Scammed and eBay won't help!!!!

[since2006atl]

Hello everybody.

I decided to post on here since eBay will not make it right. I sold a laptop on eBay to a new buyer. When they received the item they created a return even though the laptop was working correctly. The laptop was marked delivered to me but never was delivered. I received documents from USPS that they are still in possession of the item. I created a case with eBay and submitted the documents. No answer... I then called again and spoke with an agent that told me the return should have never happened due to the buyer address being a mail forwarding location and not eligible for buyer protection. When I googled the address it pulls up another eBay forum post from the next door address with the same scam. He was returned a box of rocks. here is the link https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Please-Be-Careful-Fraud-Buyers/td-p/32684275/page/2

I called eBay today to see what the status of the 2nd escalated case was and she said both of the escalated cases were denied. At this point it is clear eBay is more concerned with helping scammers than customers that have bought and sold on eBay for more the 20 years. USPS is no help either as it looks like the package was stolen and re-sent into the USPS systems as a smaller item than when it was shipped. It was shipped in the branded computer box so they probably stole it but ended up with rocks...

I posted the USPS document showing they still have it, and the email I got after creating the second escalated case where eBay says it show have never been returned. eBay never followed up after the escalated cases they just deny them and move on with out any documentation. 

[dryfly5300]

Bingo, my thoughts exactly, add to that selling used electronics, at that point you are doomed to many sales that are guaranteed to end in misery.  Not worth it regardless of returns (double entendre intended).

[mam98031]

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@since2006atl wrote:

eBay came and deleted the attachments showing proof of the scam. They also deleted the address off my post and the linked post. This is the most they have done this entire time and it was only to cover up the scam and deny wrong doing on their part.

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Ebay did NOT do that.  The Moderators of this forum did.  They are not Ebay employees.  

When the moderators remove stuff you post, it is because it breaks one of the rules of the Community.  Like most everything in life there are rules.  I did not see what you posted, but if it had addresses, names or Ebay IDs, that is not allowed.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/About-the-Community/Community-Guidelines/td-p/26164369

[mam98031]

I would suggest going to www.usps.com , their main website and file a complaint.  Why is USPS hanging onto your item and refuse to deliver it.  You may be surprised as to how helpful they are on this site.  I've had great success over the years resolving important issues by filing a complaint.

[since2006atl]

Not true. 

 

[since2006atl]

I’ve made multiple cases with USPS. They are automatically closed after 4 days. I have also done “find my mail” and no luck. The package is only 0.16oz now so getting it back won’t help. I believe the local mail carrier stole it. 

[devon@ebay]

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@12345jamesstamps wrote:

It was a 'freight forward' to Delaware...and then to another country.

And not returned to your address.

Isn't something that expensive have to be signed to accept it and also returning doesn't a return supposed to be signed to accept it?...Just thoughts here throwing out.

I would think eBay should be able to see the address of where it went....with tracking.

eBay knowing it didn't go to your address I would think eBay should not refund the buyer.

This makes no sense.

devon@eBay, kyle@eBay, elizabeth@eBay  maybe they can help.

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Hey @12345jamesstamps! Based off all of the information provided by OP, we would recommend that they continue to work with USPS.  

[a_c_green]

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@since2006atl wrote:

I’ve made multiple cases with USPS. They are automatically closed after 4 days. I have also done “find my mail” and no luck. The package is only 0.16oz now so getting it back won’t help. I believe the local mail carrier stole it. 

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The local mail carrier couldn't care less about that package or what's in it; he's not going to go stealing it. It's also got a tracking number, so he must account for what he did with it once tracking showed that it was out for delivery, and if or when it  was scanned as delivered (back to you, even though we know that it wasn't), there will be a GPS location within the tracking log indicating exactly where the carrier was when it was delivered.

What you need is a statement from USPS to say that the address on that label was not yours. It appears that your scam buyer simply returned a trinket to some other address within your City and ZIP code, as it is not difficult to modify the return address label to go somewhere else instead. Once that is shown as Delivered (or at least Delivery Attempted) within your City and ZIP code (the street address doesn't matter), then eBay will enforce a refund to the buyer. You can appeal that ruling, but you will need the written USPS statement as evidence that you did not really receive the item in return.

[mam98031]

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@since2006atl wrote:

I’ve made multiple cases with USPS. They are automatically closed after 4 days. I have also done “find my mail” and no luck. The package is only 0.16oz now so getting it back won’t help. I believe the local mail carrier stole it. 

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I don't know what the "find my mail" function is for USPS, I've never used it.  And I've never had a case automatically close after 4 days unless it was resolved.

The most common thing for me to file is a Trace on a package.  That one usually gets things moving and/or locates the package and get is moving.  Then if the problem seems more serious I will file a Missing Mail report.  But filing a Trace usually gets me the results I desire.

[mam98031]

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@since2006atl wrote:

Not true. 

 

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Yes it is.  What is it that you believe is not true?

[since2006atl]

Devon,

The return should have never happened, that is ebays fault and you should make it right. Also why can USPS help they clearly do not have the laptop as the package that was never delivered is now only 0.16oz. I should have never had my funds removed as the package was never delivered to me as shown in the tracking info.

[since2006atl]

The attachment shows that if they used a mail forwarder that it is not covered.

[ckimodog]

@since2006atl 

Sorry for your situation.  Never sell anything on any internet venue that cannot afford to lose.  It's a different world...sadly.  Hang in there.  Again, very sorry. 

[stainlessenginecovers]

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@since2006atl wrote:

The attachment shows that if they used a mail forwarder that it is not covered.

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Yes, and that has been overruled and changed, stated by an ebay employee 3+ years ago- simply stops a US Seller from sending a box of rocks and the buyer being out...BUT:

In an FF situation- It is the responsibility of the buyer to ship it BACK to the address that YOU shipped it to (the Freight Forwarder) and then talk the FF to ship it back to you. 

[since2006atl]

their employees and their website says different.

[penquinista]

Hello, this happened to me.  My buyer said they returned the defective phone to me when they never received the item.  The USPS label they used showed delivered to a PO Box in my home town but not to my address.  I had to go to the Post Office with my id and had them write a letter to prove my residency (my address). I had to submit to ebay.  Let me know if this works.