Buyer claims they received wrong item

[mmcardss]

Hello there,
I have been reading some topics similar to my situation on threads here.. and it seems the community has been pretty great with provding some good advice as well as direction.
I currently have a "Buyer claims they received the wrong item" dillemma.. I had sent a card, provided shipping/tracking within less than 30 minute prior to them paying as I always do. Kept in full communication.. again as I always do. I even checked up on it with the Buyer as the Status updates continued to say " In Transit to next facility" After more than 20 days. Was getting a little worried that he did not receive the cards just yet. 
Buyer finally received package (got delivery notice as well on my end) Right away sends me a Return Requested as he states the cards that arrived were not what he ordered. Sent a picture of my package ripped open.. with a completely different package. (One that I dont even collect!.. Japanese Pokemon Cards) 
I always have everything Toploaded..have my 2 Inserts of TP streamcards (Top Prospect Sports Cards (toronto Based Live Breaks) Double Teambagged sandwiched in my custom cardboards.
It was super discouraging to receive the news this morning. I was instructed by a fellow breaker as well that this buyer was trying to pull a fast one or bully you to essentially getting the card as well as a full refund and to contact EBAY right away to alert them of the false accusations. They have opened a case at the moment and told me to report the buyer. 
It would be greatly appreciated to get some feedback on what to do next. My last message to him was professional and let him know that I am disappointed that this had occured and is an extremely unfortunate event if in fact the package was tampered with etc. He has not answered back.. 
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance

[m60driver]

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@mmcardss wrote:

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance

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There is no good advice to be given other than as a new seller you should not be selling expensive sports trading cards as that category is rife with scammers who prey upon new sellers like yourself.  Ebay will force you to refund.  Resistance is futile.

[redlinear]

You accept the return and refund when "whatever" arrives to you in the mail.  
IF it's a considerable amount. You then contact eBay and explain the whole thing to them.  
They will either tell you nicely "so what".  OR, they will reimburse you for the sale.
(BUT, they won't do the latter very often. So,  don't bother with the attempt if it's small potatoes).  
Wait for something that really matters.

You never know.  Buyer may have purchased cards from somebody else a just be confused as to which seller. I get that quite often.  They usually figure it out.
You might reply to the buyer that you don't even have Pokemon stuff.

[mmcardss]

Thank you for taking the time to assist me with this. I really do appreciate it. I have contacted Ebay and let them know about the whole ordeal. I even let the buyer know I dont collect Japanes Pokemon Cards. I did request a video of him opening the package .. but he still has yet to respond. 
So for now just accept the return and wait for "whatever arrives" to refund?

Thank you again

[mmcardss]

Thank you 

[inhawaii]

Regardless of what you sent him or what he received, if he files a NAD (not as described) case you WILL have to refund him.

A) Refund him and let him keep the card(s).

B) Accept the return. Pay for return postage. When you get the item back then issue a refund.

If the item you get back wasn't what you sent, report him to ebay, but sorry to say you will still have to refund him.  If he fails to return the item, you will not be charged for the return postage and no need to refund.

C) If you deny the return, ebay will eventually refund him with your funds and let him keep the item. 

[mmcardss]

Thank you for this. It seems even with photos backing my claim , it favors the buyer.

 I greatly appreciate the feedback. 

[kibed-0]

Seems absolutely ridiculous that eBay doesn't provide some help to the seller. I've taken pictures and videos of my putting the package in the box/envelope and still have had to refund buyers. 

[kh-cathy]

Hi everyone,

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

Thank you for understanding.