Victim of buyer fraud

[davebhop]

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!

[gracieallen01]

Check the google maps for the area and see what the county seat is for the area.  Then check with the county clerk's office there and see what they will do for you as far as following up with a complaint.  Often, the 'attorney's' office can/will do more than an overburdened  police dept and they are also involved more with the politics of the area than the PD.

Sorry I don't know anyone in NY (that well), just in Idaho (relatives) near Coeur d'Alene.  It is getting really tiresome seeing all the scam posts on the forums lately.  Something is going to have to happen 'fore too long.

Good luck.

[davebhop]

YES with items for sale right now.

[a_c_green]

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@chrysylys wrote:

You should probably stop posting here and GO to your local police to push the process.

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That is indeed where you start: with your own PD. Show them your evidence and get the report filed. Then either you or (preferably) they refer the thing to the buyer's local PD to investigate. For a $6500 theft (which is basically what this is), you should expect a little more response than just filling out forms. 

The whole point here is that your PD is basically acting as a reference for you when contacting the buyer's PD, and that you're not simply J. Random Looney out there, phoning in complaints for everyone he's mad at. Imagine if every telemarketer you've ever hung up on decided to file a bogus report by phone with your local PD.

So get your local PD involved first, and then see if you can persuade them to help you take it to the buyer's PD after that. Move quickly, and let us know how it goes.

[emerald40]

I have to say it but one way to get ebay to stand up and take notice is to get the ear of certain posters here who seem to know how to get things done.

The woman I am thinking of is a purse expert but could probably use her skills to get that scam buyer exposed.

[missjen831]

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@pburn wrote:

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@sambur-9245 wrote:
Local pickup with cash in hand they can't claim not as described.

Go read the MBG

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Question for you and/or @missjen831. I have looked everywhere on the eBay MGB (which I don't find the least bit user friendly, btw), and I can't find that "exception" anywhere. Could one of you either copy/paste it or post a link to the exact page where it is? And, if further clicking is required, kind of go through that for me?

eBays help pages are just frustrating for me. I really try to look this stuff up myself in order to learn it better, or bookmark it, but without much success. 

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Its in the MBG under "whats covered"-cash payments are not covered by the MBG, there is no way for ebay to protect a cash paying buyer because a)the buyer can't prove they ever paid and b) there is no electronic payment to reverse from the seller. https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy...

Whats covered

"The buyer made the purchase on eBay.com via checkout or an eBay invoice with one of the following payment methods:

• PayPal
• PayPal Credit
• Credit card or debit card
• eBay gift cards, eBay bucks and eBay vouchers"

[davebhop]

Way ahead of you. Lawyer is tomorrows appointment. The officer that took my report will be back in the office tomorrow and I will be his first phone call. 🙂

[pburn]

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

It is getting really tiresome seeing all the scam posts on the forums lately.  Something is going to have to happen 'fore too long.

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You know what? There are a lot of scams exposed on these discussion boards: some by sellers and some by buyers.

This one, in my opinion, just might be the worst. Sending back something other than what a buyer was sent is just unconscionable to me. Or the ones who return something they intentionally damaged just for spite. Makes me shudder just to read about it happening to a seller.

[bubbleman2010]

You're only a 2 maybe 3 hour drive away. I'd just drive over there and ask them about it in person...

[emerald40]

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@bubbleman2010 wrote:

You're only a 2 maybe 3 hour drive away. I'd just drive over there and ask them about it in person...

________________________________________________

And what happens if he continues to deny it.  Throws you out of his store.  Calls the police.  Files an order of protection.  Or worse there is a violent confrontation.

Nope, not the way to go.  Will only give the seller less credibility.

OP, you are doing everything you can and doing it correctly.  Much good luck and keep us informed.

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[gracieallen01]

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@pburn wrote:

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

It is getting really tiresome seeing all the scam posts on the forums lately.  Something is going to have to happen 'fore too long.

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You know what? There are a lot of scams exposed on these discussion boards: some by sellers and some by buyers.

This one, in my opinion, just might be the worst. Sending back something other than what a buyer was sent is just unconscionable to me. Or the ones who return something they intentionally damaged just for spite. Makes me shudder just to read about it happening to a seller.

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Unfortunately, there is money to be made by ignoring them.

[pburn]

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@bubbleman2010 wrote:

You're only a 2 maybe 3 hour drive away. I'd just drive over there and ask them about it in person...

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LOL! Is it the route you take or the speed you drive that gets you from Idaho to NYC in that time? 

[deruxebin]

doubt it

[d.clawed]

I'm not sure when your "mandatory refund date is", but call ebay and let them know he police department is  now involved and ask for an extension of a few days while they are investigating. I think they can do that. 

[davebhop]

2-3 hours? I am in Idaho 36 h (2,476.3 mi) 

[missjen831]

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@d.clawed wrote:

I'm not sure when your "mandatory refund date is", but call ebay and let them know he police department is  now involved and ask for an extension of a few days while they are investigating. I think they can do that. 

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They can but they won't.