Buyer falsely claiming to have received an empty box!

[annuljesus]

I have been a buy and seller on Ebay for 22 years and a relatively new Ebay user is claiming that a $950 watch that I sold to them was not received, that they received an empty watch box. I have let the user know that I have reported this to UPS and they will be starting an investigation. I have asked the buyer to file a local police report and he said that the police told him there is nothing they can do as it was likely the seller or shipping company who is responsible for the missing watch. 

I am almost 100% certain that the buyer is scamming me after reading online about the "empty box" scam on Ebay. To top it off, I looked up the buyer and he has several criminal records that are public including 3rd and 6th degree larceny. I'm not even sure how to bring that to Ebay's attention or if I should confront the buyer with this information. Ebay is currently reviewing this case and I am afraid that in the end they will side with the buyer as they seem to always do. 

Any help or assistant would be greatly appreciated. 

[ten_o_nine]

If they claimed they received an empty box, I am not sure how you can win without spending more money and headaches, I am sorry it happened to you.

[sapphire_studio]

Did they file an item not received case or an item not a described? They should have done an item not described if they want to win. If they did an item not received case then the tracking number being delivered should close it. However that probably wouldn't stop them from reopening a new item not described case.

 Keep in mind that it is possible that he is telling the truth despite his criminal record (Especially if he truly did file a police report). I received an empty Box once with a slit in it that had 40 ounces of silver missing.  I had bought silver from this person flawlessly before and because of the slit I suspected USPS stealing it.  I was right.  The police officer that was in charge of the investigation I opened told me it's the 1st time she'd seen the postmaster general get involved in a case because they had evidence that it weighed a lot when the seller sent it out and that somewhere in the middle of the journey it weighed a lot less.

 Hopefully UPS and the police can monitor the weight situation for such an expensive item to figure out what is going on with your watch.

[powell-memorabilia]

Unfortunate situation - I feel for you.

but, a couple of  past mistakes don’t make someone a scammer.  You really have no idea of the buyer is telling the truth or not.  And,  no, he doesn’t have to help by filing a police report.  

[fab_finds4u]

OH MY, I'm thinking it's  too bad you didn't  put a $1000 reserve on the watch and send it to the Authenticator  and have no returns as your policy.  The buyer couldn't  claim not received or missing or not as described. Very expensive loss for you because you'll be required to refund. 

[annuljesus]

I do have no returns as my policy but I had no idea you need a $1000 reserve for the authenticator. 

[1tuna]

in order for a watch to be sent to the authenticator it needs to sell for at least 2000

@annuljesus 

[rugerskick]

Occams Razor.  Out of all reasonable possibilities, its overwhelmingly likely the buyer is the scammer in this scenario.

[rugerskick]

While ebay desires more high dollar item sellers, at the same time they defeat what they want by not backing sellers when buyer fraud occurs. The only safe option for sellers is to sell those high dollar value items in places other than ebay.

[rugerskick]

UPS and the other carriers weigh the package when you drop it off and get your scan receipt.

You can figure out what your box weighs empty.

If you sent an empty box the ups scan would show the same weight as one of your empty boxes.

But since you actually sent the watch, it will show it weighed more than just the box.

Therefore the only way that box could have arrived empty, would mean someone emptied it while ups had the box in their control.  

So therefore the habitual scammer is lying and blaming ups for someone at ups taking the watch.

[powell-memorabilia]

Maybe not.  There aren’t any shady workers at a UPS store?  OP maybe discloses what he sells when dropping off items, and one of these bad actors opens the package after it has been accepted, then sends along the empty box.

[albertabrightalberta]

@annuljesus 

You didn't mention this in the OP.

Although this is a bit separate from your allegation, did you send the package with signature confirmation? Any sale in which the total payment received from the buyer (including shipping and taxes) is $750 or more must have s.c.

And I'm curious....is there anything in the buyer's feedback or feedback left for others that implies past issues?

[nomad-pickers]

I thought there was an authentic verification process at a certain price like shoes, there needs to be one for any item of a certain price that would eliminate these claims because if ebay has to verify the package they **bleep** well are not siding with buyer yes it may cost more to have done but its better than being out a substantial amount of money I know we would pay an extra fee for certain sale amounts just to have no problems. Good Luck believe you probably going to need it.

[dbfolks166mt]

     As you are probably aware eBay provides very little protection to the seller. As a result always remember the #1 rule as a seller on eBay and that is to never list any item you are not prepared to take the loss on. Scammers tend to target high value and high end items that can easily be resold via other venues, pawned or sold on the black market. If you sell on eBay long enough this is bound to happen at some point it's just a matter of when. 

     That being said you can try reporting the buyer but given the nature of their claim I am not sure how much effect this will have. 

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/report-buyers/report-issue-buyer?id=4084 

You have already opened a case with UPS and you can also open a case with the FBI cyber crimes division and open a police report with the buyers local police department reporting a stolen item. That information may be passed along to local pawn shops depending on how the local police department operates. 

[annuljesus]

Yes I did, the item was received without any issue except for the box allegedly being empty.