eBay

matthepaulto_0 · ‎03-28-2018

I recently sold and shipped a mint condition iPhone X, but the buyer claimed that he received an old, non-functioning speaker. When I contacted him for more information, he went completely dark and did not respond at all. After a few days passed, he escalated his claim and eBay decided in his favor. Within 15 minutes of the claim being decided he uploaded tracking information showing that the package had already been delivered to me (obviously impossible).

I called eBay to sort out what went wrong, and they said that the buyer just input the tracking number wrong and that I should wait 10 days for the package to arrive (they also gave me the real tracking number they used on their label) and only give a refund if I receive the package within this 10 day window.

The problem is that I am concerned that the buyer will return a non-functioning speaker and eBay will force me to give a refund. This was my first time selling on eBay (so I have no selling history) and I am afraid that I'll lose the money and the phone (and that there's nothing I can do about it).

Is there anything I can do?

richards*collection · ‎03-28-2018

since you have not received the item returned to you, no use in saying what if this and that, wait for the item, and then there is no reason for ebay not to believe you if you receive something different returned, file a claim and see what happens if you receive other than you sent, ebay has no idea what you get in the mail until you report.

kensgiftshop · ‎03-28-2018

@matthepaulto_0wrote:
The problem is that I am concerned that the buyer will return a non-functioning speaker and eBay will force me to give a refund. This was my first time selling on eBay (so I have no selling history) and I am afraid that I'll lose the money and the phone (and that there's nothing I can do about it).

Is there anything I can do?

It's not sounding good.

A new seller, selling an expensive iPhone is like painting a big red target on your back for scammers.

If he does send back an old speaker, there's not a lot you can do.

Ebay does not know if you shipped them a phone or a speaker and if they claim they got an old speaker, Ebay will take their side almost all the time.

If they do send back a different item, after they get refunded, you can file mail fraud with USPS and report the buyer for abusing the MBG.

Have a great day.

castlemagicmemories · ‎03-28-2018

OP, it doesn't sound good, but wait and see what happens.

Buyer is protected under Buyer Protection, though.

You can find many discussions and threads on cell phones on this Board if you search.

Sorry you are in this situation. Good Luck.

matthepaulto_0 · ‎04-04-2018

Thanks all for the comments. Unfortunately, my fears came true and I received the speaker that the buyer claims I originally sent. I brought it up with eBay and sent them as much information as I had. Now I just wait for their decision.

rare_find · ‎04-04-2018

We all know what their decision will be. Happens all the time. You as a seller are always the guilty party. And if the buyer claims to be an eBay employee... they don't even revue the case. Sorry.

dtexley3 · ‎04-04-2018

@matthepaulto_0wrote:
Thanks all for the comments. Unfortunately, my fears came true and I received the speaker that the buyer claims I originally sent. I brought it up with eBay and sent them as much information as I had. Now I just wait for their decision.

File a mail fraud case. Open a police report for theft where the buyer lives, get a copy. File an IC3 complaint. Once you have done all this, report the phone stolen to the carrier and ask them to disable it. If the carrier accepts the documentation at least the buyer now has a brick of their own.

Member of the Grumpy Old Man crew

sandmansales · ‎04-04-2018

@dtexley3wrote:
@matthepaulto_0wrote:
Thanks all for the comments. Unfortunately, my fears came true and I received the speaker that the buyer claims I originally sent. I brought it up with eBay and sent them as much information as I had. Now I just wait for their decision.
File a mail fraud case. Open a police report for theft where the buyer lives, get a copy. File an IC3 complaint. Once you have done all this, report the phone stolen to the carrier and ask them to disable it. If the carrier accepts the documentation at least the buyer now has a brick of their own.

If it were me, after doing the above I would file a small claim suit against ebay as well as a BBB complaint. The buyer is not the one who stole your money, ebay did. They are the one's responsible.

For future reference, ebay recently removed the last bit of seller protection. There is none here anymore. Anything you sell is at risk of this happening no matter what you do to prevent it.

~Why be a second rate version of someone else when you can be a first rate version of yourself~

lewisburggold · ‎04-04-2018

You found your way into a good one there. Scammers wont be happy until they ruin it for all. Good luck. Best regards

bigbadmomma45 · ‎04-04-2018

Wow! I'm wondering did you take good pictures of the product? If so, do you have a receipt for the product? It's a long shot but it might help...... Just know, ebay very seldom takes the side of the seller unless you are really crossing all t's and dotting all i's and even then you still might lose. You must have receipts, good pictures and even recordings of you sending package to customer and with something expensive like that, pay the few extra dollars and insure it. You should be able to open a claim against the buyer. I'm so fed up with the way ebay handles buyers in situations like this. Good luck!

matthepaulto_0 · ‎04-04-2018

@bigbadmomma45wrote:
Wow! I'm wondering did you take good pictures of the product? If so, do you have a receipt for the product? It's a long shot but it might help...... Just know, ebay very seldom takes the side of the seller unless you are really crossing all t's and dotting all i's and even then you still might lose. You must have receipts, good pictures and even recordings of you sending package to customer and with something expensive like that, pay the few extra dollars and insure it. You should be able to open a claim against the buyer. I'm so fed up with the way ebay handles buyers in situations like this. Good luck!

I took good pictures and sent my receipt to eBay. Unfortunately, I didn't take a video of me actually packing the product. Hopefully eBay recognizes what's going on here.

sjbaker63 · ‎04-04-2018

I agree you should look into reporting this as mail fraud. I think it might also be helpful to provide both package weights as evidence. Something's telling me, small or not, a speaker won't weigh the same as an iPhone.

sam9876 · ‎04-04-2018

"I took good pictures and sent my receipt to eBay. Unfortunately, I didn't take a video of me actually packing the product. "

eBay won't consider any of those things if the buyer files a SNAD complaint.

bubbleman2010 · ‎04-04-2018

Around 4 am CST tomorrow morning the case will get escalated and closed all within a 5 min. time frame. They like to do it early while you're asleep....