eBay

vtqpg_88 · ‎11-22-2024

I have a buyer that I believe is using a freight forwarding service but will not admit to doing so. Their profile location is listed as Honduras but I am only shipping to domestic US. The tracking information shows that the package was delivered to zip code 33195, but the zip code on the buyer's information is 33166. The buyer says because of this difference, they have not received the item and deserve a refund. I did not edit the address at all and used the label purchased through and provided by eBay. I did not receive any warnings about the address being a problem and did not edit it at all. I have called customer service and they said they cannot do anything until the request has been escalated. What are my options?

12345jamesstamps · ‎11-22-2024

Quick on the response...LOL

Chargebacks can happen 120+ days depending on the buyer's bank.

And a return of your item for a refund...will it be the return of the phone or some rocks?

Because it's Honduras...it's rather possible...we know they probably sell phones where the buyer lives.

Why buy a phone from you...when the cost of living in Honduras is cheaper than the USA to buy things?

slippinjimmy · ‎11-22-2024

@12345jamesstamps wrote:
Quick on the response...LOL
Chargebacks can happen 120+ days depending on the buyer's bank.
And a return of your item for a refund...will it be the return of the phone or some rocks?
Because it's Honduras...it's rather possible...we know they probably sell phones where the buyer lives.
Why buy a phone from you...when the cost of living in Honduras is cheaper than the USA to buy things?

Because the US is awash in tens of millions of relatively cheap used phones.

The cost of living in Honduras is low but the average incomes are REALLY low, people there are not in the habit of switching to a new phone every couple of years, more likely they keep them until they are completely non-functional.

Generally speaking the lowest official prices for new phones (Google/Apple) are in the USA, most other countries are 10 - 15% more, a few are 50% more.

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep

vtqpg_88 · ‎11-23-2024

Google Pixel phones are not officially for sale in Honduras...you must buy them through a third party. Are buyers seriously allowed to return packages full of rocks and still get a full refund??? How is there no protection for sellers against something like that.

vtqpg_88 · ‎11-23-2024

I uploaded the tracking information 3 times already, responded to their messages, and have retained all identifying information for the phone. Should I let the buyer know I have this information so they are not temped to try anything? Is there really no protection from a buyer returning a box full of rocks? I have sold 3 phones in the past (one of which was priced much higher and not as competitively priced) and didn't have issues like this. I guess I now know not to ship to freight forwarding service.

ittybitnot · ‎11-23-2024

Is there really no protection from a buyer returning a box full of rocks?

@vtqpg_88

Generally, no. You are in luck, however, if a buyer uses a freight forwarder, they give up the right to file a "not as described claim" under the Money Back Guarantee. Of course, when they do, ebay won't tell you and process it like any other sale. If this should happen it is best to contact eBay through one of their social media portals RIGHT AWAY and let them know you have a buyer that used a freight forwarder that is not entitled to a NAD claim. It is best to have such case dismissed BEFORE the timeline approaches that require you to accept the return and provide a return label.

https://www.facebook.com/eBay/ (use the blue message button)

OR one of these:

https://www.instagram.com/ebayforsellers/

https://x.com/askebay

You can still request help from the social media reps, if you sent the label, but be prepared for part 2 of this scenario which will involve a phony return (aka fake tracking return scam) as well. They even use the eBay labels now, tweak the addresses, and send some cheap piece of junk to your Zip Code to satisfy a return requirement.

At that point not only will you have to deal with the crook, but then also with eBay whose bots only see something was delivered back to you (rocks would suffice) even if it was shipped to your local gas station.

Here are similar episodes so you can become familiar with the scam.

vtqpg_88 · ‎11-28-2024

Just in, eBay review the case and has decided to refund the buyer…now I'm out the money and the item. I put in an appeal but not getting my hopes up. This is insane what eBay allows to happen.

a_c_green · ‎11-28-2024

@vtqpg_88 wrote:
Just in, eBay review the case and has decided to refund the buyer…now I'm out the money and the item. I put in an appeal but not getting my hopes up.

Have you contacted eBay via the FaceBook link given in a preceding reply, and described your situation to them? Getting told by Customer Service in a phone call that they will "put in a appeal" for you is not the same thing and generally does not achieve anything.

janet9988 · ‎11-28-2024

Just as thought... but couldn't you file a claim with USPS for mis-delivering the package?

Lift your left leg at midnight to start off on the right foot. Happy new Year!

vtqpg_88 · ‎11-28-2024

I submitted the appeal thru the eBay website. I contacted Facebook support and they were super helpful! One of the reps approved the appeal in less than an hour and I got email confirmation. Funds were released for payout and I'm going to stay vigilant in case the buyer tries something else.

vtqpg_88 · ‎11-28-2024

Thing is that if you type in the address with the buyer's provided zip code to USPS zip code lookup it changes the zip code automatically. I submitted a screenshot of that with my appeal and it was approved.

a_c_green · ‎11-28-2024

@vtqpg_88 wrote:
Thing is that if you type in the address with the buyer's provided zip code to USPS zip code lookup it changes the zip code automatically. I submitted a screenshot of that with my appeal and it was approved.

This is that old Miami/Doral issue with ZIP codes. The freight forwarder uses an address that's technically within the Miami postal area (as shown in the address accompanying the payment), but is within an area named Doral which has its own ZIP code. Therefore USPS reports that ZIP code in its tracking, the one assigned to Doral, not Miami. I think it's like an overlay ZIP code on top of an existing one, but don't quote me on that.

Although the package gets delivered anyway, the fact that the ZIP code of the Delivery does not match the ZIP code of the address received with the payment (even though the address is pointing to the same location) means that a scam buyer can file an Item Not Received claim and actually win it, unless or until the situation is reviewed by a human who is aware of this problem and has the authority to close the claim in favor of the seller.

This Miami/Doral issue has been known to eBay for literally years now, but no permanent solution to address it has been devised. It's kind of a unique but very long-lasting problem.

janet9988 · ‎11-28-2024

I would start handwriting those shipping labels.

Lift your left leg at midnight to start off on the right foot. Happy new Year!

a_c_green · ‎11-28-2024

@janet9988 wrote:
I would start handwriting those shipping labels.

I don't understand how that would help...?

rugerskick · ‎11-28-2024

Yeah but in this situation, who actually winds up signing for it, the freight forwarder or the end buyer?

dbfolks166mt · ‎11-29-2024

Yeah but in this situation, who actually winds up signing for it, the freight forwarder or the end buyer?

The freight forwarder would sign. Once the FF ships it to the end buyer it's hard to say what shipping method they utilize or what options they put on the shipping. Probably one of the reasons eBay ends the buyers MBG coverage once it arrives at the FF.