Buyer scam question

[paulauryn1]

Hi, my daughter, a private seller, sold her old iPhone with no returns. She shipped it via UPS as soon as eBay said the buyer paid.  The buyer filed for a return stating the item was not as described when they opened it and requested a refund.  The issue is the buyer has not received the item.  It’s still in transport.  As a matter of fact the return was filed while my daughter was still at the UPS store. She is very concerned she will lose the phone and the money paid for it.  What recourse does she have?  This really sounds like a professional scammer. Thanks for any advice. 

[soh.maryl]

Things you might want to explain to your daughter:

Her "no returns" stance means nothing in the face of eBay's Money Back Guarantee for buyers.

ALL buyers AND sellers need to read it.

In the case of a not as described item, the buyer will have to return it before your daughter issues a refund.

[aeparts1]

I would contact UPS ASAP & have them intercept the package & return it directly to you, before it is delivered to the scammer. There is a fee for this service but it is better than losing the phone & the $$.

Then find somewhere other than eBay to sell the phone.

[this*old*attic]

Could be the buyer mixed up orders and everything is fine.

If the buyer just changed their mind, but knows how to work the system for a free return, there’s little to do about. Your daughter has to take the item back and refund, regardless of the fake timing.

So far, no scam just annoying.

If they send back a rock, there’s also little to nothing you can do about it. Hopefully this isn’t what’s up.

“No returns” on EBay just means the buyer gets their money back without returning the item - DO NOT FIGHT THE RETURN!!!!

In future, don’t sell anything on EBay you can’t afford to lose.

[luckythewinner]

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@paulauryn1 wrote:

Hi, my daughter, a private seller, sold her old iPhone with no returns. She shipped it via UPS as soon as eBay said the buyer paid.  The buyer filed for a return stating the item was not as described when they opened it and requested a refund.  The issue is the buyer has not received the item.  It’s still in transport.  As a matter of fact the return was filed while my daughter was still at the UPS store. She is very concerned she will lose the phone and the money paid for it.  What recourse does she have?  This really sounds like a professional scammer. Thanks for any advice. 

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The first thing your daughter needs to do is go to eBay and add the tracking number to the transaction. eBay relies on the tracking number to determine whether the item was mailed, whether it was received, and how long it took to get there. 

Hopefully someone else with experience responding to disputes will come along and explain how to properly respond to an INR for an item that is still in transit. 

[soh.maryl]

PS:  Did your daughter contact her buyer and ask if he had her confused with another seller because she had just mailed the package and it could not have arrived to the buyer yet? 

[downunder-61]

Sounds like a very new buyer who thinks this is how to cancel a sale and get a refund.

Probably tried for INR, realised the EDT made that impossible so went to INAD. I actually didn't think that would be possible yet either, learn something everyday.

[ittybitnot]

Hopefully someone else with experience responding to disputes will come along and explain how to properly respond to an INR for an item that is still in transit. 

@luckythewinner 

Actually, we need someone that knows what to do when they get a "SNAD return request" when the item has not even arrived.  

[mr_lincoln]

@paulauryn1   First, really sorry to hear this but mobile devices are high risk high scam items.  Be prepared for your daughter to be out the phone and out the money.  There are some good replies here like making sure tracking it uploaded to the sold file and contact UPS to get the phone back even if it costs you some money.  I do not think the Buyer confused purchases ... they are probably good at scamming and your daughter may just be another victim ...

[toysaver]

Lucky you if it hasn't arrived yet.  Pay to intercept it  I M M E D I A T E LY.  

[ittybitnot]

 Thanks for any advice. 

@paulauryn1 

You have been given some good options so far:

  Depending on where the item was shipped (city/state) it could be that the buyer has this confused with another transaction and will close the case.  If they don't respond to the message then .....

Depending on the dollar amount, you can recall the package. 

You can also report the buyer for misuse of the MBG. You may wish to contact eBAy and point out the claim was made before the item has even arrived.   They may or may not close the case. 

If  you can "accept" the return and have eBay issue a return label, and see how this plays out.   Of course, the buyer can send anything back and get a refund from the seller's proceeds. 

If ebay "throws you under the bus" with their 'nothing we can do mantra', come back for more options. 

[ittybitnot]

 and contact UPS to get the phone back even if it costs you some money.

@mr_lincoln 

Actually, I think this is the best choice (I had some morning coffee since my last reply).  Time is a factor, and it will indeed be worse dealing with this once the parcel arrives. 

[caldreamer]

Scammers target new sellers and "high value items" (especially cellphones, computers, jewelry).   Things that they can easily resold.    If UPS offers some way to "intercept delivery" you should do that immediately.

There is no such thing as "no returns" because customer can claim "not as described, counterfeit, defective" with EBAY Money Back Guarantee (supersedes "no returns") and you are forced to give full refund (plus shipping BOTH ways).   EBAY only looks at return tracking# (not what is inside the box).   Even if they return "box of rocks" you still have to give refund.   If you get scammed...there is no protection.  

[*graydog]

Intercept the package ASAP!

If you don't you will be out the phone and the $.   

You have been warned.  

[mr_lincoln]

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@ittybitnot wrote:

 and contact UPS to get the phone back even if it costs you some money.

@mr_lincoln 

Actually, I think this is the best choice (I had some morning coffee since my last reply).  Time is a factor, and it will indeed be worse dealing with this once the parcel arrives. 

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I would have to agree @ittybitnot  .... for myself I would rather pay money and get the item back then have a scammer or potential scammer get it for free ...