Fraudulent Return of Faulty Item (Amazon Sale)

Hintza

I recently sold an electronic item on Amazon and having had a problem in the past I now note all serial numbers before posting. Needless to say the item I sold 10 days ago has been returned and is not the same one.

I have contacted Amazon CS who asked me to contact Sentinel, to whom I have just written an e-mail detailing what has happened.

I have not contacted the buyer at this stage because I need advice on how to respond; both from Amazon and anyone here who might have dealt with a similar problem. And of course if I was to reply now I might say somthing I might regret...arghh :mad:

Obviously at this stage I am not suffering any loss but I can see the usual fight ensuing with my word against the buyers.

Any ideas?

Moglex

Well, since the culprit is trying to defraud you it should be a police matter.

apprentice_tycoon

I'm sure that it will all work out in the end but next time you send something out can you put a note in your 'your goods have been dispatched' email saying something on the lines of 'I've just dispatched your xxxxx, serial number zzzzz' and then they know not to try it on.

Hintza

apprentice_tycoon wrote:

put a note in your 'your goods have been dispatched' email saying something on the lines of 'I've just dispatched your xxxxx, serial number zzzzz' and then they know not to try it on.

I used to do that but it doubles the time to send the e-mail...lol and when I was very busy earlier this year everything got streamlined. Might need to reasses my policy on this.

As for Moglex suggestion I have a funny feeling that it will head that way but its the aggravation factor involved....which police station is it? His or mine?

Would rather just say nice try you robber; now ...B Off!!

MrsTinks

hmmmmm personally I would reply with something saying "the item you have returned is not the item I sent, You have sent something with serial number xyz and the one I sent you has serial number zzz. I am sure this is a genuine mistake so if you could arrange collection of the faulty item you can then return it to the reseller where you purchased this one. As I am sure you probably just got the two items confused with where you purchased it from I hope you enjoy the working item you recieved from me".

achtunglady

Hintza wrote:

I recently sold an electronic item on Amazon and having had a problem in the past I now note all serial numbers before posting. Needless to say the item I sold 10 days ago has been returned and is not the same one.

I have contacted Amazon CS who asked me to contact Sentinel, to whom I have just written an e-mail detailing what has happened.

I have not contacted the buyer at this stage because I need advice on how to respond; both from Amazon and anyone here who might have dealt with a similar problem. And of course if I was to reply now I might say somthing I might regret...arghh :mad:

Obviously at this stage I am not suffering any loss but I can see the usual fight ensuing with my word against the buyers.

Any ideas?

I'd say that this item is not the one you sent them, as you mark all your items with an indelible ink. Together with the serial number and this identifying mark, this has been done to prevent any untoward problems occuring. Don't just tell them about the serial number, tell them its security marked so you can identify its yours, which it isn't. They are not to know but this will certainly put the wind up them if they are "at it".

doingwhatican

Hintza, I agree with the above, say that it is not the item you sent them, and that you have put unique marking on the item which you can identify and proove, then ask them to send the item that you send, and ask them to arrange collection of the one they sent.
I keep the serial numbers of all the stuff I sell and I also keep hi-res images of the items - including the inside if I take it apart.

Hintza

Hi Thaks for the input. I noted your ideas but decided against blatantly saying they were marked, just in case this becomes a police matter. Amazon have now e-mailed me twice I wasn't very happy with their reply, basically saying tha it is between me and the buyer and the buyer can still leave me feedback...lol.

Anyway I have just sent a fairly non descript reply to buyer and I am assuming I will hear no more from them:-

I am currently contemplating filing a report to the police. The camera you have sent back is not the camera that was posted out to you. I note all serial numbers on my cameras before dispatch and use other security measures to ensure this type of fraud does not happen. I have reported this to Amazon who are advising me on the course of action I should pursue.

I have just received a slightly better answer from Amazon with a list of web sites including the serious fraud office.


I really do not have the energy at this point to chase it up but woe betide him if he has the cheek to get back to me.

hjb123

What is his other amazon feedback like?

Hope you get it sorted - its a long time since I sold or bought off amazon - do they have a similar chargeback procedure?

Be interesting to see what the guy replies with - can imagine he wouldnt have thought of you having the serial numbers etc!