Return fraud

[hgmb03]

Sold 2 (model railroading) items for total $698.98 ($349.99 each). Buyer falsely claimed one "doesn't seem authentic." Because of reason he choose, I had to accept return. When received it back package was so light and rattling, so I suspected something different is in the box.  I weighted package and opened it while recording whole process. Inside was $1 worth item and Styrofoam peanuts. Contacted ebay,  case was opened, ebay sent me affidavit to return and message "We have placed this case on hold for 5 calendar days to give you time to print, sign, and upload the declaration." Didn't send them it yet. 8 hours later received message "We reviewed this case and decided to issue the buyer a full refund." How to deal with those ebay incompetent decision makers. If put case on hold, just hold it until and give me a chance to send required documents. 

[stainlessenginecovers]

If you are TRS; you can deduct up to 50% of the refund if item comes back 'not the same'. Take 1 picture, attach to the 'refund'.

Videos, affidavits etc. won't change anything. 

All you can do is treat it like a smash & grab out of your store. 

[mtgraves7984]

"... ebay sent me affidavit to return..."

@hgmb03 

Sorry you got a scrub buyer. Although I've heard of the 'switcheroo' on Returns before, I've never heard of this. Do tell...

[hgmb03]

What are you talking about ??? 50% ??? Ebay already refunded him 100%. And my question was how to deal with those ebay uneducated decision makers, how to get support from US based agent

[kensgiftshop]

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@hgmb03 wrote:

What are you talking about ??? 50% ??? Ebay already refunded him 100%. And my question was how to deal with those ebay uneducated decision makers, how to get support from US based agent

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The buyer was going to get a refund any way.

Provide the information Ebay wants and they might refund you .

[alcoforever]

Other things you should do:

Report internet fraud to ic3.gov

report mail fraud to the USPS

report fraud to the buyer police dept.

report fraud to your police dept.

All the above should be doable on line and you should get a case number for each of them.

Contact ebay Trust & Safety group with those numbers and ask for a refund.

[katzrul15]

@hgmb03 

Reach out to e-Bay on Facebook for Business.  They will work to assist you.

https://facebook.com/eBayForBusiness

Send them a private message with your Seller ID, transaction number, a brief summary of what occurred and your phone number/email to contact you.

Good luck!

[ittybitnot]

How to deal with those ebay incompetent decision makers. 

@hgmb03 

You can't.  This is basically an auto process run by bots.   There is no seller protection for any "not as described" reason (doesn't seem authentic is only one of the choices).   There generally is no seller protection for a "faulty return" either.  

Since the "decision" was made without considering the declaration, you may have a chance by contacting eBay here.  Use the SEND MESSAGE button on this page outlining the issue with the affidavit. Include your name, user ID, transaction number etc.   

https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness

These are not regular CS reps that can only continue to "throw you under the bus" by design.  There is no guarantee they will help you, however, but just a chance.  They have been helpful with some "faulty returns" that were initiated by international users that used "freight forwarders".   In these cases, the return shipping label was NOT used by the buyer, but rather a cheap trinket purchased on the net and sent to the seller's home or zipcode was used to satisfy proof of return.  

Even if that was NOT the case for you, they will at least look to see if the "buyer" has a record of doing this under this ID, as well as another. 

Use the report the buyer feature first. If they are in the US, file a fraud claim with the US Postal Inspectors

[fashunu4eeuh]

So sorry this happened to you.

You have a strong case to appeal this eBay decision, and get your money back. Below is a link on how to go about the appeals process. Don’t let eBay open it for you. You need time to gather your evidence. 

Follow the advice given about contacting the authorities—ic3.gov and the USPS postal inspectors, etc. you will then need to upload those reports of fraud or case numbers to the appeal. 

You also need to highlight and include the note from eBay giving you 5 days to respond. It is inexcusable for eBay to contradict itself and ignore the extension, and then refund.

I had a concern—why did you wait to upload the affidavit? How much time went by before eBay then refunded the customer?

Good luck with everything. So sorry you were defrauded. Let us know the outcome. Below is the policy for appealing eBay’s decision.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/appeal-ebays-decision-return-missing-item...

[tools*]

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@hgmb03 wrote:

What are you talking about ??? 50% ??? Ebay already refunded him 100%. And my question was how to deal with those ebay uneducated decision makers, how to get support from US based agent

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If the money was debited from your checking account with an ACH transfer, dispute it with your bank as fraudulent. 

[jayjaspersgarage]

You've been on ebay for 18 years.  Just write off the COGS at the end of the year as part of your expenses.  You have an amazing sales record.

You are in Illinois.  Where does the customer live?  I'm not suggesting anything but you do have their address, right?

[dysfic]

Writing it off is exactly how the activity keeps going. No one is held responsible. Big companies then step in, like Amazon, that can take the loss that of which closes out small business owners that can't.

[free.deal]

Contact eBay again, tell them they are violating seller protection. After the return delivers, seller has 2-day window to inspect and report any issues before eBay can step in. You will get your money back.

[hgmb03]

Reaaly ??? That's like agree to decision and invitation for doing this same again. I don't need those kind of "help". 

[hgmb03]

Writing is off is not solution.