Seller Protection is a joke

[jeff7117quo]

I've been an eBay member since 99, and while I don't have a ton of volume compared to other sellers, I regularly sell a few items each month.  I just experienced my first "buyer doesn't recognize the transaction" payment dispute and it has been a total pain in the a$$.

This entire process has been a joke.  You get one opportunity to upload information, with no way to update the case as more information is gathered.  What kind of investigative process is this ?!  I have a buyer that admitted placing the order, provided me screen caps of the transaction and said they were looking forward to receiving said product AFTER THEY FILED THE CLAIM!  Luckily I was able to intercept the package prior to delivery, but had it been delivered, there's little I could have done to get my item back.  This buyer even has 100% feedback on their purchases.  

 Yeah, I could accept returns, but the 30 day terms are not ideal.   I have never had this happen before and after looking on the forums, it appears to be a huge hassle and something that happens often.  So at this point, as a seller, it seems like there is little that can be done to prevent this obvious fradulent activity.  

I can't understand how eBay doesn't see that this will turn away a LOT of sellers over time.  It's such a terrible way to handle a problem, and it only helps to tarnish the brand name.  I know I'm a LOT less likely to list products going forward because of this.  Granted, this still isn't resolved, and I'm not happy about this entire process.   I'm **bleep** that this has OBVIOUSLY been a problem for a while and there's still no good solution to it.  eBay just shrugs their shoulders and says "sorry man, there's nothing we can do, it's the bank / credit card company." 

What an absolute joke of a Seller protection policy.  It's a scammers paradise at this point.  Might as well just give away the stuff since the scammers know they won't have to pay.

[4pawsup*]

You did not give enough information to understand what the problem is. Guessing i take it someone used a stolen CC. You found out before you shipped the item that there was a problem. You have your items and did not lose it so what is EBAYS FAULT.

[thebricktank]

I’ve gotten ten of these since August and all were covered as the disputes were made after delivery.  The only one where a response was asked for was when the item had not yet been delivered.  My advice is to ship all orders same day whenever possible.  This is clearly an organized fraud perpetrated against eBay.

[pjcdn2005]

It is actually one of the better seller protections.

When a buyer files a 'doesn't recognize transaction' charge back, the seller is covered by eBay IF there is online delivery confirmation showing that the item was delivered to the address the buyer used when they paid.  The seller just has to upload the tracking number to the chargeback claim.  It's the easiest chargeback to win.

When a buyer opens a payment dispute because they didn't receive the item or they don't recognize the transaction

When a buyer opens a payment dispute because they didn't receive the item or they don't recognize the transaction, sellers will be asked to provide:

• Evidence of successful delivery to the address provided by the buyer at checkout, or
• Proof that the buyer collected the item

If eBay determines that the item was successfully delivered or picked up:

• We will not seek reimbursement from the seller for the disputed amount, even if the payment institution decides that the buyer is owed a refund; and
• We will waive or refund the seller's dispute fee

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/payment-dispute-seller-protections?id=5293&st=3&...

[jeff7117quo]

The claim was filed 1 day AFTER the item was shipped, with tracking.  The buyer admitted they placed the order, and said they were looking forward to receiving the order.  While in transit, the claim was filed.  They were likely hoping that the item would be delivered before it could be intercepted.

This buyer has been on eBay for over 10 years.  How could it be anything other than fraud, unless their account was hacked?

[thebricktank]

If you deliver to the account listed in the buyer account, you are protected here.  bottom line.  There seems to be an uptick in this type of buyer claim from where I sit, so lets hope eBay doesnt push this risk to us, bc if that happens, would be an exodus of sellers.

[lakefor94]

Well, how many days did you have to get the information uploaded into the chargeback?  If you did not have a carrier delivery confirmation, could you have waited for that until addressing the chargeback?

Tracking with a decent presentation should be a winner every time.

[ebooksdiva]

I’ve had a buyer do the same thing. Didn’t recognize the transaction. All I needed to do was upload tracking into the dispute when it was delivered the case was found in my favor. 

[12345jamesstamps]

We, as a group, suggest what buyers can do here posting....me included as well as other moderators here.

I have started to actually read their post many times...read their feedback...and when buyer joined eBay and decide if I want to even talk about credit card chargebacks.

What if the buyer didn't actually buy anything yet...and we are telling the buyer what they can do?

Some say"oh, just do a c.c. dispute". 

We have to be a little more careful how we respond to solutions that may not have happened yet.

We kind of have to read between the lines if they are actually trying to find a solution or how to get something for free.

[lakefor94]

---

@12345jamesstamps wrote:

We, as a group, suggest what buyers can do here posting....me included as well as other moderators here.

I have started to actually read their post many times...read their feedback...and when buyer joined eBay and decide if I want to even talk about credit card chargebacks.

What if the buyer didn't actually buy anything yet...and we are telling the buyer what they can do?

Some say"oh, just do a c.c. dispute". 

We have to be a little more careful how we respond to solutions that may not have happened yet.

We kind of have to read between the lines if they are actually trying to find a solution or how to get something for free.

---

I won't be trying to judge who is a good buyer and who might not be.  I do notice that at times members responding don't go there with the "file a payment dispute" information. Sometimes they get the bare bones response.

What I see 95% of the time are buyers definitely getting screwed around by unscrupulous sellers and they need to know there are other avenues to obtain their refunds. I will be helping those folks out every time I see one here. 

Most already know that anyways. 

[janet9988]

You are out the fees for intercepting the package..you would also lose ebay protection for not having the tracking show as delivered.

Had you let it be delivered...... ebay would have protected you and you would not be out any fees.

[yuzuha]

"Buyer doesn't recognize the transaction" is the easiest type of chargeback for a seller to win. All you need to do is show proof that you shipped to the address given with the transaction and you will be covered.

[dhbookds]

It's my understanding that when someone informs the cc co that the card has been lost or stolen, cc immediately stops payments and questions recent purchases, probably because the holder can't tell them the exact date of the theft or loss...........so I wouldn't "assume" the buyer is doing a scam.

As said.......you will not have to refund, assuming you mailed to the address ebay gave you.......

[frecklesfinery88]

Just had the same thing happen last month with a buyer I communicated with a few times. eBay was wonderful and it was resolved. No problems, we just waited it out. The buyer received the merchandise and everything showed from start to finish. It seems this is happening more & more because there are so many issues with online & CC purchases being fake.

Thanks eBay.

Mis70

[princessjessi85]

They won't protect you if buyer goes through bank to dispute. You are out item and payment. Ebay cares nothing about sellers or how long you have been a buyer with them. It's a joke. I sold items due to losing my job and needing to make my car payment. Shipped items same day ordered, proof us on ebay, buyer disputed, eBay sided with me as all proof and communications with buyer were in my favor, buyer disputed with bank, bank refunded, eBay took the money from me and now I'm out a brand new item and the payment for said item. I've been dealing with this for over a month and EBay is unwilling to help and my car is up for repo because of it.