eBay

link_tothe_future · ‎01-14-2022

I'm turning hear for help as eBay customer service has been abysmal. I had a buyer initiate a refund because I made a mistake in the title of my post. Ok, fair. I accepted the return and waited patiently for the item to arrive. When the item arrived I found that the buyer had not sent me back the original item but an old, damaged, dingey copy of the game that did not include any of the original manuals and documentation that mine had. The copy I sent was near mint, had all original manuals, the case was prisitine, no dirt or damage.

Original listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/185220590828

Photos of returned item:

I immediately reported this to ebay and included clear photos of the returned item which did not match the pictures on the original post (because they weren't the same item). Now within 30 minutes of me reporting this scam some Ebay rep closed the case for the buyer because the package was shown to be delivered. I have now appealed that decision and attached even more photos showing that the item I received as a return was not the same item I sent. The buyer will not respond to any of my messages and now thinks they got away with it.

What are my options? if the appeal is closed for the buyer again am I just out of luck and this scammer gets a CIB copy of the game for free? I am so livid and have removed all my listings off of Ebay and will probably not use it to sell anymore. The money doesnt even matter at this point but the fact that Ebay is aiding scammers in there bull**bleep** makes me furious.

mod-designs4u · ‎01-14-2022

Computer games, especially expensive ones, are prone to buyer scams on internet sales platforms (probably unemployed guys who live in their parent's basement). Ebay has some unscrupulous sellers and dishonest buyers. Sellers should protect themselves by including a detailed text description and good photographs in their listings. Buyers returning items are required to return the same item bought for a refund.

When you go to "eBay court" during your appeal you will have to convince the "eBay judge" that the buyer didn't return the item purchased. The eBay employee involved in the appeals process will probably have some education/experience with examining all the facts and rendering a fair decision. In short, the "eBay judge" will have to figure out if the buyer or seller is lying about the issue. Did the buyer swap out an inferior game card and return it without the documentation or did the seller create photographic evidence to state otherwise? Perhaps the "eBay judge" will place the preponderance of evidence on the "time of service" of the two involved parties using the eBay platform.

I don't think that a seller making a small mistake on the Title Description is as important as a detailed Item Description and good photographs of "what" the user is actually buying. Sellers, usually newer ones, making small mistakes in their listings are targeted by internet scammers who want to receive the item for free. Electronics, in general, are prone to a return due to interface compatibility. It would behoove sellers of this stuff to state that the item was "tested" and "works perfectly" in their Item Description after doing so to thwart potential internet buying scammers from purchasing your products. Good luck!

tools* · ‎01-14-2022

@wrong66 wrote:
The limit for sending anything through USPS is 70 pounds. 95-pound Priority Mail does not exist.

Which would explain the line "as if there could even be such a thing." Tell it to velvȇt@ebȁy.com.

link_tothe_future · ‎01-15-2022

Thanks for all the informative responses everyone. I got the email late last night that the appeal was settled in my favor amazingly! So it seems as though all has been set right in my world lol. I feel as though I got lucky on this one and going to use it as a learning experience on double checking listing details and keeping clear records of the items I sell.

Thanks again and take care all

dolcetreasures · ‎01-15-2022

The buyer could have returned anything or nothing at all, as long as they returned some sort of “package” with a tracking label on it that was accepted by whatever shipping company was used for the return. That is enough to satisfy eBay. That doesn’t mean however you can’t use ulterior methods to rectify the situation. You have the buyers info, use it to get justice.

samanthasb0utique · ‎01-15-2022

I can't even count how many times something like this happened to me... accept they weren't for items costing $20-30. They were items costing at least $1000 each. Every time, ebay would side with the buyer and every single time, I would get an empty box back. This scam has been going on for many many years. I had to allow about $5000 each year for the risk of theft so my business wouldn't go broke. But it is just completely insane that ebay and other online platforms would allow theft like this and not even bat an eye. It took me years to build my business up to where it is at now because everytime I would turn around, I would be out of thousands of dollars because ebay would positively praise theft. Now, thankfully they decided to step up and prevent fraud for sellers like me selling expensive and sought after products (authentic guarantee program) and I am thrilled about it! But it took nearly 10 years for that to happen. Sometimes I can't believe I chose to stick it out for as long as I did... like being in an abusive relationship that you don't want to get out of. With all of the theft going on at stores over on the west coast and online scams, people in general have become morally bankrupt. And then those thieves then resell the stuff that they stole! They actually make a great living stealing from people and some thieves make $250k a year doing this... it is mind blowing, I don't even have the words to describe it. What happened to society... I think about that often.

dubiousgain · ‎01-15-2022

@dolcetreasures wrote:
You have the buyers info, use it to get justice.

You know, I have always thought that would make for a good movie theme.... that is if one is [dare I say?] using revenge and justice, as synonymous words. I'm kind of surprised it hasn't been done, as internet buyer/seller fraud is so prevalent. And sometimes, the "wrong" person could be a victim.

fern*wood · ‎01-15-2022

Seller posted that ebay reversed the ruling.

dubiousgain · ‎01-15-2022

I saw that, but that really didn't have anything to do with my post. It was a general statement not referring to any one particular person, or transaction, and not directed to the O/P. Just think of it as a BTW. 😉

kvanhoy · ‎01-15-2022

@wrong66

Does not happen on "cash in hand" platforms.

kvanhoy · ‎01-15-2022

@link_tothe_future

I just signed up and started reading threads like this and have since started shutting my acct down. I will not use a service that takes my money and then dont bother to protect me or my stuff.

wrong66 · ‎01-15-2022

True. If that's where you want to sell.

aearwood11 · ‎06-07-2022

Did you get a ruling in your favor?? We are in the same boat. We sold a perfect gameboy, and they returned a smashed play station. Can any thing be done?? Thank you.

link_tothe_future · ‎06-08-2022

I did, yeah. sorry to hear you're going through a similar situation. Unfortunately I don't have much in the way of advice though. It seems like it's kind of a crap shoot. If you have pictures and contacted ebay immediately you may have luck. The initial case was settled in their favor but I appealed it and that was eventually settled in my favor.

aearwood11 · ‎06-08-2022

Thank you for responding to us. After more pictures they reversed their decision in our favor last night. I hope this won't get changed again. We are evaluating what we are going to list now because of this incident. I appreciate that you took the time to post and share your experience and ideas. Thank you!