Scammers on high value electronics item (computer graphics card)

[swigerb]

I am trying to sell my Nvidia 4090 graphics card as I upgraded to a 5090 (was lucky to get one). I am getting a LOT of scam accounts that "buy" my item and send suspicious messages and have suspicious amounts of positive feedback on low value transactions.

I investigated one "Angela Jiang" to find this person a known scammer and reported the account through the Report A Member area (ebay.com/reportamember). Both accounts, kevin_itshopper and sevv1400 so far, are known Chinese scam accounts.

Why is eBay infected with all these scammers now that will receive a high value item, claim it to be broken or defective, only to have eBay refund the money and the buyer never truly ship the item back...although use USPS trickery to show it shipped, and never receive the item and they keep both the item and the money? Is this platform useless now? Is eBay listening or fixing all these scam artists?

Is there anything else I can do to elevate or escalate this issue? I just want to sell my WORKING and PERFECTLY FINE video card to someone and have eBay happily take their 13.6% fee.

I did lose $50 already because I jumped the gun and bought a 2-day FedEx shipping label to ship the item, but my gut told me to investigate the buyer after a suspicious message came through. I investigated deeply and found the account and person to be a known scammer and canceled the order. Can I get the $50 FedEx shipping label money back or am I out that cash? If so, I'd rather be out $50 than my $2000 for my video card.

[simba6]

FedEx: You have 28 days, to cancel the label on eBay for a refund

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/posting-items/labels-packaging-tips/buying-printing-postage-labels...

1. Go to Manage shipping labels - opens in new window or tab.
2. Find the item you'd like to cancel the shipping label for, then from the Actions column, select Cancel Label.
3. Choose your reason for canceling the label.
4. Select Send request.

Tip

[soh.maryl]

Fortunately, from your message here, it would appear that you, as a seller are familiar with eBay's Money Back Guarantee for buyers;  however, I am flabbergasted that you believe a buyer can open an item not as described case and be refunded without being required to return the supposedly defective item.

When a buyer opens an NAD case, the seller has just two viable options:  (1) he can send the buyer a prepaid return label and wait to receive the returned item.  When he gets it back, he then can be refund or (2) he can simply refund and let the buyer keep the item.  Wy would any seller, like yourself, handle this any other way.  Am sure you are aware that, if a seller does not respond at all, eBay will refund the buyer, will allow the buyer to keep the item and will give that seller a "defect".  

Usually, if a prepaid label isn't used, the seller will be refunded the amount paid for the label.  Not sure how long that takes, however, as I've never experienced that.  

[kensgiftshop]

Being a fairly new seller, selling an expensive, high scammed item, about all you'll attract is a lot of scammers.

Sell local for cash.

[ittybitnot]

 I am flabbergasted that you believe a buyer can open an item not as described case and be refunded without being required to return the supposedly defective item.

@soh.maryl 

For an eBay claim, the buyer can send back the proverbial rock, or ship a box of paper clips to the buyer's Zip Code.  They will be refunded from the seller's proceeds either way.   

In addition, eBay does not require a return should the buyer file a "payment dispute" aka chargeback for 'item not as described' and the seller will be debited as well.  

Time to be UNflabbergasted. 

[ittybitnot · Accepted solution]

@swigerb 

Being a new seller with such an expensive item you are going to be a SCAM MAGNET.  Hopefully, you are well acquainted with the typical ploys of the "text me scammers" and their cousins the "change of address" scammers.  They don't really pay anyway, but once you are familiar with their usual communications are quite easy to avoid.   The really dangerous ones are those that DO have the front money to play you.  I would suggest reading up on where and how these people operate, and what you can do should you become a victim of a phony claim.  This is one of the most desirable products for international users that use Freight Forwarders, so read up on that so you are aware of the scenario, what to do, and how NOT to be a victim.   

Do NOT sell anything here that you can't afford to lose, and pay extra money to just MAYBE get it back.  Local for cash is a very good recommendation.  

[asset_liquidators]

"I am flabbergasted that you believe a buyer can open an item not as described case and be refunded without being required to return the supposedly defective item."

Scammers wont send the actual item back. They will just send "something" back and be refunded which, by reading the OP's it is pretty obvious they already know this.

[12345jamesstamps]

'scammers'...they look for sellers who do not sell much...that would be you.

Selling one high end item they will draw them as well...that would be you.

You will also not receive the funds immediately of the sale if you haven't sold anything in a few months...will have to wait 30 days but you have to mail the item out before receiving the funds.

A few cancel sales and you might lose your account...so I suggest not listing an item if you cancel it again.

I notice something...same thing...sold 3 times...was it cancelled 3 times?

[swigerb]

Truly appreciated! I did not know to cancel the label. I went ahead and submit for the cancellation. You saved me $50. Blessings to you and yours. I believe in karma and am sending good vibes your way. Much appreciated. 😃

[chevymontecarlo88]

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@ittybitnot wrote:

Do NOT sell anything here that you can't afford to lose, and pay extra money to just MAYBE get it back.  Local for cash is a very good recommendation.  

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☝️Agreed!

Unfortunately, this is where we are at these days on eBay. IMHO