Scam?

[justihidalg_0]

So I have been selling on ebay for a bit now. Not a lot but some items here and there for some extra money. I sold a PS4 that I have had for a while and it was completely working when I sent it but stated at the bottom that I was shipping it as it was so if it arrived broken that I was not gonna deal with that or accept refunds and this dude says he wants a refund. I see the picture he sent me and it looks nothing like the PS4 I sent. What do I do now? I have heard horror stories about eBay being a complete d**k to sellers. Any steps or things I should do to deal with this shi**ty buyer with supposed 3k reviews all 5 stars? There are minor scuffs on the front of the ps4 that are different and the top of my PS4 is spray painted terribly so it's bumpy and his clearly isn't especially since his gray PS4 logo is painted on already and mine is carved in. 

What he says is not workingWhat I sent

[bonjourami]

yep..sad but true.

[gurlcat]

Of course it's totally up to you to decide what you will or won't sell on ebay, and if the magnitude of potential loss is the only thing that matters then setting a dollar amount limit is wise.  However I would argue that the likelihood of a return is just as important, and that's a category thing.

 Electronics, video games, movies, and clothes have the highest return rates, each with their own reasons --games and movies because people just copy them, clothes and shoes USUALLY because of poor fit (even if you provided measurements) although once in a blue moon you'll get a garment or pair of shoes returned with evidence that they got a free "rental" from you, to wear to some event or whatever (scvmbag trash move, but it does happen). 

As for electronics, oh boy.  Considering the multiple functions that most electronics have, any of them not working could be the reason, they are indeed fragile, require tons of padding and still may not survive rough handling or intense heat or cold, and then for whatever reason they also seem unusually prone to switcheroo scam type stuff like what this buyer appears to be doing.  

I sell >$200 stuff on Ebay fearlessly, all the time, because they're in other categories, ones that aren't so prone to returns.  But as for electronics, honestly I don't think I'd risk more than $100 here, especially for anything that doesn't fit in a box up to the Large Flat Rate; any bigger than that and the shipping could be enough to dissuade you from expecting the item back, and scammers know that.  

[justihidalg_0]

Hmm so right now what I should do is pay for the shipping label and wait for him to send it back.  When he does send it back and if by right assumption it's not what I sent him what steps do I take? I am not sure if I have to issue a refund before he sends it or after I receive it ? Also thank you so much for your help. I had no idea that the horror stories about eBay sellers going through this stuff was true.  

[bonjourami]

Im truly sorry for you, but I hope you listen to us,a lot of very experienced sellers here.Provide the shipping label, and refund after return. You cant appeal until the case is closed.

[wrong66]

Unbelievable! Does eBay even know what advice they giving out?

[bonjourami]

oh they know,..with all the complaints of terrible advice being given. They are outsourced and scripted, and just want to get on to the next call. Op could go to Facebook and talk to them there..they are much more helpful and accurate. but until he receives the item back, there is nothing to discuss.

[justihidalg_0]

Sounds good. I will purchase the shipping label for this "person" and wait to see what he sends back. I am still confused on if I refund anyways if he sends back an item that wasn't what I sent and what to do in that situation with eBay. Also thank you all for the help this whole situation sucks and makes me hate eBay as a company for treating and on top of that like you guys said lying about what to do. 

[rugerskick]

I agree, fedex or ups,or usps needs to, as the shipping service, pay for what they broke.

[bonjourami]

Without insurance that wont happen. And getting reimbursed from these shipping services is at an all time low, "insufficient packaging".

[rugerskick]

You do understand that your statement totally makes ebay's only business strategy pointless and destined to fail.

You feel this way about selling anything over $200.

Ebay wants to sell more high dollar items and have more high dollar item sellers.

By your own statement you prove how sellers aren't going to make that happen for ebay.

Therefore ebay is not going to achieve success in their only strategy put forth to improve revenue.

Do you get how you just showed why ebay's strategy isn't going to work for them?

Wanting high dollar item sellers but not supporting them, is a complete recipe for failure.

[bonjourami]

op, if you did ship Priority, and theres damage,theres $50 insurance with that, but of course if he sends you back a different item, you have no claim.

[lakefor94]

From the OP's listing:

About the Console:

"The console is used and very scuffed. The cover for the Hard Drive cover was spray painted white and then black again so there is white undercoats that are visible. The PS4 is fully functional. It has no issues and works completely fine. It comes with a remote that had its casing changed to a galaxy one. Both the remote and PS4 are extremely dusty as they were both sitting there for about 2 years now and was occasionally used by kids. It comes with a copy of death stranding inside since I have no idea where the case is anymore. It can be used for parts or whatever you want as it is fairly crusty now but don't see a point in doing that as it works. The cable is also an aftermarket cable but it came from a Canon printer so it probably won't catch on fire or damage the PS4 since it had also been used for a while. The console was also opened so it has some screws missing in the back and inside but nothing was taken out of it. I included some games in there too but it also made the box a bit packed I tried my best to keep the box as small but padded as possible for the cheapest shipping. There are more games than what eBay lets me show."

"I don't accept returns as it would be too much work for me to handle. I have included images for you to see that it works but I won't accept returns on it, it's being sold as is so if it breaks on the way or anything happens I won't accept it. That is more for me than you so if there is water damage or anything it would come down to you and the post office. I will however pack it as safely and securely as possible with warnings on the box so we both don't have to deal with USPS breaking it. I am not trying to get scammed and get a rock sent back and having to deal with eBay to get my money back on the sale. I am also not trying to scam you so if you want to see images, videos, or anything regarding the PS4 send me a message I will try to respond as quick as I can to you. I know there a bunch of scammers on here trying to steal your money and send you a box of planks of wood. I just want to get rid of the console as I no longer need it."

This is one of the worst listings I have ever read.  

Buyer wants to return for refund. At least you have accepted the return and provided a return label.  Congratulations.  You are more than likely going to get back this POS system you sold and then you can refund.

[laststopgeneralstore]

Doesn't matter that you said "as is" or if you don't accept returns. You should be accepting returns regardless if you want to sell online as it's going to happen one way or another, you can't please everybody, even if it's exactly what they wanted and they said so. I would accept the return and as long as everything still works like you stated in your listing, "The PS4 is fully functional"; just relist the item and sell it again. Also stating in your listing that you won't accept returns or "it's being sold as is so if it breaks on the way or anything happens I won't accept it" is not only horrible customer service but will also entice scammers to buy it and force a return in hopes that you just refund but will scare buyers away thus hurting your sales. Returns are really not that big a deal at all, yes they suck and yes their are scammers but overall returns are a very very very small portion of your business and it's not that much work either since all the buyer has to do is send it back and all you have to do is list it again, as long as everything is the way it was when you sent it out. Good luck.

[albertabrightalberta]

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@justihidalg_0 wrote:

Sounds good. I will purchase the shipping label for this "person" and wait to see what he sends back. I am still confused on if I refund anyways if he sends back an item that wasn't what I sent and what to do in that situation with eBay. Also thank you all for the help this whole situation sucks and makes me hate eBay as a company for treating and on top of that like you guys said lying about what to do. 

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Once you send the shipping label, you wait for the return before issuing any refund. If you're lucky, maybe he won't even return anything. 

Once you get it back, you do have to refund but if it isn't the item you sent, you can contact ebay through the ebay for business Facebook page. 

[pinkryder123]

Sometimes a good idea to photograph the serial number, too. Don't know how much it would help, but might help a little bit.