Ripped off on eBay as a seller, Need Recourse

dcshoeco79 · #1 07-12-2012

I love using eBay as a buyer and seller. I have had my account on eBay for 2 years and have a 100% positive feedback rating. While I am mostly a buyer on eBay occasionally I do sell an item here and there. Just recently my girlfriend gave me her T Mobile Samsung Galaxy S2 to put on eBay cause she recently upgraded her phone and didn't need it anymore. I listed on eBay and made sure I was accurate in my description, and 3 days later I had a buyer. The amount it sold for was $409 including shipping and I sent it out the same day with delivery confirmation ( but without a signature).

A few days go by and I receive an email from the buyer who is Minnesota saying "Where is my item". I go online to check the status of it at USPS.com and it says it was delivered yesterday. Weird.....? I wait another day and he emails me again saying "Can you please tell me what is going on and why I haven't received my phone?"" At this point I email him back stating the phone is showing delivered on this date by USPS to your confirmed PayPal address. He claims he never received it and opens a dispute on Ebay against me. At this point im furious and try to reason with him/eBay and I escalate it to a claim. As soon as I do that I receive notice form Ebay that I lost and eBay automatically takes $409 out of my PayPal account. I am so annoyed at this point and appeal the decision only to lose again. I spoke to the man on the phone and he gave me all this bs about hes investigating it himself and plays himself as an innocent victim and will get back to me with updates. Meanwhile he has my money and my phone im 100% sure.

I'm not letting this go, I have a typed letter from the post office in Minnesota standing by this delivery and as well as emails and receipts proving delivery. eBay blows, they don't care cause I didn't have it signed for. What is my next step to resolving this? The buyer is completely unresponsive now to my calls and emails.

Thanks

meVebay · #2 07-12-2012

eBay don't blow, you didn't read the terms on posting that's all.

If you have delivery confirmation, I'd be tempted to go down the small claims route if the buyer is close enough.

Also get the IMEI blacklisted (I guess you can do that in the USA) so the scammy little buyer at least cannot use the phone.

norma · #3 07-12-2012

Sold phone for $409 and no signature confirmation??

Automatically lost case.

Purchase any insurance in case of loss, damage, etc.?

Sandy D · #4 07-12-2012

This is the third post about someone selling an expensive item without signature confirmation.

FOLKS-----

Do not send any item you cannot afford to lose without signature confirmation.

I always do it in the 200.00 or more range.

Sandy D · #5 07-12-2012

Thinking of lowering it to 100 with all the "professional ebay scam buyers" out there.

golden_monkey · #6 07-12-2012

^^ me too, this is a little nuts

Sandy D · #7 07-12-2012

I have dealt with these professional scam buyer so much I have a list on my wall and if I have not blocked them I send a nice little message before I ship.

Hey since I am new to selling here, can you tell me if you will be home when this box is delivered so I know you got it? And if so, if I send it with signature I want to make sure someone is home.

You do not know how many times a cancellation comes right back.

yotano211 · #8 07-12-2012

Another one bites the dust

When you print labels with EB or PP, it will say right in the middle. Anything over $250, it needs a sig confirmation to get seller protection. They denied your claim cuz you went against their rules and they cover their asses like no tomorrow. Any company in the world plays the same game.

First Edition · #9 07-12-2012

It is possible the customer didn't receive it. I've spoken with paypal over the phone, and they're pretty adamant about making sure you win if the item was delivered to a verified address. You can call law enforcement as well... someone did steal from you.

golden_monkey · #10 07-12-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy D

I have dealt with these professional scam buyer so much I have a list on my wall and if I have not blocked them I send a nice little message before I ship.

Hey since I am new to selling here, can you tell me if you will be home when this box is delivered so I know you got it? And if so, if I send it with signature I want to make sure someone is home.

You do not know how many times a cancellation comes right back.

wooooow, talk about low lifes!!

GreenBean · #11 07-12-2012

Being frank, you contributed to the whole matter.

No signature confirmation was an error.

Corresponding as you claim by email another error. At the least everything should have gone thro' ebay messages.

Get a written report from the Post Office of despatch about what the records say regarding delivery. File a Police report too.
Send the buyer a letter of demand for a reply within 10 days for the amount due or you will file in Small Claims for recovery.

Next time, cover yourself with correct methods of despatch

.

shoot2kill · #12 07-13-2012

...maybe the OP didnt know this information like we, I was scammed for an iphone back when the first came out.

stealthmaster · #13 07-13-2012

What was you thinking actually sending a high risk product not via recorded delivery?

First Edition · #14 07-13-2012

I've never asked for signature confirmation... and high risk items are sold by me all the time. I think if you're going to spend the extra 5 dollars on every shipment, well... in 1000 shipments you just spent 5000 dollars extra. How often does it happen out of 1000 shipments where you needed it?

norma · #15 07-13-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by First Edition

I've never asked for signature confirmation... and high risk items are sold by me all the time. I think if you're going to spend the extra 5 dollars on every shipment, well... in 1000 shipments you just spent 5000 dollars extra. How often does it happen out of 1000 shipments where you needed it?

You are basically self-insuring, however, if you've ever had one buyer claim to ebay/paypal etc, non-receipt on an item over $250, & lose, you will happily pay the difference.

dcshoeco79 · #16 07-13-2012

So any idea what I should do ? Fight eBay, send this guy to small claims court (Im in NJ hes in MN), contact the police, or create a new eBay and PayPal account (will it affect my credit PayPal balance neg $409 thanks to this a hole)

Global · #17 07-13-2012

I have had people try it on in the past for items at a few pounds, so I always send recorded (signed for) on everything I sell, its just not worth it for the hassle if not the money.

jeffweico · #18 07-13-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by First Edition

I've never asked for signature confirmation... and high risk items are sold by me all the time. I think if you're going to spend the extra 5 dollars on every shipment, well... in 1000 shipments you just spent 5000 dollars extra. How often does it happen out of 1000 shipments where you needed it?

Exactly. It becomes a business decision. I would imagine it also depends on what you are selling - some categories of items probably attract more scammers than others.

First Edition · #19 07-13-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcshoeco79

So any idea what I should do ? Fight eBay, send this guy to small claims court (Im in NJ hes in MN), contact the police, or create a new eBay and PayPal account (will it affect my credit PayPal balance neg $409 thanks to this a hole)

Read the thread .... we've said you should do all of the above.