Do you report buyers who abuse the return system?

[richard1rst]

O.K. a single report is not going to change anything. But if all sellers report any buyer who abuses the system eventually at least some of the buyers would get tagged.

This is the comment I got from eBay upon reporting an abused return:

We'll review your report with any other information we have, including reports from other sellers. Your report is confidential and won't be shared with the buyer. However, keep in mind that we won't be able to tell you about any specific action we take.

It just strikes me that if a buyer gets too many fraudulent return complaints then maybe eBay will crack their knuckles. They have been known to restrict accounts. Call it preemptive self defense.

[lamber9347]

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@richard1rst wrote:

O.K. a single report is not going to change anything. But if all sellers report any buyer who abuses the system eventually at least some of the buyers would get tagged.

This is the comment I got from eBay upon reporting an abused return:

We'll review your report with any other information we have, including reports from other sellers. Your report is confidential and won't be shared with the buyer. However, keep in mind that we won't be able to tell you about any specific action we take.

It just strikes me that if a buyer gets too many fraudulent return complaints then maybe eBay will crack their knuckles. They have been known to restrict accounts. Call it preemptive self defense.

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I also choose to believe that accounts with multiple complaints do get either suspended or closed. The issue is receiving multiple complaints towards the same account. Not every seller takes the time to issue a report because many just think nothing will happen. A long ago supervisor of mine once said, nickels and dimes make quarters....

[kennys-kollectibles]

This line is the most telling,

"However, keep in mind that we won't be able to tell you about any specific action we take."

It's obvious Ebay doesn't want to be transparent which is a shame. 

If you can't see anything is being done, nothing is being done.  

If it is, prove it.  show us. 

There is little for us sellers to do to protect our selves because 

we can't mark or tag a buyer that scams.   

I would like ebay to be more transparent in this issue. 

I would like to be able to see at a glance how many returns a given buyer has had in the last year.  

I would like to see how many filed claims for returns a given buyer has had in a year. 

And if the answer is some thing like 2 or more, I would like to be able to block

all buyers that possess a certain amount of return claims.   

Also, ebay could clear this all up, if they required the buyer to give a reason for the return and

proof of that reason, not just take thier word for it.  

and sellers should be able to sell things AS-IS.   without a fear of returns.  

These returns really hurt sellers especially a heavy item that costs $40 one way.

The sellers end up eating $80 dollars on shipping for those bogus returns.  

That is just not acceptible.  

[chapeau-noir]

I report anyone who abuses the system, and have talked to enough sellers who have had buyers no longer covered under the MBG due to abuse of the system to tell me that it works.

@kennys-kollectibles   I agree with being able to sell items as-is in the pre-owned category, but no company that tracks abuse of their returns system discloses this kind of information.

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@kennys-kollectibles wrote:

and sellers should be able to sell things AS-IS.   without a fear of returns.  

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No, there should be no such thing as an as-is sale on an online venue.

Ebay used to be that way, and scam sellers would send junk or nothing at all and the buyers were screwed. There was no money back guarantee.  You could file a claim, but there was a $25 deductible and the buyer had to pay the return shipping. Great way to lose a lot of business, and Ebay did. I know people to this day who won't even consider shopping on Ebay because of what happened to them back in the "good ol' days". 

[no_zero369]

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@kennys-kollectibles wrote:

This line is the most telling,

"However, keep in mind that we won't be able to tell you about any specific action we take."

It's obvious Ebay doesn't want to be transparent which is a shame. 

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@kennys-kollectibles 

No, if you notice no one reports the "disciplinary action" they take.  Too much liability for being open about that, plus listing how you decide things only makes it easier for scammers.  I can't think f any online venue that publicizes the disciplinary actions they take.

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@kennys-kollectibles wrote:

There is little for us sellers to do to protect our selves because 

we can't mark or tag a buyer that scams.   

Yes, as OP notes you CAN report bad buyers.  I know many do not because the have a fatalistic view - if they can't see results, why bother.  But reporting buyers does work, we do see buyers show up on the threads whining that they no long have MBG protection.  So if any seller isn't willing to do their part and report the bad buyers they have no leg to stand on when it comes to complaining about the process.  Not pointing a finger at you, just saying in general.

Plus you have a BBL one can use.  And when defrauded there are steps one can take with reports to LE that could have real life consequences.  Plus, follow the right steps and eBay will make you whole on those transaction.

Now as to the rest, yeah it seems like it would be nice to see stats on returns etc.  But in this "cancel culture" any negative info would be damaging.  You want eBay to be the judge and jury on adjudication of cases?  If so how much extra in fees are you willing to pay, when eBay has to hire & train an army of "judges."

Nah, the system might not be perfect right now, but it is good enough.  Sellers just need to do their part: reporting bad buyers and filing police reports when faced with fraud.

[pooh333piglet]

Dam straight. I've only had a few but I report all nonsense.  Over my many years have also worked with other sellers to be sure they report when seeing issues with a buyer going after sellers. No one likes being ripped off. 

[chapeau-noir]

The only use I see for a BBL is if someone is pestering you and you haven't had a transaction or any convo with them, you can put them on the BBL with a block for communication and not have to deal with them (as long as they don't know the work-around for that).

Other than that - the chances of this person coming back to con a seller again is almost nil - they're on to the next 'mark'. 

Though if one sells in a strong niche, then the BBL works if someone in your niche has been ripped off, since we share so many buyers.

[monster-deals]

If you don't they go on to do it to me and everyone else.

[bigdeals.etc]

DEFINITELY!!

I agree with everything in your OP. I don't care if ebay ends up not doing anything with the reports, I'm not taking that chance since reporting a buyer takes only a minute. Ebay encourages reporting buyers as they end up sorting out the reports anyway.

You know how they say the pandemic is still here and strong because so many people don't take it seriously and don't wear a mask or social distance? Well it's the same with the ebay marketplace being overrun by so many bad and shady buyers... "If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem."

[richard1rst]

Thanks to all who responded. I have been doing it all along. I was just wondering if I was just whistling in the wind. I am glad to see so many others also report them.

I note in a couple of the postings a confirmation that it does work in restricting bad buyers.

Thanks again.

[bigdeals.etc]

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@richard1rst wrote:

Thanks to all who responded. I have been doing it all along. I was just wondering if I was just whistling in the wind. I am glad to see so many others also report them.

I note in a couple of the postings a confirmation that it does work in restricting bad buyers.

Thanks again.

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Yes, it's no secret many members believe otherwise. It's just also like complaining about a certain elected President and not voting because they think their vote doesn't count. Can't complain if you didn't vote.

[48hrs-clothing]

Unfortunately there are bad sellers and bad buyers around.

Buyers have lots of protection by MBG as well as Banks, Credit card and Pay pal.

Sellers in comparison have little protection.

Reporting an abusive buyer is the only means available to a seller.

I apply a simple rule if a buyer is 1%  right then he is not abusive and is not reported otherwise it is a failure of duty not to report.

[kennys-kollectibles]

No company discloses  that kind of information?   

but ebay is very unique in that they are handling our money but aren't being careful with it.  

Ebay makes policies that do not benefit or help the sellers.  

Are you saying that the lax system ebay has , there is no room for improvements?  

I am just saying there needs to be "something" to prevent these scams from going on.  

So, people here are saying ebay used to have a bunch of scam sellers. 

Now, ebay has a bunch of scam buyers.  

Which is preferable?  Does it matter who gets scammed the most?  

Back in the day, if someone scammed you could feedback about it. 

Now only one side gets to feedback about it.   

I still have yet to read about any solutions to all these problems.  

Reporting is too passive aggressive and lacks results that

get you your money back.   And there is no evidence that I have seen that

reporting does anything before it's way too late and the scammer

has already made off with lots of free merchandise.  

[kh-leslie]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.