Returned item is empty!

Myyrrddyn

Happy_bunny wrote: »

Not sure if this is relevant as parcelforce guidelines are different to 'normal' post and S/D

Just thought i would enter it into the melting pot to work as a rule of thumb:D

traceya89

i am now thinking twice about selling some aftershave now.

mikey72

It's unlikely you'll get the same buyer, and if they do return it, ask them to wrap it better.

adam2484

I package my items under CCTV. Average sale value £500+. Royal mail manager recommended it for damaged/ item missing claims.

Your buyer is having a laugh and I do feel for you. Can't suggest anything that would find a resolution I'm afraid. You can't provide it but would love to add your buyer to my block list.

mikey72

adam2484 wrote: »

I package my items under CCTV. Average sale value £500+. Royal mail manager recommended it for damaged/ item missing claims.

Your buyer is having a laugh and I do feel for you. Can't suggest anything that would find a resolution I'm afraid. You can't provide it but would love to add your buyer to my block list.

Do you film the bit where you put one parcel in the car, then take out an identical parcel to post, that you packed a brick in earlier?
Or do you use a shopping bag for the switch, as per the Real Hustle?

I agree everything helps though, but nothing is really proveable.

adam2484

Lol no the tracking numbers of tamper proof bags are recorded as well as the bag being sealed.

Having said that it was probably a waste... Never had to rewind it.

mikey72

Even with that though, the buyer could claim it arrived slit open, and taped up again.
Or you could slit it open, and re tape it off camera.
Nothing could be proved either way.

adam2484

Mind of a criminal. When I first started selling I once opened then taped a bag closed. It was refused by postie. This was with a collection - not sure po's have same standards which is where I go now. Hopefully assumption is the same though.

RHemmings

I thought about this sort of thing in the past. The only way of getting solid evidence of what was sent is to finish packing in the post office, send it immediately, and have a single continuous video shot of the item, being packaged, view of the address, sending the item, and collecting the p&p, ending with a closeup. Anything else, and the switch is just too easy.

digerati

Happy_bunny wrote: »

I have collected photographic evidence from inserting it into the package, sealing the package, labelling the package, postage labelling the package and depositing into the post office. These photographs will be sent to eBay and perhaps will be filed to court if necessary.
I had gut feeling you'll mess me about with your fraudulent behaviour and counterfeit products.
I would require a full refund.

Given the professional denial by your fraudulent buyer, I would strongly suggest that they have used this "buy-switch-and-return" tactic before. This means there is a better likelihood that they and/or their family/associates are known to the Police.

First, check if they are on the electoral roll at the delivery address. If they are, then it's much easier to take a case to the Police as they can cross reference their details against the Crimes database. If not, then they are probably using an alias or an accommodation address. However most scammers use the same address or variations of it over a period of time. There will be other instances of duped sellers (and possibly buyers) correlated with same address, which will aid Police in cross-referencing all the victims.

Be aware that your fraudulent buyer is likely reselling your new aftershave on eBay using a different user ID, so I'd do a search for sellers of that particular item in the fraudulent buyer's district. These should be noted and copies of their auctions made so they can be passed on for investigation. You should retain copies as eBay will remove any they find.

Happy_bunny wrote: »

I've had some aftershave returned from eBay, box is fine but missing the badge from the bottle and the aftershave is completely empty not possibly leaked but empty as in gone, not even a sniff left!

I have spoken to the eBay who advised the seller has returned the item via tracked and can therefore escalate the claim and will be refunded by paypal, leaving me with a negative balance.

I would again contact both eBay and PayPal by letter (sent RD) laying out your case for a full refund from them, and ask them to investigate other instances of criminal conduct by the buyer and their associates' eBay and PayPal accounts at the address (and all variations) thereof. Send a similar letter to your local Police and notify each so that the other parties are informed of your financial loss. Hopefully you will get something back, possibly even full restitution, but it may take some time.

Hope this helps :-)