Got a bad feeling I'm being scammed

[kri_9217]

So I have listed a $100 dollar paper collectible item, it is new, unused, sealed. I have pictures of it on all sides. Boxed with cards inside.

I lowered the price for Black Friday week, and got a bite, I was so happy because this has been sitting around for a while.

Buyer is in the next state over, so with priority shipping (buyer pays, but is part of the listing, shipped priority because it was heavier than first class, explained so in listing.

Delivered Friday. Buyer opens "arrived damaged" claim on Saturday eve. Attaches 2 photos of just the items inside. Looked really bent like it got run over by a big rig. Did not provide photos of the shipping container (it was bubble wrapped inside a box inside a priority flate rate mailer. I asked for photos of the label, the containers it was in and the item box, so I know it is of the actual item and not a Chinese knockoff.

Buyer claims 6 photos attached but I can't see them, but he says they're attached. Ebay can't see them.

So I asked to send the photos to an ebay message, sends 4 rtndownload.png messages, which are thumbnails, apparently embedded in the message, and if I click to save, it wants to save as a webpage. The last one I was able to save as an img, but its dimensions are 64x36 and it is about 1 KB in size. Curiously enough what I am able to see in the photos is a priority mailer, but the addresses are black inked out, and the bar codes on the mailer are black inked out and on the small image I can see there is no damage to the inner packaging but there is a lot of blurred out spots in all the images.

I didn't ink any of the shipping labels nor the Post office's mailer barcodes, I have no reason to do that. But I think he had a similar one or bought one online or at Goodwill. If someone was being truthful I think they would send regular sized images. The 2 on the original return are regular size I can see clearly.

After he paid and I shipped he asked me if I had any others. I did have a couple and I could offer him a deal for gifts, put them in one box. He just said thank you. Curiously in the return request he said it would take too long to get a replacement he just wants a refund. I think the whole thing was a very elaborate play to get a  more expensive item for free.

I called ebay about it and I could tell by the tone of voice they are skeptical.  I have had a return request before on a clothing item, for ebay to tell me I had 2 days to let them know if It was returned wrong, and they automatically closed it an hour after it was delivered in the system. They were no help when I tried to explain what happened and what they promised me about appealing in a 2 day window.

So what are my chances calling him on his attempted scam and having ebay agree with me?

I have had very little returns, last one before this year was in 2015 was an empty box.

(This is not my selling account)

[sam9876]

You will lose, sorry.

[plantaddict]

If he is claiming it arrived damaged tell him you will need to file the insurance claim with USPS and to hold the box as well as all packaging materials for USPS to inspect for the claim. If he is insistent on a refund tell him he has to return for a refund and provide the return label, you'll have no other choice as eBay only cares about a buyer not the seller.

[siamdao]

You might want to request that photos be re-uploaded to the return request.  However, these cases are next to impossible to appeal and unless you have some pretty good evidence.  Ensure that you do not refund the money until the items have been returned to you for inspection.

[ed8108]

Congrats, you followed ebay's advice to lower your price and make the sale.

Look at the mess, accept the return and you will need to refund within 2 days of receipt.

EBay does not require a buyer to send you photos.

[kri_9217]

how much do you want to bet me that ebay will automatically refund the customer?

[kri_9217]

So if I fight it will ebay automatically close it on me, or if I accept a return do I have the 2 days as you say for me to inspect it without it being  automatically deducted from my account?

[arun7500]

Not a scam, just ebay's own rules and policies being used against you. Works all the time. Yes, as was mentioned by another poster, sorry you lose, no recourse, no dispute.

[ione_alm]

Call customer support and ask them to help you obtain photos from the buyer for the shipping claim. Ask them to make a note of your request in the case and see if that gets you anywhere. Openly say you suspect a fraud. If that doesn't work, file a claim to police online and attach it to the case.

[sam9876]

The buyer doesn't have to provide pictures.

[kri_9217]

If I file a fraud report with the police, which jurisdiction, did the crime occur in his city or mine? 

[kri_9217]

So guess what everybody, he did the same to somebody else with the same exact item I was selling. What do you think I should do?

[stockgirl12]

Yes they do have to send photo's.  in my store policy i tell people if they have any question about the product don't break the seal.  I seal everything.  They can see it but if the open it, I will not refund anything as I am unable to resell it.  I have been in battle with ebay for 2 years.  I never drop my prices because ebay says to.  Eventually I get my sale.  However I have very very bad feeling of what is going on.  I also feel ebay is most definitely promoting knockoffs.  We've been in the packaging line for over 34yrs and to china at least 7 times.  The only people that can sell for the prices the do is because the make it for pennies.  What americans can sell 20,000 items for pennies and pay returns too?  How sad this company is.  When I find somewhere else, i'm gone

[kh-leslie]

Hi everyone,

Due to the length of time that has passed since this thread began, we have locked it from future replies. If this is still an issue that warrants discussion, don't hesitate to begin a new thread here.

Thanks.