Dedicated scammer

[baiweel0]

Hello! 
I am brand new to the selling world of eBay. I listed a valuable electronic (Nintendo 3DS XL) and it wasn’t in perfect shape as it showed some signs of wear and tear like scuffs and there was a corner piece that was cracked. I pictured all of this and knew I wouldn’t get top dollar. With all that said, I received a fair offer for it and sold it. Everything since has been downhill and I have no idea what to do. I mailed it with an eBay label the same day the order was placed, I got confirmation that it was delivered early which was great. Coincidentally, the same day it was delivered (March 31st), the buyer said he never received it and “this has happened a few times before, I would just like a refund.” I didn’t cave as I had plenty of proof it was delivered to the correct address and asked eBay to step it. They did, sided with me and life went on. Yesterday, I got a return request (April 12th) cause he is saying it was broke in transport, which is also impossible as it was strapped in a hard shell case and the box was stuffed with padding. He wants a full refund yet again. My options are accept the return or refund it now. I would like to accept the return, but I fear I wouldn’t actually get my product back. What should I do? If I did accept it and he didn’t send the item back, do I still have to refund him? This is literally the first thing I have ever sold and I honestly don’t know if I will sell anything else. 

[mtgraves7984]

---

@baiweel0 wrote:

This may be a dumb question so I apologize in advance. How do I make a return label? I tried to go through with an eBay label, but it is saying it can’t create one for my address and I have to upload one, but I don’t know how to do it otherwise. 

---

@baiweel0 

Sorry... this may be a dumb question, too. When you say "I tried to go through with an eBay label", do you mean that you Approved the claim? Confused, because I thought that automatically happened, if so. 

[baiweel0]

When I went to the return request, I was met with 3 options just by clicking it. Provide an eBay label, upload a label, or refund. I didn’t really accept anything so much as just inquire. When I went to proceed with an eBay label, it said it had troubled creating a label for my address. So, nothing really happened. 

[baiweel0]

Here is the message I received:

”Thanks! I had the chance to review the details and see exactly what you’re concerned about. Currently, because the buyer has limited eBay coverage, this request isn’t protected by the Money Back Guarantee. It will, however, remain open to allow the buyer to communicate with you. Don’t worry, you won’t be required by eBay to respond with a return label or offer them a refund. Any funds on hold caused by this request will now be returned to you and this won't count against your seller performance standards.

The request will be closed after 21 business days if there isn't any active.”

[mam98031]

This could be because the buyer is now NARU'd.  Hopefully your Facebook inquiry will explain this more.

[mam98031]

---

@baiweel0 wrote:

Here is the message I received:

”Thanks! I had the chance to review the details and see exactly what you’re concerned about. Currently, because the buyer has limited eBay coverage, this request isn’t protected by the Money Back Guarantee. It will, however, remain open to allow the buyer to communicate with you. Don’t worry, you won’t be required by eBay to respond with a return label or offer them a refund. Any funds on hold caused by this request will now be returned to you and this won't count against your seller performance standards.

The request will be closed after 21 business days if there isn't any active.”

---

Excellent news.  So while it is hard sometimes, your job now is to do nothing.  Just wait.  

Make sure you keep this response safe in case you ever need it again.  I had thought it makes a big difference since the buyer is now NARU'd and from what they told you here, sounds like Ebay sanctioned the buyer's account for some reason.  

[baiweel0]

I did report them once the second refund claim came through, I’m not sure if that was the right response or had any connection. But, thank you so much for your advice. I truly appreciate it! 

[mam98031]

You are doing GREAT.  And it could be that you reporting that buyer was one of many and Ebay took notice.  

One thing you can do that you may find interesting is go to that buyer's feedback page.  Click on the tab above the list of feedback that says Left for Others.  Many times that will show an abuse of sellers.

[12345jamesstamps]

Hey all,

So a buyer can open two different claims that are separate on the same item?

The first claim was resolved...'he did an item not received claim'.

And buyer can open a second claim?

[a_c_green]

---

@12345jamesstamps wrote:

Hey all,

So a buyer can open two different claims that are separate on the same item?

The first claim was resolved...'he did an item not received claim'.

And buyer can open a second claim?

---

Yes, because the two claims involve different areas. The first was an Item Not Received dispute, which can be won or lost independently of the second claim, because the package might have simply arrived after the INR claim had been filed.

Now that the item has been received, the buyer might file a Not As Described claim if it doesn't match the original description.

[mam98031]

---

@12345jamesstamps wrote:

Hey all,

So a buyer can open two different claims that are separate on the same item?

The first claim was resolved...'he did an item not received claim'.

And buyer can open a second claim?

---

Yes they can.  As long as the first claim was an INR and the second a Request for return.

[rugerskick]

Contact ebay again and ask for their fraud and security people, explain the situation and that the scammer, having lied and tried once to get the item for free, has now lied again and changed tactics to try to wind up returning you either an empty box or a pkg of a brick, or a junk pkg to somewhere else in your zip code, to claim he returned it for a refund and to keep the unit.

They have seen this time and again,  the fact he tried the first time, not citing damage but that he didnt have it when de,ibery proof existed, shows hes scamming you.  What they do is send back something else, or alter the label to send a small pkg to another address in your zip code to appear like they sent you back the item.  Ebay only looks at the zip code notmthe full address to confirm return deliveries.   Which is a huge problem but you can get the usps involved and they can give photo proof of the label the scammer uses not having your address, but its a pain.  But you need to pursue it for your sake and other sellers as well as report the scammer buyer.  Or he may send you back a package filled with junk.

Given you are a new seller ebay knows new sellers are targets of scammers.  Bring this point up tomthem when you talk with them.  You got targeted by a scammer and now they are trying to roll through different scam scenarios to get the item for free.

[mam98031]

@rugerskick 

The OP resolved their issue.  They posted about it in #18.

[haiduc702]

I am new as well with only 3 months of sales on my collectible items from a kid.

Same thing happened. Package showed delivered yet buyer says he did not get it.

Mailman left note left by garage or side gate =/
I messaged him through refund etc. I asked if he made a claim with USPS about 

package. Buyer stated they they did. I then said well i can not file a claim as you 

already filed one and asked them to let me know the results of claim.

Messaged back and forth for about a week and Ebay stated to me i did nothing

wrong as i shipped to the address from get label.

Not sure what happened with buyers claim but Ebay refunded person and 

let me know i did nothing wrong

[mam98031]

---

@haiduc702 wrote:

I am new as well with only 3 months of sales on my collectible items from a kid.

Same thing happened. Package showed delivered yet buyer says he did not get it.

Mailman left note left by garage or side gate =/
I messaged him through refund etc. I asked if he made a claim with USPS about 

package. Buyer stated they they did. I then said well i can not file a claim as you 

already filed one and asked them to let me know the results of claim.

Messaged back and forth for about a week and Ebay stated to me i did nothing

wrong as i shipped to the address from get label.

Not sure what happened with buyers claim but Ebay refunded person and 

let me know i did nothing wrong

---

@haiduc702 

Your situation is not the same as the OP had.  But you do need to know how to handle these situations as they will come up.

If a buyer contacts you with a delivery issue or if the buyer opens an INR, IMHO these are the steps to take.

If an INR was opened, make sure you upload the tracking number to the INR right away.

Go to USPS website and review the detail tracking info.

On this tracking screen there is a place to file for email updates as there is movement on the tracking. Sign up for that so you get informed right away when something gets entered to the tracking.

Go and file for a TRACE, I don't recommend filing for Missing Mail just yet. The two are completely different actions. The Trace usually gets the job done quicker.
https://usps.my.site.com/emailus/s/package-inquiry

Contact your buyer. Keep all contact inside the INR filed so everything is recorded on the claim. Let your buyer know you are working with USPS to get their package delivered. Apologize for the delay. And let them know you filed a trace which takes between 48-72 hours for USPS to respond. As you get any information you will update the buyer right away. Assure your buyer that you are working this problem and will continue to do so until a proper resolution.

If there is movement on the tracking within the last 7 days, Ebay will keep the INR open. Do not voluntarily issue the refund yet. It is highly likely the package is going to get delivered, it is just late. Annoying for the buyer for sure. Just stay in touch with them and assure them you are working on a resolution.

[haiduc702]

TY

Yea i did not offer a refund. And worked with USPS and so did buyer who started the claim

But Ebay stepped in and said i did nothing wrong. Package showed delivered to correct 

address and they handled it.

I did find this thread useful as i do have a few expensive items and have sold a few also.