Buyer requested return saying item is defective, but...

[yuncreations]

... but I always say No returns in my descriptions. And The item works, it's an iPhone. 

Is he trying to scam me? I hesitated when shipping it to them because looks like a new user account.

Also, in the return request he is asking a bunch of questions, I am thinking maybe he doesn't know yet how eBay works because he is new, he was asking  why the phone wasn't working, they can;t make calls. Also, maybe he doesn't know he needs to activate it with a phone service carrier? I am, really confused.

Ebay says I need to resolve by 3/6, if by then I don't hear back from buyer, will eBay proceed with the return automatically ? what will happen?

First time this sort of thing happens to me. Thanks for the help.

[yuncreations]

I still don’t understand why the 50%. Is that in the policy? And is it too late for me to do it now? I am assuming i needed to have selected free returns when posting ?

[2015mhfashions]

To late now unfortunately and yes that is the policy with free returns if you get back something other than what you shipped or a damaged item, high value phones are an easy target for any thief.

Example : Latest  i phone with free returns cost anywhere up to $1000, refund would only be $500, no thief wants to pay a dime so they mostly avoid these listings.

Same phone cost $1000 with paid shipping you would have to refund in full including shipping.

Always with higher value items offer free returns, it gives you a little protection.

[dtexley3]

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@yuncreations wrote:
I still don’t understand why the 50%. Is that in the policy? And is it too late for me to do it now? I am assuming i needed to have selected free returns when posting ?

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Sorry this is happening to you.  You've done the required next step, accepted the request and authorized an eBay label.  If you get your original phone back then it's all good.  However, phones are such a high scam item I'd recommend selling it locally.

Are you and the buyer both inside the US?  If not then you don't have much recourse, other than withholding 50% of the original purchase.

If you are both in the US AND you DON'T get your original phone back.  Then do the following:

1) File a mail fraud complaint with the USPS.

2) Notify the buyer that the phone they shipped back is not your phone and you have notified the postal authorities.

3) File a fraud complaint with fc3.gov

4) File a police report with your local PD.  Insist on it, this is a felony, not a civil case.  Request they forward a copy to the buyer's local PD.

5)  File the above documents with eBay in the return.  If the return has been closed in the buyers favor, open an appeal and upload the documentation.

6) Take the above documentation to the nearest Authorized Apple store and report the phone stolen and ask it be disabled.

7) if the buyer is foolish enough to complain about the now useless phone, give copies of this message to eBay and the police.

[equid0x]

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@yuncreations wrote:

... but I always say No returns in my descriptions. And The item works, it's an iPhone. 

Is he trying to scam me? I hesitated when shipping it to them because looks like a new user account.

Also, in the return request he is asking a bunch of questions, I am thinking maybe he doesn't know yet how eBay works because he is new, he was asking  why the phone wasn't working, they can;t make calls. Also, maybe he doesn't know he needs to activate it with a phone service carrier? I am, really confused.

Ebay says I need to resolve by 3/6, if by then I don't hear back from buyer, will eBay proceed with the return automatically ? what will happen?

First time this sort of thing happens to me. Thanks for the help.

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You're being scammed.

In the context of eBay, accept the return, pay for the label, and get your phone back. 

Report the buyer and block them. File cases with IC3, postal inspector office, and police. If nobody does this, the scammers will never be caught. 

[equid0x]

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@yuncreations wrote:
what if they send me a broken phone in return instead ! I am really worried now. 😞 How does ebay protect me as a seller in that case?

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They don't. Its a legal issue at that point. 

[equid0x]

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@corvettestainless wrote:

They do this because they have no way of knowing who is telling the truth, but the lean to buyers because reputation requires it. 

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They don't? The buyer is claiming it doesn't work/no service. Therefore, the buyer *did* receive a phone. That means, they need to send a phone back. 

Will it be the one the seller sold them? Seller needs to keep records of serial numbers on transactions like this. They also need to follow through on legal action after the fact. 

[equid0x]

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@2015mhfashions wrote:

Most seasoned sellers will tell you never list what you cannot afford to lose.

Well, I want to agree with this, but the way things are now with fees and shipping, if you cannot make risky sales, you will make no money. 

eBay needs to try harder than this. Selling a $500 item shouldn't come with a disclaimer saying "too bad if you never get it back and lose all your money." If the US economy worked this way in general, nobody would sell anything, and anyone who did would lose money. 

eBay needs to face facts that it is a HUGE target of fraud now and they are negligent to their stockholders in refusing to take steps to fight it. 

[equid0x]

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@yuncreations wrote:
Also, why do I (as seller) have to pay for the return label? I thought it was the buyer who pays.

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eBay MBG on "no returns" items which basically negates your policy, which in my opinion is probably fraudulent misrepresentation on behalf of eBay. 

If they screw you, contact your AG office and FTC and file a complaint. Nothing will get done if people don't start complaining. 

[equid0x]

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@fern*wood wrote:

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@yuncreations wrote:
Also, why do I (as seller) have to pay for the return label? I thought it was the buyer who pays.

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If a buyer files a not as described return, the seller is always responsible for the shipping.  A return policy, with the buyer paying the shipping, only applies to remorse returns.

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I bet its totally illegal to advertise a "no returns" policy that requires sellers to accept returns in the same way it is totally illegal to advertise "unlimited internet access" and then implement a 1TB cap. 

[equid0x]

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@2015mhfashions wrote:

Just search all cell phone sellers, they all do free shipping and returns, easy target for free phones if they did not.

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If the customer wants free shipping and returns they are free to buy from T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint. You have to wonder why they chose NOT to do so. 

[turquoisetulips]

I know somebody will say this  so it might as well be me  . Never sell anything online that costs more than you can afford to lose . Been there ,, not my thang .  Tulips 

[effie*s_trinkets]

Then where or how do I sell it? What can you suggest?

[effie*s_trinkets]

Right! In that case I wouldn’t be selling much

[yuncreations]

Guess what!! Update! The buyer returned it, whatever they returned... I have no clue! because now the Post office lost it!! unfortunately it's marked delivered, but it never came to my address!!
I feel really like Murphy's law right now...
I have been selling and buying stuff for years now, and I've never had a package lost like this!! Now I have to fight with the Post office!! can you believe this!? it's so incredible!! I still can't believe it's happening ...
Well the buyer will get their refund tomorrow, I spoke to Ebay, if I get the package back and it's not what I sent or it's damaged, then I open an appeal.
Jeez!!!
what else can go wrong now?>
lol.. crying and laughing at same time. going crazy here

[effie*s_trinkets]

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@yuncreations wrote:

... but I always say No returns in my descriptions. And The item works, it's an iPhone. 

Is he trying to scam me? I hesitated when shipping it to them because looks like a new user account.

Also, in the return request he is asking a bunch of questions, I am thinking maybe he doesn't know yet how eBay works because he is new, he was asking  why the phone wasn't working, they can;t make calls. Also, maybe he doesn't know he needs to activate it with a phone service carrier? I am, really confused.

Ebay says I need to resolve by 3/6, if by then I don't hear back from buyer, will eBay proceed with the return automatically ? what will happen?

First time this sort of thing happens to me. Thanks for the help.

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OP here (with my other account) I can’t believe nobody here warned me that the ebay generated return label would be first class , now usps lost my package but marked it delivered so the buyer got refund and I have nothing. 
if only I had known i had to issue a priority label and send to buyer, I’d get st least $50 back... 

😭😭😭