eBay

olesmole · ‎03-08-2018

I sold a $450 item to a buyer in New Zealand. He asked it to be shipped via surface to save on costs. Shipping surface from Canada to New Zealand can take up to 90 days. Fast forward 30 days later and buyer starts a not delivered claim. Of course I can’t provide confirmation of delivery as it’s still on a boat somewhere as the buyer requested. eBay refunds his money. Subsequently, the item arrives and now the buyer will not answer my requests for payment. He has my $450 item and I paid $150 to ship it to him. I have appealed the case which was denied by eBay. Supervisor in the claims department agreed Im getting a raw deal but says it’s beyond her control. The system won’t allow a second appeal. Trust me, I provided a solid rational case for reversal and am shocked at the reply. I have Dealt with some zingers in my day but this stings! The justification from them is simple, “it’s policy”. Yes but there is a time to review all facts in a case and do what’s best for all involved. To simply follow policy when policy provides such a disparate outcome, is insane. I’m still in shock over this and am uncertain as to next steps.

lintbrush* · ‎03-08-2018

I am so sorry this happened to you, but this very reason is why I never let buyers dictate the method I use to ship nor the insurance expenses I charge if I see fit.

"I don't mind waiting [to save a few bucks]" or "If it arrives damaged, I accept responsibility." They sound good and the buyer may even have good intentions when they say it, but when push comes to shove...

The seller has to abide by eBay's rules/Money Back Guarantee - which holds the seller accountable for timely delivery and/or not as described (damaged) items.

Send the buyer a PP invoice for the item. Keep sending the reminder.

chrysylys · ‎03-08-2018

With 20 years under your belt, I might expect you to anticipate such things.

You could try to contact authorities there, but I have no idea if they would help or not. Have you tried to get a phone number for the 'buyer' to call them?

Forget keeping up with the Joneses. Be the Finklegrubers!
OK kids, time to get the Dodge loaded up again. I hear 'Poppy's By the Tree' calling. This trip might be a long one too.

green-night · ‎03-08-2018

I have appealed the case which was denied by eBay.

I would push eBay on this -- what is the reason the appeal was denied?

frazlan_ch4oikm · ‎03-08-2018

Wow that is horrible,

If you have proof of delievery maybe you can try reaching out to paypal, because if paypal can see that the buyer clearly has both the money and the item then they should be able to reverse the payment and get you your money back.

green-night · ‎03-08-2018

@frazlan_ch4oikmwrote:
Wow that is horrible,

If you have proof of delievery maybe you can try reaching out to paypal, because if paypal can see that the buyer clearly has both the money and the item then they should be able to reverse the payment and get you your money back.

Paypal would never reverse the payment.

I'd still like to know what 'policy' eBay is referring to in terms of denying the appeal. If the appeal was opened within 30 days of the case being closed , I'd like to know on what grounds eBay denied the appeal. Other than them not wanting to pay it. OP- did you input the tracking number into the original case?

frazlan_ch4oikm · ‎03-08-2018

It was just an idea.

I would say it is atleast worth a try considering you are out like $450. I once sold an item and the buyer just shipped it back without even opening a case or anything through ebay or Paypal. They then contacted Paypal with proof that that I had both the item and the money then gave the buyer their money back.

I called Paypal after this and the rep told me that it would not be fair for someone to have both the item and the money to justify their decision to send the buyer their money back.

As for ebay denying your appeal, I would try calling again and asking for the reason why. But if ebay continues to not give you an answer then I would attempt to get your situation solved through Paypal.

green-night · ‎03-08-2018

Paypal cannot reverse the payment from the buyer. It would be illegal. They could theoretically give a courtesy refund but there is absolutely no reason they would. I suppose there is no harm in asking though even though the OP would probably have a better chance winning the lottery.

olesmole · ‎03-08-2018

Contacting the police there is one of the next steps. I have A number provided by eBay but it does not work. I should have anticipated this? How so? I’m interested to hear how I could have stopped this opportunist dead in his tracks. I mean this seriously so I can stop this from ever happening again. He has 90 positive feedback and has been a member since 2013. Nothing tripped any red flags until he filed a claim. How do you identify that your about to be scammed in this scenario?

lintbrush* · ‎03-08-2018

@olesmolewrote:
Contacting the police there is one of the next steps. I have A number provided by eBay but it does not work. I should have anticipated this? How so? I’m interested to hear how I could have stopped this opportunist dead in his tracks. I mean this seriously so I can stop this from ever happening again. He has 90 positive feedback and has been a member since 2013. Nothing tripped any red flags until he filed a claim. How do you identify that your about to be scammed in this scenario?

While you can't 100% be guaranteed that shipping will always go smoothly...

Don't change the method of shipping to a cheap, very slow method because the buyer asked you to (to save a few bucks for himself). I said earlier that all the "no worries if it's slow" buyer only means something until it doesn't - and/or he's tired of waiting for the item or set you up in the first place.

chrysylys · ‎03-09-2018

@olesmolewrote:
I should have anticipated this? How so? I’m interested to hear how I could have stopped this opportunist dead in his tracks. I mean this seriously so I can stop this from ever happening again.

You know you have to provide tracking to protect against Item Not Received claims. I don't see a recent Sold item for $450, but it may be too far back to show up now. What I see is a number of relatively small, lightweight items. We all know international shipping is expensive, but how much of a difference was there between options?

Since the type of items you sell could be fragile, is it worth it to ship them over seas to begin with?

Forget keeping up with the Joneses. Be the Finklegrubers!
OK kids, time to get the Dodge loaded up again. I hear 'Poppy's By the Tree' calling. This trip might be a long one too.

chrysylys · ‎03-09-2018

@olesmolewrote:
I have A number provided by eBay but it does not work.

I hate doing multiple sequential posts, but I missed that line.

Number for who? Police there or the buyer? Members are supposed to have working contact information and if the buyer's listed phone number is no good, that could be grounds for suspension of their account.

Forget keeping up with the Joneses. Be the Finklegrubers!
OK kids, time to get the Dodge loaded up again. I hear 'Poppy's By the Tree' calling. This trip might be a long one too.

shoptalkid · ‎03-09-2018

@olesmolewrote:
I sold a $450 item to a buyer in New Zealand. He asked it to be shipped via surface to save on costs. Shipping surface from Canada to New Zealand can take up to 90 days. Fast forward 30 days later and buyer starts a not delivered claim. Of course I can’t provide confirmation of delivery as it’s still on a boat somewhere as the buyer requested. eBay refunds his money. Subsequently, the item arrives and now the buyer will not answer my requests for payment. He has my $450 item and I paid $150 to ship it to him. I have appealed the case which was denied by eBay. Supervisor in the claims department agreed Im getting a raw deal but says it’s beyond her control. The system won’t allow a second appeal. Trust me, I provided a solid rational case for reversal and am shocked at the reply. I have Dealt with some zingers in my day but this stings! The justification from them is simple, “it’s policy”. Yes but there is a time to review all facts in a case and do what’s best for all involved. To simply follow policy when policy provides such a disparate outcome, is insane. I’m still in shock over this and am uncertain as to next steps.

Sorry this happened to you. I have seen posts from sellers who have successfully been able to get delivery extensions from eBay, but they had to call CS right away after uploading the tracking number to show that they shipped within their handling time and that the item was still in transit. I would think that eBay would have done the same for you, especially since you had proof that the buyer requested a slower and cheaper shipping method.

previously known as boardnpostsid

rolenboy01 · ‎03-09-2018

Never let a buyer dictate terms that leave you unprotected especially if it's to "save" them money, it's a common tactic to either delay an item or to get a buyer to ship it untracked so they can scam a free item or atleast a discounted one.