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?

titipeo · ‎08-22-2021

eBay always sides with buyers. You have been scammed by the buyer, claiming it was damaged goods, but instead, they just wanted to get their money back. It is almost impossible to challenge eBay. Some things to do, compare the size and weight of box you received vs what you sent out.

Some have suggested to file a claim with your local police dept., along with sellers postal dept as it is fraud. Notify seller of such and give them copy of report, maybe they might change their mind. Graphic cards, phones, electronics are highly sought by scammers. Unfortunately, eBay does not provide sellers protection. Only sell what you can afford to give away.

bigdeals.etc · ‎08-22-2021

Sorry this happened. I’ve been noticing a lot of posts with issues with GPU sales. Are video cards that much more of a target of fraud than other computer peripherals?

nuclearomen · ‎08-22-2021

@bigdeals.etc wrote:
Sorry this happened. I’ve been noticing a lot of posts with issues with GPU sales. Are video cards that much more of a target of fraud than other computer peripherals?

These kind of items, especially graphics cards, have been showing up on boards lately...that is because graphic cards were really hard to get, main distributor retail stores were sold out of them, even computer part sites like newegg had none and thus there was a large demand for them and in return a lot of ebay sellers were selling them (some with heavy price tags, i mean way over the MSRP prices) and the result - scam after scam has been posted here lately. Now this is changing, retail distributors are starting to have them in stock again so I would say likely there will be decline in people offering them here... we'll see.

The great truth is there isn't one
And it only gets worse since that conclusion...
...There is something about the rigid posture of a proper, authentic blind
As if extended arms reached to pass his blindness onto others.

bigdeals.etc · ‎08-22-2021

@nuclearomen wrote:
@bigdeals.etc wrote:
Sorry this happened. I’ve been noticing a lot of posts with issues with GPU sales. Are video cards that much more of a target of fraud than other computer peripherals?
These kind of items, especially graphics cards, have been showing up on boards lately...that is because graphic cards were really hard to get, main distributor retail stores were sold out of them, even computer part sites like newegg had none and thus there was a large demand for them and in return a lot of ebay sellers were selling them (some with heavy price tags, i mean way over the MSRP prices) and the result - scam after scam has been posted here lately. Now this is changing, retail distributors are starting to have them in stock again so I would say likely there will be decline in people offering them here... we'll see.

Aaahh okay I see. So it’s a COVID/quarantine thing. Yea I recall now how friends were telling me notebook computers were really rare during height of COVID. Makes sense.

bbravo65 · ‎08-22-2021

...many posters suggested to contact eBay through Facebook for the appeal...

...I am out of words in this kind of situation (have been seeing this story keeps repeating in this forum)...sending my empathy to your so unlucky matter...I pray for you to be able to convince the eBay's team on Facebook...

...and I hope eBay please look into this mess or sellers will sway away...who would keep selling in declining profits (mentality!!!)...???

nuclearomen · ‎08-22-2021

@bigdeals.etc wrote:
@nuclearomen wrote:
@bigdeals.etc wrote:
Sorry this happened. I’ve been noticing a lot of posts with issues with GPU sales. Are video cards that much more of a target of fraud than other computer peripherals?
These kind of items, especially graphics cards, have been showing up on boards lately...that is because graphic cards were really hard to get, main distributor retail stores were sold out of them, even computer part sites like newegg had none and thus there was a large demand for them and in return a lot of ebay sellers were selling them (some with heavy price tags, i mean way over the MSRP prices) and the result - scam after scam has been posted here lately. Now this is changing, retail distributors are starting to have them in stock again so I would say likely there will be decline in people offering them here... we'll see.
Aaahh okay I see. So it’s a COVID/quarantine thing. Yea I recall now how friends were telling me notebook computers were really rare during height of COVID. Makes sense.

yes, well not really, everything is tagged as covid related...it's due to the ongoing issue of goods being transported and then held up in customs, and/or, shortages to make the products, shortages of truckers to transport product once said products clear customs...all kinds of issues ongoing like this. Starbucks for example is having major issues right now, not just with their merchandise like cups, but with actual food and drink also. It's happening all over the place with tons of companies.

The great truth is there isn't one
And it only gets worse since that conclusion...
...There is something about the rigid posture of a proper, authentic blind
As if extended arms reached to pass his blindness onto others.

gjs_16 · ‎08-22-2021

The only things I can think of...

1. Change your listings to "30 Days Free Returns."
2. When a buyer has an issue, do NOT fight them, instead always reply with:

Dearest Buyer,

I am so very sorry about this, please if you are unhappy with your purchase return the item for a full refund.

Thank you,

The Grateful Seller

Anonymous · ‎08-22-2021

Join a class action lawsuit against the company that facilitates this fraud on a daily basis, Ebay. It is ebay deciding to not review anyone's case and just refund the buyer, they should be held responsible for it. If you contact the police, make sure you tell them the offender is Ebay.

bbravo65 · ‎08-23-2021

@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...

...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!)...

tdumonde2014 · ‎08-23-2021

Video cards were scarce because of their demand for use in Bitcoin miners. Demand seems to be easing with the demand for them in China dropping.

"Those who enter the arena unarmed or unprepared are quickly dispatched."

dbfolks166mt · ‎08-23-2021

The OP has obviously been scammed having "30 days free returns" is not going to make any difference. The scammer could care less about the return policy or any kind notes you may send.

dbfolks166mt · ‎08-23-2021

Sorry this happened to you but you have joined the list of victims that have been scammed by this common tactic. I have never seen a posting on this forum where a seller has prevailed in one of these situations. Most of the posts I see on this forum involving this and other type of scams then to be regarding high value electronic items that appear to be a high value target for the scammers. It is a very unfortunate situation that eBay is unwilling to do anything about.

You can file a police report with the buyers local police as well as a internet crime complaint with the FBI

https://www.ic3.gov/ but they are probably so backlogged with the number of these they get everyday I would not expect much to happen as a result of the reports but it's worth a shot.

releasethekraken_1 · ‎08-23-2021

@tdumonde2014 wrote:
Video cards were scarce because of their demand for use in Bitcoin miners. Demand seems to be easing with the demand for them in China dropping.

They're all moving to Texas, source of cheap and (LOL) reliable electricity. No joke.

releasethekraken_1 · ‎08-23-2021

@majorturtle1 wrote:
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?

You should file with police AND postal inspectors. Hopefully the weight of the empty box can help you prove that your item wasn't returned.

BTW, for future reference, the fact that the card was new doesn't mean there shouldn't have been anything wrong with it. A small % of computer components have always been DOA.