Scammed for 1k+ and need help/ideas

[gdrei2]

Sold a rare pack of game trading cards for over 1k with USPS signature confirmation. The buyer reported that it was “delivered without him being present” and says the camera cough the package at his front door but not the delivery....then this scamming a$$wipe claims the box was already opened and empty inside, he immediately filed a return request with all this info. I told him to hold on and then I filed FBI and Postmaster reports. His return case was escalated and eBay ruled in his favor. I called eBay and asked for details, all they could say was that it was all done properly...I check the case and it shows that the buyer got “law enforcement paper saying he received an empty box”. We all know how easy it is to get a “report” it’s just his word vs mine. So I called eBay for details and told them I need THEM to have the buyer ship the empty box back. The reason behind this is because USPS weighs all their packages, the empty box weight vs the scanned weight at post office would vary significantly...what did eBay tell me? They can’t force the buyer or even ask the buyer to send the box back, because they don’t deal with issues between buyer and seller...despite the fact that they obviously stepped in and awarded the case in the buyers favor. They tell me that I have to ask the buyer for the box back...which I did and of course the buyer is not responding. So now I’m out 1k+, and my item.

They did tell me I can appeal and I have 30 days. Does anyone know what other measures I can take? Given its over felony amount for mail fraud I’d like to escalate it as far as possible.

[this*old*attic]

Did USPS, or did they not, collect a signature? That's not clear from your post.

What was the weight of the package? You could try seeing if the post person recalls anything. Riffling or damage?

But, honestly - Ebay errs on the side of customers to preserve overall buyer confidence on the site, is not a judge and jury itself, and leaves the 2 parties to duke it out in civil or small claims court.

[gdrei2]

I confirmed the signature on USPS website given that it’s posted a couple days later, I noted this in the return request and told the reps on the phone as well. I packed the item nice and tight, given the value of the contents. Now I can’t even file a claim for insurance without the box. The pictures the buyer sent me of the “already opened box” we’re not something a postman could miss.

[koinonia215]

Did you send the reports to ebay that you filed?

[gdrei2]

eBay never asked me for info - when the return request was escalated, they reviewed the details/messages and only asked the buyer for info. I have called USPS twice and waiting for a callback for the report number and copy, I have a screenshot of the report but they didn’t give me any paperwork. FBI IC3 has not responded yet either, and I can’t find any info except that “they will contact you if they have any questions”.  How and to whom should I escalate? Every number I called gets me messages and I’ve left several...

[luckythewinner]

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I told him to hold on and then I filed FBI and Postmaster reports. His return case was escalated and eBay ruled in his favor.

On eBay, buyers are not required to wait for sellers to file complaints with the authorities. If the buyer claims the item was not as described, you will lose. 

Given its over felony amount for mail fraud I’d like to escalate it as far as possible.

There is no place on eBay to escalate further than an appeal, which you will likely lose. If you want to escalate further that that, you will either need top persuade the authoritues (police or USPS) to press charges, or file a civil case. (Note that in most cases, you will need to file in your buyers local court - not yours). 

So now I’m out 1k+, and my item.

You are only out the item plus shipping costs and fees. You were never entitled to both the item and the $1000k. 

[gdrei2]

I want to escalate with USPS and authorities is what I’m saying, I already know eBay is a lost cause. They’ve washed their hands of the issue and put my PayPal account in the negative.

I informed the buyer to hold on because I was trying to determine with the post office if it was an error on the postman’s side, I made that much clear to the buyer.

Sure you are right, as my title implies, I’m out 1k period (note the item is worth 1300, I sold it for less to sell a bit faster)

[dhbookds]

Have you filed a claim with USPS? 

[gdrei2]

I’ve filed a mail fraud claim, but I can’t file insurance claim without the package right?

[dhbookds]

I don't know why not.........you have a sig on the package and the buyer claims item wasn't in the package......

[solof-6542]

You’re out a lot of money, not sure why some people just shrug that off around here... If I were you I’d be very upset too. Sorry this happened to you. When sending expensive items I always take extra precautions before sending. Did you have insurance on the item? You need to appeal if possible but before doing this make sure you do your homework and have all of the correct documentation including police reports, Usps filings, package weights and scans, and known Usps delivery location scans prepared. Basically they are stating that you did not send the item or it was stolen by a Usps worker (which I highly doubt) or someone stole it from their porch ( If this is this case has nothing to do with you or Usps). If they are implying it was you or the Usps worker they may have gotten your item and their money back but they have straight up committed mail fraud. If the item was insured and was missing or damaged  I’d question why you were never contacted or why the option to file an insurance claim was never considered as both you and the buyer could have been refunded. Sure they don’t have to contact you but in most cases a buyer would reach out to see what’s up. They are probably banking on you not pushing legal actions far but the real question is how far are you willing to go? If I were you I’d push pretty hard to get this resolved. Best of luck, keep us posted.  

[fab_finds4u]

Did you pay for signature delivery?  Them saying they found it on the porch empty doesn't sound like they they signed for it.   If they didn't sign for it then there's no proof it was received. Maybe insurance covers that situation, otherwise insurance ends after it is delivered.  Also, the PO will not knowingly leave an empty package without putting a sticker on the empty box saying delivered without contents or missing contents.  You need to look to USPS for answers.  However you probably won't get far. 

I believe the buyer is scamming you for a free item. Sellers have no protection whatsoever against a scammer. eBay made a seller return $28,300 for an empty package the buyer returned. They were supposed to return a Rolex watch but returned an empty box instead.  I'm sorry this happened.  It's never a good idea to sell something on eBay you can't afford to lose.  eBay is a paradise for thieves.

[southern*sweet*tea]

You had signature confirmation. Was it signed for? If so, what dimwit signs for an open package with missing contents?? 

[gdrei2]

Yep I got insurance, yes even the tracking shows “LEFT WITH INDIVIDUAL” and is signed for. His story says he was at work and it was just delivered. I spoke to my postman and he said they would never ever leave sign confirmation on a doorstep like that. I have his convo saved, he is stating his camera didn’t even catch the delivery but it caught the package on his porch and it didn’t look like anyone tampered with it. I asked how can it not catch the postman walk up and leave it and he says it doesn’t work that way....I already know he is scamming me. I’m willing to take this to court if need be, I just need some guidance. As of right now I’m still waiting for call backs from usps and fbi. I submitted an insurance claim last night, I hope they call me and I can explain how he is trying to defraud the mail system.

[gdrei2]

It was signed for but he claims he wasn’t at home and usps “probably left it on his porch”