Think I’m being scammed

[seandustinwestbrooks]

So I recently sold an iPhone X, and I thought I was being very diligent in making sure I wasn’t being scammed. When I got the email saying my item was sold and paid for, I called PayPal to confirm that the funds were actually there and I wasn’t being scammed. PayPal confirmed that the buyer had in fact paid and it was safe to ship the iPhone. The buyer and I had been talking all day about how to ship the phone because I was shipping it to Albania. I shipped the phone on 12/17/18 priority mail to the buyers provider address. On 12/28/18 my funds on PayPal  were released because the item was marked as delivered. The same day I get a notification that the buyer had opened a dispute saying they haven’t received the item. I called eBay immediately to cover myself, only to be told that if I can’t provide them with a signature for the item, they’ll go in the buyers favor. This was my fist time selling a phone on eBay and I didn’t know I was required to send it that way. I thought I was covering myself getting the tracking number. Anyway this is very distressing for me and I’m wondering if anyone has had a similar situation?

[*madison]

It's happened to loads of sellers, phones are a hot scam item.

You need signature confirmation if the value is over a certain amount, I think it's $750, not 100% sure though, another poster will clarify.

[adkhighker]

"The buyer and I had been talking all day about how to ship the phone because I was shipping it to Albania."

Can you elaborate more about what special precautions the buyer wanted you take in regards with how to ship it?

[mg152]

You’re right but I’d get a signature on any iPhone if I were foolish enough to list one.

[candd205]

Sorry I don't have any solutions for you. I'm afraid you have lost your phone and the money. In the future, you might consider only using the Global Shipping Program for mailing internationally.

This is one of the main reasons most people use the Global Shipping Program to ship internationally. You are only responsible for it until it gets to Lexington, KY. Then the Global Shipping Program takes over. The GSP is way more expensive for the buyer, but way, way, way more secure for you (the seller). It costs the seller nothing.

[gracieallen01]

In the future, be aware that you have to satisfy both PaypPal AND ebay requirements when shipping Internationally. 

A buyer has both options, as well as a credit card chargeback on which to fall back, if they are scamming.

[*madison]

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@mg152 wrote:
You’re right but I’d get a signature on any iPhone if I were foolish enough to list one.

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It is $750?

Even I wouldn't dare sell an iphone on ebay, not even with my vast experience of scammers.

I've have sold a couple of my old cheap cell phones on ebay.

[seandustinwestbrooks]

He wanted me to ship the package usps priority mail, and he wanted me to put the value of the contents under $100 for custom fees, which I didn’t. I really didn’t know about the signature requirements, eBay said I would have saw that when I signed up, which was back in 2010. I’ve probably sold 2 things on eBay since I’ve been a member. I’ve always just bought things and I’ve never had a bad experience. 

[seandustinwestbrooks]

I’ve bought phone off eBay before and didn’t know how prevalent the scamming was. I’ve never had a bad experience before as a buyer. This is only the second time I’ve ever sold anything on eBay before. 

[*madison]

You might have a slim chance here.

The buyer asked you to break the law, but you didn't. It's illegal to falsify custom forms. Do you still have that message from the buyer?

So, now the buyer is robbing the phone because you refused to break the law.

Tell that to ebay, and show them the buyers message.

[seandustinwestbrooks]

Yes I still have the messages. I called PayPal and they said if I can prove that I shipped the phone to the address they provided they won’t hold the money from me, but that won’t stop eBay from requesting it.

[*madison]

The only ammunition you have got is the message from the buyer asking you to break the law.

It's worth a try using that info against the buyer.

[seandustinwestbrooks]

 This is what the tracking shows. I can’t believe eBay is doing this. 

[castlemagicmemories]

You can check your Paypal balance in your account without calling Paypal.  Just go to My Ebay, click on account, choose Paypal account on the left hand side, and complete the instructions by choosing summary, and signing in to your Paypal account.  It only takes a few seconds and is easy.

[castlemagicmemories]

As always, spot on, @*madison