Buyer opened return request and returned an empty package.

[aotnotorious1]

I had a buyer purchase a lot of baseball cards and upon receiving them they messaged me unhappy with the condition. They were asking for a partial refund or return. I apologized to them for being unhappy and accepted the return without question and sent them a return label same day. This was on 6/18 but they didn't ship it back until 6/29. I received the package today. They sent back the old bubble mailer I used with tape over the tear on the top. I opened the package only to find a piece of cardboard with a smiley face and the quote "Thank you have a nice day" beside the face. I tried calling customer support and got no answer. I reported the buyer and gave all the info but it said I wouldn't know the outcome. I can't afford to have $150 stolen from me at this time. Can someone Please help with what my options are or how to contact ebay directly at this time. Thanks in advance to anyone that can help me.   

[cream_couture]

Sorry this happened to you. 

1. Contact the buyer and state that you did not receive the item back, instead you received a piece of cardboard with a sticker (send photos) and that they need to send your item back. If they respond denying they sent a piece of cardboard, complete steps 2-4 and let the buyer know that you have filed fraud, theft and internet crime reports, so the Post Office, FBI and police will be reaching out to them. I would give the buyer the case numbers so they know you actually filed. 

2. File a police report for theft either online with your local police station or by calling your local police. eBay has let me use a police report as evidence before.

3. File a mail fraud report with USPS.

4. File an internet crime complaint - https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

5. Once you have copies of filed complaints and reports with associated numbers, contact eBay via phone or social media (facebook or twitter).

[martin2001]

Your best bet is to search ebay boards about this subject. Tons of instruction / advice have been given how to proceed, incl. not calling the buyer directly nor using emails, just ebay messages. Generally I would start with sending a message to the buyer telling them that you received an empty packet and ask them to return the cards. If not, you will file  internet fraud report with the local police and also on a federal level, assuming the buyer is from another state. Tell them that interstate fraud and theft is a serious crime etc. I have seen some posted actual wording of such messages to the buyer.

As I said, do the search, you find links as to where to file etc. Unless you file a report, i don't think that ebay will help you as it a he said, she said situation. So don;t rush, do your research.