Buyer scam

[120958]

Just got scammed by a clever buyer with a similar but worthless item to return. I sold a valuable Elvis Presley record still sealed and numbered.  Price was over $200. I had tracking and insurance. Package was delivered and buyer left positive feedback saying everything was good and as described. I also left positive feedback which must have been part of his scam. A month later I got notice that the buyer filed a dispute saying the item didn’t match description. I challenged the dispute pointing out he had already left positive feedback specifically stating item was as described. Soon after I received his return which was not the valuable LP I had mailed but instead a very cheap Elvis record. The only similarity was they are both clear vinyl. I was surprised but the whole scenario came together in my mind. He had his positive feedback and the pricey record. Soon after, eBay ruled in his favor.  I was kind of amazed as I have been on eBay selling and buying since 1999 and I have a perfect feedback rating of 100% with over 2,500 transactions. Amazingly this creep, who apparently specializes in Elvis also has a 100% feedback rating. So, he ended up with a very valuable rare Elvis record and positive feedback from me! 

[mikeystoyz]

Was it over state lines?  File mail fraud on the guy.  If he does it enough times the post office will take notice.  I did this with a few other people to a guy that was buying car parts and returning his used ones.  Cost him 10k and a year in jail when it was all done.  For giggles you can also file a police report in his home town.  It wont do much but eventually, when the number gets big enough they will act.  My part was a 50 dollar part.  It adds up fast.  If he did it to you he has done it to others.  

[the-hook-and-the-loop]

You know the world is changing when you go to Dollar General and there are alerts/alarms on the deodorant when you remove them from the shelf. Same with laundry detergent and Glade Plug-Ins.

[mam98031]

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@mikeystoyz wrote:

Was it over state lines?  File mail fraud on the guy.  If he does it enough times the post office will take notice.  I did this with a few other people to a guy that was buying car parts and returning his used ones.  Cost him 10k and a year in jail when it was all done.  For giggles you can also file a police report in his home town.  It wont do much but eventually, when the number gets big enough they will act.  My part was a 50 dollar part.  It adds up fast.  If he did it to you he has done it to others.  

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It doesn't have to cross state lines to be "mail fraud".  The use of USPS in the commission of committing a fraud is a Federal Criminal Offense.

[spodes]

You can APPEAL the APPEAL.  I've done it and won.  Can't you provide a photo of the original record and the record that the buyer mailed you to prove that it's different?  Or did you not post a photo of the record in your listing?  Seems like an easy case to win.  Ebay usually lets the buyer win the case without even looking at the case, -it's decided by bots until you make a fuss.  Are you able to provide the seller's store name?  I'd like to block that seller.

[120958]

Yes I have photos. I think I did appeal. I’m losing track of all the links. Where is the appeal the appeal link?

[120958]

update: I followed the appeal links in and it

led to “contact us.” I was able to get an agent on the phone quickly. After about ten minutes he explained to me that the dispute was filed through the buyer’s financial institution and was out of eBay’s hands. He was unable to tell me what the financial institution is. But the agent said I would need to appeal with them. But I can’t find out who they are. One mistake I made was not submitting the photos of the item I sent (although they are clearly visible in the listing). As for the item he returned, by the time I got it the case had already been filed and apparently they won’t accept more evidence. I suppose if I knew his financial institution I could contact them. 

[retro_entertainment_collectibles]

As was noted by someone file that report with the USPS Postal Inspectors office and contact a Police Dept. closest to his point of residence wanting a report filed.  Request a copy of the report be emailed or snail mailed to you informing the officer that you believe the perpetrator has done this many times stealing from folks and then flipping the stolen items online.  Make sure note things such as the mailing address used, name, eBay ID on and on.

When you get that report filing back, write a letter and attach the police report to it noting, credit card fraud, mail fraud, you're belief the individual has been engaging in these conducts.  Find the name of the town or county District Attorney and mail it all off to that local DA's office c/o "The DA's Name."

A DA has the ability to get court order (judge never even see it, just a court clerk stamp it) exposing the financial transactions as well as authorities being able access eBay's backend that is made for authorities to access.

[mam98031]

I would suggest that you contact Ebay for Business on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for the better trained CSRs.

Here are your options for contacting Ebay Customer Service.  Please be aware that for social media CS, you send them a Private Message and briefly explain what your problem or issue is.  Feel free to leave your Name, address, phone number and/or your email address in this message.  It is private and secure and it may help to speed up the response for you.

https://twitter.com/askebay

https://www.facebook.com/eBay/

https://www.instagram.com/ebayforsellers/

Your options will be on the left.  If you use the link below you can only get to the Automated Assistant or Chat box type AGENT in the box and hit enter. You will then get more options.  Not all options are available 24/7.  It will depend on staffing available.  So sometimes you can request a call back and sometimes you can't.  Sometimes you have the Chat option available and other times it won't me.  If it is important to you to use one of those options, just try back later.

If you use a cell phone or other mobile device, you may need to turn off your Spam filter so that Ebay can call you.

If you are a seller outside of the US or Canada, you will need to use the Chat Option.

https://www.ebay.com/help/home

[mam98031]

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@120958 wrote:

update: I followed the appeal links in and it

led to “contact us.” I was able to get an agent on the phone quickly. After about ten minutes he explained to me that the dispute was filed through the buyer’s financial institution and was out of eBay’s hands. He was unable to tell me what the financial institution is. But the agent said I would need to appeal with them. But I can’t find out who they are. One mistake I made was not submitting the photos of the item I sent (although they are clearly visible in the listing). As for the item he returned, by the time I got it the case had already been filed and apparently they won’t accept more evidence. I suppose if I knew his financial institution I could contact them. 

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The CSR was wrong.  You have no way to appeal a Chargeback directly with a buyer's financial institution.  The appeal happens through Ebay.  

In my post above I gave you all the various ways you can contact Ebay.  I hope you will review it.  I would suggest contacting Ebay for Business on Facebook.

[120958]

Thank you I will do that. 

[az93]

As others have pointed out, you cannot leave  a negative, but you can honestly reply to the feedback with your side of the story. Ebay even allows images now. What I sent  vs what was returned,

[mam98031]

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@az93 wrote:

As others have pointed out, you cannot leave  a negative, but you can honestly reply to the feedback with your side of the story. Ebay even allows images now. What I sent  vs what was returned,

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Well yes and no.  You can't leave a negative comment either.  I should rephrase that.  You can, but you can also get sanctioned by Ebay for doing that.