HELP intercepted at last min!

[threequarterperformance]

So this is a first for me. After years of selling on eBay. 

A few days ago I sold a very expensive jar of face cream to a buyer for $170.00. There were no messages, questions or best offers. It sold through buy it now. I shipped it the next day priority with signature confirmation. 

24 hours later I get a message almost illegible and with bad spelling.  The message reads more or less about the type of face cream I sold. I told the buyer that I had already shipped the item and it’s on it’s way. That they will receive the exact item in the photo. 

Now im getting messages claiming it was falsely listed and that I didn’t type certain words into my listing title. So I respond saying that if it is indeed the wrong product at the fault of my own I will accept a free return. And off they go with nasty messages.... 

I head over to a PC to see this characters “feedback left for others” unfortunately the eBay app doesn’t allow viewing of this. I counted multiple negatives, strange positives that could be misconstrued as blaming other sellers for the death of her dog. There were a few false positives left by other sellers with power seller status, at their risk to basically warn others. Threats and supposedly the buyer called police. She claims many of her purchases are “counterfeit” 

So here I am kicking myself. For not reviewing this feedback prior to shipping. If she is not scamming me I’m sure this will result in my first negative. 

So she continues to message me and wants her money back NOW! She doesn’t want to have to go to the post office to return it when it arrives. So basically she’s requesting a refund before it gets there! 

After seeing it tracked into Manhattan (I’m in Queens) I decided to go online and request the package get intercepted back. It qualified but hasn’t had any updates besides bouncing around to other distribution centers. 

I wanted to be relieved that I avoided this nightmare but now I fear a failure through the interception. 

My question to other sellers is - What is the success rate of intercepted packages? Has anyone used this last minute? 

Will ebay be kind to possibly remove the negative coming my way? 

I’ve lost sleep and extra money from this nightmare. My fear is that she will recieve it and either open it rendering it of no value or return a counterfeit item in its place. It’s marketed at a value of over $300.00. 

[rainbowcolorz]

@tunicaslot said:   I see many new IDs on the boards - I think it reflects more on the volatility on these boards and regular posters are making new IDs to remain anonymous while still trying to help out the other Ebay sellers and buyers that come here with problems. It doesn't mean they are new to the boards.

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And the reason a regular poster would make up a new ID to remain anonymous would be?   Especially if they are a regular poster (even a poster/seller) who has helped a lot of others who've come here asking for help.   Those are posters whose info and advice I look forward to and trust.  

I did see one new ID created today who called something I said asinine.  lol

[pburn]

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@tunicaslot wrote:

Tagging - I see many new IDs on the boards - I think it reflects more on the volatility on these boards and regular posters are making new IDs to remain anonymous while still trying to help out the other Ebay sellers and buyers that come here with problems. It doesn't mean they are new to the boards.

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Agreed. Too many regular posters feeling unfairly targeted. Creating new posting ids is one possible protection.

But, back to the OP's topic, if we're taking a vote, I'd intercept and let the chips fall where they may. But that's just me.

[escuintla · Accepted solution]

It all depends on where the package is. The bad thing is that priority mail sometimes is so effective that there's no time for recall.

But, the only time I called back an item, last year, I made it possible.

I sold an item worth $540 but after the bidding, the buyer asked me weird questions as method of payment, if he could pay via check, cash, etc. After a few calls to CS, out of nowhere I got a check. I cashed it, shipped the item right away, but23 days later my wife noticed a charge back on our bank account. He canceled the check. 

So, in one of those events, after 2 days, the package was still, a miracle, in San Francisco going to Orange county. I live in San Jose. So, I paid the same amount that I paid to ship it to get it back. All in and all out $34 I lost in that adventure.

But I got it back. 

check the tracking. 

[tunicaslot]

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@rainbowcolorz wrote:

@tunicaslot said:   I see many new IDs on the boards - I think it reflects more on the volatility on these boards and regular posters are making new IDs to remain anonymous while still trying to help out the other Ebay sellers and buyers that come here with problems. It doesn't mean they are new to the boards.

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And the reason a regular poster would make up a new ID to remain anonymous would be?   Especially if they are a regular poster (even a poster/seller) who has helped a lot of others who've come here asking for help.   Those are posters whose info and advice I look forward to and trust.  

I did see one new ID created today who called something I said asinine.  lol

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You'd have to reach out and ask someone with a new ID as to why they changed it. There are many posters here with multiple IDs and when a new one pops up - I usually figure it out eventually. As I said there is a lot of tension here - they may want to stay out of the firing line.

[buzzapparel]

If you are that close to get take her to court and file criminal charges against her. 

[pburn]

The OP can't take the buyer to court and file criminal charges.

[mg152]

For what? So far the buyer has done nothing to the op.

[mg152]

@Anonymous
tyler@ebay
alan@ebay

Any input as to how the op handled this? Or how the op should’ve handled it?

I would’ve done the complete opposite myself. Thank you!

[stuff4divas]

Tell her to refuse the package and once you receive it back, you will refund her.

But hopefully, the interception will work.

[threequarterperformance]

I ‘already’ sent her a message declaring I would allow a full and free return. I also explained about my interception because she stated she “didn’t want to go to the PO for a return” These messages were responded to with extreme hostility and horrible spelling. She sent messages back - “ It’s your fault! I want my money now!! I will no go to PO Box” Between the fact that she most likely will leave a negative, has left countless negatives, purchased a 170.00 item worth 300.00 and will either return an open item, or send something else back —- I’m not so much concerned about anything as much as getting my original item back ASAP before it arrives at a possible scam address.
If you say negatives aren’t the same to eBay anymore, they mean a lot to me. I take great pride in my sales and professionalism selling on this site. I’m sure I will eventually get my first negative. Even the best sellers get a negative- but I shouldn’t have to deal with a negative from an unhinged buyer who clearly should have been removed awhile ago!
Perhaps in the future respond to questions if you have already been in a similar situation.

[jennzet-0]

I would upload her emails and call ebay to get her on their radar so she does not do this to someone else.

[threequarterperformance]

I have started adding confirmation signature after some unauthorized credit card scams on a few big ticket items. I was told by eBay that the case was more in my favor because I added along the signature requirement. I always let my buyers know either in the listing or after the sale is made. I get it can be a headache to be home to sign for a package. I just do not want a small $170 item sitting on someone’s steps either. 

[myangelandmyprincess]

Signature confirmation doesn’t offer you any added protection. It’s only needed on items over $750.  With unauthorized credit card chargebacks all you need is to show you shipped to the address in the order details on PayPal 

[jennzet-0]

Yes, but as the OP said at least that small package will not be left unattended all day on someone's front stairs.

[slippinjimmy]

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@threequarterperformance wrote:

I have started adding confirmation signature after some unauthorized credit card scams on a few big ticket items. I was told by eBay that the case was more in my favor because I added along the signature requirement. I always let my buyers know either in the listing or after the sale is made. I get it can be a headache to be home to sign for a package. I just do not want a small $170 item sitting on someone’s steps either. 

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I looked at your most expensive listing, not sure if it's one you would add Sig Con to but if you do there is NOTHING that I see in the listing that mentions it.

If a seller send me a low/modest value item (anything under $750) with Signature Required they run a almost certain chance that I will not be at all happy unless they have made it perfectly clear in the listing (so I can buy elsewhere).

What eBay apparently told you is garbage, primarily because eBay generally has absolutely nothing to do with Unauthorized Use claims, those claims always come from PayPal and for UA claims you only need proof of shipping. No proof of delivery is required so a signature is completely pointless.

Signature Confirmation can be a huge inconvenience for buyers, using it when not required or warranted is simply asking for trouble (and a waste of money).