Scammed again

[bids-n-bargains-r-us]

Just a note to say I was scammed again by a buyer from a foreign country using the Global Shipping.

I sold a cup/saucer/plate (antique) to someone who bought my item to upgrade their antique china.

Now, I'm not perfect but selling for over 21 years on ebay, I've learned to critique my antique china very carefully.  This buyer claimed 3 hairlines on the cup I sent.  Missing 1 hairline, I could possibly do that, but three hairlines in the same cup, I would have to be blind  But they took photo's with 3 very noticeable hairlines, going right down the cup.  Of course, my ebay seller photo's do not show hairlines.  Rather than to go through the process of he said, she said, and end up refunding this person anyway (Ebay will always side with the buyer).  I just sent a refund all knowing the cup photos were that of a cup they already had and  found an excellent way to upgrade to a better set.  I'm happy to say, this doesn't happen very often, because most people are honest.     

[alcoforever]

Don't forget to add them to your BBL.

[dbfolks166mt]

      It is highly probable that the buyer's photo's were of the old piece they had that they were upgrading. Did you issue the refund in response to a buyer initiated eBay case or in response to a message/email? Care to mention what country the item went to? 

[moonbeamsabrina]

I've been scammed to the point that I will always insure any fragile pieces now.  Not only for protection from the scammers, but the post office.  I swear some of my carefully packaged and buffered fragiles had a cement brick dropped on them!  Yes, I have to charge a little more for the service, but it is piece of mind for my self and my buyers.

[ms.rodriguez*]

How do you know that the item was not handled roughly by the Ebay Global shipping folks?   I thought that if an item arrived damaged in this program, it was Ebay's fault. In that case, you were NOT responsible for the damage.  Did they open an item NOT described case?  If your photos showed no cracks,  then it's possible that you were NOT at fault.  Someone enlighten me.  I was thinking about joining this on my seller acct.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

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@ms.rodriguez* wrote:

How do you know that the item was not handled roughly by the Ebay Global shipping folks?   I thought that if an item arrived damaged in this program, it was Ebay's fault. In that case, you were NOT responsible for the damage.  Did they open an item NOT described case?  If your photos showed no cracks,  then it's possible that you were NOT at fault.  Someone enlighten me.  I was thinking about joining this on my seller acct.

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I use GSP & I am under the same impression.   Also, this is not a highly scammed item.  Respectfully, how can OP be 100% sure they didn't miss it?  I tend to be open to the fact that I may have made a mistake & missed something & sure enough, on more than 1 occasion, an item has come back, where I've missed something that I absolutely should have seen.  It always stings b/c I am an uber-perfectionist, but I have had bad days where I've missed stains right on a front lapel or something equally obvious.  It happens to the best of us. 

[ittybitnot]

  I just sent a refund all knowing the cup photos were that of a cup they already had 

@bids-n-bargains-r-us 

Then you were not really really really  scammed.  You gave up the money voluntarily rather than inform eBay that this was a GSP sale.  There may have been hope for your situation, but I truly appreciate your monetary position:  Rock and a hard place.   

[bids-n-bargains-r-us]

Hi,

The item went to Switzerland and the person did not open a case.  They emailed me with a photo of the cup with three noticeable hairline cracks running down it.  I always double check for hairline cracks when I wash the item before the photo, when I photo the item, and then when the item is packed.  This is a set that I actually had in my own cabinets for two years.  The reason I just gave a refund after the message is because in the past I've had this happen where someone claimed a damage and the end result was not good for me.  This was way back when paypal handled the money and ebay somehow was able to take the money from my paypal account.  I thought at least I had some control over this by refunding myself.  Ebay always sides with the buyer.  Years ago I sold someone an expensive teapot.  Ebay sided with the buyer who was great at scamming.  This person sent me a worthless cup all wrapped up instead of the teapot.  They ended up with the expensive teapot AND a refund.  Again, I will say, most of the people I deal with are honest people but when you get the dishonest person there is no way you're going to win.  

[wrong66 · Accepted solution]

Not everything is a "scam". I would imagine that anything could happen to a fragile antique China tea cup from the U.S. to Switzerland. Because you refunded the buyer outside of eBay, you'll find out if this really is a scam if the buyer files a SNAD case through eBay even after being refunded.

[ckimodog]

 Ebay offers the MBG.  The customer doesn't have to have reason for a refund.  Sometimes it stinks, but what are you gonna do? Some of your tea cup sets are just gorgeous!   I would just get on with business and focus on selling all your beautiful items.  You have too many other buyers singing your praises.  Chin up and Good luck. 

[ittybitnot]

 the person did not open a case

@bids-n-bargains-r-us 

Next time, wait until they do.   Some people that have abused the system in the past, can no longer open an eBay case anyway.   When a case is filed, you still have the option of refunding without requiring a return.   

It is not necessary for you to become an "easy mark" for an initial 'shakedown' attempt through messages.  I would prefer to make them work for it a bit.