eBay

windofchange · ‎06-08-2023

What is going on with all the disputes here lately? I’ve been on eBay since 2005, and over the last two years started selling. Is this a new way to scam or a coincidence?

Over the past two weeks, I have received three disputes from three different people who all live in three different states. These are the first disputes I have ever gotten.

The first customer that opened a dispute for “didn’t recognize the transaction” denied that she filed a claim, then said that she was “hacked”. Thankfully, I hadn’t sent out the product at that point because I was on “away mode” for 10 days and she purchased during that time.

The second customer received the item, said it didn’t work (although it worked the day before it left my residence). I offered him to return the product and I would refund him the full amount. He decided to start a dispute instead saying the item was not as described. So it seems as if he is attempting to keep the item AND get his money back.

The third dispute I received yesterday, another “buyer didn’t recognize the transaction”. I contacted he buyer asking why they disputed this order. They claimed “NEVER!!! Why do you ask?” so I sent screenshots to them of the case details where their username is on there and the reason they did the dispute. So I’m guessing this one is also trying to keep the item and get their money back also.

What I don’t understand is that all three of these buyers have 100% feedback and looking through their orders and the feedback text, they had no problems listed whatsoever…. I guess a buyer with 100% feedback makes sense, since I haven’t been able to leave neutral or negative feedback on a buyer’s profile for any transaction.

All of this is really putting a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to eBay. Their fees are already eating up enough of my sales, but now to have all these buyers filing disputes makes me want to stop using the platform.

dirk12955 · ‎06-08-2023

Welcome to the wonderful and amazing world of retail. Every day for

you is going to be an adventure that will be related and expanded upon in

tales told around the campfire for generations to come.

Buyers play games and your buyers will draw you in. Some will test you to see what 'they can get away

with by fishing for a refund and keeping the item too.

Don't be bullied. Stick to your guns. "If not satisfied, Please file for a return with ebay to get a refund"

Making them file, weeds out the chronic problem children. Some abuse the system to the point

that ebay will stop them from filing after a while.

eBay has a Money back guarantee that forces you to play the game with these people. Always remember that the complaint might just possibly be a legitimate.

Buyers test you. What can they get away with? What can they get back $$ wise? Can this seller

be bullied into giving away his stuff because he's afraid?

Some human's lie and steal and cheat the way you and I breathe. Some of those people

are buying (And selling) on ebay.

whatmorefabric · ‎06-08-2023

My sister in law was one of the best freebee scammers around.

She took a washable marker, made a mark on an end table that she bought on line and claimed it was damaged. She got it for free.

She had a heart attack, eating a Twinkie, while trying to get a free outfit from Amazon.

Follow the return rules. Tell them you are sorry, please start the return process. No bargaining at all.

I have free returns and since than, my complaints like this have tumbled.

ms.rodriguez* · ‎06-08-2023

You had 3 bad ones recently but you have at least 200+ feedbacks. I am sure that many were from selling and all went well. Like the others posted, RETURN FOR REFUND. That is it. Don't be bullied. The minute one buyer says anything that sounds like a threat or bullying, let them know that you will be asking ebay to step in read all of the emails that they sent and to check their other emails to other sellers to see if they are abuse the ebay money back system. Again tell them to return for refund , to open an item not described case and you will issue a shipping label and accept the return.

Make sure when you are done to block all 3 buyers.

b86fiero · ‎06-08-2023

Sorry you are having to deal with these type of issues.

I had 2 buyer issues this morning. (Went months without any issues).

First one opened a return stating she ordered by mistake. She purchased a set of large melamine bowls that she stated she thought they would match a pattern she already owns. If she would have taken a moment to contact me I would have told her, no, they are a totally different pattern. I paid $13.17 to ship to WA via USPS ground. Now I have to pay another $13.17 in shipping to get them back. I lose $26.34 in postage plus the cost of the foam packing and box.

Contacting me before buying would have saved her from ordering the wrong pattern and I wouldn't now be PO'd about losing money.

Second buyer purchased a package of refrigerator bin liners. Size stated in listing title, item specifics and description. Buyer sends me a message stating they should have measured their refrigerator shelves and bins before buying AND that is totally their fault for buying before measuring. They need larger size sheets but already cut them up trying to make them fit.

Didn't open a return but you have to assume a refund is what they are hoping for. Why else send that type of message?

As with any selling - online or in bricks and mortar stores - refunds and issues are to be expected. Even when it's not the seller's fault.

Hope better days are ahead for you!

m60driver · ‎06-08-2023

@whatmorefabric wrote:

Follow the return rules. Tell them you are sorry, please start the return process. No bargaining at all.
I have free returns and since than, my complaints like this have tumbled.

Yes, follow the rules but never say "you are sorry", just ask them to please start the return process.

dirk12955 · ‎06-08-2023

Never apologize

Never explain

There's nothing you can say to these people. Either they already know or they don't care.

Please file SNAD with ebay to return. That will weed out most of them.

monster-deals · ‎06-08-2023

@windofchange wrote:
What is going on with all the disputes here lately?

I have a return with someone that bought a 60s skinny tie.

He is returning it on my dime because it is, as he says, "too skinny".

david44057 · ‎06-08-2023

Yes, I think the pandemic helped create a whole new world of scammers.

The problem I have as a buyer and seller are auctions. People win and dont pay. If you get involved with one you want, snipers come out at the last sec. and steal it. Then you see the item relisted because they did not pay for it. One seller told me they lose 4 grand a week to people who dont pay for the bids they win.

Even if banned there is another right behind them. So why should I even bid? They run up the cost with no intention of paying. Its a lost battle. I did bid again on that item, and I see the NEW deadbeat has 16 bid retractions in 12 months. So why would a buyer waste the time? Too many scams and deadbeats to deal with on here anymore.

whatmorefabric · ‎06-08-2023

I always say I am sorry that this product did not meet your expectations. Please start the return process. You would be amazed at how many never return anything.

Because I offer free returns, I can deduct up to half the purchase price. So, it it was not my mistake, I do take deductions on the shipping.

Also, returns are part of the cost of doing business. I add about 27 cents to the cost of my products to cover returns.

12345jamesstamps · ‎06-08-2023

I would do the 14 day returns where buyer pays for shipping. Buyers would think twice about doing a dispute.

And that would keep some buyers thinking they can keep the item since it states "no returns" when asking for a refund. Some buyers do not want to go through the trouble of returning an item. It is a little time consuming to repackage item if buyer still has the box, has to have heavy duty tape and have to drop package off .

fashunu4eeuh · ‎06-08-2023

“What I don’t understand is that all three of these buyers have 100% feedback and looking through their orders and the feedback text, they had no problems listed whatsoever….”

As you know, feedback policies do not allow for grading one’s poor experience with a buyer. Buyers can only receive positive feedback, or no feedback from sellers. This policy also states one may not leave a negative comment under a positive rating. Unfortunately, i see you have done so. Should that buyer report you, the comment will be removed, the positive may remain, and you will be sanctioned for a feedback violation, giving the buyer a chance to leave an additional injury to your account.

It’s important to mitigating risk on eBay to know the rules. Scammers certainly do. Every seller needs to know as much about eBay policy as those nefarious users do to prevent them from getting the upper hand.

Sorry you got hit with 3 in a row.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/feedback-policies/feedback-policies?id=4208

“Feedback misuse

Any misuse of feedback isn't allowed. Feedback comments should match the positive or negative rating that was given in both buyer and seller feedback. For example, a negative comment should not be left with a positive rating.”

jamieespochav · ‎08-10-2024

Same here any I feel like if there is any way to get your money back and keep what they bought they will. Every dispute is always a charge they don't recognize and their bank will fight for them not even knowing the situation. I get it if someone get's their card or information stolen and someone goes on a shopping spree, but I don't feel these are the happening. It has gotten so bad for me, I literally have had to screenshot every tracking and take pictures of all items in their boxes with the labels on the boxes and save that. I seem to see a pattern of waiting almost a month after they get their shipments to dispute. I have sold less and less up to the point where I have had to take long breaks from selling just to recover from these types of disputes. Ebay needs to have more guarantees for sellers and weed out more bad buyers.