Buyer attempting switch scam, help!

[grdav_1]

Hi all,

I am new to these boards and just started selling and have a buyer trying to scam me on my 4th sale.

So I sent a comic book to the buyer and about 2 days after it showed delivered the buyer reached out to me and said that the item was damaged in transit. I don’t offer returns but I asked him to send me pictures of the damage. My item was factory sealed and in perfect condition and what he sends me pictures of is a book that was smashed (it was a hard cover omnibus) and NOT EVEN THE SAME ITEM I SENT. Also the shipping box showed no signs of damage.

So I of course denied the refund and they used buyer protection to force the refund. I called eBay the first time and they said ignore the request and let eBay decide in 3 days.

I called 3 days later and spoke with a regular rep and a supervisor and both said the case would be found in favor of the buyer. Spent an hour on the phone with zero satisfaction and decided to bite the bullet and give this scammer a partial refund to end this madness, they declined and looks like they’re taking it all the way.

I have legit photographic evidence that shows the item is different and opened to boot. How in the world can the buyer get away with this because I refuse to let this happen. eBay sees the item is different but refuses to do anything. We’re talking $300+ or I would just eat it. I formally reported the buyer today. I called back after that hour and said the buyer denied the partial refund so what now, they said after three BUSINESS days they would intervene...but odds are this will be escalated.  As dumb as this sounds I can provide pictures of the same area of my couch where I took the picture that shows the matching seam LOL.

Any advice that’s not “refund them” because I am willing to file police reports, mail fraud, whatever. Not gonna scam me...and I have zero problem leaving eBay so don’t care about strikes, it’s not a depended income stream for me.

[ersatz_sobriquet]

First go ahead and tell the buyer that the photo is not the book you sent, and that perhaps they have you mixed up with another purchase. This gives them a chance to save face. Then tell them that the mail fraud will be investigated through the post office and that you will be filing the appropriate documents and for them to expect an inspector to come to their door. It just might scare them off from stealing from you.

Ebay is going to make you refund them. You would have to empty your paypal account, disconnect it from your bank after transfer, and lock down your bank account so that ebay couldn't withdraw, and then face whatever penalties of collections. 

You do have the option of refunding the buyer only 50% after receiving the book back, but ebay customer service might tell the buyer to file for the other 50% through paypal. 

I suggest you file the mail fraud, ic3, BBB, report the buyer, speak to trust and safety, and open your package under video at the post office. It doesn't prove what you sent, but it does prove what you got back. 

[yuya_16]

The few times I did bring up "mail fraud" and "law enforcement" to the buyers...they all suddenly vanished and did not even bother to return items for money back.

I think most of them don't like to draw unnecessary attention to themselves maybe?

[luckythewinner]

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Not gonna scam me.

Yes, they are going to scam you. Check the terms you agreed to when you started selling on eBay: " You agree to comply with the policy and permit us to make a final decision on any eBay Money Back Guarantee case."

 it’s not a depended income stream for me

If you close your account so they can't collect the refund from you, are you dependent on your credit rating? 

[gracieallen01]

Unfortunately, ebay trumps your 'no return' with their 'Money Back Guarantee'.  About the only thing you can do is to report the buyer.   If you don't report them, NOTHING can be done - it starts by reporting.

Dear buyer,

For refund, please return the item and the original packaging so I can present them when I file my report with the USPS Postal Inspectors - they take a dim view of 'rifling' and mail tampering/fraud.  I will also need them for the documentation to IC3 and the police.

Best regards,

Seller

They may run and hide or they may try to brazen it through.  Either way, you haven't much choice, as the consequences of not following through may be worse.