Possible Scammer

[themoonandthings]

Hello Community,

I've been selling for a while and decided to grow my business officially. I'm wondering if other people have encountered this situation: I sold an item to what looked like a reputable buyer, and after I sent it, about three days after purchase they asked if I could send it to a different address because they accidentally forgot to change it. I of course responded, saying it was sent. 

Tracking said it arrived and was given to an individual at the previous address given. Then the buyer posted a neutral review saying she didn't receive it. Then she requested a refund. She hasn't answered my messages. I think it's a scam. I'm not sure how to inform ebay. Now my account is on hold.

Thank you. 🙂

[ebooksdiva]

Upload tracking into the request. It will prove you shipped to the address on file for the buyer. Once you win the case you can have the feedback removed. 

[isaiah53-57]

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@themoonandthings wrote:

Hello Community,

I've been selling for a while and decided to grow my business officially. I'm wondering if other people have encountered this situation: I sold an item to what looked like a reputable buyer, and after I sent it, about three days after purchase they asked if I could send it to a different address because they accidentally forgot to change it. I of course responded, saying it was sent. 

Tracking said it arrived and was given to an individual at the previous address given. Then the buyer posted a neutral review saying she didn't receive it. Then she requested a refund. She hasn't answered my messages. I think it's a scam. I'm not sure how to inform ebay. Now my account is on hold.

Thank you. 🙂

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If you are looking to "grow" your business here, in my opinion and based on my experience, you should factor-in situations like this coming at a faster pace as more and more people realize how easy it is to get their items for free on this site by using the policies of the "Money Back Guarantee".

[reallynicestamps]

There is a scam similar to your description, and usually the change of address is from a scammer.

The delay indicates to me that the request did come from the original buyer, but tough noogies, it's up to them to provide the correct address.

Fun fact.

While if you provide the tracking number you will win the case, you might be interested to know that should the shipment be returned to you as Undeliverable, you are not required by eBay to refund a red cent.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy...

In theory you can keep the payment and the returned Undeliverable item.

In practice?

How polite was the buyer in their communication?
YMMV.

[luckythewinner]

I've been selling for a while and decided to grow my business officially.

What exactly do you mean by grow it "officially"?

Then the buyer posted a neutral review saying she didn't receive it.

Don;t let meaningless feedback distract you.

Then she requested a refund.

Did she simply send a message requesting a refund, or did she file an "Item not received" dispute? There is a HUGE difference between the two.

She hasn't answered my messages. I think it's a scam

If she filed a dispute, you should not waste time messaging the buyer. That is not necessary. You need to respond to the dispute with the tracking number that confirms delivery as others have suggested. 

[inhawaii]

Did the buyer just ask for a refund or did they file a INR (item not received) case?

If they did file a INR case, just respond to the case and make sure you add the tracking number.

They should find in your favor in a few days.

Good luck!

[a_c_green]

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@themoonandthings wrote:

Tracking said it arrived and was given to an individual at the previous address given. Then the buyer posted a neutral review saying she didn't receive it.

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That is such a goofball of a comment ("Haven’t received yet so cannot comment yet.") that, to be honest, I wouldn't even worry about, in the event that she does not file an Item Not Received dispute.

If she does file the INR, you would upload the tracking that shows delivery to the City and ZIP of the address that you received with the payment, and it should be closed in your favor, at which point I believe the feedback will either be removed automatically or at your request. Keep us updated on this!

[deltilogical]

SCAM! 

If buyer forgot to change address and made the mistake, normal people wouldn't be leaving bad feedback as soon as they could.  

Please tell us sellers Ebay has you covered on this. 

[southern*sweet*tea]

The ONLY address that matters is the address on the actual transaction.  THAT is the address you ship to.  If that's the address you shipped to, you're good.  Ebay will have your back.

**Information that every Ebay seller needs to know**

NEVER ever change the shipping address eBay gives you. You lose any seller protection when you do this and you will instantly lose any case a buyer makes against you.

There are scammers that contact sellers pretending to be the actual buyer. They ask the seller to change the address to another one hoping the seller will follow through. Meanwhile the real buyer winds up filing an item not received claim.  When a seller changes the address  three things happen: 1. the scammer gets free stuff, 2. the actual buyer gets a refund and 3. the seller gets robbed.

Check the ID that sent the message. If it is NOT your buyer, block them here: https://www.ebay.com/bmgt/BuyerBlock

If it really is the buyer, politely inform them that you cannot change the address after the purchase. You would need to cancel the sale. The buyer can then repurchase the relisted item using the correct address.