Unauthorized buyer wants refund for SNAD... help!

[sshrivastava]

I use eBay sparingly and only when I have the odd item to sell. Buyer paid promptly and the item was shipped to him and received. Three days afer I shipped the item, and the same day buyer received the item, I got this email from eBay:

"Our records show that you recently contacted or received messages from [redacted] through eBay's messaging system. This account was recently found to have been accessed by an unauthorized third party, who may have used the account in an attempt to defraud other members. We've taken action to restore this account to the original owner, but wanted to let you know to be suspicious of any communication you may have received from them. Nothing is wrong with your account at this time – this message is just being sent as a precaution. If you have received any messages from that appears suspicious, please feel free to forward them to us at spoof@ebay.com for review."

Three days after receiving the above email from eBay, and three days after buyer received item, the buyer sent me a message through the eBay messaging system claiming that the lens I sent to him is not working, had a camera shop look at it, and it will cost $300 to repair. He is claiming the item is not as described. The lens was in perfect working condition when I sent it to him.

Prior to shipping, buyer asked me to not use USPS due to "thefts". That should have been my first clue to something nefarious. Being cooperative, I used FedEx instead. Unfortunately, now I cannot report this person to USPS for mail fraud.

I have forwarded his communication to spoof@ebay.com, as eBay's email instructed. I even called eBay regarding the situation and spoke with their representative. eBay instructed that I should not respond to buyer's message and to let buyer file a claim through eBay as the proper avenue for dispute resolution. eBay said that they have not yet heard back from the real account holder after the unauthorized access, so cannot confirm whether the person who purchased my item and is messaging me is the real account holder.

Does anyone have any other suggestions on what I should do? Thanks in advance.

[postingid2017]

I don't know about the other issues with the thief buyer filing a SNAD, however, you can report the buyer to USPS for mail fraud.  Although you shipped via FedEx, USPS will handle Mail Fraud Complaints.   Here is the link for Mail Fraud Complaints: 

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/

Insofar as the $300.00 repair cost, I would just ignore as eBay instructed.  I just think that the buyer is attempting to con you into making a repair that may not even exist.  

[arun7500]

Nothing nefarious about your situation at all. This is how it works now. Just as you described the transaction and communication with the buyer happens every day here. " .....had a camera shop look at it, and it will cost $300 to repair. " Your buyer was simply using the MBG guarantee (SNAD Scam) to their advantage; you either offer a partial refund which will run about 90% or pay for the return shipping and hope you get back what you sent. Regardless of the shipping method you used, there is no safety net here.

[sshrivastava]

Bummer is that I already gave the guy positive feedback. I'm so screwed for basically being honest and trusting that I was dealing with an honest community. Never again.

[sam9876]

Don't do anything.

[freedom_moran]

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@sshrivastava wrote:

Bummer is that I already gave the guy positive feedback. I'm so screwed for basically being honest and trusting that I was dealing with an honest community. Never again.

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You caouldnt have left the buyer a neg anyway, since 2008 buyers have only been able to recieve positive feedback.

[freedom_moran]

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@sam9876 wrote:

Don't do anything.

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If the OP does nothing, they will get a defect for an unresolved case.

What they need to do is simply repy "return for a refund"

[sam9876]

"If the OP does nothing, they will get a defect for an unresolved case."

False.

The buyer has not filed a SNAD complaint.

[phcd1]

No Case = No Problem

Block and Ignore.

BTW,  you can also commit mail fraud when you use any interstate carrier, such as FedEx, UPS, or other delivery services.

If they open a SNAD claim, then you have an issue.

[vintagecraze50]

I am trying to follow this based on what you said about the buyers account being compromised by another person? So, first, who bought this lens, and who is the one wanting to return it? If you are getting messages from the person who allegedly used someone elses account to buy this then you are dealing with the wrong person and you may be protected by Pay Pal in this situation if a chargeback is started there. It should not have been sold to begin with if the account had been compromised. Am I reading this wrong folk?

[vintagecraze50]

This absolutely needs to be investigated by Ebay first and then Pay Pal before you do anything. Get on the phone with 60 reps if you have to to make sure you do the right thing.

[vintagecraze50]

This sounds to me like a sneaky and stupid attempt to get the lens you sold in perfect condition for either a massive partial refund or to attempt to get it free. Be careful with this and make sure you get on the phone with the right folks at Ebay to investigate this pronto.

[vintagecraze50]

If they open a Snad claim that is when the OP needs to get on the phone again and get some help resolving this problem. Without this thief opening a Snad, they are just testing the waters right now as to what the seller is going to do in the next move-so yes-do not respond yet.

[sshrivastava]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the good advice and help. I am not going to respond for now and see what happens. I've contacted eBay and they are investigating.

[sshrivastava]

Whoever I sold it to is the same person contacting me, but eBay doesn't know if it's the account holder or the "hacker". So I will follow eBay's advice and do nothing. 

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@vintagecraze50 wrote:

I am trying to follow this based on what you said about the buyers account being compromised by another person? So, first, who bought this lens, and who is the one wanting to return it? If you are getting messages from the person who allegedly used someone elses account to buy this then you are dealing with the wrong person and you may be protected by Pay Pal in this situation if a chargeback is started there. It should not have been sold to begin with if the account had been compromised. Am I reading this wrong folk?