eBay

stekw-29 · ‎09-13-2019

I sold a $100 trading card to a buyer who offered the highest and I shipped the item in a bubblewrap envelope folded in half. The buyer has a 100% positive feedback with over 130 reviews. I'm a new seller and this is the very first item I've ever sold and I feel like this is why he's targeting me. The buyer says he recorded the opening as he does with all his other packages just in case situations like this occur which I think is a bit too convenient on his part. The only picture he provided is a picture of the sealed envelope. I don't know what the next course of action is. Should I call eBay or request the buyer to send the video? The video could also be faked because the package was just a simple envelope folded in half and taped.

It is clear that the buyer is abusing the eBay Money Back Guarantee in hopes to get his money back while keeping the item for himself. I am in a panic because I'm afraid of losing the money and letting this person get away with it while he damages my reputation.

mam98031 · ‎09-14-2019

@stekw-29 wrote:
I'd really hate to pay for another shipping label out of my pocket knowing I won't gain anything. But it looks like I don't have a choice. Before I accept it though, I was thinking about calling an eBay representative and explaining my situation. I'm convinced that the buyer made a false claim about receiving an empty package. The picture he sent was proof that he received it and since it was sealed by my tape, it was not opened or stolen during shipment. Surely there has to be some ways an eBay representative can help me. I do understand that theres' no way eBay can prove that I actually sent the card or he actually received the card but I want to hear what they have to say if that's a good idea... It should not be this easy to abuse the money back guarantee policy or else everyone would be scamming sellers like this.

I know this defies all logic for you. But you will find here on Ebay that logic doesn't always come into play.

It is in YOUR best interest to go ahead and issue the label and let them ship it back. I know you don't want to do it, but you need to do it. Otherwise your buyer is going to ask Ebay to step in and they will force it. They will issue the label for you and when the item arrives back, they will force the full refund for the buyer, then you will get a defect on your selling account which is not good for your stats or the health of your selling account.

Keep in mind that if the buyer does not use the label, you do NOT get charged for it. Which is why in my earlier post I said to monitor if they ship anything back closely. They have 5 business days in which to ship it back. If they don't, on the 6th business day get on the phone with Ebay and get the request closed in your favor, then you are protected on Ebay from this buyer.

I also know you brought up earlier that the request said you had until the 18th to refund or resolve this request for return. Do NOT confuse that with you having until the 18th to figure out what you want to do. The two are NOT the same thing. You have a maximum of 3 days to respond to a request for return either accepting the return or trying to fight it. If you don't respond in 3 days, the buyer can ask Ebay to step in and then Ebay will just force the issue as I previously explained.

I know it doesn't seem fair at all. I SO understand that. But it is really in your best interest to just issue the return label and then wait and see what the buyer does.

After this request for return is closed. You have refund or the buyer never returns the item and you get the request closed. After that, you then want to report the buyer to Ebay for abuse of the return system. And if you do end up refunding them, I'd file for an appeal.

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

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jojitsusensei · ‎09-13-2019

That really sucks!

Maybe you should have taken a video of the card being put in the envelope, but videos are too easily faked.

Sounds like you're being scammed I will be on the phone **bleep**ing at eBay.

mam98031 · ‎09-13-2019

@jojitsusensei wrote:
That really sucks!
Maybe you should have taken a video of the card being put in the envelope, but videos are too easily faked.
Sounds like you're being scammed I will be on the phone **bleep**ing at eBay.

That will not help on Ebay as Ebay won't accept that as any kind of evidence.

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

mam98031 · ‎09-13-2019

Has your buyer opened a Request for Return or are they just emailing you?

Your buyer's video is nothing Ebay would take into consideration for anything, so no need to request it.

What is your buyer saying they want you to do?

Go to the buyer's feedback page. There is a tab you can click on that says "left for others". Click on that. You will then see the FB they have left for other sellers. This can be very telling about a buyer, so come back and let us know what you see.

Since this is your first time with something like this. I recommend that you don't make a move, send an email or do anything before checking here first. Let us help guide you through this so that it is the least impactful to you. If you don't want to post anything publicly [on this thread], you are WELCOME to email me from any of my listings and I'll help you through this.

Take a deep breath and know you have people that are willing to assist you. I know it is scary and I know it is frustrating. So we are all here for you.

@stekw-29

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

mam98031 · ‎09-13-2019

What shipping method did you use?

Did you have insurance?

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

gracieallen01 · ‎09-14-2019

@stekw-29 wrote:
I sold a $100 trading card to a buyer who offered the highest and I shipped the item in a bubblewrap envelope folded in half. The buyer has a 100% positive feedback with over 130 reviews. I'm a new seller and this is the very first item I've ever sold and I feel like this is why he's targeting me. The buyer says he recorded the opening as he does with all his other packages just in case situations like this occur which I think is a bit too convenient on his part. The only picture he provided is a picture of the sealed envelope. I don't know what the next course of action is. Should I call eBay or request the buyer to send the video? The video could also be faked because the package was just a simple envelope folded in half and taped.

It is clear that the buyer is abusing the eBay Money Back Guarantee in hopes to get his money back while keeping the item for himself. I am in a panic because I'm afraid of losing the money and letting this person get away with it while he damages my reputation.

First off, has the buyer opened a case? If not, he may be playing you for someone that doesn't know anything and isn't familiar with the bullying tactics. Secondly, a buyer can ONLY have 100% positive feedback - sellers can't leave negatives for buyers. As has been pointed out, ebay doesn't - supposedly - take videos as proof.

Unfortunately, I would suggest waiting for the buyer to open a case and then respond with, 'Please return for refund', rinse and repeat as often as necessary. If they balk at that, you can just tell them to be sure to keep the packaging as you will file a complaint with the post office of possible 'rifling, of which the post office takes a dim view and generally investigates. Others should be along with hints and suggestions that may be more accurate or helpful than mine.

Not saying 'NO' doesn't mean 'YES'.

The foolishness of one's actions or words is determined by the number of witnesses.

Perhaps if Brains were described as an APP, many people would use them more often.

Respect, like money, is only of 'worth' when it is earned - with all due respect, it can not be ordained, legislated or coerced. Anonymous

dippitydoo · ‎09-14-2019

Hi stekw and congratulations on your first sale...sorry it has come with complications! If your buyer hasn't opened up a "item not as described" case, or an official appeal for a refund, then he is probably hoping you will just automatically refund because of his complaint email. I'd ask to see his video, for no other reason than to bother him to upload it after first filming his fake package-opening episode! But he could also be legit, but I smell an opportunistic buyer. By telling him he can return the item for a refund means that you aren't interested in giving him a refund without proper channels, and yes, make him return the empty package before he gets refunded!

-Dippitydoo

fashunu4eeuh · ‎09-14-2019

@stekw-29 very sorry your first sale ran off the rails. Like Mam said, plenty of knowledgable folks here willing to assist you. You are not alone.

You may be alright here. If the buyer is claiming no item in the package upon opening it, he might open an Item Not Received case. It is easy for sellers to win such cases by uploading the tracking number into the case notes. Tracking will show delivered and that is all you need to prove to win the case. (You did send it with tracking, correct?)

Like the other poster suggested, let the postal authorities know your package was rifled. Even if you suspect the buyer is lying, make the report anyway. Scammers want to fly under the radar. Sometimes the item magically reappears when they hear the seller is going to report stolen mail, which is taken seriously by the post office.

Don’t accuse the buyer of anything, of course, but let him know you want to get to the bottom of this. You are showing your concern, that is all. A Rifled Mail report can be made online on the USPS website. Be sure to instruct the buyer to keep the packaging for the postal inspectors. If the buyer is honest, he’ll be impressed with your customer service. If he is dishonest, he may be very uncomfortable, if not outright scared.

If the buyer opens a Not As Described case, come back to the forum for help in handling it.

To reiterate, his filming the unboxing of the item proves nothing, and eBay does not accept video evidence anyway. I think he told you all this in an effort to eventually bully you into a refund. So glad you had the presence of mind to not react in a precipitous manner but came here for advice instead!

Your next move is to wait and see what the buyer does, and whether or not he will open a case in the resolution center. Wishing you much success in your selling. Hang in there!

vintagecraze50 · ‎09-14-2019

Look at his feedback left for others and see if there is any indication that he has done something like this to anybody else. Sometimes there are signs. Ebay can also look into their history and see if he has been reported for any other issues from sellers. Respond, that you will be reporting to the P.O. That their package was tampered with and that they need to save the envelope for the postal inspector . As the other poster mentioned, sometimes that will shake up the buyer and perhaps the card will magically turn up, or you will hear nothing from them. Did you insured the contents, if so you may be able to collect an insurance claim.

vintagecraze50 · ‎09-14-2019

Bleeping at Ebay is not a solution to the problem. Having them carefully look into the buyers history and perhaps them asking the buyer to provide a police report might help. Some scammers do not want to get involved with the authorities in any way. I have read they ask buyers for policy reports to be filed if they are claiming a seller scammed them.

ten_o_nine · ‎09-14-2019

@stekw-29 wrote:
I sold a $100 trading card to a buyer who offered the highest and I shipped the item in a bubblewrap envelope folded in half. The buyer has a 100% positive feedback with over 130 reviews. I'm a new seller and this is the very first item I've ever sold and I feel like this is why he's targeting me. The buyer says he recorded the opening as he does with all his other packages just in case situations like this occur which I think is a bit too convenient on his part. The only picture he provided is a picture of the sealed envelope. I don't know what the next course of action is. Should I call eBay or request the buyer to send the video? The video could also be faked because the package was just a simple envelope folded in half and taped.

It is clear that the buyer is abusing the eBay Money Back Guarantee in hopes to get his money back while keeping the item for himself. I am in a panic because I'm afraid of losing the money and letting this person get away with it while he damages my reputation.

Your buyer has to file a police report stating they received an empty package before ebay or paypal can refund.

ittybitnot · ‎09-14-2019

Your buyer has to file a police report stating they received an empty package before ebay or paypal can refund.

Is this something new? Is it in the rules someplace?

Typically, no evidence is required other than the buyer's "word".

In this situation we don't even know if the buyer has filed a claim or is just 'shaking the seller's tree'.

soh.maryl · ‎09-14-2019

Where do you get your information about the buyer having to file a police report before eBay will refund?

New rule?

rpalma · ‎09-14-2019

If you are selling a $100 item, ship it in a box...

The post office does damage items in shipping.

They do have packages come open.

lvelenc-17 · ‎09-14-2019

@stekw-29 wrote:
I sold a $100 trading card to a buyer who offered the highest and I shipped the item in a bubblewrap envelope folded in half. The buyer has a 100% positive feedback with over 130 reviews. I'm a new seller and this is the very first item I've ever sold and I feel like this is why he's targeting me. The buyer says he recorded the opening as he does with all his other packages just in case situations like this occur which I think is a bit too convenient on his part. The only picture he provided is a picture of the sealed envelope. I don't know what the next course of action is. Should I call eBay or request the buyer to send the video? The video could also be faked because the package was just a simple envelope folded in half and taped.

It is clear that the buyer is abusing the eBay Money Back Guarantee in hopes to get his money back while keeping the item for himself. I am in a panic because I'm afraid of losing the money and letting this person get away with it while he damages my reputation.

Please tell me you did not fold the card in half!

Buyer made a false claim that he received an empty package and I'm afraid he will get away with it.

Re: Buyer made a false claim that he received an empty package and I'm afraid he will get away with

Re: Buyer made a false claim that he received an empty package and I'm afraid he will get away with

Re: Buyer made a false claim that he received an empty package and I'm afraid he will get away with

Re: Buyer made a false claim that he received an empty package and I'm afraid he will get away with

Re: Buyer made a false claim that he received an empty package and I'm afraid he will get away with

Re: Buyer made a false claim that he received an empty package and I'm afraid he will get away with

Re: Buyer made a false claim that he received an empty package and I'm afraid he will get away with

Re: Buyer made a false claim that he received an empty package and I'm afraid he will get away with

Re: Buyer made a false claim that he received an empty package and I'm afraid he will get away with

Re: Buyer made a false claim that he received an empty package and I'm afraid he will get away with

Re: Buyer made a false claim that he received an empty package and I'm afraid he will get away with

Re: Buyer made a false claim that he received an empty package and I'm afraid he will get away with

Re: Buyer made a false claim that he received an empty package and I'm afraid he will get away with

Re: Buyer made a false claim that he received an empty package and I'm afraid he will get away with

Re: Buyer made a false claim that he received an empty package and I'm afraid he will get away with

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