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eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

Hi there,

So here's my story...

I posted a laptop to a customer she received it all was working well for the first few days...

Then she claims smoke started to come out the machine & now it will not power on. She would like to return for a refund. So she puts in an Ebay dispute & my money gets held etc.

I ask for the laptop to be returned before I can refund her... She flat out refuses saying she will not pay the $65 to send it back to me. She escalates the claim to Ebay who are now reviewing the case...

She has admitted in the case details she will not pay to return it.

Where do I stand here?

Will she get a refund & get to keep the laptop?!

Thanks in advance!

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

She will likely be told to return the item. She is responsible for the return costs. eBay sometimes will pay on her behalf though.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

Can't possibly cost $65 to ship a laptop....maybe I'm missing something.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

I hope so I would like the laptop back obviously!

And its from the USA to Canada but $65 does seem steep to me.

I paid $50 to ship it to her.

Ebay are reviewing the case... Find out soon enough I guess...

I'll be so pissed if they refund her & she gets to keep the laptop...

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

most likely they will force her hand to pay to ship it back to you. it sounds like she is scamming and if ebay calls her bluff you better hope she sends you the same laptop back. just because she has to send it back doesnt mean she will send the right thing.

similar story I heard same result, guy ships package back. original seller opens a box of rocks, hard to prove that to ebay. good luck

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

Yeah I'm aware of all the crazy scams on Ebay, so risky selling anything high value on Ebay nowadays.

I should have just sold it on kijiji but I was tired of meeting people locally & dealing with lowballers & what have you...

But at least with kijiji when the cash is in your hand that's it, no ridiculous come backs.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

for sure, I wish you the best, I would not communicate with the buyer anymore just talk with ebay and demand the shipping info and signature from the buyer.

it is vitally important the buyer if they do return it get signature, and if they do to canada yeah they are easily looking at nearly 100 dollars, which I doubt they will do.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

It is hard to deal with these crazy scammers. One of the main reasons for not dealing with items above $100.

With my legit account, my listing got pulled down, I had already shipped an item worth $85, the buyer refused to return it. I never added tracking, so I was done.

I had to refund customer.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

major difference in shipping usps standard and usps express with signature

good luck bud

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

make sure that if she does ship it back, check the weight on the parcel. (Do not tell her about that part as she could swap)

And as it arrives, you have a video recording started the moment you open the door to your postal courier to the unboxing and inspection of the item.

Be sure to check serials and such.

Good luck

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

100% scam. Follow everyone's advice here and definitely stop communicating with the buyer. Deal with the meatbags holding the money.

No matter what happens, you have to assume that this laptop is gone. Act with this mindset first.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

It sometimes help to warn the buyer that you will not take this sitting down if they pull a scam. Let them know you are more then willing to get the authorities involved. Make sure if you do this, you are gentle about it, because you can't assume they are a scamming with 100% certainty just yet.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

I once had an eBayer send me a message 45 days after purchase that a pc of clothing they bought wasn't working out for them. Some people on eBay are unreal.

Best thing you can do is accurately describe items. Especially used items. Then in the case of electronics say it has been used and tested and is in working condition. Item is sold as is and any further maintenance, repairs, etc is the buyers responsibility.

Sounds like the buyer probably abused the laptop to me. Probably left it on for 24 hours downloading porn or movies or some nonsense like that. Trying to pass their negligence onto you. Sorry to say but region specific U.S. has a bunch of A-holes. Especially in Los Angeles. Sorry if I offend anyone but land of ⊗⊗⊗⊗ tits and Real A-holes. (For a Canadian like you L.A. is my Quebec)

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

Buyer should be asked to return the item to you - sadly, I would prepare for a garbage return.

Yes, state that you will use authorities to verify the claim...be creative and fight back this case.

Rough to hear OP...electronics are always risky like this.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

I learned my lesson don't sell anything on EBay you can't afford to lose at the end of the day.

EBay are forcing her to return it... She claims to have shipped it back but has not yet uploaded any tracking information to EBay... She has 8 days left to do so...

See what happens I guess...

I will record me opening the parcel as suggested by the member above & check the weight before opening it.

I suspect she hasn't returned it yet & I suspect like the member above said she abused the laptop & blew it up... But she could also be a scammer, I really don't know at this point, see if she uploads any tracking info in the next 8 days...

Any idea what happens after 8 days if she doesn't bother to upload any tracking info?

Thanks

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

eBay will try to remind her again to avail tracking information. If she chooses to ship without tracking, she is up-the-air. You win the case.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

You are absolutely right. Don't list anything you can't afford to lose. Also gotta be honest. If you are an inexperienced seller. It is usually the buyer asking you most questions etc. If it is a more expensive item over a few hundreds dollars. That in my experience will try to screw you over.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

More expensive items are always a pain to sell - need to factor out these potential annoying buyers sigh...tough to do

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

One point not mentioned is to quickly reconsider if you should bother to ship internationally again.

Make that choice to amend your business plan ( for the future)

:nerd:

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

The only time I ever issued a refund to someone before getting the item back i got screwed! Don't do it! The case was escalated and eBay automatically refunded the person without my permission and without receiving the item back! So not only did I lose the $150 item but I lost the $150 as well! EBay does NOT protect sellers at all! Keep this in mind at all times!

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

If its already "broken" have her put it in a flat rate box and ship it like that should be cheap.

eBay should make her send it back at her cost though but then again with eBay you never know what they are thinking.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

I sold a $5.99 shirt brand new, this customer called and she did not have to return the item and got a full refund with the shipping cost. and left neagtive feedback. all she did was call get a case opened and I requested the item to be returned and she get a full refund, they sent me a email saying the reviewing the case, 2 hours later case closed it. sided with the customer and she never sent me back the shirt! No there no more to the story, they know if the cry enough ebay will side with them under buyer protection. Its all about the buyer, not the seller, this has happened 2 times now! word of advice DO NOT SELL ANYTHiNG EXPENSIVE! they do the same thing on amazon, but it is way easier and way less headaches and hardly any returns or crappy customers!

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

last note, ebay use to be so much fun to sell on and buy from. They change the rules, they screw the seller and let the buyer steal our stuff or break it and then they have all the rights to leave nasty comments and we get to reply........no ebay let us leave negatives too! fair is fair! make them return our merchandise and allow us the chance to leave nasty comments on what scammers you keep refunding!!!!

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

Buyer wins case 99% of the time, and even more so on electronic item cases. They will most likely need to enter in return shipping info to get the funds unfrozen into their account. However I wouldn't even worry about it because there is absolutely nothing you can do to alter the outcome the buyer will proceed as he or she wishes and that will always be final. This is my opinion.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

5.99 brand new shirt - ugh, rough to hear but there are many stories like this

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

Especially on smaller stealth accounts it is definitely worse. All clothing items now all items in general. I describe to a T. Always include 5 or 6 close up clear pictures. If it is clothing I always take measurements. For me I always say sale of item is final. Not responsible for anyone who purchases the wrong size. In the case anyone does try to return the item shipping costs will not be refunded and a restocking fee will be charged.

It does not work all the time. But if you are up front about this. Most these shysters move onto someone who they can just message I never got it even though tracking says received. Try to game something for free and move on.

Even if you do have a buyer asking for a return you can have the leverage when talking to most of them. When you include all the proper info.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

1st thing I would do is read their feedback left too others.

2nd thing call ebay saying "hey I sold them a laptop even in the emails she said she won't return it and wants to keep the laptop + the money!" This is against the rules and she is scamming the system.

When you call ask to talk to a ebay person not paypal also. Because they can read your emails and will agree with you and tell you that it's policy for the customer to return it.

Don't worry you won't give her a refund she is scamming! I hate people like that.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

Good point, always check a buyers feedback left for other when dealing with people like this. If they have a history of this. Definitely report the buyer and point this. You do have to be careful about this because you only get one chance to report a buyer and explain your story at-least in the U.S. So you want to make sure you report them with all the necessary info. So they can't continue to pull these scams.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

They can always continue - just not with you (or the particular seller)

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

What I also do is email a few of their sellers and find out more info. I've done this a number of times and then those sellers share with you what they have done and you can have ebay read your messages from the other sellers as proof and also it will look good on you etc.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

You issued a refund even with the case open?

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

The case is still open & the item is still pending...

Its gone from bad to worse...

The buyer returned the item to me with tracking, however she failed to put my apartment number on the parcel, so Canada Post cannot deliver the item to me...

I have called Canada Post who seem lost as to what's going on... They informed me the parcel was at my local post office, i went there & of course they said it wasn't there...

I called them again they informed me it was there but hadn't been scanned yet & would be ready for pickup tomorrow. BUT there was customs fees of $97.92 to pay on the item if I wanted it back, otherwise I could have it returned to sender.

Now I don't know what to do... IF I choose to have it returned to seller will she have to pay the charges?

EBay have apparently told her she will be refunded in 3 days even though the parcel has yet to be returned...

She even bragged to me in an EBay message that she plans to sell the laptop for parts on its return to recoup her $70 return shipping costs.

I am just debating whether to bother picking up the laptop tomorrow & paying the $97.92 for what could very well be a box with a brick inside or letting it be returned to sender.

Honestly I wish to god I had never sold something of this value on EBay.

I'm out a $500 laptop $50 shipping EBay fees & now possibly an additional $97.92 in customs fees...

I'm at a loss as to what to do here...

I feel more & more as if she knew exactly what she was doing from the word go...

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

what does the tracking info state?
because i am sure as it stands it clear its not 'not delivered'
also her tracking will not have your address numbered and you could possibly still claim non receipt.
If it were me returning an item that i believed was not as described for $500 i would have been more careful with the address i was writing on the parcel. It seems deliberate.

you are also taking a risk at the possibility of paying $97.92 customs for an empty box or something completely different.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

It says on EBay resolution center:

Incorrect Address - Addressee's address being verified

On Canada Post the latest update says:

Item transferred to Post Office; being prepared for pickup.


She claims she spoke to EBay who have told her they will be refunding her in 3 days... Even though the item has not been returned.

I need to call them tomorrow.

I don't see how that can be allowed.

But this is EBay!

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

Is this a stealth account? Are you receiving it to an address that ebay does not know about?
If not then by the look of the ebay comments that it should be going in your favour.
You have not signed for it as yet so its not delivered.

Dont listen to anything the buyer says, they are trying to get a rise out of you and just blowing hot air.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

Its a genuine account with my real address not a stealth account.

I live in an apartment building.

She put the correct street address etc but failed to put the apartment number.

And I have stopped conversing with her since she bragged to me about hows she's going to resell it.

Really annoyed me, thought I'd stay professional knowing EBay can read messages between buyer & seller.

Hopefully when I call them tomorrow I can point out that message & her intentions...

We'll see...

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

well i honestly don't see your parcel being delivered to you unless you go to the post office and physically fetch it yourself.

Because of the way this buyer is behaving i honestly believe she/he is deliberately going to send you a box of rocks with a high declaration value on it so you can pay these heavy customs and then currently does have your laptop to sell to recover postage fees & more money back. ( on top of ebay claim)
This is why the address is deliberately wrong so she can show ebay a tracking number and you cant get the box.

I would tell ebay about her putting the wrong address on it, since its obvious that they know about it anyway, and also show them her threats in ebay messages and what your theories are.

You must fight for what is yours.
I guess at the end of the day it will probably be the strength of your account that saves you or not..

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

No I know... I wonder if they will let me slice the box open first & take a look inside, unlikely I feel...

My account is fairly good...

She gave me the first negative feedback I have ever received...

I have 98 positive 1 negative & 1 neutral.

99%

Will see what happens tomorrow.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

If she made any comments AT ALL about leaving you feedback if you do not do what she wants....you WON!

I forget the term, but point out (on the phone if possible) to the ebay guy that she sent you a note through ebay messaging that threatened you with neg FB if you do not accept a return (if your listing says NO), or if you pay for the return or any of several other violations of feedback threatening. Look under "Report a Buyer" for the categories that may apply.

It is on the buyer to pay return shipping. You might have to take it back but at least you might have a good case for getting FB removed. You might even bait her into threatening your FB. EB does not accept email threats as real so be sure to use EB messaging.

YOU: I am sorry the PC blew up but I dont think it is right for you to leave bad feedback.

SHE: Well, I am gonna unless you pay return shipping

BAM! Got her.....she can't say anything about leaving you FB unless you pay return shipping.

Been there, done that.....


As for your PC..........you are gonna end up taking it back (shipping at her expense) so play nice and lay low, especially if you are stealth.

Re: eBay Dispute escalated to claim
 

Honestly, it sounds like the buyer is breaking a whole multitude of rules.

I could of swore you cannot leave feedback (negative or positive) on any item that a case was opened with... please correct me if this is wrong.

Also was this a used laptop more than 1-2 years old? If it "smoked" like they said and now won't turn on, it is most likely water damage from user error (>90% of computer problems actually)

I mostly sell electronics as well, in the $200-$600+ range and have had no problems in almost a year. No cases, except one INR filed while the item was still in transit... was only 3 days after the purchase too :shocked: I also fixed my early on issues by setting very strict buyer requirements. Has to have paypal, set the lowest not-paid setting (2 in 12 months), and policy violations (4 in 6 months).

This is in review, so you cannot add any information to the online details, right? I would seriously call, and tell them they have been making threatening and gloating emails about scamming/ripping you off. That is serious stuff, and they have to look into it. Also report them for each policy infraction separately.