I was a buyer. Seller sent tracking number but package delivery address is not my hipping address.

[dorohn]

Do you think this is possibility a "wrong address same zip code" scam? I opened a "item not received" ebay refund claim today, waiting for seller response right now.

Basically I bought a $1000 item back in August. Seller provided me with a USPS tracking number, but as I followed the tracking it one day showed the status "Insufficient Address". I checked with my local post office and they showed me a photo of the package with the tracking number, but with a wrong delivery address ( not my Ebay shipping address ). USPS returned the package to seller by around August 24th.

Seller initially mentioned they will reship the item again, but then stopped communicating through the ebay message since August 27th. 

Even though seller initially made me feel like he's taking care of the issue around end of August. The more I think of it now, the more this feels like it's actually a scam - didn't hear anything new from him, no tracking, no further order update, which is why I've opened an INR item not received claim today with Ebay, to see if I can get refunded.

This would be a right step for me to take would it? ( filing the INR refund request?) 

First time having this happening so I was wondering if I have taken the right step? Thanks.

[714ricki]

Did you double check your delivery address within the order details? There are times when a buyer misenters their delivery address. If everything is OK from that perspective, then opening up the INR case was perfectly fine.

[worldcoinauctions]

Sellers have to ship to your address as registered in ebay, so double check that!

[dorohn]

oh yes, double checked my shipping address in the order, it was the same as my ebay listed shipping address. When I went to post office after seeing the USPS tracking number was showing "insufficient address", the post office employee showed me a photo of the package, with the exact tracking number, but a random address that is not my shipping address in my zip code. Which now makes me think the seller is a scammer pulling a "wrong address in correct zip code" scam.

[pjcdn2005]

You will need to get a letter from USPS saying that the address on the parcel with that tracking number was sent to a different address, not the one on the order details.  When you open an inr claim, the bots will rule in favor of the seller as they will see that there was a problem with the address and assume that it was your fault.  Once you have the letter from the USPS, you can appeal.

Or, you may be able to contact ebay customer service on one of the social media sites such as Facebook and show them the letter. I'm not sure if they will ask you to open an inr first.