Thinking of coming back

[mario-64]

Hi all,

I'm in need of some advice. I used to be a prolific seller on eBay (with all positive feedback). Then it happened. A buyer defrauded me using the PayPal chargeback scheme. Waited until the day after the tracking number dropped out of USPS then opened an unauthorized charge case with their CC. Naturally PayPal would not back me since I could no longer prove I shipped the item. Buyer got my item and their money back. Thankfully it was less than $100 not a $1000 laptop or something. Still, since that day I have refused to sell on eBay.

Problem is, I have several items to sell and really could use the money right now. My question is, is it worth it? Is there anything sellers can do to protect against this (or any) type of fraud? As far as I know all of the major shippers purge tracking numbers after 90 days or so. How can we ever prove shipping afterward? 

I've tried some local marketplaces but there just aren't enough potential buyers thus this post. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you

[mario-64]

How so? If I get scammed by a buyer I lose the money I paid in eBay/PayPal fees not to mention getting hit with a chargeback fee. Trashing the items costs me nothing at all.

Back to my original question, given that nothing has changed in regards to seller protection what is the best way to protect against the 'unauthorized charge' scam? Should I ship all items with signature required and delivery confirmation? Will PayPal accept that as proof of shipping once the tracking number has been purged?

[equid0x]

I need to know exact timeframes in order to know what the next step is.

[equid0x]

I agree with zamo-zuan and need more info to give good advice on next steps. 

[equid0x]

Fraud is a part of doing business as a seller. 

Rampant fraud is not a part of doing business as a seller. 

[equid0x]

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@mario-64 wrote:

Thanks again for the continued responses.

With regard to USPS I too heard those reports that you can call them and speak to an agent who will look up the purged tracking number and send you the info. This is completely false. The agent was dumbfounded at my request and said they have no means whatsoever to look up a purged tracking number.

In terms of this being the 'cost of doing business' then I simply can't afford the risk. I don't have thousands of items to sell which would make up for one significant loss. Two of the items I have would fetch in excess of $1,000 based on recent sold listings. I can't afford to lose that much money.

I did have one thought. Not sure if it is valid or not. If I were to price these items very aggressively, say at 60-70% of the recent sales price would I stand a better chance at getting legitimate buyers? Perhaps if they get a really good deal they would be less likely to defraud?

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Every single USPS shipment is cataloged and tracked. There is a second system where they can pull this info up. Since they are a quasi-govt institution, they are required to retain this data for 7 years. 

The avg USPS worker may deny this but you can absolutely subpoena such info and they will be required to provide it and they can and will. 

[reallynicestamps]

I guess I'll just trash this stuff or give it a way.

Sell on eBay.

Get paid. Some possibility of scam.

Trash it

Get no money. Might have to pay to dispose of electronic trash.

Give It away.

Have to find someone who wants it.

Donate.

Thrift may have to pay to take it to the dump (or recycler) since they can't use all the stuff they get.

Up to you.

[coolections]

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@mario-64 wrote:

Thanks for the responses. I guess I'll just trash this stuff or give it a way. 

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The odds of getting scammed I less than 1% so you would be better off selling instead of giving away but that's your choice.