Possible Buyer Scam - Help!

[vermont444]

Hi all,

I was wondering if someone could help me out here. I'm posting on an alternate account here, but I recently sold an item on ebay (>$400) and the recipient is claiming that it arrived damaged. They sent me many pictures, but they are all blurry closeups and the seller is refusing to send a photo of the item with the serial number showing in the same picture as the damage. I am finding this very suspicious, as none of these photos are clearly what I sent them. Moreover, I used the same shipping the original product came in when I bought it, plus bubble wrap to fill in all empty space in the box.  I opened up a case with FedEx, who I used to ship it, and FedEx wants the recipient to leave the package out on the porch for them to pick it up to begin the investigation.  The buyer began threatening to open a claim on the purchase and told me that they want the refund as soon as FedEx receives it back from them.  I'm not going to issue anything until I have the laptop back in my hands.

I'm concerned that leaving the package out on the porch gives them a perfect opportunity for them to not even bother leaving the package outside and just claim that it was stolen. Would I be responsible for refunding their money in this case? Or is there already enough suspicion to warrant a dispute, should they file the claim? Should I insist to FedEx to receive from them in person? Has anyone been in this situation and how should I handle it? Would it be appropriate to ask the buyer for an alternate time in which they are at home to hand the package off to FedEx personally?

Thanks for your help.

[missjen831]

You can't just withold a refund. If the buyer opens a case, you get 3 business days to refund him or have him return the laptop.

[emerald40]

I am wondering if OP should call ebay and try to get an extension of time for Fed Ex to come and look at the packaging to see who is at fault.

[vermont444]

Thanks for replying.

The issue is, I talked to FedEx and they said that if the seller ships it back to me before the investigation, it will nullify the damage claim. How am I supposed to verify that they are sending back the same item I sent them? I suppose I could ask FedEx to verify the Serial number...

[vermont444]

That's a great idea, thanks!

[emerald40]

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@vermont444 wrote:

Thanks for replying.

The issue is, I talked to FedEx and they said that if the seller ships it back to me before the investigation, it will nullify the damage claim. How am I supposed to verify that they are sending back the same item I sent them? I suppose I could ask FedEx to verify the Serial number...

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Having it returned to you would nulify the insurance I believe because it could be claimed it was damaged on the way back.

Has he opened a case yet?

[vermont444]

No, not yet. I suppose if they open a claim I will contact eBay to determine my course of action.

[emerald40]

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@vermont444 wrote:

No, not yet. I suppose if they open a claim I will contact eBay to determine my course of action.

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Don't do that.  They will simply tell you to refund.

For now I would use this time to get that package to Fed Ex to inspect it.

[samgr**r · Accepted solution]

I have had similar games played with me. The only way around the game is to tell them to send it back to you probably at your expense. It is a little risky for you, but that way you get the item back and it probably won’t be damaged. I always tell the game players to open a return and send it back. Every once in a while I lose money but most of the time the broken item comes back unbroken.

[vermont444]

Thank you to everyone for responding. 

It turns out my hunch was wrong. The buyer was being honest. I have received it back and issued the Refund. 

The damage looked a lot worse in the photos, and is hardly even noticeable in real life, but I claimed no cosmetic damage on the listing so I was at fault here.