eBay

majorturtle1 · ‎08-22-2021

I sold a graphics card for $720, when the buyer received it they claimed that it was "dead on arrival" and started a return. This card was brand new so there shouldn't have been anything wrong with it. When I received the returned box and opened it, all that was inside was an empty box for a completely different item. Disputed the return with eBay and they decided it was not the buyers fault and sent the buyer a full refund taken from my payouts. I appealed it with proof to show I sent the right item and got sent back a completely different item and they didn't change anything.

It just doesn't make sense that they claimed the card didn't work, and then they didn't even send the card back and eBay still sided with them.

So now I'm out $720 and not sure if its possible to get it back.

For the future, is there any way to send a better appeal? Or any way to completely prevent this? And are there any more actions I can still take against this buyer?

gracieallen01 · ‎08-23-2021

Unfortunately, ebay will say that they have no proof that you aren't just saying that there was no card returned. Of course, ebay shouldn't be in the return business if they can't verify all claims - in my opinion. Your problem is just the same ole thing, different day.

It may or may not help you, but it may well help others on down the line - file the complaints. If you don't file fraud complaints, nothing will ever be done. File with your police and their police department (if domestic), IC3, USPS, FTC and the Attorney General of your state (all can be done online).

No, there is no way, other than not using online sales, to prevent scams of this type. And, sometimes, it depends on the site/platform as to how well a return/refund/appeal is handled - you have experienced ebay's.

Not saying 'NO' doesn't mean 'YES'.

The foolishness of one's actions or words is determined by the number of witnesses.

Perhaps if Brains were described as an APP, many people would use them more often.

Respect, like money, is only of 'worth' when it is earned - with all due respect, it can not be ordained, legislated or coerced. Anonymous

kabilab · ‎08-23-2021

Last week, after eight years selling on my current account, I had my first phony return. The surprising part was that the item cost was only $6. The buyer even used the original mailer, which showed an outline of the DVD I had mailed, as opposed to the pictures that were returned. My guess is the person was testing the waters before moving up to more expensive items.

certifiedcitynet · ‎08-23-2021

Welcome to Ebay! Your only recourse is to sue the buyer in small claims court, with no guarantee that you will win or collect even if you do win.

Our firm uses 19 proprietary security measures that have thus far prevented even a single loss from such fraud.

u_cant_take_it_with_u · ‎08-23-2021

Is all of this rampant buyer fraud something that came out of John D's eBay reign of terror, that has just exploded? I've had a seller account since 2001, and I don't ever remember this kind of *carp* going on... or certainly not to this degree. Are the honest people dying off? Do the millennials and youngins taking their place simply have a more fraudulent attitude? I realize that eBay has increased its buyer spectrum by the millions compared to that of 20 years ago, but, wow. Personally, I have never had to deal with something like this, so I guess I have been extremely fortunate; But by the same token, I have limited the price of the items I sell here. It makes little sense to be dancing on the minefield. As no one can likely answer these questions affinatively, they are likely rhetorical.

vintagecraze50 · ‎08-23-2021

Empty box claims are extremely difficult to dispute. It is one of the major risk factors when you sell online. Consider these risk factors when you sell expensive merchandise on here and make an informed decision.

gjs_16 · ‎08-23-2021

@bbravo65 wrote:
@gjs_16

...the OP accepted the return...but the original item wasn't sent back by the buyer instead of something else...the OP is out both, money and item...

Actually, the OP is presently out of the item. The money was returned to the buyer who also kept the item and the seller is also out of shipping fees but the seller most certainly did not "lose" $1,440 (which is $720 twice) as your post implies, but only $720 + shipping.

One does not magically incur double the loss in these instances.

Also, yes the OP "accepted" the return...
Nobody ever said the OP did not, but perhaps attitudes of "fighting" such as you fighting with me right here and now... You may not see this as fighting but why are you disagreeing with me?

This is not about me or you, this thread is about "Re: buyer returned an empty box instead of the $720 item" yet here we are, going back and forth over outside issues...

That is why I stated that maybe the OP "fought" the return or otherwise made it more difficult than it had to be. I have found any messages straying outside the basic "please return for refund" mantra tend to incite these types of returns... We do not know what initial communications transpired between buyer and seller, however a "No Returns" policy and the post of surprise here tends to indicate dismay, and when someone has those feelings it is quite possible they tried to "tell" the buyer things before the buyer initiated the return... That conversation that transpired before the return, is what usually leads to the various outcomes.

@bbravo65 wrote:
@gjs_16

...so no matter how friendly, professionally, politely, gratefully, mercifully, etc...scammers remorsefully won't have a moment for consideration...they don't care even if sellers drop dead in front of them...

...talking about when someone intentionally to rob...(and that one knows how much successful in legal robbery with the helps from...eBay!)...

You would need to speak to a legal department representative to ascertain those types of conclusions, I do not partake in discussions involving judgment and trial, please no more huffery and puffery, us arguing back and forth is not helping the OP resolve the problem.

minchi_80 · ‎08-23-2021

try and contact ebay and say them the truth

rixpix4u · ‎08-23-2021

Wow, I am so sorry to see this. I am dealing with Ebay over something similar but no where near what you are out. I have been trying to file an appeal for over a week and getting absolutely no where. I don't believe there is any decent customer service left with Ebay. I hope you are able to get something resolved in your favor.

dbfolks166mt · ‎08-23-2021

Sri Lanka your account has been active all of 13 days. You obviously do not have enough experience as a seller to realize how the scammers work but hang around long enough and you will.

dbfolks166mt · ‎08-23-2021

Two things come into play here the first is the money back guarantee for the buyers which eBay treats like wholly writ. I have yet to see any postings where a seller won a case like this. The second thing is eBay has their fees and they are going to keep them so they have little incentive to get involved.

ittybitnot · ‎08-23-2021

@majorturtle1

A couple of questions.

Was the shipping label provided by you or eBay used for the return?

To what city/state was the product originally sent?

Is your buyer still a registered user?

If you click on their feedback number, are they from a country outside the US?

american-photography · ‎08-23-2021

High risk category for fraud and scams.

Did you insure it?

little*blackdog · ‎08-23-2021

You can totally prevent it from happening by not selling expensive items! I got burned on a $50 pair of leather boots, about 7 years ago and haven't listed much of anything valued at that amount since. Find a local way to sell your expensive items for cash.

There are so many area and neighborhood online sites now... so many pop-up flea markets and weekend rummage sales. Worth the time to sell expensive stuff somewhere other than here. For small items like that, at a flea market, etc., make a big sign listing them, and stand that on your sales table.

Good luck.

stuff4divas · ‎08-23-2021

@gjs_16 wrote:
@bbravo65 wrote:
@gjs_16

...the OP accepted the return...but the original item wasn't sent back by the buyer instead of something else...the OP is out both, money and item...

Actually, the OP is presently out of the item. The money was returned to the buyer who also kept the item and the seller is also out of shipping fees but the seller most certainly did not "lose" $1,440 (which is $720 twice) as your post implies, but only $720 + shipping.

One does not magically incur double the loss in these instances.

Actually @gjs_16 OP is not out the $720, that is a wash, he is out the shipping costs, fees and the item that was shipped 😉

dentalrprtek2012 · ‎08-23-2021

This is what happens when you allow this stuff to go on and on probably to late for ebay to correct,the word is out on how to receive free items just wait until Christmas time gets here.