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Scam: Buying item, reselling it and claiming it never arrived
porto_bello
Posts: 1,828 Forumite
This probably isn't a new scam but it's a new one to me, so I'm guessing it's a new one to others:
Some weeks ago, I sold a rare (though not hugely valuable) collectible item. It was paid for and promptly despatched, but the buyer's email left me with the impression that they might be a problem. I looked at their feedback and feedback left for others, and sure enough, it seems there are regular problems with sellers - either item lost or not as described.
A week or so later, I saw the buyer reselling the same item, using my original description and photo, but with an inflated and unrealistic price. This didn't particularly bother me - I was actually more relieved that the transaction was finished and unsurprisingly, the item didn't sell.
However, I have since received an unhappy email from the buyer, after they tried to resell the item, stating that my item still has not been received from me and demanding a full refund without delay.
Naturally, I replied firmly but politely, that it clearly did arrive, in the described condition, because it was quickly relisted by them, with my stated condition, with my description and photo copied, quoting their ebay item number.
I haven't heard any more, but looking at the feedback, I get the scent of a scam: buying items and quickly reselling them at a profit, then going back to the original sellers and claiming the items were never received.
Presumably, some sellers are falling victim to this deception, but as ebay/paypal just pass on the losses for any claims back to the original seller, presumably ebay/paypal they are content to let the dishonest buyer carry on forever.
One question for experienced ebay users: is it worth me reporting this buyer and sequence of events to ebay and paypal? Experience suggests to me that unless they are left out of pocket, neither would be interested, so it's just not worth my trouble. Would you agree with my assessment?
Some weeks ago, I sold a rare (though not hugely valuable) collectible item. It was paid for and promptly despatched, but the buyer's email left me with the impression that they might be a problem. I looked at their feedback and feedback left for others, and sure enough, it seems there are regular problems with sellers - either item lost or not as described.
A week or so later, I saw the buyer reselling the same item, using my original description and photo, but with an inflated and unrealistic price. This didn't particularly bother me - I was actually more relieved that the transaction was finished and unsurprisingly, the item didn't sell.
However, I have since received an unhappy email from the buyer, after they tried to resell the item, stating that my item still has not been received from me and demanding a full refund without delay.
Naturally, I replied firmly but politely, that it clearly did arrive, in the described condition, because it was quickly relisted by them, with my stated condition, with my description and photo copied, quoting their ebay item number.
I haven't heard any more, but looking at the feedback, I get the scent of a scam: buying items and quickly reselling them at a profit, then going back to the original sellers and claiming the items were never received.
Presumably, some sellers are falling victim to this deception, but as ebay/paypal just pass on the losses for any claims back to the original seller, presumably ebay/paypal they are content to let the dishonest buyer carry on forever.
One question for experienced ebay users: is it worth me reporting this buyer and sequence of events to ebay and paypal? Experience suggests to me that unless they are left out of pocket, neither would be interested, so it's just not worth my trouble. Would you agree with my assessment?
"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing.
...If you can fake that, you've got it made."
Groucho Marx
...If you can fake that, you've got it made."
Groucho Marx
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Comments
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porto_bello wrote: »This probably isn't a new scam but it's a new one to me, so I'm guessing it's a new one to others:
Some weeks ago, I sold a rare (though not hugely valuable) collectible item. It was paid for and promptly despatched, but the buyer's email left me with the impression that they might be a problem. I looked at their feedback and feedback left for others, and sure enough, it seems there are regular problems with sellers - either item lost or not as described.
A week or so later, I saw the buyer reselling the same item, using my original description and photo, but with an inflated and unrealistic price. This didn't particularly bother me - I was actually more relieved that the transaction was finished and unsurprisingly, the item didn't sell.
However, I have since received an unhappy email from the buyer, after they tried to resell the item, stating that my item still has not been received from me and demanding a full refund without delay.
Naturally, I replied firmly but politely, that it clearly did arrive, in the described condition, because it was quickly relisted by them, with my stated condition, with my description and photo copied, quoting their ebay item number.
I haven't heard any more, but looking at the feedback, I get the scent of a scam: buying items and quickly reselling them at a profit, then going back to the original sellers and claiming the items were never received.
Presumably, some sellers are falling victim to this deception, but as ebay/paypal just pass on the losses for any claims back to the original seller, presumably ebay/paypal they are content to let the dishonest buyer carry on forever.
One question for experienced ebay users: is it worth me reporting this buyer and sequence of events to ebay and paypal? Experience suggests to me that unless they are left out of pocket, neither would be interested, so it's just not worth my trouble. Would you agree with my assessment?
Hi I would report him defo as this person should not be on ebay,Lifes a !!!!! and then you marry one:D0 -
Could we have the ID of the buyer as well so we can all block him?0
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I have done, providing the item numbers to verify the claim that the item never arrived is false. I got the usual thanks and the assurance that eBay takes Trust and Safety very seriously, but I've a feeling that's where it ends.Hi I would report him defo as this person should not be on ebay,
I've a feeling that would rebound on me and leave a trail back to my own eBay ID. However, mainly they appear to be buying collections of diecast model vehicles and then selling them separately.flipper_2010 wrote: »Could we have the ID of the buyer as well so we can all block him?"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing.
...If you can fake that, you've got it made."
Groucho Marx0 -
Just posted, but decided to delete as don't want to potentially reveal my ID on here - but I will PM you, OP.They deem him their worst enemy who tells them the truth. -- Plato0
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SImilar thing happened to me about 18 months ago. Sold a childs leather jacket very cheaply (around £12) and buyer contacted me to say it was in very poor condition and wanted a refund. Checked her ebay account and found she was trying to sell the jacket herself using my photos and describing it as in excellent condition! She then left me negative feeddback when I pointed this out to her.
I contacted ebay and paypal on numerous occasions pointing them in the direction of her listing which proved she was lying. Cut a long story short, ebay and paypal weren't interested and forced me to refund her once she returned the jacket to me and would not remove her blatant false negative feedback.
Buyers do need protection, but it is too much in the buyers favour IMHO and they don't look closely enough at individual cases.0 -
Would you please pm me the id so I can too block them.
Thanks0 -
This should not be a problem as you presumably have proof of delivery of the item......?0
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Would you please pm me the id as well I can too block them.
Thanks alot!No you're not a vegetarian if you eat any animal or fish, so do not insult genuine veggies by calling yourself one! :mad:
Thanks to everyone who posts competitions. You are the stars of the board :T:j:T0 -
Enfieldian wrote: »This should not be a problem as you presumably have proof of delivery of the item......?
Very few people use tracking on everything due to cost, I certainly don't bother fo rnaything under £41 but luckily the scammers are few and far between.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.0 -
I was wary of this - I sold a game this week and before the listing ended (was the only game on Ebay) another had popped up with a similar name to my lead-buyer, using my photos and description! I reported the listing to Ebay who pulled it quite quickly and luckily the item was won by someone else.
I am posting it tomorrow Recorded to its tracked.0
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