Buyer opened case for item they didn't pay for

[shopkiger2]

Hi all,

I accepted an offer on an item on December 22nd. The buyer didn't pay or contact me so I opened an unpaid item case. The buyer messaged me on the 28th and said that he was having trouble with his account and would pay ASAP. On the 30th I messaged him and asked if he was still having trouble with his account. He didn't respond so I waited til January 2nd and decided to close the unpaid item case and relisted the item.

Today the buyer opened a case requesting the item.

The message I got from ebay:

You're buyer opened a request because their item hasn't arrived. It is important for you to respond as soon as possible. You can resolve your buyers request by providing tracking information or any additional shipping details. If you do not have tracking that shows delivery, please consider refunding your buyer.

After clicking "See request details" I am given the options to either, Message the buyer, add tracking details or refund the buyer.

I've never had anyone open a request like this for an item that was never paid for or that has had a closed unpaid item case. How does this work??

[lagarto_electronico]

What kind of merchandise was this? I'd be very interested to know more because this sounds like a loophole that more scam-buyer's will be exploiting in the future.

[chapeau-noir]

I would call CS and get the case closed.  It shouldn't have been able to be opened to begin with - be sure you have the closed case before you when you called.  I had someone open an INR on something I had shipped two days previously, and wasn't even due to be delivered until the next day - they said "Checked the mail yesterday and it hadn't come.  Checked today and still not here. Bummer."  They expected next day delivery?  Even the CS agent couldn't believe it. They closed the case.

[shopkiger]

It was a collectible diecast car.

[shopkiger2]

Sorry, I have two ebay accounts. I thought I was logged in to the other one. The transaction was for a collectible diecast car.

[mtgraves7984]

That's a head scratcher. So glad for you that you still have your diecast in your possession!

[shopkiger2]

Ebay CS wasn't very helpful. They just told me to respond to the buyer and come up with an agreement and that the case will automatically close in 21 days.
I even explained 3 times that this is an INR case and that I closed an unpaid item case for this transaction.

[gramophone-georg]

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@lagarto_electronico wrote:

What kind of merchandise was this? I'd be very interested to know more because this sounds like a loophole that more scam-buyer's will be exploiting in the future.

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It's a loophole that eBay knows about and approves according to eBay employees. Supposedly there are "certain circumstances" where this is a "necessary" for buyers.

I know, I know... don't shoot the messenger.

[gramophone-georg]

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@shopkiger2 wrote:
Ebay CS wasn't very helpful. They just told me to respond to the buyer and come up with an agreement and that the case will automatically close in 21 days.
I even explained 3 times that this is an INR case and that I closed an unpaid item case for this transaction.

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Exactly what I expected... eBay is a pathetic joke. You CLOSED the UID right here on eBay and eBay "can't see" that? Good Lord....

[shopkiger2]

This is crazy. I may try to get another CS rep on the phone. Sometimes I have better luck if I call back and speak with someone else.

[janet9988]

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@gramophone-georg wrote:

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@lagarto_electronico wrote:

What kind of merchandise was this? I'd be very interested to know more because this sounds like a loophole that more scam-buyer's will be exploiting in the future.

---

It's a loophole that eBay knows about and approves according to eBay employees. Supposedly there are "certain circumstances" where this is a "necessary" for buyers.

I know, I know... don't shoot the messenger.

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That's nice,.. so the seller will get an unresolved item not received defect. 

[myangelandmyprincess]

No because at this stage it’s just a request my understanding is it can’t be escalated to a case. Even if it could it can’t be decided in the buyers favor because without using an online approved payment the buyer doesn’t qualify for buyer protection 

[chapeau-noir]

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@shopkiger2 wrote:
Ebay CS wasn't very helpful. They just told me to respond to the buyer and come up with an agreement and that the case will automatically close in 21 days.
I even explained 3 times that this is an INR case and that I closed an unpaid item case for this transaction.

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That's absurd. There is no agreement to come to - you have the item, the buyer has their money and NO TRANSACTION WAS EVER COMPLETED. There is nothing to agree to.  Definitely call back - I always have my talking points jotted in order. Hopefully you'll get a CSR who's paying attention.  If not, then I'd alert one of the mods here who are very helpful. You just need to avoid having eBay 'step in' and end up with serious defect on your record for non-resolution.

[gramophone-georg]

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@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

No because at this stage it’s just a request my understanding is it can’t be escalated to a case. Even if it could it can’t be decided in the buyers favor because without using an online approved payment the buyer doesn’t qualify for buyer protection 

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Gee, wonder why eBay CS doesn't seem to know this. No, not really. As eBay would say, "the system is working as intended".

[chapeau-noir]

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@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

No because at this stage it’s just a request my understanding is it can’t be escalated to a case. Even if it could it can’t be decided in the buyers favor because without using an online approved payment the buyer doesn’t qualify for buyer protection 

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Thing is, this is so messed up that I wouldn't trust any decision save for the case being closed on the phone.