Ebay buyer claiming that he received an empty iPhone 6S box

Gizma · #1 07-29-2016

Hello there,

I'm a fairly new seller and I just sold my second iPhone. Everything went fine the first time, but this time buyer is claiming that I've sent him an empty box. What can I do to prove him wrong? He has opened PayPal claim (Item not as described) and didn't provide with any additional info, just calling me names. I'm certain that I've sent the phone. The package was sent with Special Delivery, insured up to 400 pounds.

What can I do?

It's really stressful.

JamesNorth101 · #2 07-29-2016

Tell the buyer that you are filing a police report for fraud. 90% of the time the case will get closed pretty fast

Twisty · #3 07-29-2016

The buyer is obviously trying it on as you are a new seller.

Your receipt will have the weight of the package on. Also, its very very very rare that special delivery packages are tampered with.

In this case make sure you call paypal to sort this out.

Also, selling iphones on a new ebay/paypal account is way too risky.

Gizma · #4 07-29-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twisty

The buyer is obviously trying it on as you are a new seller.

Your receipt will have the weight of the package on. Also, its very very very rare that special delivery packages are tampered with.

In this case make sure you call paypal to sort this out.

Also, selling iphones on a new eBay/PayPal account is way too risky.

The accounts aren't new, I've used them for many years as a buyer. But recently sold a couple of items. Anyway, it's not a business account, just decided to occasionally sell something.

So what should I do? Ask for a return? Can I call PayPal on Saturday (since they probably aren't working right now)?
Yeah, my receipt has a weight and I guess, if the buyer decides to return the package, the weight difference will be noticeably, right?

Gizma · #5 07-29-2016

I've issued a refund if he returns the item. Once he returns, can I claim that he is scamming, since the weight differs?

Thanks!

MM78 · #6 07-29-2016

Why would you issue a refund BEFORE getting the phone? You just gave the buyer a new phone and his money back.

JamesNorth101 · #7 07-29-2016

You have issued a refund before he returns the item?

You know he will just return an empty box now if anything at all and you will be out 1 iPhone

davids01 · #8 07-29-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizma

I've issued a refund if he returns the item

Hey mister, can I buy a iPhone from you man. Please, Please.

golferman · #9 07-29-2016

Call local USPS who delivered it, speak to a manger, they can send you a doc with the weight. Their system allows them to see the weight

MM78 · #10 07-29-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by golferman

Call local USPS who delivered it, speak to a manger, they can send you a doc with the weight. Their system allows them to see the weight

The OP already gave the buyer their money back, I don't think anything will work at this point.

yotano211 · #11 07-29-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by golferman

Call local USPS who delivered it, speak to a manger, they can send you a doc with the weight. Their system allows them to see the weight

Dude the guy is not from the US, they dont have USPS.

Ubaida · #12 07-30-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizma

I've issued a refund if he returns the item. Once he returns, can I claim that he is scamming, since the weight differs?

Thanks!

Have you issued a refund? or you will issue a refund?

Either way, why would you unless you get the item back.

Gizma · #13 07-30-2016

I've issued a refund but he will receive it once I get my item back. It's automatic I believe. I don't have a choice right now. But when he sends me an empty box and the weight differs, then I can work something out.

JamesNorth101 · #14 07-30-2016

That isn't the way it works

Buyer returns item and then gets a refund. He would not get a refund first and then return the item. That is nonsensical

If you have already issues a refund then he will always have the money back

Gizma · #15 07-30-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesNorth101

That isn't the way it works

Buyer returns item and then gets a refund. He would not get a refund first and then return the item. That is nonsensical

If you have already issues a refund then he will always have the money back

It was item significantly not as described case on PayPal, I had 4 choices.

1. Issue a refund and letting him keep the item.
2. Issue a refund and ask for a return.
3. Show proof that I've already refunded him.
4. Disagree with the claim and respond

I chose second option. The money is still on hold. I've read somewhere that he will automatically receive a refund once I receive the parcel. Anyway, today he has sent me the item back and I asked for the receipt. I'll see how much does the weight differs.

Did I do something wrong?

JamesNorth101 · #16 07-30-2016

That is slightly different.

In this case you didn't issue a refund, you just choose the option to offer a refund when the item is returned. So you did do the right thing here.

Bare in mind chances are you will still be sent an empty box and PayPal are more than likely to just issue a refund when the item shows as returned.

Gizma · #17 07-30-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesNorth101

That is slightly different.

In this case you didn't issue a refund, you just choose the option to offer a refund when the item is returned. So you did do the right thing here.

Bare in mind chances are you will still be sent an empty box and PayPal are more than likely to just issue a refund when the item shows as returned.

I'm assuming he WILL return ant empty box but then the weight will be different. Can't I reopen a case or open a different one?

MM78 · #18 07-30-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizma

It was item significantly not as described case on PayPal, I had 4 choices.

1. Issue a refund and letting him keep the item.
2. Issue a refund and ask for a return.
3. Show proof that I've already refunded him.
4. Disagree with the claim and respond

I chose second option. The money is still on hold. I've read somewhere that he will automatically receive a refund once I receive the parcel. Anyway, today he has sent me the item back and I asked for the receipt. I'll see how much does the weight differs.

Did I do something wrong?

You did the right thing, but please try to give us ALL the important information....such as the above information, lol. Hard to give good advice when we only have part of the full story.

JamesNorth101 · #19 07-30-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizma

I'm assuming he WILL return ant empty box but then the weight will be different. Can't I reopen a case or open a different one?

PayPal don't seem to engage their ability to critically think with things like this. They will just do what is easiest for them in all likelihood and issue a refund to the buyer at which point a police report is what you need to file.

MM78 · #20 07-30-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesNorth101

They will just do what is easiest for them in all likelihood and issue a refund to the buyer at which point a police report is what you need to file.

Agree with James, A Police Report and if possible.....blacklist the phone, if possible.

TOOKNAPA · #21 07-30-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizma

It was item significantly not as described case on PayPal, I had 4 choices.

1. Issue a refund and letting him keep the item.
2. Issue a refund and ask for a return.
3. Show proof that I've already refunded him.
4. Disagree with the claim and respond

I chose second option. The money is still on hold. I've read somewhere that he will automatically receive a refund once I receive the parcel. Anyway, today he has sent me the item back and I asked for the receipt. I'll see how much does the weight differs.

Did I do something wrong?

Well, if you are lucky he will send you his old phone, if you are not he will send you something even cheaper with the same weight as your iphone.
You should not sell this kind of items as your are unexperimented seller, many buyers on ebay are professional scammer, that's their job.
good luck

newjerseymax · #22 07-30-2016

I would have gone with #4 4. Disagree with the claim and respond

Then threaten a police report. It is Federal Mail and Tampering with Federal Mail is a Federal crime after all....

With option #2 as soon as it shows delivered the money will release... They will be long gone before you even have a chance of getting money back...

It probably a stealth account anyways and they will get money out in a way that it can never be recovered.