eBay

mclovinmonkfish · ‎12-13-2018

Hi,

I have been a seller on and off on ebay for around 4 years now, unfortunately I have now been a victim a giant loophole within your system and think my selling days will come to an end. You see I recently fell victim to the fraudulent returns scam which even though it states in your terms of service I would get my money back if i were not returned the same item. However ebay refunded the thief, after admitting i was defrauded may i add, and still took over £600 from me leaving me in debt also declining all my appeal requests even after an action fraud reference number was given. The employees at paypal who have been chasing me about this debt say this this is an awfull situation however the responsibility of resolving this case and getting my money back lies with eBay. As you will see from the information bellow i have been in contact with ebay for over a month now and most staff give me different, mostly automated responses that dont really help me at all.

I know i have been told to take this matter to court but what happens if he still does not pay then? and alo does ebay pay for the court fees and bailiff fees since they refuse to resolve this.

I also provided eBay with the live unboxing of the package returned which was just shrugged off ("as only legal offices can take evidence into account" which means that claims in general are illegal in my understanding of this )

anyone had similar experiance with ebay not giving any help, i cant even contat them via email as it looks like i have been blacklisted, and managed to get their money back?

Thanks

John

mrb7777 · ‎12-13-2018

A similar situation happened to me. I sold a vintage train set, buyer claimed it was broken when he recieved it, so sent it back (on my dime). The problem is, he took what he wanted out of the set and sent me back what was left over. When I got the set back, I asked the buyer to return the missing parts or pay for them. As soon as I asked for everything back he opened a case and ebay automatically refunded all of his money. I called ebay and they said, because he said he returned it all, the case was closed in his favor. It doesn't matter what you say or what really happened, it's all about the buyer now. I now have a worthless parts train and he has the good parts and didn't have to pay a penny to get them. So you are absolutly correct, there is NO seller protection.

Anonymous · ‎12-13-2018

I am so sorry that this happened to you and the seller who started this thread!!! I desperately need to sell some jewelry to make home repairs after a hurricane but after seeing what happened to you and other sellers getting empty boxes back for returns and refunds, I think I would be better off at a pawn shop. Thanks for sharing and stopping me from possibly getting scammed. Y'all were very helpful.

jpowens358 · ‎02-22-2019

Just had similar thing happen to me. So I sold 150.00 item, new item, buyers starts case saying it’s a fake. It is NOT a fake but with ebays policy of the buyer is ALWAYS right and SCREW the seller policy I accepted the return. When I got my item back it is scratched and broken! Not even the same item I sent! I called eBay and was told to do nothing and let the case close on its own then the buyer can request eBay step in! WTH?.. I’m asking eBay to step in on my behalf not give the buyer even a bigger platform to spout lies and scam me any further! So I start reading and in these cases eBay sides with buyer 99.99999 percent of the time and if eBay does a forced refund I get penalized as a seller! No chance of even fighting a scammer. I’m going to start selling my items on marketplace where there’s no fees and all sales final ! I don’t sell junk but I just lost 150.00 plus paid shipped to get a switched item back that doesn’t even work. And this whole feedback system is garbage ! eBay knows negative feedback kills buyers do it’s held over our heads to keep those buyers happy even when we get scammed. I’m very upset about this and not a thing I can do about it.

luxgoods · ‎02-22-2019

Apparently this is happening a lot more now that Ebay rewards these scammers with always siding with the scam buyers. I sent a shirt to a scam buyer. He opened a case saying it did not fit. I accept the return and the scammer returns a totally different shirt which was a piece of garbage. I sent the buyer a picture of the shirt that he sent back. He never replied back to me. Meanwhile, Ebay keeps sending me e-mails to refund this scammer. I called Ebay and they assured me that they would send a message to the buyer. 2 days later I get a e-mail that they have refunded the scammer and found in his favor. I spent a lot of time on the phone with the geniuses at customer service and eventually got the ruling overturned in my favor. I am sure the scammer got to keep the refund and the shirt.

Ebay is in big trouble with their ridiculous policies like free returns, crazy fees structure and non existent seller protection. Their CEO is a bumbling fool that is a lawyer and talks like one. His days are numbered along with a lot of the top management. Hopefully getting rid of these ineffective execs will show improvement.

sassysixties · ‎02-22-2019

I have also been taken for a ride because of ebay's policies THE BUYER IS ALWAYS RIGHT. Recently I sent a heavy antique item over seas via Global Shipping. The buyer complained that part of the contents were missing due to Customs opening the package? !!!!. I understand that if this happens the parcel is stamped to this effect. Which did not happen with my parcel. I too had lengthy conversations with ebay who were seemingly very sympathetic to my problem. The postage costs were £60.00 the item cost was £65.00. The case was awarded in the buyers favour even though there was a feedback left on the buyers site of a similar incident in the past. I not only lost my item but my money as well. There is not any protection for Sellers. So all, please be aware that sending by ebay's global shipping does NOT give you protection. You lose whatever. I can only see these scams getting worse, the fraudsters are having an easy time on ebay. Why go shoplifting, when you can do it from the comfort of your armchair

9050ted · ‎02-24-2019

I feel your pain, the first time I was scammed (I had video proof as well) E -bay sent me an e mail informing me that I should be prepared for this. That this was part of doing business and that a successful business should be able to absorb these costs and that they could be written off.

They then refunded the buyer and counted it as an URC against me. Nothing like rubbing salt in the wound.

So if one day I refuse to pay my monthly E-Bay invoice can I use the same logic?

I still spit nails every time I think about it.

aguminus · ‎02-24-2019

The best selling/buying experiences are those face to face. You take the item, I take the money. Doing business online is all about honesty and integrity. Unfortunately our world is full of scammers who don't have any principles in life.

I'm sorry this happened to you and to many others. It seems even with the tracking number, sellers still lose cases.

kalahantony · ‎02-25-2019

I ve had the exact same issue. a fraud try to do an exchange and claimed item defective, clearly the pics I have posted show that it is not the same item. none the less Ebay refunded the buyer full price and shipping, and ignored my claim. than the buyer didn't return the item at all. ebay claimed It is my fault for not sending the buyer full shipping cost,he claims it would cost him to return. Ebay will not help. I ve lost 150.00

axiombody · ‎02-26-2019

A person opened not as described for a pair of pants saying the measurements of the length were 32" and not 30" as described. I had to accept return and when I received the pants sure enough when stretched they were 30" as I measured them. It was impossible to get a 32" measurement because it could not stretch past 30". The were snowboard pants and don't have give. I refunded him for the pants but not for return original shipping because it was as described. He opened a "case" and got his money back 10 minutes later. I called Ebay and they said that they refunded out of their own pocket. I am wondering why they even call it a "case" when the buyer automatically wins and I am not allowed to present any evidence and then he can proceed to leave negative feedback while I am left to pay for a return of an item described correctly. At least I didn't have to pay his original shipping but it is frustrating to say the least.

twk · ‎02-27-2019

Just went through a similar situation with the so-called SSP. Buyer claimed I sent her a small teapot and not the one from the listing and filed a SNAD (first I heard of it was when this SNAD was filed because she didn't want to pay orig shipping and return ship and actually said that). Actually, had I not insured the pot I have the feeling she would have claimed it arrived damaged but I took that option away from her. Anyway, in emailing her I finally asked for verification and for her to show the pot with a ruler so that I could see just how tall it was. Being a scammer, she would not do that. So, when I got it back (I sent label) I took pics of the size and sent them to ebay with my I do not agree with comments and pointing out the pot was EXACTLY the measurements listed in the offering! I LOST almost IMMEDIATELY! (which I find strange as getting through to ebay can take longer than just a few minutes). Buyer was immediately refunded!! This put PP in the red for a tad until I remedied it.

Point being, you sell here and you will lose sooner or later. There are very professional scammers out there. Ever notice those commercials on tv for products that talk about sending item back for refund.....do take note, most of them will only take the item back for ORIGINAL purchase price MINUS shipping!

maropino · ‎05-21-2019

I had a similar problem sold a new ring in Jan 2019. The buyer filed complaint saying the ring was defective (which it was new and not defective) in late Feb 2019 and returned item in April 2019. Twice I paid for shipping and insurance. eBay had closed the case and decided in my favor, PayPal on the other hand allows a buyer 6 months to return an item regardless of the loss to the seller. I am now out two shipping fees and do not have the item I sent the buyer which was a new 14k topaz ring. PayPal is allowing buyers to commit fraud and get away with it at the expense of the sellers. I no longer have a new topaz ring that the buyer purchased. I now have a scratched up used ring that the buyer sent in place of the one I sent them. I am out money and item and PayPal could care less. I think 6 months is quite a long time to allow a person to keep an item before sending it back if they are not happy with their purchase. eBay has a 30 return policy but yet eBay and PayPal are partnered with each other so how do the sellers get justice?

equid0x · ‎05-21-2019

@maropino wrote:
I had a similar problem sold a new ring in Jan 2019. The buyer filed complaint saying the ring was defective (which it was new and not defective) in late Feb 2019 and returned item in April 2019. Twice I paid for shipping and insurance. eBay had closed the case and decided in my favor, PayPal on the other hand allows a buyer 6 months to return an item regardless of the loss to the seller. I am now out two shipping fees and do not have the item I sent the buyer which was a new 14k topaz ring. PayPal is allowing buyers to commit fraud and get away with it at the expense of the sellers. I no longer have a new topaz ring that the buyer purchased. I now have a scratched up used ring that the buyer sent in place of the one I sent them. I am out money and item and PayPal could care less. I think 6 months is quite a long time to allow a person to keep an item before sending it back if they are not happy with their purchase. eBay has a 30 return policy but yet eBay and PayPal are partnered with each other so how do the sellers get justice?

If the value is high enough, and you have a "preponderance of the evidence," then take them to court.

I'm not sure why/how you would have lost a PayPal dispute considering all you really needed to do is to provide delivery confirmation unless the transaction was about $700.

Also, I would take it up further with PayPal because the deal is supposed to be that if they already lost a case on eBay, they can't open one on PayPal and vice-versa.

darkeyedman · ‎05-21-2019

The ebay policy "whatever the customer says must be true" is killing us. I went to free returns thinking it would stop the fraudulent not as described claims, but he no (fill in the L's). Ebay has the buyers so conditioned to saying not as described that they hit that button faster than a teenager hitting the chat button with a naked woman. And now they don't even have to return the item. Just print a label and mail an empty box will do. I really, really, loved ebay 2 years ago. And now, heck I hope trump figures out that he can make the Chinese pay postage on stuff entering the US and that alone will put ebay's business model out the door. Why on earth doesn't ebay show some loyalty to the people that helped them build this business. Dance with the ones that brought you, ya bidches.

tunicaslot · ‎05-22-2019

@equid0x wrote:
@maropino wrote:
I had a similar problem sold a new ring in Jan 2019. The buyer filed complaint saying the ring was defective (which it was new and not defective) in late Feb 2019 and returned item in April 2019. Twice I paid for shipping and insurance. eBay had closed the case and decided in my favor, PayPal on the other hand allows a buyer 6 months to return an item regardless of the loss to the seller. I am now out two shipping fees and do not have the item I sent the buyer which was a new 14k topaz ring. PayPal is allowing buyers to commit fraud and get away with it at the expense of the sellers. I no longer have a new topaz ring that the buyer purchased. I now have a scratched up used ring that the buyer sent in place of the one I sent them. I am out money and item and PayPal could care less. I think 6 months is quite a long time to allow a person to keep an item before sending it back if they are not happy with their purchase. eBay has a 30 return policy but yet eBay and PayPal are partnered with each other so how do the sellers get justice?
If the value is high enough, and you have a "preponderance of the evidence," then take them to court.

I'm not sure why/how you would have lost a PayPal dispute considering all you really needed to do is to provide delivery confirmation unless the transaction was about $700.

Also, I would take it up further with PayPal because the deal is supposed to be that if they already lost a case on eBay, they can't open one on PayPal and vice-versa.

Buyers have been able to open a claim on Paypal after losing an Ebay claim for years now - but I'm suspecting this was a chargeback.

All sellers need to file mail fraud reports and IC3 reports which can be done online. You should file a police report in the buyer's jurisdiction and forward all report numbers to Ebay as well as reporting the buyers for abuse and fraud. Ebay has said they will now try to protect sellers better than they have in the past. We'll see what happens.