Quick Concern on Buyer Return

[hughs_small_shop]

Thanks in advance for helping me with this.

I had my first conflict where the buyer claims damage due to poor packaging. After a back and forth, they were very agitated and I told them to return for a full refund. However I'm concerned because a lot of the claims the buyer made are very sketchy, and in his return request, he claimed that 50% of the items were damaged which I highly doubt is possible (the items aren't glass or anything, it was a lot of action figures and vehicles).

With the return in motion, I'm wondering if there is anything I can do IF the buyer returns the item with missing pieces as the item had a bunch of different small parts. These toys are expensive and I can realistically see the buyer taking a figure or two out when returning. I've heard of the horrors of ebay not protecting sellers at all and have been a bit spooked by that.

Also, I've heard that some sellers will videotape themselves opening returned items, or others will file a police report when making an appeal to ebay if they believe that the buyer is scamming and committing fraud. I don't care if the seller was lying or not, I just want to get my item back the way it was and would like to be prepared and know my options.

Thanks a bunch everyone.

[hughs_small_shop]

I want to thank everyone who has so quickly come to my aid. While ebay may abandon its sellers, I'm glad to know we're in it together and take solace that I am not alone. 

I understand my options and even if I take a blow, it makes the blow a lot easier. I know ebay's customer service has a really bad rep, but I called Saturday night and was met with some very sincere representatives, and even a supervisor of some sort. They also helped me a bit and here is what I plan to do.

Just in case, I will prepare a police report in case a box of rocks really does come in! But I am hoping the buyer does not ship the item in time or at all, as I've been told after 5 business days if the item is not shown as delivered, the case will be closed and I get to keep the funds. I will update this thread of what happens.

Again thank you all. Stay safe in the dangerous lands of ebay 🙂

[hughs_small_shop]

Want to give an update regarding the unfortunate ending of this situation. It's already over and I'm whatever about the outcome, but here's the info so you all can know what happened:

My suspicions were true, the return was not successful. Despite tracking, the item was not delivered to me. The tracking stated 'delivered' however it was signed by SOMEONE ELSE. I called several different USPS departments, went to my local post office twice, and nothing. I can only assume that this was an extreme coincidence that this was the first package I've ever had an issue with (buying and selling, getting returns, all of it). At this point it's impossible to tell who's fault it is, so Ebay sided with the buyer and refunded him. Which I have no qualms with, I'm out 350 but nothing I can do.

What's actually stupid is that this buyer must've had a stick up his ass because after everything, he still gave me a negative feedback! Which I wouldn't care about but the guy blatantly lied. Lied about the price, what the issue was, and claimed I was hostile. Even before initiating the return, I called an Ebay rep and they reassured me that once the case was over, the negative feedback would be easily removed. Fast forward a week and WHAT? Nope, no can do. I'm met with the most unsympathetic Ebay rep who says there's nothing wrong with it, and there's nothing she can do. She actually criticized me and told me that it was probably because I was rude or something. 

Funny thing is, before this phone call, I had emailed Ebay about removing the negative feedback. Twice I got a no from two different reps. So I sarcastically replied "So I guess buyers can just lie in their feedbacks". I get off my phone call from the rep saying the negative feedback couldn't be removed. Check my email, bam. Negative feedback removed by another rep. This just goes to show that if you have certain issues, just keep pestering customer service until you reach someone with a heart. 

End of story, out of money, out of time. Stressed but a great learning experience. And hey, no negative feedback. To me, this never happened and it's a mistake I'll never make again. Stay safe everyone.