New buyer committed $650 return fraud and I see no path to file an appeal. Criminal activity.

[jeremy_21_]

I sold a $650 item to a new buyer (2 feedback). I was hesitant and even asked them via message if they knew what they were buying. They said yet and once they received it they showed pictures that it had a dented box (it was pictured as dented and described as dented in the listing ...) and wanted to return it. Even though I always have no returns and as-is policy, I am always forced to take in these returns anyways.

But this buyer was far more sinister. They packed a box full of worthless magazines to copy the item weight and sent this as the return. I complained to eBay that they did not send back my item. I included photos and even stated that this is return fraud! They didn't care. They just decided for the buyer because the tracking number said it was delivered. eBay is horrible about protecting sellers. Really? They are saying the seller with 1000+ positive feedback is wrong here and and the buyer with 2 is in the right? I'm also negative on the return label purchase.

The email and file says I can send an appeal and there is no button, action, phone number or email to do this. All I can find is a FAQ listing that I need more proof, etc. Google says I can do it from the Seller Dashboard, but that section has zero cases listed in it thus cannot perform any action.

Not only do I need to this appeal to go my way (my first time with any huge issue in 22 years), I believe I need to file a police report against this offender. Return fraud in California under $950 carries a 1 year jail sentence and a $1000 fine. This was also over state lines so there is probably even extra crime being committed.  If I cannot get this appealed, I feel like eBay is aiding and abating the crime.

How do I exactly file for an appeal?

Anyone else submit a police report on a buyer?

[nickelsanddimes2015]

Definitely go to the police department and file a theft report then contact ebay for business on Facebook to start the appeal and tell them you have all the reports and proof.

[jeremy_21_]

Thank you for the tips.

I discovered the way to send an appeal email, but it was sort of hidden in plain sight.

From https://www.ebay.com/ReturnCase/xxxxx at the bottom of this page, there is a link.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/appeal-ebays-decision-return-missing-item...

I looped to this page 5 times and I thought it was a dead end. But then I scrolled past the article where there is a footer that includes "Email us". It's not a generic email link. It's specific for appeals.

It's still pretty flawed because their guidelines say to include additional evidence, but you cannot put any attachments to the form. My guess is that they will email you back and that's when you can reply from a real email program/site.

[dubiousgain]

I'll be rather vague here, in order to save myself from the wrath of the Nth degree eBay fan-boys and girls, whos mantra is "a sale at any cost"; But if anyone, has an item worth multiple hundreds of dollars, and receives a bid that triggers any gut feelings or red flags, they need to do what they feel is right for them, (and here's the important part) and them ONLY. A seller needs to look out for their own best interest, because no one else will. As previously mentioned, eBay did not use to be such a few, to no questions asked, buyer-centric platform. There was a degree of seller protection, especially with the obvious cases of attempted buyer fraud.  The rules and policies have changed. There are far more sellers, and more opportunities for those sellers to be saying woulda, shoulda, coulda.