False claims by buyer of empty package

[wzrdgio]

Just recently, Nov. 6th I got an email from ebay stating the buyer is claiming a return since I supposedly sent an empty package. The buyer received their package Oct. 15th and they waited so long to say they received their package empty. That alone should be proof that the package was sent complete and the buyer is trying to come up on a new seller. I also have multiple pictures and video proof of me packaging the product. I also grabbed the receipt from usps and states the items’ total weight, which was 4lbs and .8oz at the usps scale. I kept the receipt for proof in case anything like this happened. I am not sure what else I can do next but I found the guy fishy from that start. He was so hesitant and dragged to pay, but had good ratings as a buyer. I am pretty furious and just wish for the justifiable to happen. Any assistance would be highly appreciated.

[ten_o_nine]

lol, return of what? The empty box.

Really, nothing you can do about it. All the vides, camera shots, receipts don't mean a thing.

eBay can't decide what happened to the package, maybe went missing during transportation

[inhawaii]

Sorry to say, there is nothing you can do and nothing ebay can/will do for you.

This is just one of the hazards of selling online.

Hopefully this doesn't happen very often.

[wzrdgio]

Yes, the buyer wants to return the empty package. 

Is it better to leave the matter alone? 
I apparently have to respond by Nov. 12th. Tomorrow. 

[powell-collectibles]

I’m confident that buyers do receive empty packages - even though sellers haven’t done anything wrong.  Rare, sure.  No one knows if this is one of those cases.  

[wzrdgio]

To be exact it was a Marvel Legend Toy. 2 of the same ones, he sent pictures of the boxes they come in but he took the figures out. He is clearly trying to scam me. The weight was more than 4lbs at usps. If they were “weights” the buyer would’ve sent pictures of the weights but he said that I sent an empty box. 

[kensgiftshop]

You have two options.

Refunds and let them keep it.

Accept the return, pay return shipping and refund when something is received.

Your photos and videos don't prove what the buyer received.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

Although you may have shipped the items, there is no proof that the buyer did not receive an empty bos.

It does happen. Sometimes packages are tampered with. Sometimes sellers package poorly and the box opens and the product is lost.

You do not know. Ebay does not know.

Expect to refund this buyer. If you authorize the return, when you refund, Ebay will return the fees you paid. If you do not authorize the return and Ebay intervenes you will not get the fees back.

[winklers549]

you can go to your post office and they can see the weight the package was at the last sorting center before deliverly

[wzrdgio]

Thank you! Going to do that first thing tomorrow. 

[gator08041971]

I have listings with items that have free return shipping, and I have listings with returns and the buyer pays for the return shipping.

The latter in this case can help, if your listing required the buyer to pay for return shipping.  This often discourages scammers, as they don't want to pay to return an item, but if you sell it with returns available, and set it for them to pay the return, that's all that is needed.

However.

If you have it set as no returns, you have no choice but to return the item. (but they have to claim the item doesn't match the description or photos)  But make sure they return it, and you get something, before refunding it.  If they claim anything other than INAD in that case, you don't have to return it.

There is always a chance they won't hassle with it that far.  But do nothing, and eBay steps in and it gets way uglier for you.

Then you are out everything, including the fees.

[dbfolks166mt]

Although you may have shipped the items, there is no proof that the buyer did not receive an empty bos.

It does happen. Sometimes packages are tampered with. Sometimes sellers package poorly and the box opens and the product is lost.

You do not know. Ebay does not know.

Expect to refund this buyer. If you authorize the return, when you refund, Ebay will return the fees you paid. If you do not authorize the return and Ebay intervenes you will not get the fees back.

     Agree with the refund since there is little chance the seller is going to prevail in this situation. However, I would simply let them keep the item rather than pay the return shipping on an empty box. Seller could also file a claim with USPS which will probably not go far unless USPS notices a history of this type of thing in a certain area. I would also report the buyer in case they have a history of doing this type of thing in the past. 

     I don't see any high dollar or high target items in the OP's sold items but who knows these days scammers seem to target everything. 

[ittybitnot]

but had good ratings as a buyer

@wzrdgio 

Actually, all buyer IDs have good ratings.  That is all that eBay allows.  

To what city/state did you ship this product?  If it was to a freight forwarder, you may have a course of redress. 

[bdmh-enterprises]

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@ittybitnot wrote:

but had good ratings as a buyer

@wzrdgio 

Actually, all buyer IDs have good ratings.  That is all that eBay allows.  

To what city/state did you ship this product?  If it was to a freight forwarder, you may have a course of redress. 

---

Good point. Having gone to a freight forwarder would explain the delay between delivery and complaint. And quite likely the missing products. If that's the case the buyer's MBG is void. OP needs to check this ASAP.

[chariot_badges]

I think you sent the package.
I think that on the way it got damaged, or stolen and delivered to buyer.

I think buyer got an empty package through no fault of you or him.

Now, the question is ... who's going to pay for that mistake.

YOU AGREED when you opened your store to the policies of eBay.

Know that that means?

That means that YOU AGREEED to pick up the tab on that when it happens.

You contractually agreed, in writing to pay for lost and damaged goods in transit.

You can struggle, generate bad reviews, make a ding on your record and refund.

Or ... you can refund, suck it up and keep moving.