eBay

circus_camel · ‎01-26-2021

I sold my Google Pixel 4a phone on E-bay using buy it now option. It was in like new condition. Buyer requested a return quickly after receiving the package by lying about its speakers being defective. I sent the USPS return label. A few days later I received a package by UPS, which was sent by Amazon 3rd party seller. I had not placed the Amazon order. There was no indication that it was sent by the buyer as the address was of some Pharma company. There was no indication that it was Ebay return. The package contained some cheap $3 markers.

After a few days the buyer opened and escalated a case with Ebay giving the same tracking number that was on Amazon shipment box. The Ebay system closed the case in a few min stating buyer provided return tracking and the item was delivered. I was never contacted by Ebay to check. I also chatted with Amazon who confirmed their 3rd party shipped the package to me and it was their tracking number. They told me to donate or keep the markers. The packing slip in the package matches the UPS shipping email, which has the same tracking number that Buyer provided to Ebay.

I tried for almost full day trying to appeal with Ebay, and send documents . First it was almost impossible to reach someone and finally when I did, the person submitted a poorly written appeals case. By ignoring all that I said, he said that I received the package in Amazon box. When I told him that this was not the full story, he said I can provide more info to appeals. Appeals emailed me after about ten hours stating they were closing the case as buyer provided return tracking that shows I got the item back. There was no way to send any documents as proof that buyer used Amazon tracking number. Appeals did not even ask me for documents with which I can clearly prove that the buyer had cheated.

The link on Seller Dashboard for "Closed without seller resolution" is also not showing the case. How can submit my evidence to appeals department? When I call or chat, first all day it keeps telling me live help not available and then shows an email window with which no files can be attached.

I had shipped the package to 8 McCullough Dr. U125558, New Castle DE 19726-9000. I saw on forums that others have also been cheated by asking to ship items to this address. I have reported the buyer, but need Ebay to act responsibly.

Now I am out of my phone and the buyer has full refund.

Very frustrating! I also contacted Paypal, but they asked me to contact Ebay.

It almost feels that Ebay was complicit in cheating the seller by easily enabling the buyer to get refund, keep the item, not seeing sellers proof and making it very hard for seller to reach them.

Could someone recommend what I could do?

ittybitnot · ‎02-03-2021

I am back to square one.

I am so sorry to read this news.

lightlily_arts · ‎02-05-2021

I have shipped to freight forwarders since late last year without problems, but not by choice. I have only shipped domestically since 2008, and when with PayPal had blocks in place to prevent buyers who had a Non US registered account from making purchases. I no longer have that option with Managed Payments. That really irks me. As for those FF Delaware addresses I would immediately cancel citing a problem with the address. I did get one in October and was mad

onnius · ‎02-07-2021

@gatts1 wrote:
I've heard that many sellers both here and the big A keep a UPS PO box just for returns for this exact reason. The return is opened in front of an employee witness, and if it's different from the item sold, a police report is filed. It's not an expensive workaround, and practically a necessity for high-volume sellers.

@gatts1 This idea just blew my mind - thank you, thank you. I'm opening a UPS mailbox tomorrow.

I have the eBay seller privilege of dealing with my own "Delaware scammer" - some guy sitting in Ukraine that *immediately* opened a return as soon as he received my $800 electronics item. Already bracing myself for the pack of erasers from amazon that I'm likely to get in return.

circus_camel · ‎02-09-2021

In case there is an issue, I hope you do not have to struggle as much as me, just to get your point across. I could not get any help form Ebay reps on this community page and on twitter. The rep on Facebook was more helpful, but I am still waiting for my refund.

This issue has been going on for months as noted by other sellers as well, but Ebay has ignored it altogether. I do not know why the Ebay reps on this forum are even there when they cannot do anything for those facing issues. They do not even seem to have done anything with their teams to fix the issues caused by freight forwarding services. Frustrating!

numisnorway · ‎02-10-2021

This company is done for if they don't start treating sellers with more respect and trust, which i doubt they will do.

They put more trust in accounts with no activity over long time sellers with a perfect track record. With the clear downturn in the economy due to the many political swindles we are experiencing things are sure to get worse.

I feel 0 loyalty to this company. They have allowed the most blatant scammers to steal from me on several occasions and the only thing I've gotten in return are automated decisions against me or worthless representatives copypasting things that could also have been automated.

bangordiscount · ‎02-10-2021

Seller: I need help!

eBay: Let's talk about our pets!

Sound about right...

circus_camel · ‎02-11-2021

I finally received my refund today with the help of Ebay social media representative on Facebook for Business. Every other customer rep, appeals department reps, Ebay twitter reps, and Ebay community reps (this forum), did nothing. They had proof of my being a cheating victim by a buyer using freight forwarding address (that has been reported by many other sellers) due to their poorly managed system right in front of their eyes. But they decided to ignore the proof or keep making excuses. I have closure, but I do not consider the matter resolved till they fix the system that has caused trouble to so many from seller community. My experience with Ebay appeals department is that it is a sham. I had called twice on first sign of expected cheating behavior by buyer, before the he or she even uploaded the Amazon tracking number, but the reps still let the automatic system open the case based on a fake tracking number and close it within minutes without any human involvement. For me it literally feels like a long battle with customer reps who are the worst in a business. In the end, even after getting my refund I am hurting due to treatment I received from the Ebay reps. Shame on all the Ebay managers who read my case but did nothing!

bettimoor-0 · ‎02-11-2021

Should this address in DE be blocked for all purchases? I sold a $20 item and shipped it there, it arrived 2/8/21. Have not gotten any sign of them wanting a refund, still early.

perrrichardso-8 · ‎02-11-2021

Because Ebay is a scam themselves..They don't care..I bought something and never did get it..but somehow the seller had a tracking number coming to my city..they where 2 items from same seller..he sent a tracking number coming from Virgina and the one coming from overseas..and it got here overnight..how did it get here overnight from overseas?..ebay does not investigate this stuff..I think they just have alot of robots doing there work for them..

stephenmorgan · ‎02-12-2021

Good for you! You pursued the matter and did not give up until you got it resolved.

Just think of how many people accept the computer generated answer as the final answer and give up.

ittybitnot · ‎02-12-2021

@circus_camel

Thank you for the update. Very glad you got your money back, but sorry it was such an ordeal. I don't see the program improving any, for these reimbursements come from the ebay pie. Basically, the policies encourage the victimized seller to simply give up and go away.

Is your buyer "still a registered user"?

onnius · ‎02-12-2021

Praise to the eBay FB for Business for helping you out.

I'm going through my own Delaware freight-forwarder scammer situation. Maybe they will help me out in my situation.

My $800 item was delivered and signed-for in Delaware. Scammer immediately opened a "changed mind" return - which was already suspicious since it's an extremely sought-after item - but now a week later - presumably after he already has the actual item in his hands in Ukraine - he's uploaded a tracking #, except the "return" is magically coming from the other side of the country, in Sacramento, CALIFORNIA.

Why does this have to be such an insane fight for top rated sellers to deal with obvious scam returns, requiring hours upon hours of phonecalls and messages trying to get through to someone that can do anything?

circus_camel · ‎02-12-2021

Based upon the number of sellers who have been scammed using this address, it should have been blocked long time ago. But Ebay does not care.

circus_camel · ‎02-12-2021

I am sorry to hear that you are also facing this situation. Please take pictures of the box when you receive it, record video while opening the trinket item package and save any other proof you can. Report the buyer and go to their Facebook page to post your experience. Please let us know of your experience.

circus_camel · ‎02-12-2021

I am thankful for all the support I received from sellers on this forum and suggestions of going to Facebook and twitter. Sleeping managers at Ebay really need to wake up to stop such scams.