I sent a new jacket, and the buyer sent me photos showing the same (?) jacket badly damaged!

prettyandfluffy

OP: when you get the "other jacket", take a photo of the label and mark up all the differences you can see (enlarge it to scrutinise and get someone else to look too).  Then paste both photos into a document side by side and use it as part of your evidence to EBay, along with the other damage and wear.
I'm sorry someone has done this to you, what a scummy thing to do.

zackary71

Very naughty of the Buyer, and expect eBay will back you up. Not any help this time, but a trick I've used in the past is to leave something hidden in the item in case of return. I've sold some expensive coins in the past on eBay, and secreted a tiny piece of coloured paper in the box lining. I took photos of it being inserted, and also photos of the item boxed and unboxed on precision scales. Never needed it as transactions all went smoothly, but it's a useful trick.

GrubbyGirl_2

Another trick is to use a UV pen to mark it before sending it such as the inside of a pocket or along an internal seam.  Can't be seen without a UV lamp

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

I vote for different jacket as well, the damage on the strap to hang it on a coat hook looks very much like wear and tear. 

Keep us updated @MartaUK if you can  

MartaUK

Thanks a lot guys for your support and advice!

Wow, this stitch counting is impressive - Angela Gallop would approve

I'll definitely check very closely when I get the jacket back and will keep you posted also with eBay response.

GadgetGuru

Will eBay approve disputes where UV marking, or other such photos are taken as evidence?
This will of course prove to you that the item was switched, but there are too many variables for eBay to accept? I can’t see them taking your side just because you show a UV marking?

Sometimes eBay will refund you and let the buyer keep the item. I think thats what will happen in this case if you argue enough. I was told by eBay last time I spoke to them with an issue that they cannot simply re-charge the buyer for the cost, so they just refunded me to ‘make me whole’ and let the buyer keep the item and the his refund. Unfair,, but thats eBay!

GrubbyGirl_2

IftiBashir said:

Will eBay approve disputes where UV marking, or other such photos are taken as evidence?
This will of course prove to you that the item was switched, but there are too many variables for eBay to accept? I can’t see them taking your side just because you show a UV marking?

Sometimes eBay will refund you and let the buyer keep the item. I think thats what will happen in this case if you argue enough. I was told by eBay last time I spoke to them with an issue that they cannot simply re-charge the buyer for the cost, so they just refunded me to ‘make me whole’ and let the buyer keep the item and the his refund. Unfair,, but thats eBay!

To be fair I haven't needed to get that far.  The one time I used it I sent a photo of the original marking and a photo of the item returned under UV and they went away.  I did also say that if they persisted I would notify the police as it was theft which might have persuaded them to discontinue their claim

Olinda99

yes and just to say if the jacket is different ie the buyer is deliberately returning a different one then they are committing an offence under the fraud act.

ElaniArtin

prettyandfluffy said:

Look carefully at the stitching on the top right hand corner of the label; to me it looks like 2 different but identical jackets.  Check carefully when you get the item back but that could be your evidence to go to EBay with.

That's what I was thinking. wiley buyer- and that is just not on! and I agree with moonpenny too.

Mutton_Geoff

Olinda99 said:

yes and just to say if the jacket is different ie the buyer is deliberately returning a different one then they are committing an offence under the fraud act.

Exactly this. Once you receive it and check it, you could let the buyer know you are reporting this to the police as fraud. See how quickly they change their story. If Ebay don't back you up, there is always the small claims court (Moneyclaim online) once you have gathered evidence but you need to be prepared to travel to the defendants local court for any hearing (although it's very unlikely it would progress that far).

I've been an Ebayer for almost 25 years and have noticed it's not as good for private sellers any more. Ads on Gumtree and FB Marketplace also seem to attract a whole load of scammers rather than genuine buyers so more of my unwanted stuff is going to charity shops or the recycling centre these days.