eBay

stellarkreation1 · ‎02-01-2022

So I also recently was scammed by a seller, or so they thought. The seller sends an empty package addressed to someone else's name, a different address, but in my same zip code. They also cheat and put the least amount of ounces as the weight on the empty package. I went to the Post Office and was asking them for my package because I know it was "delivered". Happen to know the supervisor there, and he said "Oh wait! " And he pulled up a copy of the ACTUAL LABEL, showing who and where it was addressed to, but with my same zip code. Because most buyers track with the zip code only, saying it was delivered. The stupid sellers don't know the PO Supervisor can pull up a copy of the actual label that was used by the seller and gave me a copy. Probably because they can find out who mailed what in case of a problem. Then I filed a complaint with EBay saying I did not get my item, and gave the info about the seller being a scammer, and who they sent the empty envelope to, etc. So Ebay has the info and they can check it if they want to. So now the seller gives me a refund, no answer, just the refund. I'm like SERIOUSLY folks. This was an inexpensive item so it was not about the money, but it was just the idea that they (seller) would even do that. What nerve. Seller most likely didn't have the item which I bought, so instead of BEING HONEST and just refunding me and say sorry we don't have the item. But NO, they go to such great lengths to cheat the buyer for any amount of money. So if that ever happens to you, go to the post office for your zip code (where the mail for your address goes through) and talk to the Supervisor in that office, and let them know what is happening and ask for a copy of the ACTUAL LABEL which will show what is what, not just the zip code. You would need to give them the tracking number so they can find the right package label copy in their system that matches that tracking number. Then you can let the PO know that this seller is scamming people using the postal system zip codes. Then you can file a complaint with Ebay asking for a refund from the seller. And also include the info on the label in your complaint (who it went to, address and zip code), you would most likely get a refund. Now I know there are other scenarios they use as well. But this worked for me in this situation.

wastingtime101 · ‎02-01-2022

The scam happens in reverse with buyers scamming sellers on returns with the same zip code scam.

Most POs will not give out a copy of the label for privacy reasons. They are usually amenable to providing a signed letter on USPS letterhead saying the address on the package did not match yours, and that letter is generally enough to successfully appeal.

GLORIOUS!

kensgiftshop · ‎02-01-2022

@stellarkreation1 wrote:
The stupid sellers don't know the PO Supervisor can pull up a copy of the actual label that was used by the seller

Those sellers know that, they are just hoping the buyers don't know they can do it.

Have a great day.

eunster1313 · ‎02-01-2022

@stellarkreation1

Make there day and report them to the Postal Inspectors.

Lake Mary Woman Convicted Of Mail Fraud Involving Scheme To Defraud eBay Buyers

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/lake-mary-woman-convicted-mail-fraud-involving-scheme-defraud-e...

lightlily_arts · ‎02-01-2022

I had a seller pull that nonsense for a $4.00 bottle of glue last year in June. He used UPS to send a package to another address in my zip code. At the time I ordered their feedback was excellent, but changed rapidly afterwards so I wonder if the seller's account got hacked or if he just waited awhile to look credible and then defrauded the majority of his buyers. By the time I realized there was a problem, I was able to get the documentation of where the package was actually delivered before opening a claim so it wouldn't get denied. Moreover, what didn't get was the tracking was for a large 12 pound package, which is clearly not a 4 gram bottle of glue. I called and got an eBay CS on the phone so they would review the information when I opened my claim. Otherwise, claims for items not received get denied if the tracking number shows the parcel was delivered to your zip code. What's really disturbing is that they are still a registered seller on eBay although there were 71 negative complaints that month. And we can assume those numbers don't include the buyers who didn't leave bother to leave feedback.

downunder-61 · ‎02-01-2022

I would just open INAD case against the seller, wait until they send me a label to return (counting on the fact they will not bother) then eBay forces refund.

If they send the label I send them exactly what I got - [nothing] in an empty envelope.

********************************************************************
I have been imported from Australia and this is my posting ID

stellarkreation1 · ‎02-02-2022

What was interesting is that seller had mostly excellent reviews. But then they had 5-6 neutral and negative reviews for items not being delivered. I saw a pattern there. I thought maybe if they didn't have the item I paid for, instead of refunding me they decided to try to cheat me. I spent many years selling on Ebay and it would have never occurred to me to do something like this zip code scam because I just don't think that way. I do really wonder about people who think these things up.

dbfolks166mt · ‎02-02-2022

This is really a strange one. Not only is the seller a thief but they are a stupid thief. With all the eBay buyer protections in place this has to be a money loosing scheme. The buyer has multiple ways to get their money back although INR proof took the OP a little more effort. A NAD as described by downunder-61 would be a slam dunk refund for the buyer and the seller would be out the cost of the shipping label and whatever they actually sent in the 12 pound box.

I doubt very much if they would have gone further in the hole by providing a return shipping label only to have the buyer return an empty box or a 12 pound box full of rocks. You have to wonder what the seller paid to actually ship the 12 pound box. I am sure it was more than you originally paid to ship the 4 gram bottle of glue.

ittybitnot · ‎02-02-2022

You have to wonder what the seller paid to actually ship the 12 pound box.

@dbfolks166mt

The only thing they "paid for" was the label. You can buy them on the net, $25 for 100, some sites even allow you to pay with PayPal. They are real labels, but the purchaser must settle for the closest available one at the time of need. Thus, we see tracking numbers for a 12 lb. box, when the item was 4 ounces, and tracking numbers initiated before the buyer even paid. Same for fraudulent returns.

There are tracking sites now that will provide tracking information visible to anyone online with almost any carrier other than USPS. Date/origin/size/weight/DESTINATION STREET ADDRESS (not just the Zipcode).

For USPS, one must still make a trip to the P.O. and get some sort of document, and that is not always easy. Photo of the label will be PERFECT if one could get it, especially now since the "return scammers" are using the label provided by the seller, and altering the ship to address to any street address in the seller's Zipcode.

robertclc · ‎11-12-2022

eBay customer support is completely incompetent. I showed them all of the evidence from the shipping provider that show that not only was the package delivered to a completely different address, but also the weight is way too low for it to be my package anyways even if it was mis-delivered. Not only that but 2 other people have written the seller negative reviews on the exact same issue, that they never received their packages either, and ebay support has the gall to say this seller is in "good standing". The seller has a low % feedback score now and it would have been lower if ebay didn't allow him to erase my negative feedback.

I've been an ebay member for over 15 years and the seller has only been around for a few months and they don't even bother to read my complaint. They just look at the fake tracking number that says delivered and they take the word of a computer over the word of a long standing customer.

Every customer support agent writes back the same robotic response, "the tracking information shows that the item was delivered to your address", "please reach out to the seller".

eBay is not what it used to be. They are a complete joke. They allow scammers like these to get away with their scam.

ittybitnot · ‎11-12-2022

@robertclc

You are posting to a rather old thread. It may be better for you to start a new one about the same old "fake tracking scam" that has been going on here for years.

If you are a victim, be you a buyer or a seller (for a return), you can NOT deal with the regular outsourced call center reps that you get with a chat or call back. They have no way to help you and can only say "something has been delivered somewhere" and cannot override the decision made by a bot.

If you have the tangible evidence you can contact the eBay support that is very familiar with this scam and actually has the authority to help you. Use the blue SEND MESSAGE button at the top of this page to upload any documentation you have. Give your user ID, item number, and what has transpired, and ask for their assistance:

https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness

Do let us know if this information is helpful to you and what happened as a result.

robertclc · ‎11-12-2022

Thanks for the info. Where is this "send message" button? I tried contacting ebay support via phone but even that is a just a bunch of bots. There's no way for me to contact a human and it's so frustrating.

ittybitnot · ‎11-13-2022

@robertclc

Use the link provided to you in Message #11

It will put you in contact with "humans" that actually have the authority to help you, not foreign call center reps.

kh-stanley1 · ‎11-13-2022

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.