Pretty sure I’m getting scammed

[tbud75]

A buyer purchased my Care Bears Noble Heart Horse 8” plush on July 1.  USPS tracking shows the item arrived on July 6, delivered in/at mailbox at 9:49 am.

The buyer never left me feedback but didn’t say a word until last night, when I received an email from eBay saying the funds from that sale are on hold because the buyer opened a request claiming they never received the item.  This is two months after the fact.

I responded to the eBay claim with the tracking number and asking why the buyer waited two months to contact me.

Am I going to be out the money and the item? This was a collector’s piece that was worth $295, otherwise I wouldn’t be this upset.

I’m not a veteran seller by any means.  I’ve just made a few sales in the last several months, so I’m very bewildered by this.

Could anyone offer some advice and what to expect? eBay always takes the buyer’s side, correct?

[dbfolks166mt]

"I keep mine for at least 6 months. The one thing that is on the receipt that is not simply in the tracking information is the weight of the package when USPS took possession of the item. This has helped me a number of times with empty box claims from buyers as well as insurance claims with USPS."

I have been fortunate over the years with no such claims by buyers or lost packages. Just using USPS and UPS. the USPS carrier picks up my shipments and scans everytime. If I have to go into the post office, I drop and run. They never miss a scan. Same with the pack n ship joint where I drop the UPS shipments, drop and run. They scan every time. 

Could not imagine waiting in line and thankful for that.

I do understand it is not like that everywhere with some places quite a bit more challenging than others.

    I do have to confess that I may have a bit of an advantage I am less than 1 mile from my local post office and 3 miles from a regional distribution facility. The regional facility is open on Sundays and some holidays so I can take packages in and have the scanned and obtain a receipt quicker than I can wait till Monday for  a pickup.

     There is also a shortage of carriers in my area and I do not always get mail everyday and there would be some risk in a pickup if the carrier was not available. I have talked to the post master about this and they are doing the best they can with the limited carriers they have. 

[soh.maryl]

According to OP, delivered on July 6th.   

[dhbookds]

I would take a screen shot of the tracking.......showing the delivery.......  USPS reuses tracking numbers after a period of time, so wouldn't hurt keep that on file also...........

[ham*i*am46]

My question is - why is ebay even allowing the buyer to file if the tracking shows delivery more than 2 months ago?  Did something change in their return policy?

[sextons-sweet-deals]

Sounds like you uploaded tracking or bought a label on eBay for automatic tracking upload. You should be okay, but you need to be more cautious. 

You need to keep records of everything in case of issues like this and if the tax man come knocking at your door. I print a copy of order details on every sale (may make some written notes) and staple all shipments of the day with the receipt I get back from USPS after they scan. 

I believe the tax rule of keeping records is at least 7 years. ???

[albertabrightalberta]

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@ham*i*am46 wrote:

My question is - why is ebay even allowing the buyer to file if the tracking shows delivery more than 2 months ago?  Did something change in their return policy?

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Some sellers will issue refunds anyway so ebay gives the option of filing. (Personally, I don't refund if tracking shows delivery but others' MMV.)

[lakefor94]

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@ham*i*am46 wrote:

My question is - why is ebay even allowing the buyer to file if the tracking shows delivery more than 2 months ago?  Did something change in their return policy?

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They allow cases to be filed as a customer service. I have had an INAD filed 3 months after delivery. I declined. 

Wondering if eBay allows INR cases to be filed after the tracking disappears after 4 months?

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

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@tbud75 wrote:

I have all of the tracking information uploaded on eBay.  Unfortunately I did throw out the USPS receipt a couple of days ago, considering the sale was on 7/1 and delivered on 7/6.

Do you keep all of your receipts no matter how much time has passed?

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I use pre-paid labels. I presume you do too. If you paid for your label at the counter, I assume you would have kept the receipt for taxes...

When I go to the counter, I do not ask for a receipt.

When I go to the self-serve kiosk, it forces a receipt upon me. (Print or email, print is faster). 

I remove the receipt from the kiosk and immediately place it into the conviently placed recycle bin next to the kiosk. Waste of paper when I get a mile long receipt on Mondays 

[simba6]

Sounds very fishy. Most buyers are screaming where is my package the moment they click.  Don't think one would wait all this time to complain.  A buyer has 30 bays from the last given delivery date to file a case with ebay.  With paypal it's 180 days from purchase date.  A credit card it can be a year.  Print out and save the tracking info.  It ages off in time and you might need it.

[coolections]

Did you add that same tracking number into the case ? It is a MUST that you do that, not just the original tracking number you put in.

[femmefan1946]

I've been audited in the past.

I keep all receipts and print out all my invoices.

And I keep them for seven years.

[tbud75]

Update:  after providing the tracking information to eBay, the buyer closed the request.  I wish I could delete the positive feedback I left for them two months ago.

I don’t sell on eBay that often and was just doing some paring down of my stuff, but from now on, all of my receipts are being saved.  

Thanks for all of the advice.  I really appreciate it.