Inex Group - possible scam?

[rustamktw]

I recently sold a camera to a buyer from outside of US. I do have shipping restrictions (no international orders), but the buyer used US shipping address for the transaction.

The item was shipped via FedEx (label purchased through eBay) with direct signature requirement and shows delivered. Three days later the buyer opens item not delivered claim and asks me for help with locating the item or refund. eBay CS instructed me that since I provided valid tracking number I don't need to take any further action and the case will be closed in my favor. I also contacted FedEx and they told me the recipient opened a lost package claim with them.

I googled the recipient address and it is shows Inex Group shipping company which has dozens of negative reviews from eBay and other platform sellers for the same reason - claiming non delivery for online purchases. Looks like an ongoing scam operation.

My questions:

1. If INR case is closed in my favor, can the buyer escalate it and request a refund? Who would be responsible for the refund?

2. Do I need to take any further action with FedEx to recover the lost package value and reimburse the buyer or eBay will take care of this on my behalf?

3. Can't really tell if the buyer is a part of the scamming schema or a victim. They seem to have over 300 positive feedback on eBay, but I also saw some red flags - 3 day payment delay for won auction item, did not claim lost package for several days after delivery and until I left them a positive feedback. Should I try to help them or block and ignore further communications?

Need some advice from expert sellers, any information is highly appreciated.

[dhbookds · Accepted solution]

1.......they can appeal and they file a chargeback with a credit card co.  As long as you have proof of delivery/with signature (if required.....for over $750) to the address given by ebay,  ebay will refund (their dime) if necessary.

2.  You need to do nothing else.......unless they appeal.......and if they do, simply repeat the delivery confirmation. 

3.  The buyer needs to contact Inex Group since someone there signed for the item.  I'd probably tell them that and say there is nothing more I can do since it shows delivered to them........and then stop communicating. 

[rustamktw]

Thank you, @dhbookds this sounds like a good plan, will follow it.

[nickelsanddimes2015]

You are covered. Don't do anything else. If they message you again just tell them to contact customer service at ebay. They used a freight forwarder which is against ebay policy for them to use. It shows delivered so you are covered even if they open something with their credit card. No worries.

[ittybitnot]

@rustamktw 

You should prevail on any "Item not received" claim made by the buyer.  If they should change it to ANY of the "not as described" reasons, come back here before you proceed.  There are some extra protections for the SELLER when an international user uses a freight forwarder.  Buyers forfeit their protections under the Money Back Guarantee, so long as the SELLER points out to eBay that this is a freight forwarder issue.  eBay will otherwise proceed as if it is any other sale.  

[dhbookds]

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@nickelsanddimes2015 wrote:

You are covered. Don't do anything else. If they message you again just tell them to contact customer service at ebay. They used a freight forwarder which is against ebay policy for them to use. It shows delivered so you are covered even if they open something with their credit card. No worries.

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It's certainly NOT against ebay policy to use a freight forwarder...........  Use of one does void guarantees, but it's not against any ebay policy. 

[rustamktw]

OK, tracking number provided and shows 'delivered' in the system, that should take care of the INR request.

I replied to the buyer instructing them to contact their freight forwarder and/or eBay customer service for further assistance.

Thank you all! I will post back here if I have more updates. And yes, next time I will google buyer's address before sending anything. 🙂

[rustamktw]

Looks like someone has opened the lost item claim with FedEx as well (the buyer?)

Suppose they can prove the item was lost and FedEx admits the loss, how the refund works in this case? I don't see any ways to check the claim status with FedEx as I didn't pay for the label myself, it came through eBay.

[ittybitnot]

Suppose they can prove the item was lost and FedEx admits the loss

@rustamktw 

Not likely a problem for you since "tracking shows delivered".   

[rustamktw]

Follow up as promised - eBay closed INR case in my favor. Just before the case got closed I advised the buyer to contact their freight company and/or eBay CS for further assistance but he kept sending me senseless messages in broken English asking for shipment info and my FedEx account details. Sounds like the guy is trying to scam FedEx for a refund after claiming lost package. Blocked and ignored.

Lesson learned - do not ship anything to Inex group. Scammers.

[111cureautism111]

I may have been involved in a scam with this Inex Group but not sure. I sold a very old ceramic figurine to a buyer that told me to send it to this Inex Group in Wilmington, DE. Now I live literally 20 miles from this address and mentioned I can hand deliver it. The buyer was very adamant about shipping and not to bring it to the address. That raised a red flag for me. On top of that, I am from Wilmington and know where this address is located and it almost all car repair shops.

The buyer told me that the package will then be forwarded overseas. So now I wondered why she opened it in Wilmington if that is where she actually was located. I am thinking she is the one overseas and is trying to get me to refund her when it should be the forwarding company Inex. Unless she is just trying to get money out me.

[kh-stanley1]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.