iPhone return, never actually returned

[qikseller]

Hello, 

I recently sold an iPhone 13 Pro to a low feedback buyer and shipped it out to an address in Delaware. Couple days later I get a return request because the buyer claims it’s defective. I had no choice but to send a return label thanks to eBay’s policies that don’t allow for any other action. The buyer sends the item back and I was expecting to get an empty box. Instead the item gets marked as delivered but never actually shows up. I realize there was a high chance I was being scammed as soon as they initiated the return request, but at this point I’m not sure how they carried it out. I have informed delivery so I know this package was marked for my address and not another address in the same zip code. The only explanation I can think of is that the buyer did some mail fraud and manually changed the address on the label so I would never receive it and think it was lost or misdelivered. Anyone else experience something like this, or know what could’ve happened? 

[qikseller]

I'm saying I don't have the tracking number from when I authorized the return, but can now see it through informed delivery.

[qikseller]

Yes it was the country, and it was sent to a freight forwarder. I will try to appeal it with proof that it was a FF and see what happens.

[qeqo_0]

---

@qikseller wrote:

I'm saying I don't have the tracking number from when I authorized the return,

but can now see it through informed delivery.

---

The reason the tracking number is not shared when you authorize the return

-- is because the buyer still has the option to use their own return label

-- so your return label and its tracking number may never go live.

But Informed Delivery will catch, matching your address instantly when the tracking number is assigned.

[rugerskick]

Well Ebay wants these items to be sold here, they need to back the sellers who need them to have their backs on buyer fraud.  Apart from raising and creating new seller fees, this was the only strategy ebay has announced for saving the site.  So they better start protecting the sellers selling high value items, otherwise their only non-fee revenue strategy will fail.