eBay's Seller Protection Guarantee is WORTHLESS!

[elejaces]

This is the case: Buyer filed a false 'ITEM NOT RECEIVED' case, so I refunded him. Later admits receiving item. Now he has my money and my item, and eBay will not honor the Seller's Protection Guarantee! Details below:

1.- Buyer buys item on Sept 04.

2.- After 10 days of not paying, I file "item not paid".

3.- Buyer pays after two hours. I ship the same day (Sept 14 via USPS)

4.-USPS does not scan delivery. Shows package still in transit.

5.- Buyer files 'item not received' case on Oct 6, I refund him via PayPal

6.- Then I check buyer's address: its a freight forwarder. Turns out THEY scanned the package! They provide proof of receipt, and papers showing buyer signed and personally picked up item on SEPT 30!!!

7.- Confronted, buyer admits receiving item. eBay and PayPal get all the details and recognize that buyer did get the item. Buyer admits item in his possession IN WRITING to eBay.

8.- I notify both eBay and PayPal, ask that they please stop my pending eCheck refund to the seller, PayPal says they can't stop it. Refund was pending for more than one week, and they would not stop it, even after knowing about this!

9.- eBay will not honor Seller Protection Guarantee!!! they say its between me and the buyer!

I am off my item and $450, with no recourse! Anybody has any idea what to do?? Me: 20 years selling on eBay, 100% positive feedback. If eBay treats me this way, what can anyone expect?

[ga-8370]

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@elejaces wrote:

eBay's Seller Protection Guarantee is WORTHLESS!

This is the case: Buyer filed a [later found to be] false 'ITEM NOT RECEIVED' case, so [I refunded him] I refunded him.

Me: 20 years [20 years] selling on eBay, 100% positive feedback.

[rebell45]

You have 30 days to file an appeal, with the proof you have you may win.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/appealing-decision-seller?id=4369

[elejaces]

Well, so this story has a happy ending. So after getting the screenshots of the paperwork scans, and reaching out to the buyer and letting him know that I would not drop the pressure, the buyer admitted 'his buddy' picked up the box, not him, and that he received the item. I wrote him a few polite, firm notes, and he finally 'refunded me the refund'... But the lesson is very clear: DO NOT send a refund, until you have exhausted ALL options. Once you 'voluntarily' send a refund (eBay's exact term) you are on your own. There is NO WAY to do a chargeback EVEN if the buyer admits to having received the item!! eBay and PayPal just played a game of ping pong responsibility with me! Fortunately the buyer eventually realized he'd been caught red handed and had an ounce of decency!