I know, I know, in hindsight it was an obvious scam!
In November I sold an Apple Watch 5 for $254.99. The original shipping method I put was eBay’s global shipping program. I went back and forth a dozen times or more over shipping. The BUYER INSISTED I ship via USPS First Class International. They had an exact shipping request. The buyer insisted on this shipping method because it had cheaper duty fees. What he said didn’t make sense to me however when I looked into it, I couldn’t find info to support or dispute his claim. So I decided to accommodate his request. But I purchased insurance myself just in case and sent it off.
Fast forward to last week, the buyer says he didn’t receive the item and requested a refund through eBay. I first check the tracking number, the last update was on 11/25 when it was delivered to postal agent in Beijing. From there who knows? because there is no tracking number from the Chinese postal service, I can’t see if they got the item or not. They could have kept the item, claim they never received it and request their money be refunded. I messaged the buyer after the return request to ask if they contacted the Chinese postal service about their lost package. They did not respond to me.
He beat me to ask eBay to step in, of course they sided with him. I appealed their decision, pointing to the buyers suspicious request. eBay was not moved by my argument, losing my appeal. So I’m out of an Apple Watch and now I am forced to refund their money+ shipping.
Today I contact USPS to file a claim and they informed me the insurance I purchased through eBay is no good because it wasn’t sent via Registered mail or something? Taking yet another L.
They told me to on Chinapost.com to see if there was info using my tracking number, unfortunately there was none. They were closed today, but I was thinking I could call to see if they had a way to look it up? Probably not… but I’m desperate.
Is there anything else I can do?
Thanks, Moud
