HELP! Buyer claiming item is not as described but I have proper documentation to prove otherwise!

[*moonmint*]

This buyer had bid on my listing for a ring multiple times (multiple times over a couple months) when we finally agreed on a price. I sent the ring via USPS with 2 day priority, insurance and tracking even though she didn't pay the extra for it, I was just trying to be nice! She claims the diamond is not real even though I have appraisal documentation to prove otherwise. I asked if she could prove her claim and she replied 4 days later with a hand written "appraisal". I can provide Ebay with proof that the diamond is in fact real, appraised by an official company (EGL). She has yet to open an official claim, she has only contacted me via messsages so far. I believe she is trying to switch the ring she bought with another similar ring, so she can keep the original ring and get her money back. I've had a couple people tell me to close my Ebay account but I feel like that would make me look suspicious and dishonest, plus from what I've heard they can still open a dispute regardless of the status of my account.

I know that I am not in the wrong but have heard plenty of scary Ebay buyer stories, all opinions and suggestions are welcome!

Thanks so much!

[blushingzebra_art]

Sorry to hear in this situation.  Appraisals mean nothing in this situation, they can be forged and eBay won't get involved.  Do not get into a back and forth with the buyer.  Wait and see if she opens a Claim.  If she does, come back here for advice.

[usmc*usnmom · Accepted solution]

"Dear buyer,

I'm sorry you're not happy with the ring. Please return it for a full refund. I'm enclosing a prepaid mailing label for your convenience. Once I receive the ring  and my seller's mark is verified I will promptly refund your money.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Yours,

Seller"

***********************************************************

Send that to your buyer ONCE, then wait. Don't engage in any more conversation with the buyer.  If you have someone who's just fishing they'll go away. Will that stop a die-hard scammer? No, but it will put enough doubts in the mind of an inexperienced opportunist that they may just go away.

With that being said, if **I**were a buyer and I received what I believed to be a fake diamond, I'd go straight to a case if the seller did not offer a full refund upon return. Buyers KNOW that they can return as fake with no proof whatsoever, which is why I believe you've got a fisher on your hands. I'm surprised she hasn't asked what you intend to do to "make it right".

What does her feedback LEFT for other sellers look like?

[shesellsseashells73]

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@minsfinejewelry wrote:

This buyer had bid on my listing for a ring multiple times (multiple times over a couple months) when we finally agreed on a price. I sent the ring via USPS with 2 day priority, insurance and tracking even though she didn't pay the extra for it, I was just trying to be nice! She claims the diamond is not real even though I have appraisal documentation to prove otherwise. I asked if she could prove her claim and she replied 4 days later with a hand written "appraisal". I can provide Ebay with proof that the diamond is in fact real, appraised by an official company (EGL). She has yet to open an official claim, she has only contacted me via messsages so far. I believe she is trying to switch the ring she bought with another similar ring, so she can keep the original ring and get her money back. I've had a couple people tell me to close my Ebay account but I feel like that would make me look suspicious and dishonest, plus from what I've heard they can still open a dispute regardless of the status of my account.

I know that I am not in the wrong but have heard plenty of scary Ebay buyer stories, all opinions and suggestions are welcome!

Thanks so much!

---

I have a friend who was trying to sell a ring on here..and she is relatively new to selling.  I advised her to not do it....for this reason!  I am going to print this out and give it to her!

I am so sorry you have to cross paths with someone like this.... 

[*moonmint*]

What do I do when she agrees to send it back and it is a completely different ring?

Also, she has been a member of Ebay since 2012 and only has left 13 feedbacks all more than a year old, most of the sellers deactivated.

[*moonmint*]

I have only been a member since December and the very very first item I sold on Ebay was a $600 bangle, I had no feedback and the buyer bought the bangle without any questions or messages, so not ALL buyers are dishonest. Fortunately I have only had to deal with one other buyer that was difficult besides the one I am dealing with now. There are ups and downs but it's starting to seem like the ups are not worth the downs!!

If your friend does decide to sell her ring on Ebay, advise her to talk to the buyer and get an idea of how they are before selling!

[*eponymous*]

EGL overgrades so it is quite possible the stone that you say is VS2, Color G (?) could be graded SI2 or I1 by GIA

An appraisal prepared by a credentialed gemologist that is made a part of the listing is an indication that the seller  - who has paid for the appraisal - is professional and experienced. That type of seller has few, if any, problems because they are selling to buyers who want to know that the seller knows what s/he is selling and buyers don't mind paying the price.

There is no proof that you sent the diamond described (by YOU with no provenance or appraisal) in the listing is the one that was in the ring that you sent to the buyer, regardless of anything else.

Also, your listing says that Kay's told you the ring is worth $2500. That isn't an EGL or any other kind of appraisal.  The verbal valuation you got was probably given after a one-minute looping of the stone...for insurance purposes, which is worlds above market value.

Nothing you can do if the buyer sends back a gumball machine ring - or nothing.  Same as a buyer of the $925 bangle might claim SNAD and send back nothing.  Customer theft by whatever means is a major source of loss to all business - both online and off.

Know and accept your risks before you list...and consider business insurance for an online jewelry business.

[*moonmint*]

Completely different sale you are referring to. I sent the appraisal papers with the ring and kept a copy, the ring I am talking about was appraised much higher than $2500.

If the ring is not worth taking to a gemologist, I get a second opinion from the jeweler at Kay's. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

[98mac]

Also, you can "block" that buyer from buying from you again so you don't have issues with that person if they are a scammer.

[aa060578*]

I just had the same thing happen to me. I sold a half carat diamond ring and the buyer contacted me very nicely telling me that it was only a quarter carat and if I just gave him half the money back he would keep the item. I have my original receipts and paperwork from the jeweler and asked him to provide me with proof from a certified Jeweler about his claim and he could not. He sent about 5 refund requests to me and I saved my tail by having that paperwork because now he has listed the item he was going to return to me instead of mine. It is very similar however his is all damaged and it is very obvious that the two items are different I even took pictures of them to show My Jeweler and to prove to eBay this man is scamming innocent people who may not have their paperwork to back themselves and they may sell him $1,000 ring for a very low price of $100 and the item he has is worth nothing yet he claims this is what you sent him and shows pictures of defects. This is a major concern of mine and it makes selling items on Ebay very scary and I researched this man and he has no jewelry sperience at all and he will harass you until you feel so threatened that you will either just give him what he asks for or stand up for every seller on eBay and open a case on him and show proof. If you do not have proof please have pictures and ask eBay to look into this buyers previous transactions to see if he has done this before because my buyer is a repeat offender. He also deletes all his negative feedback and that is a very scary thing yet I understand why we have the option just please beware of certain buyers and look to see what they may be selling two other people. You can even call eBay and ask them about the buyers return rates. I even have pictures of the Ring I sold him in excellent condition and the damaged ring he tried to return to me that is not the same carat weight. My detail looks classy and has better detail in shiney white gold no scratches and his looks cheap and has obviously had somebody trying to either remove a diamond or it has been scratched up like crazy and I would not buy a diamond ring that looks like that ever. I've also enclosed a picture of a nother cheap ring he is selling passing off as Fine Jewelry.