Same zip code RETURN scam

[stop.here.and.buy]

New eBay buyer purchased an Intel 8th Gen i7-8700 processor for $323.99 from my eBay store on Mar 31, 2018. Shipped to his confirmed PayPal/eBay address.

A couple hours after delivery, the buyer opened a “Defective/Not working” return request stating that the product is faulty which was a surprise since an Intel CPU is the less likely component to fail in a computer. Nonetheless, I tried to look at this objectively and tried communicating with the buyer couple of times in the return request, no reply from the buyer. I accepted the return and I provided a free prepaid label to the buyer thinking that it will solve all the issues.

On the very last day to return the CPU, the buyer uploaded an invalid tracking # from Hong Kong to the return request. He did not use my prepaid return label.  I called eBay stating that the buyer shipped the product to a different address after delivery and that he voided his Buyer’s Protection in doing so. The CS agreed with me and closed the case in my favor and released the funds. To my surprise, couple of days later, the buyer contacted eBay to dispute the decision and got his money back by providing another tracking number showing delivery.

I was so surprised because I didn’t get any package from Hong Kong. So, I gave USPS a call regarding this package. The USPS CS rep asked for my name/address and was able to quickly find out where the package was delivered to. The package was addressed a Pizza store 26 streets away from my home with the same zip code. I quickly went to the Pizza store asking if they got any package from Hong Kong. I found out the tracking number is correct, but the address and recipient are wrong.

At this point, I knew I am being scammed by this buyer. I am currently filling all the reports I can to bring some light to this scammer and fight for my money. I just checked this buyer account and found out he purchased a similar CPU from another seller the very same day he got his refund back, which I believe will end up like me since this is not a legitimate buyer, but scammer.

Any input/help will be appreacited greatly. Thanks

[redfis98]

Ask the police to do a call for service report.
That's what I had to do in a similar situation.

[tofu107]

THe police has a point,this is not really a criminal case,returning an empty envelope to a pizza store in your zipcode.

who said there is rerouting of the shipment?

.

or what has happened is that he sold the item to someone in USA,and then file INAD so he can get his money back,so in fact,his cost is zero,his gain is whatever he sold your processor for. 

he could say there i s no rerouting,he got the item,took it back to HK and now he is returning the item from HK.

I could buy anything in USA received it in USA and took it with me overseas,find it defective so file INAD and return it from overseas.

[redfis98]

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@tev4all wrote:

                  Reply to no one in particular and yet to anyone with an inquisitive mind. 

 There are discrepancies in the Opening Post  and posts by the OP later on  in thread that should that bring to mind questions that don't seem to be plausible in the whole scheme of things. Reread the OP statements through out this thread.  IMO, and I could be wrong, but this seems to be a (nefarious how-to)   information gathering post.      

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The only odd thing I found was that eBay reversed their initial decision and pulled the money back out of the sellers pocket. I've always thought when they reverse a decision on appeal, thier own pockets.

[missjen831]

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@stop.here.and.buy wrote:
I just contacted eBay again and told them I got a screenshot of the USPS intranet tracking system for this package clearly showing delivery to pizza store...They want me to submit a police report instead.

I already submitted ic3 fraud report, Postal Service Fraud report. Yesterday, I also I went to the police station to file a police report and they said they don't do reports for cases such mine. I told them eBay require me to do a police report to dispute a claim. Police officer said, eBay don't have any right to ask people to come to a Police Office to file report cases for eBay to use for their disputes.

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The police officer is right about eBay. But you can ask for an informational report. The officer may have thought you wanted a crime report & an investigation done. Does your PD have online reporting? You might be able to file your own report online. My dept won’t allow it if you have suspect info though. I would try again for the police report but make it clear it’s an informational report only that you need for documentation only.

[missjen831]

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@redfis98 wrote:

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@tev4all wrote:

                  Reply to no one in particular and yet to anyone with an inquisitive mind. 

 There are discrepancies in the Opening Post  and posts by the OP later on  in thread that should that bring to mind questions that don't seem to be plausible in the whole scheme of things. Reread the OP statements through out this thread.  IMO, and I could be wrong, but this seems to be a (nefarious how-to)   information gathering post.      

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The only odd thing I found was that eBay reversed their initial decision and pulled the money back out of the sellers pocket. I've always thought when they reverse a decision on appeal, thier own pockets.

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I think the only time a refund reversal comes from ebays pocket is when the seller is the one who appeals & wins. But I could be wrong. 

[tofu107]

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@badrock wrote:
Come on a little sarcasm here, the point is how can just a zip code be proof of delivery.

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toget buyer/seller protection for anypayment under 750,delivery status has to show delivered and the way USPS tracking works is that it will say delivered if it is delivered to an address in buyer zipcode.

if we want USPS to say delivered only if it is delivered to a specific address,then USPS would have to tweak its tracking system.

I live in a subdivsion and many housholds share the same mail station ,the postman uses a master key and open many mal boxes,my mail could be placed in my neighbor mail box and it will say delivered.

all the mail boxes will have the same zipcode ,street name,but different street number.

[tev4all]

IF I'm wrong, I'm sorry.

Maybe I'm reading what you have  stated out of context.

Buyer bought item, you shipped to confirmed address.

Hours after tracking shows delivery buyer opens SNAD Return request.

You accepted return and issued a free return shipping label.

Last day to return,  buyer (for whatever reason) decided not to use your label and uploaded invalid tracking #.  

You called ebay CS about the invalid tracking #, ebay sided with you and released funds. As they should have.

However, once ebay notified the buyer of the loss to them a couple of days later a valid return tracking # showing something delivered is submitted and ebay declares the buyer the winner of the RR case. 

You called the usps  and somehow got them to reveal the name and address associated with the valid tracking #.

You went the Pizza store and got them to give you mail addressed to them.

 Correct me if I'm wrong so far.   

[where*you*crowin]

OP -- your squeaky wheel needs some oiling when it comes to the venue, which has made no attempt to help you with the situation.

File a complaint against them with the BBB that covers San Jose, CA.  Some will tell you it will do no good.  At this point however you have nothing to lose.

Good luck.

[tev4all]

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@missjen831 wrote:

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@redfis98 wrote:

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@tev4all wrote:

                  Reply to no one in particular and yet to anyone with an inquisitive mind. 

 There are discrepancies in the Opening Post  and posts by the OP later on  in thread that should that bring to mind questions that don't seem to be plausible in the whole scheme of things. Reread the OP statements through out this thread.  IMO, and I could be wrong, but this seems to be a (nefarious how-to)   information gathering post.      

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The only odd thing I found was that eBay reversed their initial decision and pulled the money back out of the sellers pocket. I've always thought when they reverse a decision on appeal, thier own pockets.

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I think the only time a refund reversal comes from ebays pocket is when the seller is the one who appeals & wins. But I could be wrong. 

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You are more than likely right, ebay doesn't currently have a way to extract funds from a buyer

[tofu107]

ebay robot does the refunding 3 days after the tracking shows delivered back to the seller .

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consider this scenario-

This guy in HK could be reselling your item outside Ebay,he found a buyer whose address in New Castel ,USA,SO He asked you t o ship to that address,once it arrived,he filed INAD,but his buyer has the item.

Then he buys another one from another seller,repeating the same scam,who knows?

There are many places to buy and sell,I found some of my popular items on other sales venues,sometims they copied my pictures,ecept in my case,the items are low ticket items,they got the items and then they list them,not before..

[tofu107]

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@bubbleman2010 wrote:

With just some minor investigation work by ebays CS the refund shouldn't have been allowed,but once refund is sent they are powerless to retrieve anything. The buyer should be instantly shown the door,but ebay needs them so thats not going to happen...

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ebay is too big,everyone knows Ebay,everyone can play-buy,sell,resell,scam,return.

wash,rinse,recycle,wash again,

[ymeagainlord]

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@stop.here.and.buy wrote:
I just contacted eBay again and told them I got a screenshot of the USPS intranet tracking system for this package clearly showing delivery to pizza store...They want me to submit a police report instead.

I already submitted ic3 fraud report, Postal Service Fraud report. Yesterday, I also I went to the police station to file a police report and they said they don't do reports for cases such mine. I told them eBay require me to do a police report to dispute a claim. Police officer said, eBay don't have any right to ask people to come to a Police Office to file report cases for eBay to use for their disputes.

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Tell them you just need a case number. They don't have to actually DO anything with it.

[tofu107]

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@bubbleman2010 wrote:

With just some minor investigation work by ebays CS the refund shouldn't have been allowed,but once refund is sent they are powerless to retrieve anything. The buyer should be instantly shown the door,but ebay needs them so thats not going to happen...

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Ebay cannot prove who is telling the truth,what is in the return envelope?

sellers always take the hit,but it will go on the buyer record and be shown the door some day.

this may be Off topice,but years ago someone posted a picture of a RAlph Lauren camel coat for 400 dollars,description said he is selling a coat,buyer received a picture of the coat ,not the coat itself so she filed dispute with Ebay,

Ebay rep looked at the picture she uploaded and compare with the picture of the listing and denied her case.

she was so mad and kept explaining I bought a coat,not a picture ,finally some rep woke up and gave her money back!

[ymeagainlord]

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@stop.here.and.buy wrote:
Hello, I took down most of my listing do to this recent scam. I cant see myself dealing with this until i solve this problem. This package had nothing to do with Global Shipping Program. It was send to 1140 River Roád New Castle DE 19720. Hence, the return label I provided was from Delaware to NYC. But this buyer used his own label and returned from HK.

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So the first SNAD claim was filed very soon after delivery to the reshipper in DE?

[stop.here.and.buy]

Yes, the buyer opened return "Defective product" immediately after delivery to the forward service in Delaware. It was all very well calculated by this buyer. Even providing wrong tracking number at first, so I cannot track the package right away and BOOM...suddenly getting hit with a refund to the buyer because he provided another tracking # with package delivered to an address with same zip code.

The point here is that, he gave himself some time to get the funds back while I am busy trying to find where the package was delivered to. As you know, contacting USPS is really tedious, their wait time for call is atrocious (1 hour waiting for a rep).