Buying a item off eBay to return a broken one 101

[paperguy200]

I can’t believe how eBay has changed. People can buy a item and return it or a broken one and get their money back. 
ebay allows this now? 

[itscalledapostingid]

What you are describing is a crime.

That type of crime could happen to anyone selling on any online marketplace.

If you are the victim of a crime that should be addressed with the proper law enforcement agencies.

[chris13]

To be honest that's a scam thats been running for years with any place that accepts returns.

Dropped your ipod in the toilet? Buy the exact same one, return the broken one.

It happens all the time in retail stores. 

This would be SCAM #9, the 'Switch fraud'

Return fraud - Wikipedia

[lakefor94]

Welcome to online sales here at eBay for the last, say, 15 years. Same on other venues as well.

[rugerskick]

Well, that is only part of the story.

Ebay might demand you refund the person who scammed you, so its not merely only dealing with police and the carrier.

[itscalledapostingid]

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@rugerskick wrote:

Well, that is only part of the story.

Ebay might demand you refund the person who scammed you, so its not merely only dealing with police and the carrier.

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Ebay has been known to reimburse sellers who were victims of return fraud and provided police reports as documentation in their appeal to ebay.

Don't expect ebay to help if you fight buyers when they try to return something. Ebay expects sellers to follow the proper policy and procedures.