Buyer says package was empty.

[jeffxxo]

Recently sold an IPhone 6, buyer opened a return request and says it arrived but package was empty and states that the postman marked it "received unsealed, received with out contents". I know it was slealed and overly taped. I opened a claim with USPS and I did have insurance. It seems with eBay you as a seller have no leg to stand on. My only option is to refund the buyer. I asked the buyer to send pictures of the opened package but they said they can only do it through text and would need a phone number. Do I have any options other than a refund, and hope to be refunded by USPS?

[kattinsanity]

OP~~The other poster is right.  If you are involved in a transaction with another member it is NOT against policy to send that buyer your phone number.  In fact, he can "request contact info" through ebay and they will give him your contact info.

HIS info is right in your pay pal transaction INCLUDING his phone number.  Why don't you call him and give him your phone number if you are afraid to send it through ebay messages.  Then he can send you pics if he really has them & you don't have to wait until tomorrow.

[postingid2017]

Call me whatever, however, how can anyone open a return request when nothing was received?  The recipient needs to return what was sent, no?  I too think your buyer is attempting to get a free item.

When will this end? 😞

[postingid2017]

I was just thinking the same

[kattinsanity]

Was this the $900.00+ sale?  Did you send it with signature confirmation?  Ebay requires anything over $750.00 to be sent with signature to be covered for seller protection.  If you did send it with signature confirmation why did the buyer ever sign for it or accept it?  He told you his postman marked it as opened and empty so if it is true he knew that before ever accepting it.

[bigchief2472000]

Anything insured for over $500 automatically gets signature confirmation added by USPS.

[chipper01work]

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@bigchief2472000 wrote:

Anything insured for over $500 automatically gets signature confirmation added by USPS.

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I think you are talking about an insurance signature. The signature that eBay requires as proof of delivery is an add on service and must be viewable online.

[bigchief2472000]

It's "signature confirmation" on anything insured over $500.  I'm not 100% sure, but I believe it is viewable online.

[bigchief2472000]

I just checked on a package I sent and it wasn't viewable at USPS site, but they emailed me a pdf with the signature of the recipient.

[kattinsanity]

Anything that SELLS on ebay for $750.00 or over requires signature confirmation.  The seller doesn't have to insure it if they don't want to.  Many sellers "self insure".  Ebay nor USPS cares if the seller insures or not~~it's the sellers risk.

[chipper01work]

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@bigchief2472000 wrote:

I just checked on a package I sent and it wasn't viewable at USPS site, but they emailed me a pdf with the signature of the recipient.

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If you sell something that results in a payment of $750 or more, that is likely not going to cut it for seller protection on eBay. It needs to be online viewable in the tracking history. eBay is not going to screw around with a PDF that you forward them. If you don't have an online viewable signature and your buyer files INR you lose every time.

[bigchief2472000]

All ebay has to do is plug in the tracking number, my name, and any email address and they can get the pdf directly from USPS.  No need for them to get it from me.

[oaklandmaryland]

Either the post office employee stole it which happens frequently, it is a scam that happens frequently or at times this is the truth. Just take your pick but if he files a NAD claim Ebay will make you return all monies including the shipping.

[kattinsanity]

OP~~Why don't you just contact the buyer through his contact info & phone number supplied with his pay pal payment and give him your phone # and either get pics or not?  The drama isn't worth the hassles.

[d-k_treasures]

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@bigchief2472000 wrote:

All ebay has to do is plug in the tracking number, my name, and any email address and they can get the pdf directly from USPS.  No need for them to get it from me.

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They can, but as explained above, they won't, so the case would be lost. Paypal is the same way. 

IF you had a chargeback for INR, and IF you could get the sig conf from the insurance to the CC company, you would probably win, but PP wouldn't go that extra step and you don't have the ability to talk to the CC company, so you are out of luck there too.

[d-k_treasures]

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@kattinsanity wrote:

OP~~The other poster is right.  If you are involved in a transaction with another member it is NOT against policy to send that buyer your phone number.  In fact, he can "request contact info" through ebay and they will give him your contact info.

HIS info is right in your pay pal transaction INCLUDING his phone number.  Why don't you call him and give him your phone number if you are afraid to send it through ebay messages.  Then he can send you pics if he really has them & you don't have to wait until tomorrow.

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Seriously? It's Christmas.