Scammed

[knwndesigns]

I just got scammed and I've called ebay non stop, several agents have told me they will help and several team leaders said the same thing. I'm feeling very frustrated at this situation and I don't know what to do, I've lost over 4,000 to a scammer on two accounts and I just can't catch a break. How do I go on about this situation, ebay is just telling me that I got scammed and they can't do anything about it.

[dogchow747]

You are not the only one who has nightmares with graphics cards and top end X-boxes.

Ebay needs to change their policies and apply more oversight on high dollar items.

I do not care if it takes more employees, they need special procedures and address verification.

I really hope they can help you and you get your gear back.

[ittybitnot]

@knwndesigns 

Where did you send these things (city/state only)?   

What exactly are the claims for (i.e. doesn't work, empty box, wrong item etc.)  ?

The first one was cancelled.  A buyer cannot cancel, did ebay send you a message saying it was cancelled?  Not to worry much about that one right now since you got the product back the first time. 

So you now have buyer claims on two different items, not counting the first one? 

Are your buyers still registered users?

[knwndesigns]

claim is buyer did recognize transaction, im trying to get it to open but i dont know it seems ebay is giving me different answers every time. 2 cases both same address they are full address with state and city, zipcode. both cases says buyer doesnt recognize transaction. only difference is the names and one says apt and other one says home but same number and everything

[knwndesigns]

im saying i never ever had issues till i started selling these higher end items, and ebay is suppose to help out seller but at this rate it feels like i lost my 4k and now they're telling me from a team leaders own words, basically i cant do anything to open the case and you got scammed, and another leader saying they're going to help but no call backs or anything. its very sad at this point like I only try to deliver fast and in good shape items but getting all of these returns, and scams/disputes is just mind boggling.

[fashunu4eeuh]

You were targeted and defrauded. So sorry this happened to you. As a new seller with high-dollar, high scam items, this makes you a prime victim for the criminal element to prey on.

You need to take a deep breath, and gather your wits. It is unlikely that eBay can or will do much to help you, so this may be a difficult process to do the few things left to do. Stop calling customer service. It is unlikely the overseas reps can reverse your situation, or do anything constructive at this point. They may tell you what you want to hear, just to shorten the call. 

First, there is a formal process to filing an appeal with eBay. Do not let eBay open it for you. You need time to get your evidence together for submission. If you let them open it, which i fear may already be the case in both circumstances, they may proceed without your evidence and automatically find against you. Once done, there is nothing more they will do.

Here is the link with instructions on how to appeal. It needs to be followed carefully. But before this, you need to do a couple of things.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/appeal-ebays-decision-return-missing-item...?

id=4369

Contact the police in yours and theirs jurisdiction and report the theft. Ask them for a report number and get copies if you can. Tell them you need it for eBay to help you.

Next, contact the Postal Inspectors. It is a federal offense to use the mail to defraud someone. Make a report, get the case number and copies. 

Then go to ic3.gov and make a report there. This is the Internet Crime Complaints Center. Again, copies and case number.

Now you are ready to appeal to eBay. Give them all your video evidence you collected, and the reports and case numbers you have.

I would do one more thing, if you can finesse it. Without making angry accusations, send a non-emotional non-threatening note to your buyer explaining that you are intending to contact the authorities. But that you will hold off making any official reports if your item or money is returned within so many days. Scammers like to swim below the radar, there is always the chance they will comply. Good luck.

[ittybitnot]

claim is buyer did recognize transaction

@knwndesigns 

Ok, lets take one thing at a time.  I am assuming it is a "Payment Dispute",  for which you have to reply to the claim.  You need to put in the tracking number into the dispute.   I believe that is all eBay will allow for a reply.   Do not let the time for doing so expire. 

In most instances entering the tracking is enough, especially if the  the item shows "delivered". Since crooks don't generally pay for items, have them shipped to themselves and then complain about it with this reason.  Basically, it is often understandable since a buyer's PayPal statement or credit card statement (depending on what method they used to pay)  just says something in order of "paid to eBay" and the amount.  It does not say what it is for or the seller's name.  

What I am trying to determine by asking you what city/state you shipped the products to is to determine if you perhaps sent them to a freight forwarder.  If that is the case, there are some other actions you can/need to take.  You can't post names or addresses to the boards, but you can tell us the city and state.

Once that is determined,  and it is NOT a freight forwarder, you may wish to send a note to your buyer explaining what the charge was for (i.e. item number, date, amount, and tracking showing delivery).   Often this will clear up the problem.   The buyer may then close the case, but don't expect any fast results from eBay. 

When all these things are ironed out,  there are some things you should do next.  We can tell you are really upset, but you have to keep a clear head here for now.  

[luckythewinner]

---

@knwndesigns wrote:

I have a lot of proof of everything but is it okay to post that information here, i have detailed videos of shipping and labels and everything.

---

You need a crystal clear understanding of how eBay works.

 Your "detailed videos of shipping and labels and everything" mean nothing. 

For a transaction over $750, eBay requires the seller obtain delivery confirmation with a signature required. And that tracking information must be uploaded to eBay in the right place at the right time. 

Do you have tracking that shows delivery and that required a signature for the second time you sold this item, as explained in eBay policy? 

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behavior-policies/signature-confirmation-policy?id=5154

[ittybitnot]

Do you have tracking that shows delivery and that required a signature? 

@luckythewinner 

I was thinking about signature confirmation as well, but was waiting to mention it.  Off hand, is the 'signature' required for this sort of "payment" dispute, or only for INRs?   I would assume either way it is best to have it, but was not sure.  It is not like the 'buyer' is claiming that they did not get the item.  

[knwndesigns]

i mean any order over 750 has to have an signature and yes i have grabbed that from ups

[knwndesigns]

i have the address on the shipping pdf with the signature and everything that matches what is on ebay shipping address from the label payment page, only thing is dude signed it with a straight line..

[knwndesigns]

anything else i could do anyone?

[ittybitnot]

anything else i could do anyone?

@knwndesigns 

Probably not at this point.  Gather the information (see post #21)

Are your buyers still registered users? 

Did you ship to a freight forwarder? 

Have you reported the buyer? 

etc. 

It is good that you have the "signature confirmation", and you shipped to the address provided with the payment.  Hopefully, that will take care of the problem.   

Now it is just going to be a "waiting game".  Come back if it does not work out for you. 

[dbfolks166mt]

     I took a look at the items you are selling and unfortunately you are selling a lot of high priced electronic items/components that are a favorite target for scammers. There are better markets for these types of items where the sellers risk can be reduced, you are not paying fees and/or shipping the items. A lot of the sales can be done in cash and the exchange done person to person. The down side is you will not have the customer base exposure you get with eBay but if you are taking significant losses how important is that?

[ittybitnot]

@knwndesigns 

One other thing:   Here is what eBay says you need to be 'protected' from losing these claims:

When a buyer reports that they don't recognize the transaction

You provided proof of delivery that included all of the following:

Tracking number provided by the shipping company (uploaded by the date indicated in the payment dispute notification)

A delivery status of "delivered"

Date of delivery

Recipient's address, matching the address on the order (including the city, county, zip code or international equivalent)

Proof of signature confirmation if an order has a total cost (including shipping and taxes) of $750 or more, uploaded as an image while contesting the payment dispute

The whole policy can be found here:


https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/seller-protections?id=4345&st=3&pos=1&query=Sell...

You will need this if they should decide against you.   You won't likely know for a few weeks. 

[pikabo-icu]

How did this person already file a chargeback/payment dispute if the item just sold again on the 15th? 

I am really confused how this happened so fast. 

If it delivered it had to be today right?

They disputed it already?