswrecking]

eBay does not care they have their money !!!  

[ten_o_nine]

 lick your wounds and move on, nothing can be done when value is not worth the effort.

[mtgraves7984]

Moving forward, I'd suggest that you revisit your Returns policy. You're a TRS, so you have the ability to reduce the amount of the impending refund by up to 50% if you'd only offer 30-Day (or better) Returns.

I know that half won't make you whole... but it's one of the last seller protections left. Use it. Better luck moving forward...

[sai83her]

Yeah, looks like I will have to stick to that option. At least 50% is better than an open can of nothing. Horrible people in this world.

[mtgraves7984]

---

@sai83her wrote:

Yeah, looks like I will have to stick to that option. At least 50% is better than an open can of nothing. Horrible people in this world.

---

@sai83her 

You said it. You said it. You said it. Glad you're open to suggestions... it's every man for himself nowadays. 

[kensgiftshop]

After you refund the buyer, you can report them for abusing the MBG.

File mail fraud and a police report, then use those reports to appeal the case.

It might not help you any, but it might help another seller down the line.

[m60driver]

Nothing you can do and Ebay does not give  a rat's derriere.  This happens frequently with expensive parts like computer components and car parts.  The only advice is to just move on, especially since your sales seem to be robust.  If the loss stings too much then perhaps raise your margins a tad to cover such losses.