Scammed out of High Value Item

[drodecker]

I sold an item for $2k that shipped in two large boxes.  One part was indestructible solid piece of metal, the other a TV display. 

Weeks later, I was on vacation and didn't notice the eBay messages.  Apparently the buyer complained that both boxes were damaged and within 4 days, eBay awarded them a full refund.

Less than one week later, I'm "appealing" and eBay says that I cannot since I failed to reply within 4 days.  I might add that it was over a weekend.

I've attempted to contact the seller to no avail. Is there any recourse?

[dbfolks166mt]

eBay members are the most close minded toxic people on the internet. This is horrible advice. Same with the other comments. eBay needs to fix what’s broken. It’s not the sellers fault lol. 

     Actually the sellers forum has a lot of members with years of experience and some have seen about everything you can think of. You cannot stop the scammers, only reduce the risk. EBay has no incentive to do so, other than their reputation, they are still getting their fees and earning revenue. As fast as burned sellers leave the platform others join. 

     There still seems to be some unexplained infatuation with eBay and the fact that it is the best place to sell anything when in fact there are often better alternatives. I would have never listed the item the OP sold and given the OP is located in a suburb of Los Angeles they could probably have sold this on a local forum for considerably less (no shipping cost) and avoided the shipping damage and current situation. 

[kabilab]

Objectively, the rules are the rules. If, in one's opinion, they are unacceptable, one should find another area in which to conduct business. Personally, there are regulations on e-Bay of which I am not in favor. however, business is business. As such, it is my responsibility to conform or depart. Unawareness is not an excuse for irresponsibility.

[bonjourami]

if it was 'weeks later' that the op finally saw his messages, I would say thats on him.

[donsdetour]

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@maidenru_40 wrote:

eBay members are the most close minded toxic people on the internet. This is horrible advice. Same with the other comments. eBay needs to fix what’s broken. It’s not the sellers fault lol. 

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Toxic is having to deal with fraud and theft of buyers.

eBay of course can do nothing about ti:

So it is such that an experienced seller knows not to list any thing that they can not afford to lose, and that includes item and all moneys paid for it: on the Internets for sale.

As sale for less; in an environment (that is not an easy environment for scammers):  at least would have netted the user a gain over a total loss.

[my_boston_baked_beans]

Generally, when we go on vacation we bring our laptop. I check in periodically to see what's goes on. If you do not have that kind of accessibility than I would have waited to list the item/items until after returning from vacation. Unfortunately, because the guidelines on NADS and other returns are clearly defined in User Policy on eBay you do not have any grounds for appeal.

I am sorry to hear this, and would be furious myself probably not using eBay again due to the bad taste it left.

[stuff4divas]

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@drodecker wrote:

I sold an item for $2k that shipped in two large boxes.  One part was indestructible solid piece of metal, the other a TV display. 

Weeks later, I was on vacation and didn't notice the eBay messages.  Apparently the buyer complained that both boxes were damaged and within 4 days, eBay awarded them a full refund.

Less than one week later, I'm "appealing" and eBay says that I cannot since I failed to reply within 4 days.  I might add that it was over a weekend.

I've attempted to contact the seller to no avail. Is there any recourse?

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@drodecker  Here is the ebay link for info on how to handle return requests> https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/handling-return-requests?id=4115

Also, I am assuming you meant you attempted to contact the 'buyer' to not avail?

Here is the link for info to appeal eBay's decisions on cases> https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/appeal-ebays-decision-return-missing-item...

If all else fails,

Contact eBay via their social media sites with a private message:

https://Facebook.com/ebay

 AND-OR

https://Twitter.com/askebay

Great customer service on both, Good Luck

[johnrj1226]

Sorry for  your huge financial loss.

eBay is a non stop selling/buying  24/7/365 including holidays.  Sellers need to   check there account for any communication via eBay Message.  While I was away from my home PC (never  used my cell for eBay stuff except to look up stuff to see what it might be worth. but not  business).  But  i always  manged to access my account at the business center at the hotel/motel I was staying or at families home  PC and  did often - early in the morning  or at night or when ever convenient)  Some times you can  make another  sale or put out a fire in  a timely  fashion.  See we you do business on eBay they give buyers up to 30 days from receipt to file a  claim (case) and credit  card  charge backs can go much longer  -  PayPal was up to 180 days.  In a nutshell you are never on vacation in on line buying/selling.

[kensgiftshop]

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@maidenru_40 wrote:

eBay members are the most close minded toxic people on the internet. This is horrible advice. Same with the other comments. eBay needs to fix what’s broken. It’s not the sellers fault lol. 

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It is the sellers fault because they failed to respond to the case and take care of the return in the time Ebay allows.

[tools*]

Did you actually receive the payment, or did eBay hold it the whole time?

[drodecker]

Indeed, I do intend on obtaining it back from the Buyer.  At least at that point I'd be whole.

It was signed for and apparently basic insurance; it's small but something.  Unfortunately, the Buyer is not responding at all.

[drodecker]

Indeed, I am taking it to small claims.

Additionally, I'm contesting the eBay seller fee.

[drodecker]

eBay will likely ban my account as I'm contesting the Seller fee.

[drodecker]

Having a requirement to respond within 4 days, with no possibility of reconsideration or escalation is not reasonable.

[drodecker]

eBay held the funds the entire time. 

[fashunu4eeuh]

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@drodecker wrote:

Having a requirement to respond within 4 days, with no possibility of reconsideration or escalation is not reasonable.

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If you feel the terms of the Money Back Guarantee policy are unreasonable, why did you accept them and list your item here?

We hear about sellers getting scammed on a daily basis in the forums. However, there is no proof your buyer fraudulently claimed damage. Did the buyer attempt to contact you prior to opening the case?