so upset and want everyone to be aware ...

[gramsclosetfinds]

I sold an item (japenese porcelain bowls), when the buyer received the item, much to my surprise she filed a claim of Defective (they had 'bruises), and wanted a full refund.  she sent pictures that were my listing pictures and I could tell they were taken from her phone.  I had sent her a message asking what she meant by 'bruised' and she stated there was no more to be said, it is what she observed.  I contacted ebay and they said I had to wait out the 5 day period.  I felt bad (now I feel naïve) and offered her a refund and she refused.  THEN I went onto her ebay store and saw MY pictures listed on her site, with a description that the items were very beautiful and in 'excellent' condition.  I reported her to ebay, and I also put in a report to ask them to take off my pictures.  It looks like she may be doing this to others as well.  its not the point of her reselling an item she bought (3x's more than she paid) but it is the fact she asked me for a full refund that makes me mad (furious).

any advise as to how to let others know about this scammer?

[gramsclosetfinds · Accepted solution]

right now I only have one, but would love to see yours - and I would give you my one.

[gramsclosetfinds]

I just chatted with ebay for the 3rd time.  they said I had 3 days to contact the buyer, which I did and now since she posted the items for sale, the 'protection' now falls under Sellers protection instead of buyers.  I offered her a discount to keep the items and she refused.  and they just told me they do not condone this type of conduct.  I have to wait 5 days instead of 3 because 2 days fall on a weekend.  I also was given 4 options under the refund claim. 1 - send a label for return of the item, 2 - give refund let them keep the item, 3- offer them a discounted refund 4 - send them a message.  I chose options 4 and 3.  

NOW ebay states since I did what I was supposed to and she has the products listed for sale, after 3 days (5) I can send her a label and wait another 10 days for the item to be returned (with weekends its 14 days) OR get them involved and they "have a conversation with both seller & Buyer to resolve the issue.  I am not too happy with their process OR having a 'conversation' with someone who has proven to be unethical.  

I have read everyone's comments and I appreciate this greatly.  what I am hearing is sellers really have no options or support from ebay and basically to send her a label.  I think I am going to go with that option...that seems to be the more favorable for me. It's not a high ticket item, so what really ticks me off is they freeze my money for almost a month while she posts it on her site for sale and makes triple.

I appreciate everyone's input.

[oaktoncardinal]

And the Buyer wasted no time in getting them listed on 4/4. 

[gramsclosetfinds]

EXACTLY...I guess I am too honest for this 'game'

[evelyb30]

The game is she buys an item for $dollars and lists it herself for $dollarsx3. If she sells it, she probably drops the claim. If it doesn't sell quickly enough, she returns it and gets her money back. Or the seller just tells her to keep it and she can resell at her leisure and the item is a freebie.  It must be a variant on the old game of trying to sell it for more money yourself, and returning for full refund if you can't.  

[toomuchstuffagain35]

Assuming she's opened a claim I would definitely send the label. You don't want to allow her to game the system and keep the items AND get her money back.

[fashunu4eeuh]

@gramsclosetfinds wrote:

“…I just chatted with ebay for the 3rd time.  they said I had 3 days to contact the buyer, which I did and now since she posted the items for sale, the 'protection' now falls under Sellers protection instead of buyers.”

It is quite alarming to hear some of the damaging advice eBay has offered you. At this point, i would not trust their poorly-trained wreck of a Customer Service department. You are much safer taking advice from the experienced sellers here in the forum.

As you are now aware, seller protections are very limited on eBay, and virtually none exist  for a Not As Described case. In these circumstances, the only way for a seller to ultimately prevail is to send the shipping label, offer the refund when the returned item arrives, and then (carefully) appeal the judgement eBay made. It’s completely backwards of course, but it’s the way eBay handles the matter.

Below is the link to the appeal process. eBay may ask you if you wish to appeal, but do not let them open it.  There are a few things you need to do to have all your ducks in a row first.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/appeal-outcome-case-seller?id=4369

When reporting a buyer, a stronger case can be made by naming the violated policy and state the specific action that the buyer has made . In this case it is the Abusive Buyer policy that applies. The specific actions the buyer committed were these: 1) made a false claim, 2) misused the returns process, 3) misused buyer protection. See policy link below:

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/rules-policies-buyers/abusive-buyer-policy?id=4374

Be sure to reference the item number of the buyer’s listing of your item on their selling page when appealing. That is evidence of their fraudulent activities.

The buyer has to return something to you in order to get the refund. If they return anything but your item, then they would have used the mail to perpetrate fraud, which is a federal offense. Should that happen, then i would make a report online to the Postal Inspectors and include the report number and a copy of your statement in your appeal.

If you need any more assistance, just ask here in the forum. Good luck to you, and hope everything gets resolved to your benefit.

[a_c_green]

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@gramsclosetfinds wrote:

I just chatted with ebay for the 3rd time.  they said I had 3 days to contact the buyer, which I did and now since she posted the items for sale, the 'protection' now falls under Sellers protection instead of buyers.

---

@gramsclosetfinds : I'm sorry, but what you're being told is simply gobbledygook and nonsense. What the buyer is doing with your items at this time does not have a bearing on the case that she opened with you. You need to respond where and when needed and not let the case time out without your response. 

Right now, from what I have read, you have exchanged some messages with her, but you have not responded through the claim process to choose to either refund her without requiring a return, or to request the item's return before refunding.

Obviously you're not planning to refund her outright, so you need to make the choice of requesting the item's return first. That sends her a label for her to use on the return package, and starts the clock on her to get it in the mail. 

If her deadline times out, the case will be closed in your favor and you will not need to refund. You will not be charged for the return label if it is not used. 

So if you have not yet formally requested (via the on-line claim) to have the item returned before refunding, do that now. Don't let yourself get distracted by any attempts of hers to resell it herself. Focus on meeting your deadline for responding to the Not As Described claim, and keep us updated. Good luck.

[gloryglorygifts]

This is the second thread like this I've seen in the last few months. As I said on the other one, I guess the return is her plan B if she/he can't sell it.  It stinks. 

[gramsclosetfinds]

thank you, I sent her a label. we will see ???

[a_c_green]

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@gramsclosetfinds wrote:

thank you, I sent her a label. we will see ???

---

Yes. When you respond to the claim by choosing the option to have the item returned before you refund, you put the ball in her court. I forget how many days she has to use that label (probably someone else here will know), but if she fails to respond by shipping it back before her deadline to do so, the case will be closed in your favor.

If it does arrive back at your place and eBay detects from the tracking that it has been delivered, I think you have three days to "evaluate" the item before refunding, but unless there is something majorly wrong with it, I would hit the Refund button as soon as you've opened it and verified that it's yours. (If it isn't, or there is any other surprise in the returned box, update us here first.)

[antflan77]

Wouldn't it be great if somebody purchased the item from the scammer (for 5x cost) and then didn't pay them and in the meantime the return timed out?

[gramsclosetfinds]

How long do you have before you have to pay??? This has me so upset I am selling off my store and going some where else to sell. Pay all these “charges and fees” and don’t get backed up!!! Guess that’s what they mean by customers always right!!! 

[rockyroadtradingpost]

Is anyone willing to take one for the team?

[gramsclosetfinds]

OMG...the nerve of some people! I just got a feedback from my thief!   below is what she said...anyone think I should reply???  ebay is still holding my money and waiting for her to return it!   

"Though I could be described as a disappointing buyer…..This seller was more than gracious, from a situation that could have gone any other way… Thank you very kindly"