Buyer is Trying to Scam Me

[helenof2]

I sold an authentic Louis Vuitton bag on eBay. All aspects of the bag documented with pictures. The buyer got the bag and is asking to return it because she stated it was not authentic and had stains. As proof, she put up pictures of a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BAG! Instead of being backed up by Ebay, they are refunded her money and leaving things up to me. What happens if she sends me back the wrong bag and not the bag I sold her. I can't believe that EBAY has proof in front of them that she is wrong and they are not backing me up. I don't think I will continue to do business with eBay if this is their policy. Also, there has been a rise in scams this year according to the rep I spoke with. 

[donsdetour]

Well eBay is not going to do anything about it:

when you receive the switched item: file fraud and theft with law enforcement, 

[donsdetour]

I left off the you need to report the buyer for returns abuse when you receive a switched item> Note this is a report only and it is unlike eBay will act on it, but it puts it on file, supposedly to many they will loose there return  rights.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/resolving-buyer-issues/reporting-issue-buyer?id=4084 

[mobley120]

"I don't think I will continue to do business with eBay if this is their policy."

The bag you'll most likely get back, will be the bag that they've sent pictures of. There's nothing new about that type of scam. The buyers will purchased a knock-off at an unknown location, then they will purchase an authentic one on eBay, settings up the scam.  The other poster's advice is good advice, although you'll most likely not recover you losses.

Being a small seller on eBay has become very difficult. It's best to weigh out the pros and cons of it, then decide what's best for you.

These are just a couple of reoccurring posts I've read here, as in pros and cons:

Pros: eBay has a huge membership and there are few other selling platforms that measure up to eBay's sales volume.

Cons: If you can't afford to lose it, then don't sell it on eBay.

If it's bigger than a bread box, then don't sell it on eBay.

If you can't ship the items out, with out receiving the funds for the items, then eBay isn't right for you.

If you can't wait 3 to 5 days or even more, for your funds for the items, to be released to you, then eBay isn't right for you.

Those are just a few, but one has to measure their own pros and cons to make the best decision of what's best for themselves.

Good luck

[opticams]

A ton of scams buyers lately.  Before 2020 I'd say I'd have problems with 1 out of 50 shipments.  Now it seems like 1 out of 8 would be filing a INAD, INR, payment dispute, etc scam.  For small sellers it is near impossible to manage and Ebay does nothing, literally nothing to protect you.  We pay them a ton of fees for managed payments and the very least they could do is first of all try to reduce the scammers, and second if one gets through all the loopholes share in our loss if we did everything we could on our part.  At this point there needs to be some insurance that we can rely on because the hit to COGS is unbearable.  

Someone else said don't sell on ebay anything you're not comfortable with giving away which is a hyperbole but it's true.  It's not a healthy marketplace when sellers have zero protections.  

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@helenof2 

Do you have the creed number of your bag that you sold? Buyer would have to have the exact bag as yours that sold,  in which I doubt as she probably will switch a counterfeit. 

     There is a couple of experts on the fashion board, they are more knowledgeable about these kind of things then most of us.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Fashion/bd-p/fashion

[helenof2]

Thanks ! Ebay should have UPS take a pic and package the items being sold and get rid of this problem.

[helenof2]

I have all my numbers but it doesn't work when she denies I sent her the bag. this is just awful. I'm done with ebay. 

[opticams]

Don't let them get away with it though.  File a police report as well as with www.ic3.gov

[helenof2]

Thanks! Ebay needs to start taking responsibility and put in place measures to protect sellers as well as buyers! 

[downunder-61]

Personally - I would go to the media, and maybe you will find others who will join if they see a report on it

[helenof2]

Can I go back to UPS and Claim fraud. That the buyer got the wrong package?

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@helenof2 

Helen please tell me that you had signature confirmation on that package? How would this buyer receive the wrong package if S.C. was in play?

     This buyer is trying to scam you with a fake/ counterfeit L.V. 

   If you do receive a counterfeit bag in return, then I definitely would investigate other measures such as small claims or a division of the FBI that handles counterfeiting. Your talking about a $1700 bag here.

[helenof2]

Sorry what doe S. C. stand for? I did not have signature confirmation but I sent it UPS with tracking info. I know this buyer is trying to scam me with a fake LV. Ebay said if I do not receive the bag I sent her, it's my turn to file a claim against her. I am going to investigate other means. I have her address. Could I do anything with that? This is not just for me . Do you realize that now any buyer can pull this scam? 

[netantiques]

Yes, this is their policy, they weigh everything towards the buyer and the seller loses because “it’s part of doing business”. Had many people upgrade their collections by switching theirs for mine.  eBay will NOT help you.  This is a loophole they won’t confront.  Without buyers they have no money, but without sellers........