How easy is for buyers to misuse returns and steal our merchandise on eBay

[quinonesenterprises]

A client ordered a couple of items from me, after this person received the items claimed that we sent the wrong item and returned fake items to us. I wrote to eBay that I had received a fake item from a person that clearly misused our free returns to take advantage of the system. I also received a message from eBay that says that you don't have proof that the buyer caused the issue (Even thought I sent a picture of the item I received) but yet they took as proof the picture that HE SENT claiming that we sent the wrong item.

We offer free shipping and free returns, we have almost a thousand reviews from our clients and we have hundreds of sales weekly. We have been with eBay for more than 17 years and yet they rather take the word of a person with 3 purchases within the last 6 years.

It was only a $26 dollars transaction, that is nothing. But the fact that eBay believes that a seller like us who have a lot of great reviews, have been with them for 17 years, make hundreds of sales weekly would jeopardize our relationship over $26 dollars it is disappointing to say the least.

My concern is, if this would've been a $5,000 dollar sale, how easy is for someone to take our merchandise, lie to get their money back, and how fast and easy eBay partializes with them without taking in consideration our relationship.

I hope this person continues doing business with them and provide lots of profits since you believe WE ARE at fault here. Not only is a dishonest practice and a CLEAR ABUSE of returns policy and most importantly is THEFT.

I was in the hope that eBay would protect my business and that it was a safe platform to conduct business. But now I am sure I shouldn't take more items into eBay unless I want to put a risk my money and my merchandise.

[kensgiftshop]

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@vintagecraze50 wrote:

If someone did try to do a 5 grand steal from us, I would be contacting them with information filed in their jurisdiction police reported and if nothing sent back mail fraud. I would tell them if they do not comply with my request to return the merch we will also start a small claims court case against them.  I may even fly to where they are to do a court case in that kind of situation. People need to get this message you steal you will pay dearly. Either with bad credit, collections, or imprisonment all of which can be done if you pursue it properly.

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I agree.

Since Ebay isn't going to do much to help sellers, sellers are going to have to start sticking up for themselves and taking action against these buyers outside of Ebay.

[kensgiftshop]

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@gosimus wrote:

@vintagecraze50 

< you steal you will pay dearly. Either with bad credit, collections, or imprisonment >    

The reason I don't sell on eBay is that I'm afraid that, of those 3 options listed, I would choose option 4. and then I'd be the one facing imprisonment or worse.  It flabbergasts me that anyone could be so stupid as to try stealing from someone who knows his identity and location.  

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They know very little will be done so they don't worry to much about it.

[vintagecraze50]

YEP, it is not just an ebay thing. However, the big time scammers that get caught go to jail. Amazon has had many infamous  buy, claim defective, send replacement scammers in the news where they are now serving many years in prison. They all do something when it get’s excessive.

[vintagecraze50]

Yes, it is a stupid move, but criminals are known to be very impulsive AND STUPID. And that is why there is a revolving door for these folks in the system. They never learn .

[gosimus]

@kensgiftshop 

< They know very little will be done >    

Most of the time, but there's always the chance of an exception.  And it only takes one. 

[vintagecraze50]

I just googled the relationship between criminal behavior and IQ, YEP. Studies shown criminality is heavily associated with stupidity.

[monster-deals]

As easy as falling down stairs.

[pmg_distributors]

If you are a seller that offers seller free returns, you have the right to deduct up to 50% if someone does not send back your item. If your sale was $5,000, then most likely, it would fit in some area of a high value transaction and eBay would require a police report to be filed and possibly some other verification, but you would have some protection to claim that they did not send back your item. If your police report is filed and you provide all required documentation from eBay, you should qualify for reimbursement/partial reimbursement. It is not something you can count on all of the time, but if you are a seller in good standing and something of that high value does occur, as long as you can provide the required information or notarized documents/police report, you should be able to appeal for reimbursement. Otherwise, you at least have the 50% partial refund tool if you are a seller that offers seller free returns and you are in good standing. 

[the_fancy_fox]

Here’s how I take the sting out of those scammers. Add .25 to the cost of your item and keep it as insurance against damage claims and theft.

sometimes I add more, sometimes less,  it depends on what I think the market will bear. 

Save that money up to cover these claims. Over the 20+ years I have been selling I have amassed over a thousand dollars in that “pool”. 

A scammer doesnt  trigger my outraged button anymore. I just refund, report them to ebay and block. 

I also have a program I wrote in excel that catches scammers that start new id’s and use the same address to scam with. 

[mybigsale]

I have been fortunate in having many "good" buyers. I am patient with most buyers.  Fraud has not been a problem for me. In clear cases of theft or fraud I will make the effort to take a clear stand. If you know you have a clear case of theft or fraud:

Please let your buyer know the correct item was sent and you are working with the shipper to get item weight and GPS location of delivery.  Please ask the buyer to note who received and opened the package and other details as well as keeping all packaging.  Tell your buyer you are filing police and postal reports and please cooperate with any investigations, and you are determined to find who switched the items.

File police, postal and other reports.  If (When) an eBay case is found in the buyer's favor and you intend to appeal, I've heard a police report may help with an eBay courtesy refund. It would be interesting to hear from sellers who have succeeded in any eBay Not as Described cases/appeals or who have filed small claims cases.

5 Ways to Report Fraud on eBay - wikiHow

[vintagecraze50]

The 50 percent deduction is an excellent deterrent for would be scammers perusing your items if they understand that a top rated seller with the free returns has the ability to do as such. However, I have seen cases on here where these people do a chargeback for the remaining balance as well, so it is not foolprooof.

[pmg_distributors]

For chargebacks, if you the seller have issued a partial refund under the eBay policy, eBay considers that to be a case closed in sellers favor and any chargeback, if you lose the dispute, you need to call eBay and reference that it was a case closed under the seller free return, partial refund deduction. You will be covered by eBay. They will reimburse you the dispute amount, if you lose. We have had this happen on several occasions. 

[monster-deals]

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@vintagecraze50 wrote:

 a top rated seller with the free returns 

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Can be either but doesn't have to be both.

[vintagecraze50]

Certainly Good to hear!

[elvey]

And in order to make sure I win such a case I have recorded video of myself packing , labeling and then dropping off / handing over the package, in one take, when selling high-value items.