Top Rated Seller doesn't mean anything to eBay when you get scammed

[oldtechgadgets]

Hello guys,

We're a long-time eBay seller. We just want to warn people about this scam that has happened to us.

Recently a buyer with zero feedback purchased two new Apple watches from us. We had a gut feeling because the buyer's address was at a warehouse. Long story short, he opened a return on the same day the item was delivered. His reason was "Sorry, some happens and I dont need it anymore. I didnt unpack anything".

Ebay provided the return shipping label with our correct address on there that we paid for it.  On July 01, 2021, he opened another case "Doesn't match the listing". Ebay went ahead and refunded the buyer the money. And yet we still haven't received our package back.  

We then checked the tracking number. The package is now going back to the scammer. We have reached out to the post office supervisor. The package has an "insufficient address" after scanned at the station. And was not attempt to deliver.  Also, the post office can't retrieve the package back to us.  In the past 18 years of doing business on eBay, we never have that issue.  

After providing all the evidence to eBay. They still side with the scammer. No luck after many appeals with eBay. We felt defeated. We have worked so hard by providing the best customer service on eBay.

We're now out of more than $1300. The scammer got his money back and two free brand new Apple watches.

[rebell45]

Sorry to hear that but that's eBay's way and every scammer out there has learned how to get free stuff.  All you can do is file Mail Fraud and police reports on the buyer. and an internet fraud case here: https://www.ic3.gov/

Not that it'll help you. Next time, trust your gut.

[mtgraves7984]

Knee jerk reaction: that official letter from the USPS sure is full of errors. Where did you get it? 🤔

[oldtechgadgets]

We went to our main post office. Explained the situation to the supervisor and have her put it down in a letter.

[rebell45]

LOL, from Tracy Tan.

[greatstuff80]

It is absurd a buyer can open a return and not as described case at basically the same time. I just will not sell anything worth more than a few bucks on ebay anymore. 

[oldtechgadgets]

Thank you for all the help, guys. But please be respectful.  

[luckythewinner]

Top Rated Seller doesn't mean anything to eBay when you get scammed

Did something lead you to believe that being a Top Rated Seller would somehow protect you from fraud? 

[katzrul15]

I truly am sorry.  Have been there and it isn't fun. 

See if they'll file a police report.  Some will and many will not.  We tried everything we could think of. 

[donsdetour]

Hmm Mail fraud and theft: you would think a report to the postal inspector would also be advised by the PO.

[itscalledapostingid]

Talk to the Postmaster again. Find out if their Revenue Assurance Program got an image of the parcel in transit. I suspect the buyer photoshopped a bad address onto the return label before printing to cause the return to sender.

[oldtechgadgets]

We were wrong. We thought we have all the evidence. Plus our feedback vs. the scammer zero feedback.

[oldtechgadgets]

Please don't let this stop you from selling. It's a part of doing business on eBay. 

[stainlessenginecovers]

like mtgraves7984 stated; there is something VERY WRONG with that USPS Letter. The use of English is not correct in more ways than 1. 

[jonathankirkland]

@oldtechgadgets 

I would reach out to ebay on their official Facebook page and provide them all the evidence again, as well as showing this to them to point out the fact that you should most certainly be covered at least for 50% of the loss: (which is on their own dang website here https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/service-and-payments/top-rated-program.html)