Scammed: Return Fraud

[dadamunky]

Scammed again selling on eBay, third time in a year-ish selling an iPhone. Buyer told eBay returns he received wrong item, he took pics, at this point I cant dispute, was told I have to accept return and file case after. I did this, after to returned and no surprise ebay sided with the buyer. I lose the money and the iPhone I sold. 

Was told eBay this happens to all business and to basically just suck it up. Ive filed internet crimes case, a mail fraud case and a BBB against eBay not protecting its sellers. 

17 years I have been on eBay and the scamming is so bad these days. 

Done selling here, zero protections for sellers.

Beware out there. 

[robbie31415]

Was the delivery address to Miami and the return showed originated in New York ?

Did they send anything back ? Did you supply a label ?

More details on what actually happened could potentially save you your money.

[soh.maryl]

eBay  told you to accept the return and then "file a case after"?

What kind of case would that be.

If you've been here 17 years, you are aware, or should be, that eBay sides with the buyer a high percentage of the time.  When a buyer opens an NAD case, your best bet is to send the prepaid return label and refund upon receipt of your item back.  

[m60driver]

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@dadamunky wrote:

Scammed again selling on eBay, third time in a year-ish selling an iPhone.

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You sell iPhones, one of the most scammed items on Ebay.  Why are you surprised by these scam returns? 

[titipeo]

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@m60driver wrote:

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@dadamunky wrote:

Scammed again selling on eBay, third time in a year-ish selling an iPhone.

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You sell iPhones, one of the most scammed items on Ebay.  Why are you surprised by these scam returns? 

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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^T H I S^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^, well said. 

[lazarustradingco]

Extremely risky to sell newish iPhones or iPads on eBay these days…scammers target these listings unfortunately. The only way to protect yourself is to sell to buyers with a long and impeccable feedback record and even that is no guarantee. 

[12345jamesstamps]

"Third time in a year-ish selling an iPhone"...after the second time scammed I would think not to sell one anymore.

[buyer-topia]

before you go will you please go to facebook, look for the relevant page, and list the scammer's name? thanks

[dbfolks166mt]

     Seeing the words cell phone and scammed in any post is not a surprise it happens so often it's a weekly occurrence if not daily. As others mentioned cell phones are probably at the top of the scammers target list on eBay as well as other ecommerce platforms both from a buyer perspective as well as a selling perspective. It is especially prevalent with foreign scammers/buyers but it is hard to say whether it's the buyer that is scamming you or if the phone is getting stolen/swapped in transit. A lot of foreign customs are notorious for theft.

     There are FAR better places to sell cell phones than eBay and with far less risk. It is probably good that you are no longer selling on eBay the scamming is only going to get worse. Regardless of where you go to sell if you are going to continue to sell cell phones at least record the IMEI numbers for each of the sales. If you are scammed the IMEI number can be reported to the blacklist which basically renders the phone useless to the buyer and they turn around and run a seller scam selling the blacklisted phone. 

     As a side not you did not loose the money and the item(s) what you lost was your initial investment in the phone any eBay fees you paid and the cost of shipping the item. Small consolation but that loss is a deduction on your income taxes. 

     You didn't provide a lot of detail on the scam but as robbie31415 mentioned if this was an international sale and it went through a FF or the EIS program you should be protected although that is often a drawn out process with eBay.