Lost returns parcel - very expensive issue

Pelletmuncher

Hi all, wondering if you could advise before I pick a route to go down. 

Sold a watch. Buyer requested a return as 'not as described'. While I disagree with their claim, due to the issue being clearly visible in the photos, I accepted the return. 

Parcel was sent back using an eBay PF48 label I believe, despite me paying £24 for special delivery, due to the item being £2000. 

Long story short the tracking is showing as delivered. No map details. No photographic evidence. 

I'm screwed. How can I proceed here? I'm assuming the buyers return postage only covers £150. 

Ive contacted them and obviously they don't care, they just want their refund. 

Am I about to be £2000 out of pocket? 

Pelletmuncher

To add I am yet to contact eBay, but I suspect they won't care either. 

MyRealNameToo

As a "not as described" presumably you are picking up the cost of the return?

Express 48 hour can be up to £2,500 cover, dont know how eBay works when generating the labels and if it considers the sales price when doing it. 

Pelletmuncher

MyRealNameToo said:

As a "not as described" presumably you are picking up the cost of the return?

Express 48 hour can be up to £2,500 cover, dont know how eBay works when generating the labels and if it considers the sales price when doing it. 

I clicked accept return and then it sent them a returns label and charger me £3.49 for it or something. 

Either way, the item has apparently been delivered but it's nowhere to be seen. 

Pelletmuncher

What I mean in my first post is I paid £24 to have it delivered to the buyer originally to ensure it got there safely, but the returns postage seems to be a fraction of that. 

steveE2

A watch of that value should have been sent to the authentication centre,was it?
If so that is also where the return will go,if they decide it is as described it would be returned to the buyer,if they agree with the buyer it will be returned to you.

Pelletmuncher

steveE2 said:

A watch of that value should have been sent to the authentication centre,was it?
If so that is also where the return will go,if they decide it is as described it would be returned to the buyer,if they agree with the buyer it will be returned to you.

Hi Steve. 
The item had a value of £2000 and that's what I insured it at when posting incase of loss or replacement. 

Having been listed for a while I had a message asking if I'd accept a lower amount. Being in need of the cash for a new watch purchase I agreed and adjusted the price accordingly. I believe it just squeeked under the Authenticity Guarantee by £10. 

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Make you wonder if the buyer doctored the label and it’s gone back somewhere else.

Royal Mail local depot might be able to help with GPS data recorded at the point of delivery.

Have you spoken to eBay’s CS?

Pelletmuncher

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Make you wonder if the buyer doctored the label and it’s gone back somewhere else.

Royal Mail local depot might be able to help with GPS data recorded at the point of delivery.

Have you spoken to eBay’s CS?

It is a possibility but the buyer did have a lot of good feedback so unlikely. 

My suspicion is the buyer changed their mind, knew how to game the system, made a false report to get a refund and sent the item back for a refund. 

I dont believe he intended for it not to arrive, but unfortunately that is now the situation I'm in. 

I've got a feeling I'm about to lose alot of money. It should never have got to this stage either as the dispute was based on a lie....but I couldn't contest it until after the return was complete. 

I don't like how eBay gives no !!!!!! about private sellers.