BEWARE! - Thinking of selling something on Ebay?

Lazydayz71

sham63 said:

Come on, let’s hear exactly how you were ‘scammed’.............

Otherwise stop wasting everyone’s time.

Don't really like your tone, but if it'll help you in some way, this is how it worked...

1. I sold a camera in perfect working order using 'Buy It Now'. Buyer paid immediately using PayPal.

2. I took photos of the camera, showing it had no damage, etc.

3. I wrapped in bubblewrap, packed it in a cardboard box, took a photo of it before sealing the box.

4. At the Post Office I paid to send it Royal Mail Special Delivery to the Buyer's address, took a photo of the box with the labels attached.

5. I uploaded the tracking number to Ebay.

6. Parcel delivered, signed for and I thought all is OK.

7. Two days after delivery, Buyer initiates a return stating 'Item Not as Described' the camera they received is different to description and doesn't even work.

8. I contacted the Buyer and tried asking questions about the parcel, any damage? Send me a photo of the item received, etc. But they just ignored my requests for information, just kept saying it was rubbish and want to return it for refund.

9. After 8 days I saw I wasn't getting anywhere, so I requested that Ebay step in to resolve the dispute. They immediately granted the Buyer a return and issued a return label.

10. A couple of days later I receive the parcel and yes, it contained a crap camera, not the one I had sent.

11. As someone suggested, I filed a report with Action Fraud.

11. Over a number of days I spoke to Ebay via telephone and email. All they kept telling me was that as they hadn't handled the item, they had no way of confirming what was in the parcel I sent. Of course I complained profusely.

12. As the tracking showed I had received the returned parcel, Ebay issued a full refund to the Buyer.

13. I appealed against the decision, but it was rejected.

So I'm afraid to say, that's how easy it is. I even had to pay for the return postage.

I've since discovered that the 'Item Not as Described' or 'Received Empty Box' is quite a commmon trick they're using.

The key point is that it's impossible (as far as I'm aware) to prove what you actually sent to the Buyer.

Having looked through the Buyer's feedback it's generally good and I can see that once before they've claimed something didin't arrive and they received a refund. So nothing unusual.

forgotmyname

I have used ebay for many years. It was my 2nd choice because yahoo auctions were far better in my opinion.  But they closed and
said use ebay instead. 

Number of times ripped off = 0

Would i take a photo or video of me packaging an item, no because thats pointless. Would i take a photo of me at the post
office with the item NO. Again pointless.  I have proof of posting or its a signed for service so thats all i need.

You say you know how ebay works but to me your comments and actions say you do not.  You let ebay step in instead of
sorting out with the buyer in the first instance?  Oh dear.

Prove that the item you had returned is not the item they actually received?

Lazydayz71

forgotmyname said:

You say you know how ebay works but to me your comments and actions say you do not.  You let ebay step in instead of
sorting out with the buyer in the first instance?  Oh dear.

Prove that the item you had returned is not the item they actually received?

1. Yes, I let Ebay step in as I couldn't resolve the issue with the Buyer, that's what the instructions on Ebay's website told me to do. I thought I was doing the right thing by following their instructions. Are you suggesting that's a mistake and therefore why I lost my kit?

2. Can you tell me how I prove that the item I had returned is not the item received by the Buyer?

theoretica

I am sorry you had that experience - I think dealing with strangers always has risk especially over the internet. It isn't, sadly, special to ebay.

Spoonie_Turtle

forgotmyname said:

Prove that the item you had returned is not the item they actually received?

That there is unfortunately the crux of the matter, and is the one situation where a seller can do their utmost to protect themselves and still lose. I am happy to use eBay for smaller items of lower value but knowing this, I would not use it for high-value items (if I had any to sell).

Flyonthewall

Lazydayz71 said:

forgotmyname said:

You say you know how ebay works but to me your comments and actions say you do not.  You let ebay step in instead of
sorting out with the buyer in the first instance?  Oh dear.

Prove that the item you had returned is not the item they actually received?

1. Yes, I let Ebay step in as I couldn't resolve the issue with the Buyer, that's what the instructions on Ebay's website told me to do. I thought I was doing the right thing by following their instructions. Are you suggesting that's a mistake and therefore why I lost my kit?

2. Can you tell me how I prove that the item I had returned is not the item received by the Buyer?

The better option is always to resolve it yourself. Ask the buyer to return for a refund yourself rather than send it on to ebay to ask. It wouldn't have stopped them sending a different camera back, but it goes against your account when you don't resolve it.

You can report the buyer to ebay.

If you start off selling and only selling higher value items you risk scammers targeting you, not only for what you sell, but hoping for a seller who lacks experience in selling and the process. You're best off selling lower value items first, it'll be likely to put off some scammers. Although personally, I'd look at selling certain high value items another way as they do tend to attract scammers, you just might not get as much money.

Do you have any serial numbers for the camera you sold or a receipt? 

Lazydayz71

Spoonie_Turtle said:

That there is unfortunately the crux of the matter, and is the one situation where a seller can do their utmost to protect themselves and still lose.

Yes and that's exactly why people need to be made aware of the risks involved.

As far as I know, it's impossible to protect yourself from a scam like this.

As one newspaper article reported: Ebay sellers are sitting ducks for scammers.

Flyonthewall

Lazydayz71 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

That there is unfortunately the crux of the matter, and is the one situation where a seller can do their utmost to protect themselves and still lose.

Yes and that's exactly why people need to be made aware.

As far as I know, it's impossible to protect yourself from a scam like this.

As one newspaper article reported: Ebay sellers are sitting ducks for scammers.

The scam has been around for years, as well as others.

You can appeal the decision and report the buyer. Having serial numbers and a receipt and any other evidence you can get will help. Ebay should then pay out for it instead of you refunding and losing out. It's not a perfect system, there are a lot of cases to deal with and parts are done through computers not people, but that's what should happen.

If this is a recent case, get as much evidence as you can together and try phoning ebay.

MidlandsGlory

Unfortunately it can swing both ways, I recently ordered 3 different dash cams from 3 sellers, one after the other. Each time they clearly did not match the stated specification or ability in the listing so I have no discomfort at having sent them back at the sellers expense as not as described, when shown evidence non of the sellers could dispute my complaints. Of course I sent them back exactly as I received them.
If I didn't have the protection like this I wouldn't have bothered or gone elsewhere after the first disappointment at most.
But it does sadden me that people abuse this safety net for gain, youtube has plenty of stories of this. I don't think there is an easy answer that doesn't leave either side at risk. But a bias towards the buyer of course 'protects' the selling platform as buyers can go elsewhere, sellers have limited other options.

Lazydayz71

Flyonthewall said:

If this is a recent case, get as much evidence as you can together and try phoning ebay.

As I said:  Over a number of days I spoke to Ebay via telephone and email. All they kept telling me was that as they hadn't handled the item, they had no way of confirming what was in the parcel I sent.