Ebay buyer completey scammed me

[onlinesto35]

I received an order from Portland,  Oregon for several pair of shoes. I sent the item and then the same day as delivery the buyer sends in a photo of another item and request a return. My returns are set to automatic ebay charged me $32 dollars for return shipping label.  When the fedex arrives my heart droped , the buyer returned nothing. He just printed out the envelop and placed it on a fed mailer.

I submited a case to ebay and they said I won then 2 days later they said the buyer appealed and won I applead again and lost.   I googled the address and multiple people are being hit with the same type of scam. This ebayer has no feedback other than the 1 feedback I left him which ebay also won't let me change. 

I am at a loss for words as to how ebay can let someone do this.  Is there anything I can do or do I just need to stop selling on ebay?

[mam98031]

@saulierohman 

I notice that you have a No Return Policy.  You may have a misunderstanding as to how a No Return Policy works on Ebay, so please make sure you read through what I've posted below as it is extremely important to keeping you out of trouble with Ebay.

The return policies options are as follows.

1. No Returns
2. 30 day returns w/ buyer pays shipping
3. 60 day returns w/ buyer pays shipping
4. 30 day returns w/ seller pays shipping, AKA Free Returns
5. 60 day returns w/ seller pays shipping. AKA Free Returns
6. 14 Day returns in certain categories

With option number 1, No Returns the seller can completely deny taking a return for a Buyer's Remorse Return Request.  Or if they want to, they can accept the return and have the buyer pay the return shipping.  If the seller so chooses, they can withhold the original shipping if it was separately stated on the listing [not free shipping] when it is time to refund the buyer.

On options 2 & 3 the buyer is responsible for the return shipping on a Buyer's Remorse Return.  Plus, if the seller so chooses, they can withhold the original shipping if it was separately stated on the listing [not free shipping] when it is time to refund the buyer. As of October 1st 2019, sellers that are TRS have some additional protections as well as they can issue partial refunds if they use options 4 or 5 as their return policy.

On options 4 & 5 above, they are also known as Free Returns.  If a seller that has either of those policies, they will pay the return shipping even on a buyer's remorse return.  A seller can withhold the original shipping value from the refund if the shipping was separately stated in the listing [not free shipping].  Also, Seller’s offering options 4 or 5 have the ability to do partial refunds in certain cases if the item arrives back damaged, missing something or in a condition less than what it was sent to the buyer in, see the policy for more details, the link is below.  In the cases where a deduction in the refund is taken due to damage or other authorized reasons for a partial refund, Ebay will protect the seller from negative or neutral feedback.

ALL OPTIONS [1, 2, 3, 4 and 5] are required to process SNAD claims without exception.  Even if they are improperly filed and should have been a Buyer’s Remorse claim.

All return policies by sellers must meet or exceed what is stated in the Money Back Guarantee Policy!

14 day return policies are allowed in certain categories: Jewelry & Watches, Collectibles & Art, Cameras & Photo and Medical, Mobility & Disability Equipment.

For those with Free Return and/or TRS members with 30 day return policies, there are some added protection benefits, one of which is the ability to do a discounted refund under certain conditions.

[adamcartwright]

@onlinesto35 

In addition to the advice from @kensgiftshop  you should also file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, which is a division of the FBI.

[ittybitnot]

@adamcartwright 

Buyers that use Freight Forwarders live in other countries and are likely NOT worried about the FBI, the Postal Inspectors or the local police.  Their scam to get something for free works pretty well unless a seller is aware a freight forwarder was used, and what needs to be done, hopefully BEFORE they send that return label and then become a victim of a faulty return scam that usually follows as well.  The most common forwarders are located in, but not limited to Delaware, Oregon, and Miami/Dade area in FL since these have a tax free designation.  The buyers have the front money to play, but they are still cheapskates when it comes to sales tax. 

[adamcartwright]

@ittybitnot 

I've never shipped something to someone using a freight forwarder, to my knowledge. 

Thanks for your advice on how to deal with that.

[gurlcat]

Unless you checked every address and saw that it was a house, you've probably had numerous FF sales.  Any going to New Jersey, Delaware, Florida, California, or Oregon are the most likely.  But there's no point being too paranoid about it because the vast majority of FF buyers are absolutely fine, good customers. I wouldn't say they're any more statistically likely to be scammers than domestic buyers. 

[mam98031]

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@adamcartwright wrote:

@ittybitnot 

I've never shipped something to someone using a freight forwarder, to my knowledge. 

Thanks for your advice on how to deal with that.

---

Just remember the Freight Forwarder is highly unlikely to be part of any scam a buyer might be trying to pull.  They exist all over the country and have for many years.  I use to ship to them often when I use to sell fragrances.  Most shipments to a FF go off without any issue at all.  But there are thieves in every nook and cranny of the world, so some of these buyers are causing issues for sellers.

[redwoodtradingpost]

FML. I just sold an item to someone using this address! Something was off about the buyer's address so I did a web search and this is one of the first links that appeared.

I've bookmarked this thread and screenshots to add to my case when I'm undoubtedly faced with the same situation. 

Its so sad how us sellers have absolutely Zero recourse when encountering such shenanigans. 

[kh-shakhib]

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.