Could eBay be complicit in theft? Should I file a police report? Need advice

[kyswts]

Hi all...really need your advice, as I am at wits end with eBay customer service.

   I sold a laptop in pristine condition in an auction to the highest bidder.   The buyer stated the item was water damaged, so as a responsible seller, I selected the accept return option and eBay sent the buyer a return label.  I never received the item back and after numerous calls to eBay, they kept stating that I received the item, which I DID NOT.

   After eBay gave me the tracking number that was used on the return label, I contacted UPS for written documentation on the delivery.  UPS sent me verified documentation that the eBay generated return label was not sent to my name OR my address on file with eBay.  (They sent it to some third-party business).

   When I presented this information to eBay, they stated that since my appeal was over 30 days in process, that they would not assist me any further.

   So now I am without the $600 notebook computer, eBay refunded the buyer (who has gone AWOL), and eBay has charged me over $100 in fees for the transaction.  This is clearly a theft and eBay refuses to help although they generated the return label.   What are my options?  I REALLY need someone in eBay upper management to look into this.  Do I get the Police involved?  Please Help.  Thanks.

[mr_lincoln]

@kyswts   Yes, this is indeed theft and it happens on a regular basis on internet sales, especially high risk items.   It is no different from a shoplifter taking something from a store except if they get caught they can be prosecuted. Internet criminals, and make no mistake, THAT is what they are, ply their trade from the comfort of their own home (unless they stole that too) in their pajamas (again, probably the result of a scam) sipping their Stabucks Mocha-Choka-Lotta Coffee ...

What I CAN share with your is what another member posted once about a scam, I never did any of this so am just passing the information on.  This was about a USPS shipment so adjust it for UPS.

Go to the PO and request a statement on USPS letterhead that states the address that the item was delivered to was not your address, you don't need the address, just the evidence it was not delivery to your location. Then report the buyer for abuse and submit the USPS document. File an appeal with eBay.

Then
1. Also at the post office file a mail fraud complaint.
2. File a complaint with IC3.gov
3. File a police report, have a copy sent to the scammers local PO.
4. add the above documents to your appeal with eBay.

If sellers would follow through with this more often it would help.

[kyswts]

Thanks for the information.  I did open an appeal with eBay, but they closed it after I submitted the UPS information to them stating it was past 30 days (It took time to get the shipping info from UPS).

Does eBay not have responsibility for this since they generated the shipping labels?  Doesn't eBay protect their sellers from this kind of theft?  How do sellers place any faith in the company if eBay provides no protection for them?

How can I get eBay re-involved in the case to prevent this from happening again?  Doesn't eBay Seller Protection cover any of this?   

Thanks again for any information.

[friskya]

Sounds like the buyer may have changed the delivery address on the label. I don't think the Post Office should be delivering any mail that the printed address has been altered on before acceptance, but that's just my opinion.

If the original payment was through PayPal™, you may have some options available to you through their seller protection plan. 

As to getting eBay involved again, I've seen other sellers say that they will sometimes get help from the eBay Facebook staff. You can always try sending them a message (assuming you're also on FB) and tell them just what you told us. 

If neither works, well, you won't be any worse off than you are now. Small comfort, I know.

[mr_lincoln]

@kyswts   Sadly you are learning that eBay is there to list and display your items, collect their fees and often judge in Buyers' favor during a dispute.  In 2008 they took away the ability of Sellers to leave either Neutral of Negative Feedback for Buyers.  Seller protection is limited.  One thing I do is I use the Free Returns setting on ALL my listings.  It gives me flexibility in how much I refund the Buyer (up to 50% of the sale price) and I can withhold the original paid shipping and all neg or Neutral FB is blocked, Buyer can only leave Positive.  It was one way eBay decided to help Sellers in the event of a bogus returns.

Your scam is an old one AND believe it or not Sellers use that one too ... they ship to an alternate address, Buyer processes an Item not received claim and loses because the Seller uploads a valid tracking number showing the item was delivered.  Buyer has to go through a lot of hassle to get their money back.

Lap tops are considered high risk items and if the one you had was as nice as you stated then it was a real target ...

[bpoldschool]

ebay steals as much as they can, i am going to police for theft of $8.000 in my account wich they froze for a unpaid $700 item. 

[kh-vince]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.