eBay

deala0621 · ‎09-09-2020

Hi,

thanks to all for your help. Somewhat new, never had this happen before.

I mailed a limited edition eye shadow palate to Ontario Canada for $90. They requested a refund saying it was not as described and said I sent a cheap beaded necklace instead and attached pictures.

I never sold a necklace on ebay period, and never saw that one in my life. The weird thing is, in the picture was also the shipping package, and it had "GLASS FRAGILE DO NOT CRUSH" sticker type labels on it which I didn't have on my package. BUT that package in the picture did have the correct Canada Post tracking number that they supplied for the item I sent after it went through customs. So I can't see the original shipping label to see if it's my package, but it does have that tracking number, BUT I did not have those stickers on it.

Is this person trying to scam me and going to the lengths of altering the package and using a different item?? Or is it possible it was mixed up with a different package? There are two occasions in the tracking updates that says it was rerouted due to processing error.

What should I do? Should I try to see if it was mixed up with another package? Should I contact the postal service? or the buyer?

- Christina

lacemaker3 · ‎09-10-2020

@deala0621 wrote:
I can't really remember what specific package I mailed it in. I have mailed items in that type of envelop but only ones that are lined with bubble wrap and it doesn't look like it's one of those. If so, it's definitely not a package I've sent out. Though I don't think I would have mailed an eye shadow palate in even one of the padded ones. It's an expensive palate and eye shadow can crack if you drop it, plus there's a small mirror in the palate.

It also looks like the original label is a printed label, cut out and then taped on. I had been using half sheet sticky labels for almost a month before sending out this order. Those labels are a lot bigger and I never cut them to a smaller size.

I did buy the shipping label through ebay.

What do you think I can do?

Thanks

OK, great, thanks for responding.

If you bought the shipping label through eBay, then the reference # would be correct, not chance that you wrote the wrong # by mistake.

Your package was definitely received by GSP in Kentucky, so if that doesn't look like your packaging, then it must have gotten mixed up by GSP and they sent the wrong package to your buyer, or your buyer is pulling a scam.

The buyer has opened a case with eBay, so you need to respond in the case in the resolution center. Say that the GSP mixed up the package, and sent somebody else's package to your buyer. Explain that you used a box, not an envelope, if that is the case. Get that into the case, then contact eBay customer service and ask them to reassign the case to the GSP because it was their mistake, and it's not your responsibility.

To reach customer service, click Help & Contact (top or bottom of the page) and choose the appropriate topic you need help with. Keep choosing to the end, then scroll down and your contact options will be at the bottom. Choose "have us call you", that's the best option these days. In my experience, the wait times are usually short and they do call within the estimated time. They will call the number you have on record for this account, so make sure that's correct before you start.

They should reassign the case to GSP, and it will disappear or be "resolved" on your account.

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gwzcomps · ‎09-09-2020

The buyer could be lying. The item could have gotten mixed up during a customs check? Either way eBay will make sure the buyer gets their money back right or wrong.

inhawaii · ‎09-10-2020

Did you try talking with the buyer? Explain it to him like you explained it to us.

That necklace couldn't have come from me. I've never owned/sold a necklace like that.

That is not the package i sent your cosmetics in. What's the return address? What's the tracking number?

What if the buyer is not trying to rip you off but simply made a mistake?

Good luck and stay safe!

Can't We Try - Dan Hill & Vonda Shepard

deala0621 · ‎09-10-2020

Thanks for the reply. The other thing that is suspect is their account was created the day they ordered the item. I know they will get their refund, but should I inquire at all? by asking the buyer questions or calling the post office? Am I protected against negative feedback in this scenario?

deala0621 · ‎09-10-2020

I wanted to get some advice before I contacted, but I had planned to, yes.

However, this morning they sent me a rude email saying I'm sending fake products and to get a real job.

And while I'll be cordial, it doesn't bode well.

I will try to ask the questions? I know I have to send the refund regardless, right? I was hoping it was a post offcie mix up.

lilbama911 · ‎09-10-2020

Go to your post office with your Tracking Number and buyer's email and pictures and make an inquiry as to what could possibly have happened prior to the package being delivered and what is your recourse.

fern*wood · ‎09-10-2020

That photo looks like your shipping label stuck on top of another shipping label. My guess this looks more like a customs/po thing than a buyer doing that, because I would think a buyer trying to fool you would more carefully cover the label underneath.

kathieskorner · ‎09-10-2020

I agree. But I would think it is more likely a customs thing. I stopped shipping to Canada because of customs problems.

luckythewinner · ‎09-10-2020

@deala0621 wrote:
BUT that package in the picture did have the correct Canada Post tracking number that they supplied for the item I sent after it went through customs.

Can you explain this further?

Who is the "they" who supplied you with a Canada Post tracking number after it went through customs?

How was it "supplied" to you?

I admit I rarely ship to Canada, but this does not sound like anything I have experienced before.

lacemaker3 · ‎09-10-2020

@deala0621, according to the screenshot you posted, that item was shipped by the Global Shipping Program.

They always put new labels on the package, because you shipped it to the shipping depot in Kentucky, and they needed to ship it on to Canada. Once it arrived in Canada, they passed it on to Canada Post, who made the final delivery. There's usually another new label then.

They always cover up the original label, because they need to block the original shipping address (Kentucky) in order to not fool the automated sorting equipment, which uses Optical Character Recognition to process the package automatically. In my experience, they have always used the original packaging, and have never even opened the packages to inspect them. They have always just put new shipping labels over the original label on the unopened package. The Fragile stickers could have been added at the GSP.

So, that explains the different labels and (possibly) the Fragile stickers. Those are not indicative of any scam.

I see two possibilities: either the GSP mixed up the package and sent the wrong package to your buyer, or the buyer may be pulling a scam.

Does it look like your packaging, apart from the labels and the stickers?

Did you include the reference number on the label? If you bought the label through eBay, it should have been included automatically, but if you didn't get it through eBay, you had to do that yourself.

deala0621 · ‎09-10-2020

In the tracking updates for the package, it has the USPS tracking #, but then it went through customs and then, I guess when handed off to Canada Post, Canada Post supplied a Canada Post tracking #. So under the tracking info on Ebay, I have the tracking #s for both USPS and Canada Post.

On the package in the picture the buyer sent I can't see the original label (the one I would have stuck on it), but on top of that is the one, I gather, that is from Canada Post that does, in fact, have that same Canada Post tracking #.

So that makes it look like it is the package but I didn't have any "glass fragile" stickers on it like in the picture. I'm not sure if Canada Post would put those on there??

I asked CS at Canada Post if there could have been a mix up, maybe they put a label that was suppose to be on another package on mine??? But they said flat out "we don't mix up packages" and reiterated.

Also my first time shipping to Canada.

deala0621 · ‎09-10-2020

I think the label on top is Canada Post's label they put on once it enters their country. That's why I thought maybe they mislabeled. If they did, I don't know how they'd be able to verify.

Would also like to give the buyer the benefit of the doubt but it is really suspect that they created their eBay account the day they ordered my item.

luckythewinner · ‎09-10-2020

@deala0621 wrote:
but it is really suspect that they created their eBay account the day they ordered my item.

I think most first-time eBay buyers create their account the same day they place their first order.

They have no reason to create one earlier.

deala0621 · ‎09-10-2020

@luckythewinner wrote:
@deala0621 wrote:
but it is really suspect that they created their eBay account the day they ordered my item.
I think most first-time eBay buyers create their account the same day they place their first order.

They have no reason to create one earlier.

That's a fair observation.

I contacted Canada Post again and they said I can contact USPS and they can investigate and will contact them.

I've msg'd the buyer and asked if they could see a return address or the USPS tracking number.

Ebay says I have to "take action" by Sept. 11th. Do I have to go ahead and refund no matter the circumstance? It seems I have no time to inquire. I saw in a similar post somebody suggested to ask the buyer to send the "wrong item" back, I guess for evidence. Is there any point in doing that?

Thanks again, everyone, for your help

lacemaker3 · ‎09-10-2020

@deala0621 :There's no point in contacting Canada Post, or USPS.

This was shipped by Global Shipping Program. If the package was mixed up, it would have happened there.

Please answer these questions that I asked earlier:

Does it look like your packaging, apart from the labels and the stickers?
Did you include the reference number on the label? If you bought the label through eBay, it should have been included automatically, but if you didn't get it through eBay, you had to do that yourself.

You need to tell us this, so that we can give you the best advise.

If the package was mixed up by GSP, then they should handle it. You're not supposed to be liable for anything that happens to it after that.