eBay

davebhop · ‎05-10-2018

I recently sold a BRAND NEW $6500 embroidery machine. The customer had the machine for 2-3 days then opened a NOT AS DESCRIBED case. I sent return FedEx label and received the return a week later. when I opened the box there was a very used $1500 embroidery machine inside. I immediately contacted eBay and gave them the serial number of the item I shipped and the serial number of the item that was returned. I sent pictures of the item that was sent and pictures of the item received on the return. I filed a police report. I contacted FedEx and found the return shipment weighed 15 pounds less than the original shipment. I contacted the customer to see if there was a mistake on the item the returned. They told me they did not know what I was talking about.

This is what eBay told me... There was nothing we could or would do. because the customer did not admit to the fraud in the emails. They told me I was on my own and that they would send the full refund! at the end of the case's waiting period.

I then contacted Paypal and was told they only protected buyers and that sellers are on there own. And that I should hire a lawyer and open a civil case against the buyer. MY HEAD ALMOST POPPED OFF!

So sellers, I would just like you to know you are not protected from buyer scams on expensive items... by eBay or Paypal and for you scammers buying expensive items and then returning inexpensive items...IT WORKS. And works very well!

Need to upgrade your equipment? just buy new and send back your old wore out item. Ebay and paypal will help you. Just remember never admit to what you are doing in email! And you will get it for free!

hafoster · ‎05-10-2018

brian_burke@ebay wrote:

Please send me te item number, the one you posted above doesn’t have a purchase associated with it.

Hi brian_burke@ebay, here's how to get the purchases for an item number:

http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBidsLogin&item=183140092924

varietysales4usa · ‎05-10-2018

I could give advice for future transactions. Have the package intercepted for pick up at a FedEx location, and open it there. If it is not the same, ask to speak to a manager to report fraud. If it was insured then it's insurance fraud. FedEx sees it that way because if the package was lost, they would have to pay up to $6,500 for something different sent back that was only worth around $1,500. If they give you documents for a fraud investigation, attach it to the eBay case. As for now, your best bet is getting help through FedEx, not so much eBay or PayPal. If they can forward anything about the weight being different and that it was a different package mailed, maybe it can help your eBay case.

brian_burke@ebay · ‎05-10-2018

@hafoster Thanks and our Trust team is already looking into this.

Brian

Join us at eBay Open this September! eBay.com/ebayopen

theposhmermaids · ‎05-10-2018

brian_burke@ebay

I know your intercession is very appreciated, but why is this the only way honest sellers seem to get any help on ebay? As you can tell from reading the many posts, not only on this thread, but on the majority of threads here on the community, the vast majority of sellers here offer great products and exceptional customer service. We work very hard not only to build our businesses, but also to make ebay a safe place for buyers to have a wonderful buying experience.

But when we have a problem, no matter how big or small, we have to make numerous calls to customer service reps who have less knowledge about ebay policies and procedures than we have. We are often treated in a condescending and suspicious manner, and receive little or no help. The reps are so poorly trained, that they can only read from written scripts, and will tell all kinds of lies just to get us off of the phone. Yet, dishonest and scamming buyers are promptly reimbursed and rewarded for their lies.

What was done to the OP by the dishonest buyer was criminal, but the way he was treated by by ebay was even worse. He may finally get some help, thanks to you, but why did he have to go through all of the stress of this negative situation when he had ample proof that he had been cheated?

marinermikes · ‎05-11-2018

Just getting EBay to rule in your favor is not good enough! You could win the dispute with EBay and still loose your money. If you can't get law enforcement involved the scammer will just file a claim with Pay Enemy after EBay rules in your favor and you will be going through this all over again! That means if you win this dispute you need to hold onto that money for one hundred and eighty days! That's how long the scammer has to file with Pay Pal!

It is essential that you get law enforcement involved. Remember, the best defense is a good offense!

This is the reason why I stopped selling anything expensive here.

EBay is way behind the eight ball on this subject. I see where some one stated that this place is like WAL Mart on returns. Not so. Wal Mart clamped down on fraudulent returns years ago. I personally watched law enforcement come into a Wal Mart and haul a fraudster out in hand cuffs.

The box stores realized years ago that losing money to theft was not just the cost of doing business! If a business lets this go on then it becomes the norm and unfortunately that's what has happened with EBay. Good luck and I'm sorry this happened to you.

davebhop · ‎05-11-2018

I agree with you 100% and after PP is finished then the scammer can just start a credit card chargeback. I would be very curious about the name on the card that was used to make the purchase? Wouldn't it be surprising if the card came back stolen

myangelandmyprincess · ‎05-11-2018

@thebookee wrote:
Get an attorney. A good one will probably charge you only two hundred bucks for this. Then call the police I think. I would not play around with them.

@thebookee wrote:
Get an attorney. A good one will probably charge you only two hundred bucks for this. Then call the police I think. I would not play around with them.

What attorney would only charge $200?! That likely wouldn't even cover paperwork and filing fees that the attorney would have to pay for.

“Birth certificates show that you were born. Death certificates show that you died. Photographs show that you have lived.” -Unknown

theposhmermaids · ‎05-11-2018

@marinermikes

I completely agree with you.

I have a close friend who has worked in the corporate offices of loss prevention at many large companies including Nike, Target and Verizon over the last 20 years. According to him, ALL of the big companies consider shoplifting very small peanuts compared to all of the other ways consumers have tried to steal from them, including fradulent returns. They take this very seriously and prosecute almost without exception.

I have spoken with him many times about ebay, and he tells me ebay's policies of buyer return are not just a joke, but of great concern to the retail industry overall. I don't care how many times ebay repeats the lie that they are following industry standards in free, no questions asked returns. It is all a LIE! The majority of B&M and online companies do not do this.

Individual sellers often do not have the knowledge or the ability to fight scamming theives. ebay makes money off of our sales, and they have the responsibility and duty to protect us. WE PAY FOR THAT PROTECTION. Like Marinemikes, I will not sell high value items here. No matter how much experienced sellers think they understand how to protect themselves, there is a craftier scammer out there who has found a new way to steal from you.

Major corporations like the ones my friend has worked for spend an enormous amount of money researching how to protect themselves from this kind of theft. They hire the smartest minds in the industry to develop new ways to protect them. What do we get at ebay? People in the Phillipines who have no understanding of the American shopping culture (or language) who can only read off riduculous scripts and tell us loosing $6500.00 is all part of doing business.

chrysylys · ‎05-11-2018

If you haven't already, consider contacting the manufacturer to report this machine stolen. That may at least stop them from getting any warranty service or software updates.

Forget keeping up with the Joneses. Be the Finklegrubers!
OK kids, time to get the Dodge loaded up again. I hear 'Poppy's By the Tree' calling. This trip might be a long one too.

myescape · ‎05-11-2018

I just want to mention,ebay does not now and has never offered seller protection except against item not received cases where online tracking shows delivery to address on order.They are judging a he said/she said dispute without access to the sent or returned item and all the"evidence"is unsubstaintated(photos etc. online can be faked).Sellers have always been on their on in scam cases.

This is a user to user board not eBay employees.
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When people show you who they are, believe them

jonathankirkland · ‎05-11-2018

@myescape wrote:
I just want to mention,ebay does not now and has never offered seller protection except against item not received cases where online tracking shows delivery to address on order.They are judging a he said/she said dispute without access to the sent or returned item and all the"evidence"is unsubstaintated(photos etc. online can be faked).Sellers have always been on their on in scam cases.

Yes, and that is the whole point. That needs to change.

def.a.posting.id · ‎05-11-2018

I hope this gets resolved ....

its giving me nightmares.

hafoster · ‎05-11-2018

Hi @davebhop, updates please, re lawyer, officer, Trust, etc.

auctionpet · ‎05-11-2018

The fraud occurred in the OP's State, since the substituted item was sent there. This gives them the right to sue in their home State (Idaho). They would have the 'buyer' served in NY via process server or other legal method. If they fail to appear, default judgment.

Limitation for small claims may be less than the $6500, but you have the substituted machine to make up the difference, which you stated is worth $1500. I'd be filing in a heartbeat. Just be sure you file against the individuals name and legal business, so you can attach their bank account to garnish. Otherwise, it would be very easy for them to close any personal bank account. If their running a legit business, they have to have a business account. Clarify this with an attorney in your State, a small claims court clerk may also be able to give you direction.

So very sorry your having to deal with this! It's really horrible that ebay fails to back up sellers.

castlemagicmemories · ‎05-11-2018

@myangelandmyprincess wrote:
@thebookee wrote:
Get an attorney. A good one will probably charge you only two hundred bucks for this. Then call the police I think. I would not play around with them.

@thebookee wrote:
Get an attorney. A good one will probably charge you only two hundred bucks for this. Then call the police I think. I would not play around with them.
What attorney would only charge $200?! That likely wouldn't even cover paperwork and filing fees that the attorney would have to pay for.

I believe they are $300.00 or more an hr.