eBay refunded buyer - why??

GadgetGuru

Item listed as Opened but unused, as BIN with best offer at £260

Accepted offer of £230.

Buyer was very good at comms, noting his excitement and I posted using eBay simple delivery.

Buyer received item on Friday, with item tracking showing delivered with photo etc.

Saturday buyer messages me via eBay stating 'is the item new'?

I advised the box was open so I could take images etc but item was brand new never used - just as listed.

Heard nothing back.

Today a return request was started. 10 mins later he is refunded by eBay (not by me)!

I cant even see the return reason, all I see on the return details page is:

"We've reviewed your case and have decided to issue the buyer a refund of £230.00 without any impact to you.

This case is now closed. You aren't required to reimburse the buyer or eBay and this case will not be counted in your seller performance evaluation."

I know its no skin off my nose, but still. How can he get an expensive item completely free like this?? I have no details whatsoever!

GadgetGuru

Upon delving a bit further I found this in the details……

Case details

Outcome:You weren't found at fault.

More details: Your package was received at our distribution centre, but it was damaged en route to the buyer.

But this is a lie. The tracking shows the parcel being handed across. Seems completely intact. The buyer even messaged me after receiving it - no mention about any damage or anything at all - just asking if it was brand new.

Buyer has over 2000 positive feedback too!

Seems like another scam?

messia07

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81877061#Comment_81877061

I think you’re right. The fact the buyer was able to get an instant refund without returning the item would point to the buyer knowing their way around eBay. Are they a scammer, I don’t know(?).

you might many to block the buyer.

ButterCheese

It could be that the buyer had a previously damaged item, or they bought a broken one for peanuts. And then kept your item and claimed the broken one was broken in transit. Scammers like this are now operating at tool stores i.e. buying a (very good) fake power tool for £35 off Temu, then buying a genuine model in Toolstation for £130, then putting the fake in the genuine box and returning it for a full refund

savergrant

It sounds as though ebay have negotiated such a good deal with couriers on simple delivery that the mere mention of 'damaged in transit' from a buyer with a good record gets them refunded.

If the buyer has defrauded ebay then it's a bit of a shame you accepted £30 under the asking price!

GadgetGuru

I know I'm 'whole' as I sill made the sale, but it grates on me that the buyer get the item completely for free!

molerat

I raised an INR once because the item tracking stopped moving and Evri were making a different excuse each day which pointed to the item being lost. Ebay had refunded before I even closed the page and the e-mail had a statement that I had nothing more to do even if the item turned up, which it did a couple of days later. I am sure that a few people have worked things out !