Buyer Using False Names and Proxy Addresses to Circumvent No Overseas Shipping

[jorand_8976]

I sold two items to what I thought were two different buyers on the West Coast.  I shipped them promptly. But it turns out it was the same buyer, using different names with different addresses. This buyer is located in China! His game is obvious: use proxy address/shipping service to circumvent no international shipping policy. I messaged him and let him know I was onto his game. I told him when delivered to proxy address, end of transaction. I refuse to be held responsible for anything further. His response didn't even address the issue. It's a game, and the rules don't apply to him.

Why does eBay let this happen? I blocked and reported the guy, but that's locking the barn door after the animals got out. Is there better solution(s) to this? This is a serious issue all sellers potentially face.

[ms.rodriguez*]

I love freight forwarders.   Look at it this way,  a buyer outside of the USA wants your item!  Feel honored.  Sure you pay an extra 1% in fees but you can always add that fee to the starting price of another item.   The only problem is if the item is NOT as described.  You are on the hook for that.   Now if you are correct and that Chinese buyer has bought from you twice at least, I hope that you did not tick off a loyal, repeat customer.  You should be honored about that too.

[lepke1979]

Look on the bright side. If China nukes us. eBay will probably side with you if the buyer tries to make a claim on the items.

[onefootflipper]

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@ms.rodriguez* wrote:

I love freight forwarders.   Look at it this way,  a buyer outside of the USA wants your item!  Feel honored.  Sure you pay an extra 1% in fees but you can always add that fee to the starting price of another item.   The only problem is if the item is NOT as described.  You are on the hook for that.   Now if you are correct and that Chinese buyer has bought from you twice at least, I hope that you did not tick off a loyal, repeat customer.  You should be honored about that too.

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Actually not really even on the hook for a not as described. Most forwarding buyers have their forwarders save stuff up for months and then forward it all as one package, usually the cheapest way possible. I doubt they would have much success with a not as described claim, 4 months later that would result in them getting a USPS return label that wouldn't work from their country.

[chapeau-noir]

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@heckofagame wrote:

Let me see if I understand this. Because a Chinese buyer sent you money, WW3 is imminent?

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Especially if Putin files a charge-back.

[albertabrightalberta]

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@ms.rodriguez* wrote:

The only problem is if the item is NOT as described.  You are on the hook for that.   

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That's not a problem either. Buyer loses protection and sellers have protection when a third party FF is used: 

[chapeau-noir]

@albertabrightalberta   You sig line seems very apropos at this moment.

[this*old*attic]

Sheesh. It’s not a game.

Many buyers do it because it’s cheaper. The freight forwarders collect a bunch of packages and then ship them in bulk for a discount.

Win win. Cheaper for buyer, you get a sale where responsibility ends inside the US.

[femmefan1946]

@onefootflipper   And I will repeat:

Conversation with Tyler (former employee of eBay)

FREIGHT FORWARDERS
 
Now -- if the GSP is not involved, but the buyer uses a freight forwarder, does the seller provide Return Shipping from the forwarding address or from the buyer's address?
Oooh this is a good clarification question @femmefan1946! A seller is only required to provide return shipping from the buyer's input address at time of checkout - that goes for any return where a seller provides shipping ('free' returns, etc).
 https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/All-Items-Are-Free/m-p/31966203#M1772511
Message #20 from tyler

[katiew581]

Have been on ebay for many years, but new to selling items. I have the same question with international buyers bidding. I have all my settings to ship only to the US lower 48 and have it listed in all my item descriptions that I won't ship to freight forwarders. I understand that many people haven't had any issues doing this, but have read where buyers overseas open a case with ebay and have won if they aren't happy with their item. Then you are out your item and have to refund the money.. you can get totally screwed. What I am selling is quite fragile and don't want to take that risk. I contacted ebay customer service regarding this, and they stated that if a purchase from an international buyer happens, I can cancel the order and put the reason as "issue with buyers address." They also said to make sure to explain to the buyer the reason for cancellation. I was also told that doing this will not hurt my seller status. 

[ms.rodriguez*]

First, this is an old post. You should have started a new one.  Customer service lied to you.  You are supposed to ship to the address on the payment.  I have had no issues with these foreign buyers.   Start a new post.

[kh-leslie]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.