Buyer's running scams

[rattnroll90]

It's really frustrating that buyer's can just simply say "item doesn't match description" and ebay says "ok return it" with no other supporting evidence even though I'm not a business and do not accept returns.

The buyer sent me a pic that is clearly not the item that I sent. People suck and ebay should not accept them at their word. The buyer is NOT always right! 

[donsdetour]

word??

Ebay has no idea what you sent or what is sent back to you.

As for no returns: not a problem. It does not mean no refunds.

Let em keep the item and refund em.  That is what happens if you refuse the return.

You agree to the buyers guarantee by selling on ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy... 

If these users are abusing the returns policy, report them for it: do not expect to get your money back for such a report.

If they are not sending back the item you sent: report it to law enforcement as that is fraud and theft.

[antfant]

Happend to me recently .. Sold a brand new shoes and when delivered buyer sent me a picture of unpaired shoes in diferent colour saying it is what he received... Will report him to authorities as is a scam and theft but no hope.. Ebay is doing nothing with it..

[antfant]

Thinking about changing my return address for this transaction to the local Police station address and will see..

[iart]

So, what would be your solution when there's a he/she said argument? Should they always side with the seller (I claim a much higher percentage of sellers are bad than buyers). Or eBay should hire a team to thoroughly investigate every disputed transaction? Would you be okay with them greatly increasing their fees to cover the cost?

[ittybitnot]

So, what would be your solution when there's a he/she said argument? 

@iart 

I am a very OLD school ebay member.  I started selling/buying in 1998.  There was no he said/she said issues.  You bought it, you got it.  Buyers relied totally on public feedback to determine if they wanted to "take a chance" and spend their money.  They actually had to READ the description word for word and decide.  If the buyer got a POS, they posted same for all to see. 

A buyer back then could not claim there was a problem with items damaged in shipping unless they cooperated in an insurance claim for same.  Imagine that.  

Now it is  a "one click" buyer wins program, where bots are not interested in any facts.  I sell you a vintage robot that is missing a leg....I put in the 'condition box'  robot is missing a leg.  I put in the description five times...robot is missing a leg, and I show 8 photos of my robot with only one leg, and I am TOAST when the buyer claims SNAD....robot is missing a leg. 

I was sooooo out of here.  I still enjoy internet selling.  It is how I support myself.  I just don't do it here anymore. 

[iart]

We have been selling almost as long. And we don't recall it the way you do. We remember a time when sellers lied, cheated and scammed their way into sales. And buyers could still return items.

Unfortunately, so many sellers are dishonest that many wouldn't do the honest thing without eBay jumping in.

The way it is now is the only way it can be without a massive increase in ebay fees. It is a good system.

[charliegirl]

Hi friends,

I have been selling 6 years, with no complaint or negative or even neutral feedback. I offer returns on most items and I live for my buyers to be happy with their purchase. I am old school this way. What I have experienced that I believe is Fraud, is people with brand new accounts, just opened when they buy from me . Zero feedback. I depend on feedback. I buy on ebay frequently.  What has happened to me is , the seller receives the item and says the item does not fit the description.  Ebay refunds them.  I am out of the item, and in the hole for the money. I believe there is people who are scammers that are committing this, just to get the refund money from Ebay.  I now cancel sales for people with brand new accounts, with apology and explanation given to the buyer.  Have any of you experienced this? That is the question I have for you and THANKS! 

[thnguye3827]

Sorry but Ebay always in the buyer's side, so you can't do anything.

[whattheactualfox]

I think the police would have questions for you more then anyone if you do that. Also I hate to say this, but in an INAD, a buyer can just say its not described and you'll have to refund, and pay for shipping. The best you can do is file a police report in the town where scammer lives, file a report with postmaster for mail fraud, file the ic3.gov report. then take the documentation & call Ebay & file an appeal

[mobley120]

"So, what would be your solution when there's a he/she said argument? Should they always side with the seller (I claim a much higher percentage of sellers are bad than buyers). Or eBay should hire a team to thoroughly investigate every disputed transaction? Would you be okay with them greatly increasing their fees to cover the cost?"

Your claim of a much higher percentage of sellers are bad rather than buyers, doesn't seem right to me, since the percentage of buyers would seem to out-number the sellers by a vast amount.

But I too, believe the bad sellers caused the policies that solidly favor the buyers' claims.

And your post kinda speaks in a loud volume.

Yes, perhaps you're right, for eBay to investigate every case of fraudulent behavior by buyers and sellers, would be a massive undertaking and would dramatically increase eBay's fees, yeah, that, in itself speaks loud and clear about the market place eBay has become. I really hadn't given that much thought, but yeah, undoubtedly the fraudulent behavior on eBay, is massive. And I guess what I've read on the community board about fraud, is just a tiny drop in the bucket of such. 

[toysaver]

Bad idea.  Sounds like you're to impersonate a police officer, a crime in all 50 states.  They don't have the manpower for that activity.

[vintagecraze50]

You will loose some great buyers cutting them off just because they have 0 feedback. You must remember that Ebay is attracting new buyers every single day and most of these are going to be good customers and by blocking them you are contributing to your own demise and Ebay’s.

[vintagecraze50]

Yes, you are absolutely right.  I have a scenerio in my mind where a seller gives a great customer a hard time and ya know, if that happens, they avoid this website like the corona virus.

[jonathankirkland]

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@charliegirl wrote:

Hi friends,

I have been selling 6 years, with no complaint or negative or even neutral feedback. I offer returns on most items and I live for my buyers to be happy with their purchase. I am old school this way. What I have experienced that I believe is Fraud, is people with brand new accounts, just opened when they buy from me . Zero feedback. I depend on feedback. I buy on ebay frequently.  What has happened to me is , the seller receives the item and says the item does not fit the description.  Ebay refunds them.  I am out of the item, and in the hole for the money. I believe there is people who are scammers that are committing this, just to get the refund money from Ebay.  I now cancel sales for people with brand new accounts, with apology and explanation given to the buyer.  Have any of you experienced this? That is the question I have for you and THANKS! 

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And just what reason are you giving for doing that?

What you are saying, you're not allowed to do. If you are using the 'problem with buyers address' or 'buyer requested' you are absolutely abusing the system and being dishonest, and should be reported by those buyers.

And even if you WERE allowed to do that it would be foolish. A buyer with 1,000 feedback can just easily be a scammer as one with 0 feedback. Sellers are not allowed to leave negative feedback for buyers so just what information does their feedback give to you? None.

Yes there are scammers here but your way is wrong and eventually it will catch up with you and you'll find yourself permanently banned from selling here if you don't change.