Buyer opens return stating item is open box which it isn't

[davidsharp68]

I have a buyer that bought an item. Pictures clearly show the item SEALED in the plastic bag from the manufacturer. 

Buyer claims the item is open box and is used but both claims are false 

Buyer claiming the item is open box when the item is obviously not in a SEALED box that the buyer viewed on the auction page. 

Buyer states that the box I shipped the item in is not factory SEALED which is not the box the item was originally shipped in.

And the buyer is refusing to open the box that the brand new factory SEALED item that he purchased is in.

He is claiming the item is used just because of the box I shipped the item in.

Any of you experienced this level of ridiculousness?

[mtgraves7984]

Any of you experienced this level of ridiculousness?

@davidsharp68 

I'm happy to report that I've not. Best cut your losses and suggest a Return. Get it back to relist for the right buyer.

Afterthought... I'd suggest you revisit your Returns policy. Use as little as 30-Days (Buyer pays)... it benefits TRS. Good luck.

[davidsharp68]

You know I have read lots of people's replies to questions posed by sellers.

And many of them are just as yours.

Just roll over and be a good little puppy is the typical response.

Now I may have to accept the return in the end but I am going to do everything I can to try to get ebay to do the right thing.

The buyer has obviously opened a fraudelent return case in which ebay says they have my back on. They have said that before and sometimes it goes good and sometimes it doesn't. 

Opening a case saying an item is open box when it clearly isn't is an obvious case of abusing ebays mbg. 

I forwarded ebays definition of what an open box item is to the buyer which indicates that the item is factory sealed and brand new exactly as described on the auction page in text and pictures.

If a buyer opens a case that is legitimate I have no problem resolving it quickly to put it behind me but I do not just roll over in cases of fraud.

Ebay is a place for buyers and sellers who are supposed to be adults.

Have to see what happens on tuesday.

[davidsharp68]

And just so you know,I sell items that are typically hundreds of dollars.

Not cheap hats like you sell.

Sure,if someone wanted to return a hat,that is nothing monetarily speaking.

But when it is hundreds of dollars that is something completely different. 

[kensgiftshop]

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@davidsharp68 wrote:

Have to see what happens on tuesday.

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If you don't accept the return and provide return shipping, we pretty much know what is going to happen and you won't like it.

[davidsharp68]

I have been around the block plenty on ebay so you aren't telling me anything I don't already know.

I will accept the return if I have to.

The item was $250.00 and it took atleast 8 months to sell.

So having something listed for quite some time that finally sells and then the buyer pulls this stuff is pretty aggravating. 

Ebay should care because they lose money on these scam return cases as well and they lose a lot.

[brightlightbookseller]

Actually, the risk is you could be forced to accept a refund, but not get the item returned.  Not just accept the return, which you have a limited window to do.  Hopefully you don't get caught up in that problem, but many other sellers have, so that's why people are warning you about not just accepting the return early.

[1786davycrockett]

@davidsharp68 

"And just so you know,I sell items that are typically hundreds of dollars.

Not cheap hats like you sell."

When other individuals are attempting to assist you, it is not wise to insult the products which those others are attempting to sell on their own sites.

We are unpaid volunteer sellers and buyers -- and not eBay employees -- and it is probably a good idea not to aim your abuse at those who are attempting to offer you assistance.

[fern*wood]

Sometimes a buyer changes their mind about a  purchase and just want to return it.  Since you don't have a return policy, they might make something up to get their money back.  I highly doubt ebay will weigh in other than to assure the buyer is refunded...with or without your help.   If explaining the box situation doesn't help, I'd make sure to provide a label to get my item back.

P.S.  It isn't necessary to insult a poster that you disagree with.  We are all volunteers just trying to help if we can.

[b86fiero]

Sorry you are dealing with this. I've been on eBay a long time and dealt with some questionable people but I've never had one like you describe.

While we don't know what's going on inside the buyers head, could it be the buyer purchased the wrong part and is trying to get out of paying to return it? 

Years ago I had a few make false not as described claims when my policy was buyers had to pay return shipping.

Now, for many years, I have offered free returns for any reason and still get the rare false not as described return. Probably because people don't read the listing and return policy. Last one actually stated in a message in the eBay claim that she filed NAD so she wouldn't have to pay return shipping, that the item was really nice but she wanted a different color. 

Sad this happened to you and I'm even sadder to say that eBay sides with the buyer 99% of the time, regardless of the seller's ability to disprove the claim or seller's monetary loss due to the false accusations.

I'm sure you've already placed this buyer on your blocked buyer list.

I'm afraid this will cost you to get the item back. The tiny upside is you will avoid a really bad defect that will stay on your account for a year if eBay steps in, gives his money back and lets him keep your item.  

Wishing you better days and honest buyers in the days ahead.

[ittybitnot]

Buyer claims the item is open box and is used but both claims are false 

@davidsharp68 

This is eBay.  They system is automated.  For all intents and purposes, at the moment a "not as described claim" is opened against you, the item becomes exactly what the buyer says it is regardless of the facts.  At that point, your photos and description no longer matter, as the automated process is already in effect and will continue. 

The days are long gone when eBay will intervene with "what a buyer claims" in these situations.  Whether claimed in ignorance or as a function of intended fraud, the results will always be the same.  It will always be the same regardless of what the buyer returns to you as well.  It is part of doing business here, until the day comes when you have had enough. 

[bennotbill]

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@davidsharp68 wrote:

Any of you experienced this level of ridiculousness?

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A few times with used items. For example I shipped a used Nokia inside a good strong iPhone box and I get an email saying I never bought an iPhone. You just have to calmly explain the item you ordered is tucked up inside the box.

Now if they said they didn't believe me and refused to open the box then I would be inclined to think that something else is going on.

[luckythewinner]

Pictures clearly show the item SEALED in the plastic bag from the manufacturer

The reason eBay has a Money Back Guarantee for buyers is because eBay cannot see what a seller ships, what a buyer receives, or what a buyer returns.

If your pictures in your listing were sufficient proof for eBay to deny a claim, then fraudulent sellers would flood eBay with pictures of Rolex Submariners and would ship a cheap Timex. 

Just roll over and be a good little puppy is the typical response

I am going to do everything I can to try to get ebay to do the right thing

The hard reality of e-commerce through a third party platform is that the third party platform cannot determine the truth from pictures, and if eBay sides with buyers because that is where their financial interest lies.

You are not the first to post here stating that you will change how eBay has operated since 2008. Good luck and let us know how things turn out for you. Some sellers have reported getting a courtesy refund now and again.

[mtgraves7984]

Have to see what happens on tuesday.

@davidsharp68 

It's Tuesday. How'd it go?

[vacca63]

I need help I was selling Apple AirPods Pro max brand new in box sealed in opened ! The guy said , they aren’t what I was advertising! Not true in my listing I said what they were , he said no Apple logo on box , I said if that was the case why did you open the box then . He wants refund . How do I handle this thanks