Buyer Return Case Scam with Random Amazon Package

[yius609]

The buyer receives item, claims it as damaged, then starts a return. I approved the return, and provided shipping label. The buyer did not use the shipping label to return the package. Instead, they sent a random product from Amazon to my return address, used the proof of delivery from Amazon as evidence that they had returned my item. Ebay sides with the buyer, who receives the item and the refund. How should I appeal this case?

[monster-deals]

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@yius609 wrote:

How should I appeal this case?

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Depends on how much time you want to spend for very little satisfaction.

[yius609]

Well, it would still be helpful if you could elaborate. Thanks

[donsdetour]

Were was the buyer??  Same country??

It is normal for eBay to side with buyer in a return for refund as they have no idea what was sent or received by either party..

What this is; is theft:  and you should file such with law enforcement. 

Ebay is not law enforcement.

[rebell45]

Was this the drone or PC? How was the package from Amazon delivered?  Do you still have the label from the Amazon box?  You may be able to appeal by showing the returned package did come from the buyer, and that (maybe) the weight doesn't match. You could also file a postal fraud case and a police report and send copies to eBay.

You might also want to think about selling expensive items like those locally.  You may not get quite a much, but it's cash in hand, buyer sees the item work, no returns, and no fees.

[dhbookds]

used the proof of delivery from Amazon as evidence that they had returned my item.

I don't understand that.......it would show delivery to buyer's city.......not yours?????  but yet they mailed a package to you......containing something???

[rebell45]

The buyer bought something on Amazon and had it shipped to the seller's address. Very easy to do.

[luckythewinner]

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@rebell45 wrote:

The buyer bought something on Amazon and had it shipped to the seller's address. Very easy to do.

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That's what I assumed. But what an odd decision to spend money at Amazon when the seller had send a return label that could be used to send an empty box at no cost. 

Seems like the buyer is unethical *and* not very bright. 

[ittybitnot]

 But what an odd decision to spend money at Amazon when the seller had send a return label that could be used to send an empty box at no cost. 

This is a tactic used by "buyers" that have used a US reshipper and file a SNAD claim.   The seller only needs to provide a label to the US reshipper address, while the buyer and the merchandise is overseas.   The buyer cannot use the label provided to get the box (even if empty) back to the US.  So instead they buy a cheap item from Amazon, have it sent to the seller,  and use that D/confirmation number to satisfy proof of return for their claim. 

[luckythewinner]

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@ittybitnot wrote:

 But what an odd decision to spend money at Amazon when the seller had send a return label that could be used to send an empty box at no cost. 

This is a tactic used by "buyers" that have used a US reshipper and file a SNAD claim.   The seller only needs to provide a label to the US reshipper address, while the buyer and the merchandise is overseas.   The buyer cannot use the label provided to get the box (even if empty) back to the US.  So instead they buy a cheap item from Amazon, have it sent to the seller,  and use that D/confirmation number to satisfy proof of return for their claim. 

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Ahh, didn't think about international. Good point!

[autopiacarcare]

A similar thing happened to us last year.  https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Targeted-By-Malicious-Buyer-False-Returns/m-p/29512410/highlig...

It wasn't a freight forwarder in our case, just a repeat scammer who figured out a way to use guest checkout to keep coming back and trying to hit us.  They would file false SNAD claims, then provided tracking to eBay to our zip code to force the refunds even though we never received anything.

In one case, we had already had the return closed in our favor because return tracking wasn't uploaded within the time frame required.  eBay allowed the return to be re-opened, "buyer" provided tracking, eBay gave them an instant refund and hit us with an "unresolved" defect too.

We were eventually able to get eBay to reimburse us and remove defects, but it took months of fighting and being very vocal to get eBay to do the right thing.

[dhbookds]

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@rebell45 wrote:

The buyer bought something on Amazon and had it shipped to the seller's address. Very easy to do.

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Ah, thanks.......don't know why it didn't make sense to me yesterday......old age, I guess........

[monster-deals]

Well, you still will be out money and have to be on the phone for quite some time and need to quote ebay policy to the other end unless you are lucky enough to get a USA based CSR.

You might get up to a $6 credit for shipping, most likely you will get nothing with one phone call....meaning having ebay call you while you wait.

If this was for a low cost item the best thing you can do is report your buyer and go to the next fire.

[worldwide_ship]

1) Check to see if the buyer used a shipping forwarding address. Google the address to see if it's a known shipping forwarder and eBay may appeal in your favor.

2) Check the tracking number and it may say "shipping partner Amazon" in which eBay can clearly see what the buyer is doing.

3) Contact Amazon via chat with the tracking number and they can verify it was shipped from them. Screenshot the Amazon chat, send it to the buyer in a message and eBay can see that Amazon verified the scammer shipped it from them and you can use that as evidence. 

I know because I sell Apple products and have seen every sort of fraud in the book. I had 3 different buyers try this in the last month. It's very frustrating.