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How to properly escalate as a seller when a buyer defrauds you on a return?
 

Talking about returns where the buyer is deliberately trying to screw you. Aka he sends you an empty shoe box, a different item, etc. In the past, Ive always understood it was simply taken as a "cost of doing business" and if you tried to escalate, it was simply understood that you would lose the case, get a defect, as well as have to pay fees that you would have saved if you just bent over and took it like a good boy.

However, recently more and more Ive been seeing ebay sellers escalating the return and ebay helping out the seller in significant ways more than years past. They'll still refund the buyer, but the seller gets his original payment too (probably as a courtesy).

So how do they do it? Has customer service protocol simply changed in the past decade where we were advised to just take it? Are they calling until they speak to a US rep as opposed to an overseas rep? Police reports? Speaking to the ebay business team directly through Facebook?

Would love to hear some feedback as it seems the game has materially changed from then to now

Re: How to properly escalate as a seller when a buyer defrauds you on a return?
 

I think it depends on how long you have been with ebay, your turnover etc.

Police reports most definitely help.

Re: How to properly escalate as a seller when a buyer defrauds you on a return?
 

Curious as to why you want details about this? This happens maybe 1-2% of the time and eBay has certain measures in place, including flagging accounts and hard bans after a limit is reached. To answer, you would appeal with certain information requested by eBay.

Re: How to properly escalate as a seller when a buyer defrauds you on a return?
 

Also the $$ amount.
Do it too many times,Ebay will remove his buying privilege,claiming it is a hazard to the seller community.

Re: How to properly escalate as a seller when a buyer defrauds you on a return?
 

Because its happening to me as we speak. And Id like to be proactive and know my options in the event my fear is realized. Hopefully, he doesnt go through with the scam

Right, so youre talking about the scenario where you refund the buyer (knowing you'd lose the escalation) and then appeal it after. Im talking about cases where the initial escalation is actually successful. It seems to be more common nowadays, which is why Im wondering if ebay protocol has changed

Re: How to properly escalate as a seller when a buyer defrauds you on a return?
 

Receiving it a postal box with unpacking with videos/personnel would also work as proof

Re: How to properly escalate as a seller when a buyer defrauds you on a return?
 

28k is insane, wow

I don't know that ebay policy has changed. But on other seller forums I see many more success stories of sellers escalating the claims and getting their money back. In the old days, and on here, it was always advised to never do that. Just to refund the buyer and accept the loss as a 'cost of doing business'

Re: How to properly escalate as a seller when a buyer defrauds you on a return?
 

Never heard of this. Whether you win by escalation first or appeal after, the outcome should be the same. Winning by appeal is better as there is no chance for an appeal from the other party. If you are scammed, which is probably a 1-2% chance, document and contact eBay, and follow the appeal process. The chance you lose the appeal AFTER getting scammed, maybe 0.5% of total transactions, maybe better to take the loss after all

Re: How to properly escalate as a seller when a buyer defrauds you on a return?
 

So how does appeal work? Are you saying escalate the return, and if you lose, appeal it after?

Because if you willingly refund the buyer out of pocket (to avoid the probably loss you'd get when escalating the return), youre unable to appeal it because you already "willingly" refunded the buyer

Re: How to properly escalate as a seller when a buyer defrauds you on a return?
 

Its about $400 electronics item. Not sure if the buyer will keep the item or try to flip it for a profit.

No insurance.

In response to your previous post: "In your case,how do you know your buyer is going to send an empty box or has he sent already?"

Because the buyer opened an INAD case and uploaded a photo of a completely different item. Its 100% the seed of an upcoming scam

Re: How to properly escalate as a seller when a buyer defrauds you on a return?
 

Just to clarify, you were shipping domestically right? No international shipping?

Re: How to properly escalate as a seller when a buyer defrauds you on a return?
 

if buyer has already open a dispute and uploaded a picture of an item which is not what he bought,-you need to call Ebay and let them know this is not the item you sent him.
Because soon Ebay will send him a return shipping label and he will return the item as shown in the picture and win the dispute as it matches the picture he uploaded.
It is not safe to sell precious metal like coins and gold bars and electronics on Ebay.

Re: How to properly escalate as a seller when a buyer defrauds you on a return?
 

At the very least, set your settings on those kind of items to block 0 and low feedback buyers from bidding - doesn't necessarily get rid of all scammers but helps