eBay

jeffxxo · ‎12-23-2017

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?

bnbsellingtime · ‎12-23-2017

I had a package coming to me with a fairly valuable pocket watch go into the shipping void and bounce around the country in a very odd way then spend a week at a sorting facility. When it finally arrived it was a bubble mailer that had gotten tangled in machinery. It was ripped to shreds and empty. My mailman is awesome and he knew I had been fretting about that package. He wrote out a form saying it arrived damaged and empty and that showed in the tracking. The seller tried to fight it apparently thinking I was scamming but I uploaded pictures and everything Ebay asked and got my money back. Somewhere I think there is a piece of postal machinery with a very nice Waltham keywind pocket watch lying down under the gears inside.

tarpedge · ‎12-23-2017

@duggmills wrote:
I'm not sure I buy the idea buyer can only send a picture through a text and needs you phone number.- it's a violation of eBay policy

Please quote the eBay policy that this violates?

jeffxxo · ‎12-23-2017

They did open a return request and on the shipping label it showed "insured" with no dollar amount. I have emailed him back and said I wont give out a phone number due to eBay's policy and all communications should be within eBay. I did let him know that I have opened a claim with USPS and waiting to hear back. I called my local USPS and told them I dropped off a package and it was empty when delivered, they told me that anything that comes through their office gets a picture taken of it and it will get another picture at his local office (as long as its not a very small/old USPS).

jeffxxo · ‎12-23-2017

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Please remember that we don't have control over communication unless it takes place through eBay. Also, posts on eBay discussion boards aren't covered by this policy. However, we do have a discussion boards usage policy.

hawgryders · ‎12-23-2017

@jeffxxo wrote:
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?

So even with the USPS telling you it was empty that isn't good enough ...

emerald40 · ‎12-23-2017

@hawgryders wrote:
@jeffxxo wrote:
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?
So even with the USPS telling you it was empty that isn't good enough ...

The buyer is saying that, but not confirmed by USPS yet,

bigchief2472000 · ‎12-23-2017

I don't believe the OP claimed that USPS has either confirmed or denied that the package they delivered was empty or labeled as such. The buyer claimed it was empty and labeled as such.

Edit: emarald beat me to it...

hawgryders · ‎12-23-2017

@bigchief2472000 wrote:
I don't believe the OP claimed that USPS has either confirmed or denied that the package they delivered was empty or labeled as such. The buyer claimed it was empty and labeled as such.

Edit: emarald beat me to it...

the postman marked it "received unsealed, received with out contents"

Nuff said ...

emerald40 · ‎12-23-2017

@hawgryders wrote:
@bigchief2472000 wrote:
I don't believe the OP claimed that USPS has either confirmed or denied that the package they delivered was empty or labeled as such. The buyer claimed it was empty and labeled as such.

Edit: emarald beat me to it...
the postman marked it "received unsealed, received with out contents"

____________________________________________________
You are still not getting it?

The buyer is claiming that but offering no proof that it actually happened.

bigchief2472000 · ‎12-23-2017

"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 think you've been drinking too much of the kool-aid if you're under the impression that a buyer would never lie.

kensgiftshop · ‎12-23-2017

Does tracking say anything about the package being opened and empty?

I would call their post office with the tracking number and find out from them.

If the post man marked it open and empty, they should remember doing it.

Have a great day.

jeffxxo · ‎12-23-2017

I checked the tracking and it does not say anything other than, delivered in or at the mailbox with the time stamp. I plan on calling both post offices on Tuesday to see if I can gather more information.

tarpedge · ‎12-24-2017

But this is after the sale. Do you understand eBay policy after the sale, that you can now exchange phone numbers?

https://pages.ebay.com/help/search/members.html#2

kh-vince · ‎12-24-2017

Hello everyone,

This thread is getting a bit heated. Please remember that it’s fine to disagree with others, but discussion should always remain courteous and respectful.

Thank you for your cooperation.

papyruspapillo · ‎12-25-2017

The buyer is attempting to commit mail fraud. This happened to me a few years ago. I was able to convince the buyer to send the mailing wrapper to me, and I filed an insurance claim. As part of that procedure, buyer was sent forms by USPS to fill out and sign. At that point, he lost his nerve, and I didn't hear from him again. Also, involving USPS served to prolong the process beyond ebay's time limit (as it was at the time) for refund. It seemed obvious that the buyer had somehow acquired discarded USPS rubber-stamps with which he decorated the mailer. So I remained in possession of my $300.