Buyer requested return for received fake item

[jadon_h]

Hi. I sold genuine (Apple sleeve for ipad pro) on eBay a week ago.

I purchased it from local Target and sold it because I no longer have ipad.

I have an original receipt.

Today, the item has delivered and the buyer requested for return. Reason was opened, not genuine, and the color is different and said I'm a liar and terrible. Also, buyer attached some photos and it's definately fake item and looks cheap. This buyer is trying to get refund and send fake item. I called eBay customer service and explained everything and told them I don't want to accept this return because this buyer is abusing eBay policy. They said just don't do anything on return request and wait until due date and they will look over it when the case has opened. I also report this buyer as misuse ebay policy.

I got a reference number from customer service but should I have to wait until they make any decision? or is there any chance that I can win this case?

On the return request page, it says if I don't respond by Feb 28 or we may approve it for me. Should I have to wait and do nothing until the end?

[lida217]

Please check it out : 

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Archive-Selling/Sold-item-received-back-broken/m-p/25845543

[mikeystoyz]

I would file mail fraud with them if they send back a fake item.  That is fraud in and of itself.  It could mean that someone at the post office switched the item out and the buyer got an exact fake copy of the item you sent.  You might think that a small dollar item wont matter much but it eventually adds up.  Let the buyer you know that you sent a real item and that if they got a fake one you need to tell the post office that someone in their area is stealing and sending fake items along.  This is a federal crime.  I would then email Apple and let them know as well.  I am sure they have a fraud division.  I would honestly go this far.

[mam98031]

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@lida217 wrote:

Please check it out : 

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Archive-Selling/Sold-item-received-back-broken/m-p/25845543

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While always concerning, the thread is 3 years old and so many changes have happened between then and now.  Some good, some bad, some things stayed the same.

[cashvaluerecovery2011]

Ebay customer service reps routinely lie and give bad information. Most times the information is the exact opposite of what is best for you. Often when you follow the CS reps advice you will lose both money and item and get a strike on your account.

As for what happens next in your case. You will very likely receive something other than what you sold and shipped. Its a very common theme here on ebay and is growing at a massive rate due to ebay having a conflict of interest in the seller losing. If you appeal and lose you get a defect and still pay fees = ebay wins. If you send item and get the same item returned and recoup your fees ebay still made profit on the shipping both ways and you will likely sell the item again and the buyer stays on ebay making more purchases. If you get defects on your account your fees will likely go up and ebay makes more money.

Notice Trinton even suggested taking the return, paying for return shipping, and hope to resell your item when the buyer has already sent pics of the fake item he intends to ship back. Ebay knows very very very well that this scam is happening many times a day and this is going to be one of them.........but just bend over and take it anyway.

Sorry.

[goodluckselling]

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@jadon_h wrote:

Thank you for the reply.

I feel really bad but I think I have to accept this buyer's return.

I'm not sure I can keep selling on eBay because there are too many liars and I feel like eBay doesn't care about sellers.

I didn't know I could lost both money and item if I just followed what eBay representative said.

I have a question.

What if I accept the return and if the buyer shipped fake item, can I claim this buyer before refund?

I just got a document from Target.

I have (Original receipt, Chatting with Target CS, document and photos)

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The best path is to accept the return, issue the shipping label and see what you get returned.  If it is different then you shipped contact eBay about your next step in a fraud return, present your facts and sk them to reverse there decision and or refund your money back based on the fraud.

There is no guarantee they will but your evidence should go a long way to creating a cSe against the fraud from your buyer.

Good Luck Selling!