Proving what you sent works.

[jayram1408]

So I have read and seen and heard stories of sellers getting rocks returned, people saying they got an item that does not work or other such buyer scams. I thought about this long and hard. So if I set up my packaging right next to my test bench, then getting the item while filming video, show the item being hooked up, then working, then being boxed then keeping the camera on the package at all times ,(never let it get out of picture frame) this would include driving it to the post office and only turning off the camera once it was put in the postal employees hands. This would show that you did indeed mail a perfect working item. The critical part is to make sure the package NEVER goes off frame for even one second, they can say you did something off camera, switched packages ect... I believe you can't as a buyer intent on scamming, dispute that no matter what you say. Anyone ever done this, would this work, how can it be improved to make it work if not?

[kds99]

While you may be inclined to spend 50 dollars worth of your time to safeguard the sale of each item, eBay will not be willing to do the same.

[1tuna]

you could open your packages at the post office with the Pope and Mother Theresa and the chief of police all helping to open the package and attesting to what was in the package.

ebay does not give a hill of beans for video testimony

the deal is that no matter what you ship the buyer can just say "I dont like it"

the CSR team is instructed to act on a claim that is opened no matter what they said to get it opened

the CSR team is not going reverse the claim once its opened

the blues have already stated that SMELLS are subjective and not cause for a SNAD

once the claim gets opened its another story, once a claim is open they are not going to reverse it.

its called buyer protection and return abuse

if you cant deal with return abuse then its game over for some sellers

@jayram1408 

[maxine*j]

@glasser 

Agree completely with all you said, and you said it better than I did.

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[bonjourami]

"no one in there right mind could say you did not ship a working item as described. 100% I think even if eBay sideded with the buyer, at that point you could call the police and get your money back thru them and the best part, justice for the scammer as that's a conviction on there record and what ever consequences the court imposes."

Local police do not get involved in internet scams.

[vintagecraze50]

As far as a I know the video will not mean too much in a dispute. It is a pretty much accepted rule here that if the customer says it is not as described, not working, anything about the item  is the indisputable fact. People who want to return something will accomplish that by overriding ebay and going to their credit card for a chargeback. 

[rustydalmatian]

Hundreds of posters have suggested doing that throughout the years.  eBay doesn't give a single Biden about any of that.  Your buyer would film nothing, return a box of rocks, and STILL get refunded 100%.   If you want to play on eBay, you must deal with the beast.   No way around it.

[gosimus]

@jayram1408 

< I know it will definitely hold up in court >    

Others have already refuted this, but I'll add that there's no way for you to prove that after you videoed the item being boxed up, that you didn't open up that box and substitute another item off camera. 

[fern*wood]

I'm curious about what case you opened on your buyer---I'm not familiar with that.  Did you sell this plane as repaired?

[soh.maryl]

You would be spittin' into the wind.  And then you would call the PD? And get your money back through them? Please.  Going to court? 

Not sure why you think your plan would work in the face of all the information to the contrary, but feel free to go ahead with it.

Then please return here and let us know the outcome. 

[glasser]

That's a good sign that eBay has intervened. I am wondering if the users has established a aptern and is now on eBay's radar.

Report back with the outcome. eBay needs to be aggressive in these cases. They should, if they don't already, include some language every time someone files or requests a return about how the expectation is that items return in the same condition as sent (unless they are claiming damage in shipping), that eBay takes fraud by sellers and buyers seriously, and sending back something that was not the original item is subject to permanent removal of the eBay user and other legal action as appropriate.

[fab_finds4u]

 eBay is not going to take the money back from the seller. They might give you a courtesy refund but usually they just give you a $6 shipping voucher.

[fab_finds4u]

Oh Jeeze that reply was meant for the OP.

[soh.maryl]

aptern? Pattern? 

[johnrj1226]

The only thing I know that Walmart actually tests before allowing a return are the car, marine & lawn mower batteries  they sell.  Buyer used to claim their  batteries  "died" before the warranty expired, brought in a "dead" battery with receipt, get a new one and do it all over  again.  Now  the put the  battery on a charger and check the voltage  after the battery had time to cool down (took some time ~ 2 hours).

Other items aren't tested  - the "buyer" gets  a refund or store gift card if no receipt

[simply-the-best-for-you]

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@jayram1408 wrote:

  I know it will definitely hold up in court and you could have some one arrested and brought up on charges with that video after they file a false claim at that point. eBay would have to follow suit with the courts. It has the luxury of not having been tried yet. I am almost half tempted to get some small item and have a friend buy it on eBay on obviously some made up account just to see what happens. I think it would work as no one in there right mind could say you did not ship a working item as described. 100% I think even if eBay sideded with the buyer, at that point you could call the police and get your money back thru them and the best part, justice for the scammer as that's a conviction on there record and what ever consequences the court imposes.

---

It's been tried many times, eBay won't look at it.   

As for holding up in court, many scammers are overseas, what court would you take them to?  They're not subject to US laws.  Even US scammers - 99% are going to be in a different state than you.   I know of 1 person who went on & won on Judge Judy, but it's the show that pays people off in that case.  

Your local PD is not going to look into it.   I posted here a few weeks ago about being in a large national chain when a 'smash & grab" robbery took place, except there was no smash, it was daylight on a weekend & the thieves just walked in & took what they wanted, in front of a bunch of witnesses.   The PD wasn't even called for that.  They're not going to look at your video & they probably have no jurisdiction even if they wanted to help.  

What you CAN do is realize that 99% of buyers are honest & take pro-active steps to minimize your risks including not selling anything you can't afford to lose, but I'm afraid all that time & effort for videotaping are just wasted time.