eBay

ohoo1331 · ‎09-10-2024

So just want to make sure I got everything straight.

Buyer bought expensive item, 0 feedback.

Address is a freight forwarder, I even asked them if it was a FF or warehouse and they said it's a warehouse.

Told me address is correct.

I dropped off at post office, have receipt with the actual weight of the package.

Phone number given is also from the FF.

Never had issues with people using FF, but just want to be ready in case something goes wrong or they want to return.

Ebays policy mentions that buyer protection is voided, if using 3rd party FF.

I've seen post of the opposite happening or policy not being followed.

Anything else I should have ready in case buyer wants to return?

Technically I have nothing to worry about once it's delivered?

slippinjimmy · ‎09-10-2024

For a Not Received claim all you need is tracking showing delivery to the forwarder.

For a Not As Described claim, you would be required a accept a return and provide a label FOR THE FORWARDERS ADDRESS. The buyer would either have to get the package to the forwarder or ship it from wherever they are located on their own dime, neither are likely to happen.

Of course, serious online thieves can utilize somewhat more sophisticated methods to steal your Sega.

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep

kensgiftshop · ‎09-10-2024

The MBG is supposed to be void if the item is reshipped, but they don't stick to that very good.

Just using the address of a FF doesn't void the MBG.

If they want to return, they'll have to pay to ship it back to the FF, then pay them to ship the item back to you.

If you have to pay return shipping, you only pay from the FF address.

Want to wish everyone a Safe and Happy Independence Day.

stainlessenginecovers · ‎09-10-2024

For those $500 and $600 game consoles; more than likely they will rip you off as is typical for 'new sellers selling high dollar high value high theft type' items.

How?

they 'open a return' and 'mail you a plastic fork'- when tracking shows that plastic fork as been returned and you try to fight it, the system only knows that tracking shows it was returned and awards the buyer all the money, right out of your account.

chevymontecarlo88 · ‎09-10-2024

For those $500 and $600 game consoles; more than likely they will rip you off as is typical for 'new sellers selling high dollar high value high theft type' items.

How?

they 'open a return' and 'mail you a plastic fork'- when tracking shows that plastic fork as been returned and you try to fight it, the system only knows that tracking shows it was returned and awards the buyer all the money, right out of your account.

Yes to what stainlessenginecovers has posted above ☝️

Nothing is guaranteed 100%

- Be careful of those who support Luigi.

isaiah53-57 · ‎09-10-2024

@ohoo1331 wrote:

Anything else I should have ready in case buyer wants to return?
Technically I have nothing to worry about once it's delivered?

My guess is you have EVERYTHING to worry about once its delivered.

According to ebays long standing policy, if the buyer does not admit to using a "freight forwarder", then in ebays eyes, they didnt use a freight forwarder - You already have the buyer saying they are not using the service, that it is going to the warehouse - Thats cause for grave concern...

How it was explained by a tagged ebay employee, since it is possible, ebay will look at it as though they are an employee or an owner at the freight forwarding company, not someone using the service, if they do not at any time admit to using the service.

So in their eyes, the 4 pkgs going to employees at the location on an annual basis out of the 8,000 total pkgs delivered to the location kill the whole protection...Thats a BIG loophole it would appear...

Sounds just like the ebay I know...

ckimodog · ‎09-10-2024

@ohoo1331

Given the fact that you don't accept returns would concern me a great deal. Even if the buyer voids their coverage by using a FF...anything can and does happen. Another thing is by putting this into your listings: Also listed on Mercari a bit cheaper. Is a big no no and grounds for a restriction. Trying to take a sale off of eBay can have serious consequences. I would remove that immediately or you're going to be called out on it, as it is a violation.

isaiah53-57 · ‎09-10-2024

@chevymontecarlo88 wrote:
For those $500 and $600 game consoles; more than likely they will rip you off as is typical for 'new sellers selling high dollar high value high theft type' items.

How?

they 'open a return' and 'mail you a plastic fork'- when tracking shows that plastic fork as been returned and you try to fight it, the system only knows that tracking shows it was returned and awards the buyer all the money, right out of your account.

Yes to what stainlessenginecovers has posted above ☝️

Nothing is guaranteed 100%

This was a$500-$600 game console????

Sorry...Kiss it goodbye...That's a virtual guarantee

ittybitnot · ‎09-10-2024

@ohoo1331

There are added protections for sellers when a buyer uses a Freight Forwarder. The buyer gives up their opportunity to benefit from the eBay Money Back Guarantee ONLY IF THE SELLER IS PREPARED and acts quickly should a 'not as described' claim ensue. eBay is going to treat it as any other sale, and completely ignore the fact of a F. Forwarder being involved. It is up to the seller to inform eBay, and hopefully BEFORE the deadline to send a return label.

This is best accomplished by contacting eBay thorough one of their social media platforms. Use the blue message button on this page:

https://www.facebook.com/eBay/

OR

https://www.instagram.com/ebayforsellers/

https://x.com/askebay

You need to inform them that a case has been filed by a buyer who does not qualify for the MBG and they will usually close it out in your favor. If you end up having to submit a return label, then you get ready for phase two of the typical scam the entails the "fake return scam". The will use you label (change the address information on the PDF) to retain the tracking number/bar code. Not only will you have to deal with the buyer, but then you have to deal with eBay as well.

You can avoid a lot of problems if you act quickly should a SNAD claim be filed.

As others have suggested, eBay USED TO require evidence that the package was actually forwarded. The reason at the time was that the buyer could actually live or work at that address, or having their parcels held until they come to the US to pick them up. That requirement has been discontinued.

If the seller is aware of the F. Forwarder situation, the sale is likely safer than a domestic sale. You have to know what to do when the transaction goes south. Not all of them do, but when they go bad they usually follow the same pattern every time.

You can read about other cases here:

ohoo1331 · ‎09-10-2024

Thanks, so basically offers no real protection if someone is actively trying to scam me.

I guess all the same scams apply, not much I can do about it.

Couple years ago a rep told me I was responsible for delivery to FF and then once it forwarded somewhere else, I was done with the sale.

ohoo1331 · ‎09-10-2024

Will keep this in mind.

Ebays own policy seems clear on it not being covered.

Even the phone number is from the FF.

Exclusions and special coverage when the buyer doesn't receive an item
Exclusions and special coverage when the item doesn't match the listing

Not covered:

The buyer used third-party freight forwarding or mail redirection

dbfolks166mt · ‎09-10-2024

As others have described once the item gets to the freight forwarder the buyer looses their MBG coverage but it is a matter of you quickly handling any eBay claims for INR or NAD with NAD being the most difficult to handle. ittybitnot did a good job of laying out the steps to take should this happen.

Of course if the buyer bypasses the eBay claim process and directly opens a chargeback with their CC company eBay is pretty much out of the picture unless the buyer tried to go through the eBay process and lost.

As others suggested avoid listing items that are high on the scammers target list although these days about anything seems game but cell phones, electronics, especially high dollars ones, seem to show up on this forum more often than anything. There are far safer ways to sell those items.

ohoo1331 · ‎09-10-2024

This is what ebay/x told me when I asked them.

Am I just responsible to delivering to freight forwarders address and not accept returns? Ebay rules, say if buyer uses third party FF they loose buyer protection.

ittybitnot · ‎09-11-2024

@ohoo1331

Yes, the information is correct, but ONLY if a seller is informed about the policy and knows where to go. eBay will never tell you that a F.Forwarder was used, nor automatically close the buyer's claim. It will be up to the seller.