I am afraid I am getting scammed potentially for the first time - what to do?

[2015.sitav]

I have not sold a ton of items on ebay myself, but this is the first time  that it looks like someone might  potentially be trying to scam me out of an item. I listed some vintage pokemon packs on a listing, I provided the user with various pictures and even additional pictures to allow him to choose which artwork he would prefer. This was a sealed blister worth around $185 and in the pictures prior to purchasing he even agreed that the item looked perfect/near mint/unopened/unbent. Now that it has arrived the seal has been broken in a way that really only a hand could do so, not a way a shipping error would and my item tampered with and marks where someone tried to open it that were clearly not on my initial picture.  The buyer has asked for a return (even though I offered no returns), but now I am scared.

Some of the items value came from being sealed. It being opened, even if it was returned to me, would now lose value. The buyer also has made a hole in said item which he could fish/take out the items from inside the original sealed item and leave me with a dud. Is there anything I can do to protect me if he forces "a return"? Is there anyway I can get ebay support to ask the sender to send a video/pictures of my item being packaged like I did? I am afraid that not only will he somehow be allowed to return this after opening it [after reading some horror stories here], but that he might send me an empty package.

This buyer had a low amount of feedback as well. Is there anyway to restrict sales to only users with a high amount of feedback as well?

[bubbleman2010]

You tell them to return for refund thats about all you can do at this point...

[robla60]

This buyer had a low amount of feedback as well. Is there anyway to restrict sales to only users with a high amount of feedback as well?

___________

Nope

[dtexley3]

Open a damaged package complaint with USPS, tell the buyer that the PO inspector will be contacting them to examine the damage.  Contact eBay and ask for an extension to allow time for the investigation.  Don't approve the refund and label until the last day possible, not out of spite, but in the hopes that the buyer backs down.  

You'll still most likely end up paying the return postage and only get back part of what you shipped, but in some cases the buyer suddenly vanishes and doesn't pursue the refund.

[bubbleman2010]

If they shipped it like the listing says first class package and no added insurance USPS isn't going to look at anything it was delivered and thats all they'll be concerned about..

[kensgiftshop]

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@2015.sitavwrote:

 Is there anyway I can get ebay support to ask the sender to send a video/pictures of my item being packaged like I did? I am afraid that not only will he somehow be allowed to return this after opening it [after reading some horror stories here], but that he might send me an empty package.

This buyer had a low amount of feedback as well. Is there anyway to restrict sales to only users with a high amount of feedback as well?

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Taking a video of you packaging the item really doesn't do any good and they wouldn't look at any videos as proof.

As far as feedback, a buyer with thousands of feedback can scam you just as easy as a buyer with none.

If he sends back an empty box or a couple rocks, you can file mail fraud through USPS and report him for abusing the return system.

[bubbleman2010]

You've already lost the game,but you could try the longshot play and tell them they got exactly what was listed and you don't take any returns. Most will just neg you and go away so will move to escalate just depends on how well versed they are with the system and how many times they've been to the well for a drink....

[2015.sitav]

What would I say/do to to speak the Postal Office to get them to send an inspector @dtexley3>? Or anyone who may have experience with this

[2015.sitav]

I replied sending more info to my buyer to show item was not sent as he claimed. He still wants a refund he says. I mentioned contacting a PO inspector to try and see if there was any damage to the package and linked him to a statute about mail fraud in California (the state he lives in). Not sure if this is the correct avenue, but from what I am reading - it seems like ebay leaves sellers out on their own :/. How has there not been a succesful class action suit against ebay it seems if they offer so little protection to their consumers

[2015.sitav]

@dtexley3 - Thank you so much!

My buyer reacted to me mentioning a PO inspector and potential mail fraud and seems to be content with keeping my item after all according to the message he just sent me. But holy cow that was frightening on my end, I thought I was out 180ish dollars while having done nothing wrong on my part

[bubbleman2010]

Did your buyer open a return request through ebay or did they just send you a email  telling you about the problem?

[2015.sitav]

They sent a return request to me (I don't think directly via ebay). They ended up closing it though in exchange for me not posting any negative feedback against them. Which although selfish on my part, I am fine with doing as it means I didn't lose my money

I got one of these:
"There's something wrong with the item your buyer's received, so they'd like to return it.Please respond by Apr 05 or we may approve it for you.Your PayPal funds from this purchase will be unavailable while this request is open"

[bubbleman2010]

You got a offical return request through ebay did your buyer close that request which would release your funds being held in paypal?

[2015.sitav]

Yes - he closed it - I received the following: "This return is closed. View the Details. Hi, *name here* the return for Pokemon **** 3 booster pack ***words** has been closed. You can always view the return details for more info.

And the reason he provided for closing was "other"

[bubbleman2010]

OK thats good that solves the ebay side of the problem. Now you just have to watch for the problem to arise on paypal if it doesn't your home free......