What Seller Protection? eBay lied and protected a scammer

[electrifyingcards]

Sold an item for $1160 on 3/22 and was signed for and delivered on 3/28. Heard nothing from buyer until 4/3 claiming that they had received 5 books instead of basketball cards that were sent to them and they left negative feedback, opened an eBay case then did a payment dispute chargeback all within minutes of each other. Reported buyer for fraud immediately, contacted eBay via chat on 4/3/24 and was reassured several times that no matter the outcome of payment dispute eBay has my back and I would qualify for seller protection. Responded same day to dispute with all the evidence asked of me. Spoke to an agent via phone again and they confirmed I had done everything correctly and again reassured me I am covered. I hear nothing for a month and a half until I get a shipment of 5 books in the mail (absolutely no communication about anything being returned). I call eBay on 5/12/24 and inform them that the buyer had fraudulently returned back 5 books that were not the items I had sent. The eBay agent tells me that they have notated this in their records and to not worry eBay will protect me regardless of the outcome of the dispute. On 5/21/24 I get an email stating that the buyers financial institution had ruled in their favor and that I did not qualify for seller protection. I have read that policy up and down, sideways and backwards and I have met every requirement. I was also assured by three separate eBay agents that I would be covered and I had done everything correctly. Also the agent I spoke with on thet date in 5/21/24 said I should have qualified. Been battling this out with eBay for the past few days and cannot get an answer as to why I wasn’t protected as a seller. They only tell

me that the buyer won their dispute with their bank becuse they had return the totems and that tracking delivered. Apparently they can just return any item ? I’ve spoken to five different people now and no one can tell me why I don’t qualify for seller protection. How does every agent I talk to say I’m protected than that it comes time you don’t protect me? We pay high fees in part to be a safe platform for sellers. 

I am not going to let this go and refused to be scammed out of $1200. I am a top rated seller and have had no issues at all. So what other options are there? 

[slyders_finds]

There isn't really any seller protection. That is why I don't  sell super expensive stuff on Ebay. Sorry you had this scammer. 

[fab_finds4u]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but those reps are notorious in telling you what you want to hear. 

The only seller protection eBay has is if you have tracking showing delivered if a not received claim is made. There is no protection for not as described claims. If they return a rock, a different item, or an empty package you will be forced to refund. 

Write the loss off on your tax return.

[luckythewinner]

 I have read that policy up and down, sideways and backwards and I have met every requirement. 

What was the reason given in the payment dispute? 

If the payment dispute reason was Not As Described, there is no seller protection unless you had previously won an eBay dispute.  

This is actually spelled out in the Seller Protection policy. 

[ittybitnot]

 I was also assured by three separate eBay agents that I would be covered and I had done everything correctly.

@electrifyingcards 

You have to REALLY quit believing what these people tell you. It is a sad thing to be sure, but the reps you get by ebay chat or call back are connected to foreign call centers.  They have little authority to help you, and are really good at telling you what you want to hear, as opposed to what is actually going to happen.  If you get wrong advice from them that makes your problem worse, eBay won't care, nor back you up for doing what the rep said.  eBay says they will provide "coaching" to that rep, but leave you holding the proverbial bag. 

opened an eBay case then did a payment dispute chargeback all within minutes of each other.

In this instance when the buyer filed the "payment dispute" the eBay case was closed.  They may have filed a claim with PayPal, or their credit card as they are both identically named "payment disputes".  I tend to think it is the 'former' since PayPal will require the buyer making the claim to return the parcel in order to get a refund, most often credit card companies do not.  In the case of a credit card chargeback, eBay will pass it to the seller regardless if the item is returned or not. 

Apparently they can just return any item

Yes.  A box of rubber bands would suffice, even if they sent them to a local gas station in your zipcode.  The buyer will get the refund. Though eBay states in their policy that items are supposed to be returned in the condition sent or received,  it does not prevent the buyer getting a refund anyway.  All that counts is that there is a 'delivered' notice associated with the return. 

Understand, most of this process is automated.  You would be going through this EVEN IF THE BUYER HAS YOU CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER SELLER.    Unfortunately, we are no longer allowed to see what the buyer has purchased and point out if that the buyer bought those books from someone else. 

[caldreamer]

Sorry but there is no Seller Protection on EBAY.   Scammers know they can get "free stuff" on EBAY.   Now that they got away with it...they will return again and again.   Never sell more than you can afford to lose.

[colfaxstation]

If you shipped via USPS, file a complaint with the Postal Inspectors for mail fraud. with EBay as an accessory. If EBay faces enough of these investigations, maybe they will start paying attention when fraud occurs and stop aiding the scammers.

[stuff4divas]

@electrifyingcards  didn't read your post, too long without paragraphs, so i am responding to your last paragraphed sentence and title.

here r 2 links that 'may' help>

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/payment-dispute-seller-protections?id=5293

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/This-is-how-sellers-dispute-and-win-Item-not-as-described/m-p/...

[d00m]

Only what we can do collectively sue ebay. It REALLY supports criminals. Supporting them, being on their side means to do crime! Ebay has all power to take YOUR MONEY and share with thief! Now you can clearly see it...

[12345jamesstamps]

I have been there a few times with different items returned with tracking. Key word is "tracking".

Bank dispute with buyer...those are hard to win...I won one in December after doing a lot of research...and wonder if it was worth it...yes...am so experienced and proud now of it.

As a TRS... eBay doesn't remove negative feedback or some type of refund...what's the point of it other than 10% discount...if everything goes alright.

Customer service on the phone...waste of time.

Is this buyer selling anything? Return favor....just a thought...but I don't suggest it.

I had a seller get mad at me...I blocked him...and he had friends buy from me...got negative feedback but eBay removed it. The ideas sellers come up with these days.

Most you can do is block buyer these days.

Got to wonder though what's the good of having TRS...shipping next day...30 day refunds.

Did you ever want to say..."Hey, I am going to the gym today and I will mail those shipments out in 3-5 business days"?...That's me...I'm not Amazon.

[isaiah53-57]

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@electrifyingcards wrote:

I am not going to let this go and refused to be scammed out of $1200. I am a top rated seller and have had no issues at all. So what other options are there?

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@electrifyingcards

From our experience, unchecked criminal activity is the main reason we no longer list here - After this situation, I would suggest you seriously consider other options for your pricey items - And since the site is a cost, labor and time intensive undertaking, it really doesn't pay to sell cheap items, so for us, we dont list here anymore after having sold hundreds or thousands of items over a 20 year period... Lots of  selling options out there though, so dont fret...

Actually, you might file a BBB complaint - I was on their site and I see many complaints there that were rectified after the fact - Can't hurt...