Help! First return as a seller and I feel like I'm getting scammed

[watersdain]

Need some advice here as there isn't a way to talk with anyone at ebay. I'm a relatively new seller and I am currently in the middle of processing my first return.

The buyer purchased a working (I tested it myself) Original Xbox in the original packaging. The buyer received it and then claimed it was defective. They initiated a return which I then accepted.

I received the item today but it was missing the original box, a game, and a controller. I don't want to issue a full refund because I didn't get everything back. It doesn't appear that I'm able to issue a partial refund. I don't want to issue a complete refund, and I also don't want to miss out on getting a credit back from ebay. I reported an issue with the buyer. Not sure what I should do here, help!

[kensgiftshop]

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@watersdain wrote:

Not sure what I should do here, help!

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The buyer will get a full refund, if you don't give it, Ebay will take it from your account.

Ebay doesn't know what the buyer shipped back or what you received and they'll always take the buyers side.

[myescape]

If you had no returns accepted you can not give a partial refund

If you had chosen returns accepted and are a top rated seller you can deduct up to 50%

You can use ebay's report buyer link and file mail fraud and postal inspector cases.None will get your money back unless the $ amount is high or buyer has a record of doing this w each entity

[watersdain]

Thanks. Will ebay reimburse me for the missing items that we're returned?

[ga-8370]

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@watersdain wrote:

Thanks. Will ebay reimburse me for the missing items that we're returned?

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If the missing items were returned, you wouldn't need to be reimbursed, would you?

Aside, if you were a top rated seller with 30-day or more returns, eBay would have allowed you to deduct up to 50% from the refund if the item is no longer in its original condition or missing parts upon return.

[kensgiftshop]

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@watersdain wrote:

Thanks. Will ebay reimburse me for the missing items that we're returned?

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No.

[b86fiero]

I am sorry this has happened to you.  It is a sad fact that not everyone on eBay is honest and aboveboard.

It appears your buyer stole a game and controller.  Add them to your Block Bidder list if you haven't done so already.  You surely do not want to deal with them again. 

You might try contacting the buyer through eBay messaging, tell them they inadvertently forgot to send the game and controller and ask them when you can expect to receive them back. 

You can try to file a police report but may not be able to because you have no proof of what you sent the buyer nor proof of what they returned to you.  That's a hard pill to swallow because you know what you shipped but you have no actual court of law proof of it.   

Really sorry.  Wish there was more that could be done.  

[watersdain]

Thanks for all the feedback. So basically there are no protections for an individual that's trying to make a few extra $$ from scammers. It seems like the scammer would always win this situation. This sucks. I'm now out $40 on shipping, a now broken xbox, and a missing original box.

[bonjourami]

The only seller protection here is delivery confirmation.

[havewellness]

You can call eBay and talk to a live person and ask them what you can do.  They have been helpful with some of the problem buyer returns that I have had to deal with.

[sunnydman2]

call Ebay and talk to a customer service rep, I had a problem with a return and the CS rep told me that if you get a return back and items  are missing or switched out you can dispute the return, but talk to them before you refund any money!

[watersdain]

Thanks @sunnydman2 and @havewellness . What is the number to call or where can I find it? I've looked everywhere but haven't had luck.

[donsdetour]

Contact customer service by sending a private message on social media.

They may take a few days to get back to you.

https://twitter.com/askebay 
https://www.facebook.com/eBay/ 

Oh and the missing parts are items stolen from you,

File a report with Law Enforcement.

[changehomestead1]

in the past ebay always sided with the buyer and seller was S>O>L,  this is not the case nowadays. go to help, scroll to very bottom and there is a click for them to call you. ebays customer support is excellent compared to most.  they will give you instruction on the right way to handle this. its gonna seem a bit lengthy and awkward but if you follow it to the letter you will most likely be properly compensated and ensure you stay on track for top rated seller status which makes a huge difference in most all aspects of ebay. best of luck and dont let this one scammer discourage you. its gonna happen in any e commerce platform

[simba6]

Classic return fraud. You can report the buyer for it. However, ebay will still make you refund in full and your out the money.  If a buyer gets too many reports, ebay will remove them from the returns program. By then they have cost a lot of sellers a lot of money.