Scammers

[angrobe6763]

Anyone else having issues with scammers pretending to be buyers?

[bonjourami]

As a newbie seller,with no selling feedback, selling a $300 item you are a scam magnet. If you list that item as fixed price with immediate payment required, it weeds out most scammers.

[ljwb]

i have the opposite problem. Scammers as sellers. ebay needs a fraud unit like Amazon just implemented.

[dbfolks166mt]

Yes and it appears as though it is becoming more prevalent given the current pandemic and unemployment situation. I got scammed for the first time in 19 years of selling on eBay and despite pretty much sound evidence that the buyer had scammed me eBay, as they usually do, sided with the buyer and automatically refunded their money and along with the return shipping cost which incidentally was more that it cost me to ship it to them since they were not concerned about the most efficient way to return the item. I have sharply decreased the items I am listing on eBay and now factor in a USPS signature required on large ticket items. Adds to the buyers cost but about the only protection I can get against INR claims. Bottom line do NOT post anything on eBay you cannot afford to take the loss on it's just way to easy for scammers given eBay's policies and lack of seller support. 

[dbfolks166mt]

Not sure how much more protection buyers could have. eBay virtually guarantees protection to the buyers. If you are worried about sellers scamming you review their feedback before you bid on or purchase items from them. 

[kensgiftshop]

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@angrobe6763 

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A new seller selling an expensive item, about all you'll attract is scammers.

You might want to put in some kind of shipping details so buyers will know what it's going to cost before they buy.

[xiaow_zh]

Wow. Am I just unlucky or are you blessed? 1st scam in 19 years! Please share some tips. 

I sold 3 items over the passed 5 years on ebay, just to get rip of things I don't need but hate to throw away.

I got rips of most my stuffs of this nature on facebook market place but it happened these 3 items was sold faster on ebay. 1 of which was a old model working but slow speed cable modem/gateway. The shipping fee back and forward cost the same as the item if not more because I listed it for dirt cheap. The buyer asked no question before buying it,  had it for 2 weeks then open a case with ebay for "item defective" without any communication with me. Said their internet supplier could not work with it? I have not asked ebay to step in yet from all the reading on how ebay bullies its seller. Basically, it looks like ebay is forcing me to pay money to ship my thing to a total stranger, let them use it for 2 week, then pay shipping again to get it back. And if I do nothing or ask them for help, they will just give my thing to a total stranger for free and charge me fee and shipping regardless. 

What's my best option?  

[fashunu4eeuh]

@xiaow_zh wrote:

”What's my best option?”

Your best option is to accept the return and send a return shipping label to the buyer, if you want the item back. Then refund upon return. Do not ask eBay to step in! If you do not accept the return, eBay will force the refund and take the funds from you, will place a defect on your account, and you will still have to pay the final value fees. When a buyer opens a Not As Described case, seller responses are limited. Ebay will always side with the buyer, even if the buyer is dishonest. So accept the return.