Help with buyer dispute: Automatically refunded before item is returned!!

[josh_test]

I am almost at my wits end. I feel so powerless, and $250 poorer.

I sold a new unlocked mobile phone to someone, who then complained that T-Mobile wouldn't activate it. I then tried to help the buyer with the phone, and I asked for the IMEI number. After many requests the buyer provided me with the IMEI number, and then I went on T-Mobile's site to prove the phone is fully compatible with T-Mobile, and provided a screenshot of the proof. 

Buyer then went dark, and I escalated the request to ebay. Not more than 5 MINUTES later eBay found for the buyer, asking buyer to return the item. 

I then heard no other news.

Today I received a message that my PayPal account has been debited for the purchase. I have not received the package, I didn't receive any tracking information, and yet eBay automatically debited my account. 

So I have no returned item, no tracking number or proof that the person even returned the phone, and I'm $250 poorer. What can I do? I feel like I'm being bullied and ripped off by both a dishonest seller, and eBay!

[josh_test]

Sorry...I mean a dishonest buyer. I was the seller of the brand new phone.

[ittybitnot]

Buyer then went dark, and I escalated the request to ebay. Not more than 5 MINUTES later eBay found for the buyer, asking buyer to return the item. 

Cases escalated to ebay are always found in favor of the buyer.  You are then supposed to supply return shipping.  Did you do that?  

[castlemagicmemories]

Not a good idea to escalate to Ebay.  They want you to take care of it.

[dhbookds]

I escalated the request to ebay........

don't understand...............what did you escalate to ebay and why?

Have you called ebay to find out WHY they refunded...............

[18704d]

"Cases escalated to ebay are always found in favor of the buyer. You are then supposed to supply return shipping. 

--------

I thought you're supposed to supply return shipping When they file NAD.

Once it's escalated to eBay (the deadly case closed without seller resolution)

eBay Can refund.. without return.

Sounds like this situation?

Lylnn

[castlemagicmemories]

That's an expensive loss, OP, really sorry about that.  Wish you had said return for refund~at least you might have got your item back, and the buyer might not have bothered to return so you might have had no further problems.

Of course they might not have returned your phone but something else...

[josh_test]

Ebay automatically generates a label, right? Doesn't the buyer use the label generated?

I thought they ruled that had to accept the return (even though any court of law would see that the buyer is lying), and provided a shipping label. That is what it said...

[vintagecraze50]

Always and always WAIT IT OUT, AFTER you have put the ball in the buyers court. You really had some proof there with the way you got the phone verified as working and then shot yourself buy escalating the case  to ebay who almost always sides with the buyer, rather than waiting for the buyers next move. Many times if you message a buyer properly you can catch them dead in their tracks when they are a scammer.

[vintagecraze50]

BTW, the probably heard no new news from the buyer because you proved the phone worked and then they were speechless on how to proceed with a scam. That's speculative, but could be factual.

[josh_test · Accepted solution]

I arrived home and found that the buyer had indeed returned the phone (box opened but phone unused... Not even unwrapped). They used the return label that eBay generated for them. The problem was there was no tracking nor no notice that the phone had even entered return shipping... I had no idea.

Regardless, I'm out just $40 instead of $250.

Thanks for the comments and advice. I had originally asked eBay to step in as I had completely disproven the buyer's claim, and I wanted to seem proactive. But now I know not to contact eBay escalations no matter what.

It's like talking to the police... It can never lead to good things for you. Thanks for helping me with the eBay "street smarts".

[castlemagicmemories]

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@josh_test wrote:

I arrived home and found that the buyer had indeed returned the phone (box opened but phone unused... Not even unwrapped). They used the return label that eBay generated for them. The problem was there was no tracking nor no notice that the phone had even entered return shipping... I had no idea.

Regardless, I'm out just $40 instead of $250.

Thanks for the comments and advice. I had originally asked eBay to step in as I had completely disproven the buyer's claim, and I wanted to seem proactive. But now I know not to contact eBay escalations no matter what.

It's like talking to the police... It can never lead to good things for you. Thanks for helping me with the eBay "street smarts".

---

Glad you got your phone back.  I don't know what happened here, everyone seems to have missed this post.

[josh_test]

I just barely added that post and tagged it as the solution... So all the other posts were previous to it. It must now show up near the first.

I'm very jaded, but wiser now. Ebay is certainly not transparent about their biases

[castlemagicmemories]

I see.  Most don't choose their own post as the solution.

Yes, sometimes knowledge comes at great cost.  

[cream_couture]

eBay's stance is if they approve a return, at least the seller will have the item back and the buyer will be happy. Being that you have proof from that the phone can indeed be activated with T-Mobile, you could file an appeal to get your seller fees and shipping back (and have the defect removed). To file an appeal, you would have to wait 2 days until after it is closed. Then call ebay, ask to file an appeal and provide them the evidence that you have. I suggest talking with a rep and ask them to decide the appeal on the phone. To me that is easier way to work with ebay.