Buyer trying to scam me out of $3K

[Anonymous]

I'm a 25 year casual eBay seller. I generally sell mostly recycled computers, cameras and music gear. I've maintained a near perfect record during that time of positive feedback. 

Last week I sold a 2023 MacBook Pro For about $3k. Buyer msg'd me asking for details that were already in the pics and description. He purchased the machine and I sent it out that morning after notification that his funds had cleared. Item was shipped via UPS and arrived on Saturday. 

Today he msgs me and says that what I shipped wasn't as advertised. Then he proceeds to share images of a computer that wasn't what I shipped. I can't tell exactly, but it looks like a 2016-2018 MacBook Pro (it has a Touch Bar where mine did not), and now he's asking for a refund.

He's a relatively new user and has about a dozen positive feedbacks. From what I'm reading on these forums this type of scam is fairly common and it sounds like eBay doesn't protect their sellers. 

eBay sent a msg after the return was initiated to say that they were holding funds until this dispute is resolved, but I've already been paid out and cleared out the account eBay has access to. 

From what I've read in these forums, it sounds like eBay is going to side with the buyer regardless of his sketchiness and my stellar reputation. What's the recourse in these situations? 

[fab_finds4u]

eBay doesn't protect sellers in this situation. You will be required to accept the return, furnish a return label, and refund in full when  you receive whatever it is they return.

Then FWIW you can report the buyer.  Be sure to report mail fraud to USPS for using the mail to scam.

[pls-consignments]

I would say it seems a little suspect. When eBay says that your funds are on hold after the transaction is completed, it means they will still have access to your bank account. They can draw from that account if they side with the buyer.

However, I think that's unlikely, especially if you're able to show side by side photos of the differences. 

[albertabrightalberta]

@Anonymous 

If the buyer opened a NAD (not as described) return request, you MUST accept it and send a prepaid return shipping label. 

Don't report the buyer until you get back a computer that you know isn't the one you sent. (It does sound like he'll be doing a switcheroo but until you get it back, there's nothing to report.)

FYI @pls-consignments - Showing side-by-side pictures of the OP's item vs. what the buyer sends won't make a difference to ebay. 

[inhawaii]

Sorry to say this but you have no recourse.

Knowing this, you may want to re-think selling $3,000 laptops on ebay.

[mam98031]

Did you have a picture of the serial number in your listing?  I always advise sellers of items that have serial numbers to take a pic of it and put it in the listing as well as noting the serial number in the Item specific boxes and/or your description.  

[pickapaper]

I agree with a seller putting pictures of the serial numbers and the serial numbers in the item specifics and description but that still doesn't stop the buyer from saying he got a different item from the one in the listing. I'm speaking in generality, not specifically of the OP, but EBay doesn't know if the data in a listing is all incorrect, if the seller actually sent that item or what the buyer actually received.  

Just to clarify, I'm on the side of @Anonymous and believe him over the buyer.  But eBay will not take OP's, or anybody else's, years of service and "stellar reputation" into account in a situation like this. 

[Anonymous]

I did have the serial number (with the last few digits obfuscated) in the listing in the pictures.

[Anonymous]

I refuse to be scammed out of $3k. I've already removed the money from the account eBay has access to. Apart from ruining my seller rating or suspending my account (which isn't much of a threat after this debacle, as I'm sure I'll never choose to sell on this site again) what can eBay do?

[bonjourami]

Sorry to say they will turn you over to collections, happened to a good Ebay friend of mine, Ebay ended up taking her to court for their money.

[chevymontecarlo88]

Unfortunately, some categories are extremely volatile to sell within. Cell phones, computers, video game consoles to name a few. If you can't afford to lose it, don't list it. Even the Musical Instrument category has its pitfalls and places like Rverb can be a better/alternative place to find specific buyers. (musicians) 

It is a tough situation you are in and hopefully you can find a way. 

Good luck

[kensgiftshop]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I refuse to be scammed out of $3k. I've already removed the money from the account eBay has access to. Apart from ruining my seller rating or suspending my account (which isn't much of a threat after this debacle, as I'm sure I'll never choose to sell on this site again) what can eBay do?

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They'll still try and hit your bank account for the funds and it'll probably put your bank account in the hole.

[pickapaper]

I understand that sellers who drain their accounts or make them inaccessable so that eBay can't withdraw funds are subject to being turned over for collection by eBay.   EBay will not fade into the background; they will go after the money one way or another. 

[mam98031]

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@pickapaper wrote:

I agree with a seller putting pictures of the serial numbers and the serial numbers in the item specifics and description but that still doesn't stop the buyer from saying he got a different item from the one in the listing. I'm speaking in generality, not specifically of the OP, but EBay doesn't know if the data in a listing is all incorrect, if the seller actually sent that item or what the buyer actually received.  

Just to clarify, I'm on the side of @Anonymous and believe him over the buyer.  But eBay will not take OP's, or anybody else's, years of service and "stellar reputation" into account in a situation like this. 

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I didn't say it would, but it would help.  It would give a buyer willing to abuse a seller by sending back something they did not purchase from that seller cause for pause when seeing recorded serial numbers on the listing.

Thieves can be very creative people.  It is hard to plan for and stop all of them.

It is a two way street.  While Ebay doesn't know if what a seller has put into their listing is incorrect, they also don't know that it is correct.  And that is similarly the problem with disputes.  Ebay doesn't take sides in a he said / she said situation.  That is a huge issue for sellers when trying to prove their case.  And a real source of annoyance for some sellers as they believe Ebay should take their side.

[mam98031]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I did have the serial number (with the last few digits obfuscated) in the listing in the pictures. 

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I would have retaken the picture so that all numbers were clear and make sure I noted it in the Item Specific boxes and/or the description.

As I said to the other poster that questioned this advice, this is more over to make a buyer reluctant to try and ship you something back that they did not purchase from you.  It is something that may give the cause for pause.  Because buyers that do this on a regular basis want as little resistance as possible.

Also, make sure you review the buyer's feedback page.  Specifically the Feedback left for others.  What they leave in feedback for other sellers can often give evidence to this is something the buyer does on a regular basis and that can help you with Ebay.