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Dealing With Shady Character

Recently, a buyer has purchased two products from my store and opened a return for each one *immediately* upon delivery. He has claimed that the products are defective/damaged although these are products purchased from authorized dealers and they would never provide faulty goods, especially straight out of the box.

As bad as that is, it gets worse. Much worse.

-I have asked for photos to substatiate the claim, but he claims he cannot do so because his poor broken phone does not work. There is no explanation given why he cannot use a different/someone else's phone.

-Next, I offer a replacement, because of course if this was sincere, the customer would be disappointed but would still want the item (one of them cost almost $300). He declines.
-He then says he no longer needs it, although the order was placed literally two days before the return was opened up. He insists that the very same product was purchased on Craigslist instead.

-Sure. So I then offer to beat the price he paid for it there, but he will not take up the offer, as he'd rather pay a higher price and not have the security of Paypal and Ebay to cover any future problems the product might have.
-Next, I reluctantly offer a chance to have the package picked up from the guy's house.  He is adamant that this not occur for several unconvincing reasons...one of them being he is apparently never home, because he works 7 days a week, 12 hours a day.
-Okay, so I offer a chance to schedule the pick up at a time and place of his choosing, yet he claims he is only available after 10PM because of work. If that were the case, then he could not drop off the box with UPS if I gave the label he wants, because they the UPS store is not open after 10PM...and the box is much too large for a 24 hour dropbox.
-At this point, I also offer an opportunity to have the carrier pick up the box from his place of work, but magically they do not allow the carrier to service the building because it is gated.  So apparently his workplace never receives mail in other words.

-I then ask for the workplace's phone number and address so I can contact them to see if any arrangement can be made, but he refuses to provide this basic information.


Why would somebody be so unwilling to cooperate, if they are seriously trying to return an expensive item? Nothing but evasion and excuses for a simple task that takes one minute. I offer any time that is good from 8AM to 8PM any day for the next three weeks, but he insists that only me uploading a label will suffice. There is way too much fraud going on though, so I have pick ups take place for items of certain value. What should be done at this point?

Message 1 of 57
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Re: Dealing With Shady Character


@rixstuff wrote:

@discountdominion wrote:

Direct from the Ebay help page:

"Accommodate the return another way

If you'd prefer, you can provide the buyer with another method of returning the item. For instance, you can offer to reimburse them for the return shipping costs, arrange to pick up the item in person, or let them drop the item off at your closest physical store. If you want to provide an alternative method of returning the item, simply select Confirm you will facilitate the return from the View return details section."



Sorry but no.  I dont jump through hoops to get an item BACK that I didnt offer when SELLING it.  He got it through the mail and payment via Paypal, he can jolly well return it through the mail to get the refund BACK from Paypal.  I also think he is being purposely difficult and evasive to try to score a freebie when the seller gives up.


The seller is being difficult as well. He’s the one who doesn’t want to send a label. 

 

If if I was the buyer, I would insist on a label. It’s easier to print it out and drop the package off to the carrier while already out and and about than it is to wait around for a pickup. 



One life is all we have to live
Love is all we have to give

**Formerly known as MissJen316**
Message 16 of 57
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Re: Dealing With Shady Character


@discountdominion wrote:

That's not an answer. Are you really suggesting that people selling expensive items deserve to have them stolen from lowlife scumbags?


No, that's not what I'm saying.

I'm saying the only way to keep from getting scammed, is not to sell them on the Internet.

 

 

Have a great day.
Message 17 of 57
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Re: Dealing With Shady Character

 


@kensgiftshop wrote:

@discountdominion wrote:

That's not an answer. Are you really suggesting that people selling expensive items deserve to have them stolen from lowlife scumbags?


No, that's not what I'm saying.

I'm saying the only way to keep from getting scammed, is not to sell them on the Internet.

 

 


Well it makes more sense to crack down on scammers rather than discourage sellers from selling. I suppose the best way to reduce risk is to just shut down the site entirely.

Message 18 of 57
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Re: Dealing With Shady Character


@missjen831 wrote:

@rixstuff wrote:

@discountdominion wrote:

Direct from the Ebay help page:

"Accommodate the return another way

If you'd prefer, you can provide the buyer with another method of returning the item. For instance, you can offer to reimburse them for the return shipping costs, arrange to pick up the item in person, or let them drop the item off at your closest physical store. If you want to provide an alternative method of returning the item, simply select Confirm you will facilitate the return from the View return details section."



Sorry but no.  I dont jump through hoops to get an item BACK that I didnt offer when SELLING it.  He got it through the mail and payment via Paypal, he can jolly well return it through the mail to get the refund BACK from Paypal.  I also think he is being purposely difficult and evasive to try to score a freebie when the seller gives up.


The seller is being difficult as well. He’s the one who doesn’t want to send a label. 

 

If if I was the buyer, I would insist on a label. It’s easier to print it out and drop the package off to the carrier while already out and and about than it is to wait around for a pickup. 


I don't want to send a label to thieves, and based on everything detailed, this is one shady fella. 99.9% of the time it's no problem.

And it's my policy as to how I go about covering return shipping, not his. It's not inconvenient to schedule a time when you are already at home, in fact it's considered an accommodation. Given that there is more than one option allowed on Ebay, I have chosen the third option on the accept a return page. 

Message 19 of 57
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Re: Dealing With Shady Character

You will regret trying to fight it...
Message 20 of 57
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Re: Dealing With Shady Character


@discountdominion wrote:

Ordinarily that would be fine. That is not the issue though. In this case, I have good reason to believe that the customer will not be shipping back the expensive item. It will be returned to a large return facility and before it is discovered that the wrong item was delivered, Ebay will likely have given a refund. There is a loophole in their policy, and the Ebay specialist over the phone even admitted that their review representatives were not being trained properly. I am trying to avoid a bigger ordeal, and allowing the scammer to be rewarded for his criminal actions.


A the lesson for the day is:

 

DONT DROPSHIP

Message 21 of 57
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Re: Dealing With Shady Character

I'm confused; what do you mean it will be shipped back to a large return facility? Didn't it come from you/shipped by you? 

 

No offense (and I sincerely mean that) but I would NEVER allow someone from Ebay to come to my house/meet up. If I was willing to do that, I would buy off Craigslist. Your being comfortable with that, doesn't mean they should be. It is not unreasonable to expect it to be returned by the same method it was received. 

 

It does sound like a remorse return, since you mentioned they said they found another off Craigslist. But that could ALSO be an excuse to get out of the 'replacement' you offered. You really cannot be 100% sure it is a fraud at this point (I know that is not going to be a popular statement, but Just my opinion). 

 

I do feel badly for those being taken advantage of lately by scammers (whether this is one or not). It does seem like there should be a solution to preventing this, but I have no idea what it would be. Sorry OP. I hope you do get back your original items, and that this is simply a remorse return, as frustrating as that still will be. 

Message 22 of 57
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Re: Dealing With Shady Character


@hatchchil-75 wrote:

@discountdominion wrote:

Ordinarily that would be fine. That is not the issue though. In this case, I have good reason to believe that the customer will not be shipping back the expensive item. It will be returned to a large return facility and before it is discovered that the wrong item was delivered, Ebay will likely have given a refund. There is a loophole in their policy, and the Ebay specialist over the phone even admitted that their review representatives were not being trained properly. I am trying to avoid a bigger ordeal, and allowing the scammer to be rewarded for his criminal actions.


A the lesson for the day is:

 

DONT DROPSHIP


Nah. The lesson is watch out for thieves, and then stop them before they strike.

Message 23 of 57
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Re: Dealing With Shady Character

Oops..missed the drop-ship mention just above. I don't automatically think of that.

Message 24 of 57
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Re: Dealing With Shady Character


@discountdominion wrote:

 


@kensgiftshop wrote:

@discountdominion wrote:

That's not an answer. Are you really suggesting that people selling expensive items deserve to have them stolen from lowlife scumbags?


No, that's not what I'm saying.

I'm saying the only way to keep from getting scammed, is not to sell them on the Internet.

 

 


Well it makes more sense to crack down on scammers rather than discourage sellers from selling. I suppose the best way to reduce risk is to just shut down the site entirely.


It's not just Ebay. you would have to shut down the whole Internet.

Even then, scammers will find a way to scam you, just like they did before the Internet.

 

 

 

Have a great day.
Message 25 of 57
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Re: Dealing With Shady Character


@gew6463 wrote:

I'm confused; what do you mean it will be shipped back to a large return facility? Didn't it come from you/shipped by you? 

 

No offense (and I sincerely mean that) but I would NEVER allow someone from Ebay to come to my house/meet up. If I was willing to do that, I would buy off Craigslist. Your being comfortable with that, doesn't mean they should be. It is not unreasonable to expect it to be returned by the same method it was received. 

 

It does sound like a remorse return, since you mentioned they said they found another off Craigslist. But that could ALSO be an excuse to get out of the 'replacement' you offered. You really cannot be 100% sure it is a fraud at this point (I know that is not going to be a popular statement, but Just my opinion). 

 

I do feel badly for those being taken advantage of lately by scammers (whether this is one or not). It does seem like there should be a solution to preventing this, but I have no idea what it would be. Sorry OP. I hope you do get back your original items, and that this is simply a remorse return, as frustrating as that still will be. 


I have my products stored at a fulfillment center. I'm a multi-channel vendor. There are too many items to maintain them myself.  Before it is discovered that the wrong item was sent back, Ebay might have already given a refund. It's happened in the past, because they make assumptions based solely on tracking information.

I am not personally going to the customer's address. The carrier is (UPS). It is a way of reducing risk. I'm only doing it this one time because it's obvious what the customer is trying to pull. Three purchases in a week, all resulting in immediate return requests? Impossible unless he is the unluckiest guy in the world.

There is absolutely no reason to consider this case sincere. Total unwillingness to answer basic questions or for me to accommodate and rectify the situation. Not even photo evidence was provided of something that was damaged. Only someone who is lying would respond in the manner in which he has, including pretending to work all day, seven days a week, and coincidentally finding this exact item brand new locally on Craigslist (he's in a small town).

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Re: Dealing With Shady Character


@kensgiftshop wrote:

@discountdominion wrote:

 


@kensgiftshop wrote:

@discountdominion wrote:

That's not an answer. Are you really suggesting that people selling expensive items deserve to have them stolen from lowlife scumbags?


No, that's not what I'm saying.

I'm saying the only way to keep from getting scammed, is not to sell them on the Internet.

 

 


Well it makes more sense to crack down on scammers rather than discourage sellers from selling. I suppose the best way to reduce risk is to just shut down the site entirely.


It's not just Ebay. you would have to shut down the whole Internet.

Even then, scammers will find a way to scam you, just like they did before the Internet.

 

 

 


That's the thing. Criminals will always exist. The best way to move forward is to prevent their actions from occurring. No reason they should spoil the party for everyone else.

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Re: Dealing With Shady Character


@discountdominion wrote:

 Three purchases in a week, all resulting in immediate return requests? Impossible unless he is the unluckiest guy in the world.

Only someone who is lying would respond in the manner in which he has, including pretending to work all day, seven days a week


 

like I mentioned earlier, he probably seen the boxes from the river and decided to return the items.

I don't buy items from there and if I got packages from them, I would return them also.

I worked at a place and we were working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there would be no way that I would sit there all day waiting for UPS to come pick up a package.

 

 

Have a great day.
Message 28 of 57
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Re: Dealing With Shady Character


@kensgiftshop wrote:

@discountdominion wrote:

 Three purchases in a week, all resulting in immediate return requests? Impossible unless he is the unluckiest guy in the world.

Only someone who is lying would respond in the manner in which he has, including pretending to work all day, seven days a week


 

like I mentioned earlier, he probably seen the boxes from the river and decided to return the items.

I don't buy items from there and if I got packages from them, I would return them also.

I worked at a place and we were working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there would be no way that I would sit there all day waiting for UPS to come pick up a package.

 

 


Why lie about it then? I have a free return policy. He could have stated it was purchased by mistake or he no longer needed it, etc...There is dishonesty being expressed in that case right out of the gate. Sort of sullies his whole case.

As for him working 84 hours a week, which is extremely uncommon (including no days off all month)....

He sure spent a lot of time going back and forth via messaging. How much "work" does he do at his job? Also, what is the problem with UPS showing up to pick up the package at your workplace? Have a secretary hand it over or something. If anything, you would love the convenience of not having to make a special trip after or during such a brutal work schedule. For every reasonable offer there was a convenient, yet illogical excuse.

The phone not working, finding the product brand new on Craigslist in a small town (which I cannot find at all in a huge metro area) the day after placing an order on Ebay (why even place the order to begin with?), his employer located in a restricted/inaccessible area, etc...

He insults my intelligence with such lame and unconvincing responses.

Message 29 of 57
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Re: Dealing With Shady Character

Ad hoc explanations are a sure sign that someone is lying.
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