Was recently scammed by buyer due to eBays poor research. Opinions?

[Ferris]

It was for under $150. The order started off as usual. I shipped it. Then the buyer was very impatient for tracking and starting to say hes going to call local authorities if its not delivered. Once it was delivered, they filed a dispute saying missing parts.

It was an iPhone that was very clearly listed. I messaged the buyer and said the auction stated it was for the phone. Only to hear back that the buyer opened up the case on accident and wanted me to call and close the case. So I call in and explain what happened, show the ebay agent theres a message saying its an accident. Because the dispute is still new, I have to wait 3 days in order for ebay to close it.

Fast forward to today and I see the case has now been closed in favor of the buyer now because the new reason is "empty package"

Im wondering if there is anything I can do to turn this over?
The buyer also filed an ic3 report and sent it to ebay. I cant believe on top of selling something to someone, theyre going to report me as well.

What can I do as a seller?

[MM78]

As far as the IC3, it's total bullsh*t and Id be willing to bet they have not filed a damn thing. If you have a way to block that phone from being used I would go ahead and do so.

[oompaloompa]

if it is closed in buyer favour, nothing you can do with that - you can contact them and ask them to look at evidence again though.... is the refund deducted from paypal? eg. sometimes you get seller protection and buyer still gets refund from ebay...

I think the buyer needs a taste of their own medicine, tell buyer you are reporting them to their local police, for fraud, and follow through with it, giving all messages from the buyer as proof....nothing will happen of course, but it might scare them from doing it to you or someone else again.....missing parts is not an empty packet. You have the weight of it on receipt for a start....

[BigCJ]

File the IC3 anyway along with a police report. It will go into their database and if shown to ebay, they MAY just give you your money back to settle it out.

[Ferris]

These have all been very helpful responses. This entire transaction has been a headache.

[dallis]

File a mail fraud report and a REAL IC3 report, and file a report with the local police department in his jurisdiction.

Scan and send all three to him and tell him if he doesn't return the phone you're going to keep nagging the authorities until they do something.

See if you can bluff him into folding his hand.

[rsot]

Do you have the ID code of the smartphone? Sorry to hear that this has happened to you OP but ppl here have been giving some great advice

[dallis]

Good thought, if you have the id code call and report it stolen so that they can't use it, and tell them you've locked it out, at least they won't benefit from the theft.

[Ferris]

Just to give you guys an update. I followed oompa's advise. While I felt this was a done case that went to the buyer. At least making them sweat could bring some sort of satisfaction my way. I collected all of the information Ive dug up on the buyer, compiled it nicely, and sent a message to the buyer with all of that information stating that Im sending it to his County's local and state police.

I received a reply almost immediately. Multiple replies actually. With the buyer admitting he did in fact receive the phone. Except now hes saying it was stolen (It wasnt, it was mine before selling) and that he already sent the phone back to me. I asked for tracking which he couldnt provide. And the buyer went on admitting to falsifying the dispute etc etc. So I called eBay letting them check our recent interaction, and eBay set up the appeal and closed it in my favor!

That was a great lesson learned! I've been selling for what seems like an eternity, and this was by far one of the biggest headaches I've had to deal with. Thanks again guys I knew I could count on you for great advice.