Lost money and expensive item - 3k

[sistemix262]

Hello, 

I would like to share my experience with selling item on eBay. 

I sold item on ebay 2k, buyer choice local pick up method delivery. After he asked me to ship it and provide me he's shipping label. I was not sure is this safe and called ebay support. Ebay support told me that it's fine and I am protected even if my item will be damaged or lost. Also they told me that if buer shipped and provide he's owned shipped label he  will be responsible for this as well.  After that I shipped my item to the buyer. Thereafter buyer riseved  damaged item and ask me retern if. I called ebay and esplanade this, at the same time get responses that I am covered and 100 % we gonna  decline the request for a refund. After that buyer opened a case, a contract him and told that I am not responsible for the delivery. It was your decision to ship it. E bay confirmed that I don't need to do anything, just wait till thay decline the buyer request.  That's what I did. Thereafter I received another email from ebay that if I don't provide a sipping label to the buyer ebay will refund the money. I contract ebay support one more time and as what I need to do. It's was a local pick up why I have to do all this.. I got an answer "that this is some kind of mistake and we will settle everything. don't worry, you're protected." Thereafter I reserved another email from ebay that buyer got full refund and he can keep my item. I was shocked whith this discussion. Contact eBay support and thay again told me that this was mistake and thay will appear that discussion. After appear my discussion left the same. Ebay garage me fo the fee 13% tax 10%. So basically right now I still don't get my item, add fave to pay more +500$ that I sold it. Total lost - 3k.  Please help me. Ebay support told me that thay are sorry.... 

[sistemix262]

When I was talking to ebay support I had such a feeling that they knew what would happen next, one of them even laughed when he told me that I was right. I was wary, so sometimes I made another call to make sure that the information I received was correct. every time they made notes and convinced me that I was still right and I didn't need to worry. In addition, I noticed that the money from the sale was frozen for a month then then they decided to freeze the money for a month after checking my account. I am almost sure that this was done for a reason knowing that I have a refund from the buyer. I still don't understand why they did it, but after defrosting the funds, they kept their fees.... Any thoughts on this one ? 

[sistemix262]

I got the impression that it's all the same to them, that you selling some kind of cheap item for  50 bucks or an expensive item for 3k. I do not know what to do now. The seller does not answer my messages. Ebey has to change my bank account tomorrow. Calling the support service just doesn't make any sense.

If anyone has any thoughts what I need to do in this case please let me know. 

[katzrul15]

@sistemix262 

Your ID shows that you are located in the US, but I cannot "see" any transactions on this ID, so am guessing you sold it on another ID?

Where are you located?  In the US or outside the US?

Relative to your situation - do you have the ability to appeal e-Bay's decision or has that shipped sailed?

[joseh1445]

I hate when this happens to a fellow seller. If I was you, this is what I will do. I will send the following message to your buyer. (Modify as per your case) 

1. Provide buyer with a return shipping label (Out of your pocket for the return.)

2. Ask the buyer to return item, and that you have provided return shipping label. If you don't get item back within 1 week or 2 (Its your choice the time frame.) That you will do the following.

3. File a Police Report for Theft. (1 Police Report with your city. 2. File a Police Report with the Buyers Police Department)

4. File a Report for Theft with USPS

5. File a Report for Theft with Internet Crimes (FBI, investigates this cases.)

Once you have done, every thing that I have told you.  Contact ebay with the paperwork.  A lot of doors will open in your favor.  This is because ebay can be held liable after the fact.

Good luck on your selling journey.

[sistemix262]

I am located in US. Shipping were made through UPS at different state. I alredy lost appeal as well.

[katzrul15]

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@sistemix262 wrote:

I am located in US. Shipping were made through UPS at different state. I alredy lost appeal as well.

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You can report this Buyer thru the transaction view and I would do that.

Please add their buyer ID to your BBL.

I know Facebook for Business states they will not get involved in "claims", but I would send them an email and let them know that e-Bay told you incorrectly "how" to handle this on multiple calls.  May not change anything, but ask it this can be escalated in "Trust and Safety" department.  They might tell you no, but I would at least try.

(4) eBay for Business | Facebook

Use the above link.  On the landing page, use the message button to send them a "private" message (do not post on the FB page itself) and detail for them what happened.  

I sincerely wish you luck - keep trying to see if anyone at e-Bay will assist you.  You have errors tied to your judgement, but also feel like if your synopsis is correct, e-Bay has errors also.

[rugerskick]

I am sure some sellers are shareholders.

And many, many more sellers are also buyers here.  Ebay makes money off sellers two ways, as sellers AND buyers.  Why they don't recognize this and treat sellers at least equal to buyers, if not better, well, it is strong evidence of cognitive disconnection.  The sellers here apologizing for Ebay say hey, gotta keep buyers happy - well sellers are buyers too, they make more off us than a typical buyer only as we buy and sell, maybe include us in this gotta treat our buyers happy mentality too.

[sistemix262]

Thanks you for your support! 

I alredy provide shipping label and asked return my item back, buyer told me that he moved out to another state. I asked him when eksectly he can ship it to me ? And he didn't respond me. Ebay already returned money to the buyer. He also got my item. And he can open insurance case because ups damage my item and got money from them as well. I have - 3000 $ LOST IN TOTAL.

[joseh1445]

Its time to do what I have already told you.  No more return the item when you have time, or any of this kind of messages.  Do what I have already told you.  Don't waste your time any more.  Tell your buyer for the last time what I have already told you...

(Last message to your buyer. Remove this portion)

This is my last message, if I don't get my item back this is what I am going to do

1.  I will File a Police Report for Theft. 

2.  I will File a Report for Theft with USPS

3.  I will File a Report for Theft with Internet Crimes (FBI, investigates this cases.)

[dbfolks166mt]

     As others mentioned there are so many problems here it is difficult to determine where to start. As others noted nothing shows as being sold on this account, which may be a posting account, so no clue as to what you sold or where you are actually located. Post the item ID for reference if in fact you sold the item here.   

     Second you are not out $3K. You are out what you had invested in the item + eBay fees. Will assume eBay fees are 12.9% and sale tax on the item was 6% or $120. So 12.9% * $2,120 = $273.48. 

     EBay call in support is useless. However since there is no way to see what you sold not sure if you listed the item with "seller does not accept returns". It appears you did not respond to the buyers request for a return and when you failed to do so eBay automatically refunded the buyer and allowed them to keep the item. There is nothing to appeal here since you did not take action on the initial return request. 

     Not a lot of information about the buyer with regards to whether they were new, had feedback or where they were located but I am guessing based on your OP that this is possibly a scammer who has ran this scheme before. The fact that they claim they have "moved to another state" combined with a couple of other pieces of information like sending you the shipping label etc. just smells fishy. 

     Always remember the #1 rule as a seller on eBay and that is to NEVER list anything you cannot afford to take the financial loss on. 

[sookie*stackhouse]

Almost every day someone posts that they received incorrect information from CS. Almost every day numerous posters enjoy piling on to the poor seller that lost more money than most of them make in 6 months and post either useless or incorrect information.

There is a massive problem with CS and eBay should either pull it altogether or let sellers know that the information may not be correct.  We all know that they won't, but that doesn't negate the fact that CS is a mess.

There is a CS phone number. I have no idea why more than one poster is acting like the OP made up the conversations or didn't actually speak to CS. 

[sistemix262]

I just coordinate every my step with ebay support. Every time I called them, no body told me that it's my fault that I listened buyer and shipped the item. They always said there was some kind of mistake and I'm 100% right.

I made a total of 11 calls each time a new ebay guy told me the same information. Do not worry we make a not you don't need accept any returns request. Which I did. Although I was ready to accept a refund and send my sipping label to the buyer. but every time I heard that everything is fine and you don't need to do anything. That's the problem. 

[johnrj1226]

Exactly  how  does one" force" a new seller to view a video??? Heck my  SWAG says 99.9% of new & a many beaucoup of the "experienced"  sellers never read the User Agreement when they signed up or read any of the updates since.

This is an age old issue that is even more relevant in 2022 than it  was back when I had issues with  acne but we weren't exposed to the teamwork concept -  where 2/3  of the 10  team members do all the work but every one receives the same grade.

Plus scammers will always find a newer way way to "cheat", "steal" $$  or product or both from folks - this all started back when  some one stole that apple from the apple tree in a place called Eden.

[sistemix262]

Buyer just responded to me, he may be sent my item back next Tuesday. 

[dirk12955]

No clue.   Can't "Force" them to read up on CL scams for that cheap RV or Vette that's stored in an ebay warehouse and comes with an ebay MB guarantee.

Can't force them to understand that there's no need to exchange text messages with their buyers.

Can't force them to understand that sellers have no control over a package once it's in 

the hands of the USPS, UPS,  FedEx or DHL

Can't force them to stop buying gift cards to enclose with the orders they ship.

Can't force them to teach themselves how to NOT get ripped off because they have 

no interest in reading the information available everywhere on the internet.

A short tutorial on how not to get ripped off would be too simple and nobody would 'want to watch it  And you couldn't "Force them" to watch it. 

These boards are for victims after the fact.   Sometimes somebody gets saved in time,  But too many times 

 it a day late and multiple dollars short.