Buyer sent wrong item back

Enigma · #1 05-05-2011

So I got scammed by a buyer, he said item was damaged, and after he filed claim with paypal was asked to return it to me. When I received the package, it had some books in it WTF! I took pictures and sent them to paypal, am I going to win this case or what?? Anyone else been through this?

unkown5454 · #2 05-05-2011

Case will be lost more than likely. Did both of you use tracking of any sort?

GreenBean · #3 05-05-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enigma

So I got scammed by a buyer, he said item was damaged, and after he filed claim with paypal was asked to return it to me. When I received the package, it had some books in it WTF! I took pictures and sent them to paypal, am I going to win this case or what?? Anyone else been through this?

Some here have. There was a really long thread months ago. Suggestion was, and still is, to open such packages in front of a postal services with a camera to hand. In other words, have a witness.

Problem now is that even though YOU know the buyer scammed, it will be your word against theirs. Bar steward knew exactly what to do.

paypal may be ignorant enough to say 'you got the item back' so where's the problem. It is a luck thing.

**TGMT²** · #4 05-05-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenBean™

to open such packages in front of a postal services with a camera to hand.

Great Advice!

That is exactly what I do and my USPS, FedEx & UPS carriers are expecting me to run out of the house with camera in hand when they deliver a package. :D

Enigma · #5 05-06-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by unkown5454

Case will be lost more than likely. Did both of you use tracking of any sort?

Yes, tracking was used on both ends.

nak · #6 05-06-2011

i had this happen to me a while back. i sold a phone. the buyer sent it back saying it was "broken" well all i got back was a box full of papers. so i filed a police report and showed it to paypal. and i ended up winning the case. depending on how much the item was worth i would ether just eat it or if it is more then you are willing to eat you might have to file a police report. but make sure you call paypal and tell them that you are going to do that and see if that will help. It was years ago that i had done this so the policy may have changed.

And a side note the buyer who tried scamming me ended up getting criminal charges filed because the item was over a $ amount. So the good guys won that round.

Enigma · #7 05-06-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenBean™

Some here have. There was a really long thread months ago. Suggestion was, and still is, to open such packages in front of a postal services with a camera to hand. In other words, have a witness.

Problem now is that even though YOU know the buyer scammed, it will be your word against theirs. Bar steward knew exactly what to do.

paypal may be ignorant enough to say 'you got the item back' so where's the problem. It is a luck thing.

Paypal requested that I file a police report, but like you said, it's going to come down to my word against theirs.

nak · #8 05-06-2011

If you are willing to go the extra step and file a police report you will 9.5 times out of 10 win. this is showing paypal that you are willing to go the extra mile to do something about it. Just think there are millions of people who use paypal every day and this type of thing does happen more they you would like it too. so paypal does know this and they will side with you on the matter if you have the police backing you. It is a pain i the ass but if you think it is worth it i would do it. it all comes down to the amount of money i would guess. like if the phone i sold was only 50 bucks i would have ate it but it was not so there was no way i was going too.

Enigma · #9 05-06-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by nak

i had this happen to me a while back. i sold a phone. the buyer sent it back saying it was "broken" well all i got back was a box full of papers. so i filed a police report and showed it to paypal. and i ended up winning the case. depending on how much the item was worth i would ether just eat it or if it is more then you are willing to eat you might have to file a police report. but make sure you call paypal and tell them that you are going to do that and see if that will help. It was years ago that i had done this so the policy may have changed.

And a side note the buyer who tried scamming me ended up getting criminal charges filed because the item was over a $ amount. So the good guys won that round.

How funny, I was asked to file a police report. I guess I may have a chance here. The only difference in my case is that he was from a different country, so doubt there will be any criminal charges filed against them.

nak · #10 05-06-2011

you cant win the Lottery if you don't buy a ticket.

So go get the report filed and give paypal what they want.

Enigma · #11 05-06-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by nak

If you are willing to go the extra step and file a police report you will 9.5 times out of 10 win. this is showing paypal that you are willing to go the extra mile to do something about it. Just think there are millions of people who use paypal every day and this type of thing does happen more they you would like it too. so paypal does know this and they will side with you on the matter if you have the police backing you. It is a pain i the ass but if you think it is worth it i would do it. it all comes down to the amount of money i would guess. like if the phone i sold was only 50 bucks i would have ate it but it was not so there was no way i was going too.

So did you ever find out what happened to the buyer? The dollar amount was $450.

nak · #12 05-06-2011

never found out what happened but i know that with the report payapl was about to go after him for the money. I was just happy i got my money back. But i know the cops were i live said they had him arrested for scamming over state lines something like that but again did not want to get to involved as he did have my address.

Enigma · #13 05-06-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by nak

never found out what happened but i know that with the report payapl was about to go after him for the money. I was just happy i got my money back. But i know the cops were i live said they had him arrested for scamming over state lines something like that but again did not want to get to involved as he did have my address.

Ya I guess could careless what happens to the buyer as well, I just want the money back lol.

GreenBean · #14 05-06-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enigma

Paypal requested that I file a police report, but like you said, it's going to come down to my word against theirs.

Oh yipee, how helpful paypal are, NOT.

Stealth account for you?
High valued item?
All the buyers details available?

Enigma · #15 05-06-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenBean™

Oh yipee, how helpful paypal are, NOT.

Stealth account for you?
High valued item?
All the buyers details available?

This account was not stealth, valued a little over $450, and I only have the buyers details that were provided from paypal. I'm with you, I have my doubts about this one. I guess I will get a report and keep everyone posted.

GreenBean · #16 05-06-2011

File a report: at the very least you owe to YOURSELF to get resolution.
Karma will meet that buyer.

Enigma · #17 05-06-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenBean™

Oh yipee, how helpful paypal are, NOT.

Stealth account for you?
High valued item?
All the buyers details available?

I believe high valued to paypal is considered anything over $2500. Nothing near that ballpark.

rsot · #18 05-06-2011

You have contact info of the buyer right?

berryfine1 · #19 05-06-2011

Happened to me over Christmas and one of the reasons I need a new account. Buyer returned a box of papers instead of the toy I sent her.

Because she had a DC number PP sided with her. One $150 transaction to the negative messed me up with EB & PP because I didn't have the money to cover that return as well as two others and my Dec. seller fees. Turned into a giant snowball, the only way to get them the money I owe is to sell, but I can't. I feel you ((Hugs))

Enigma · #20 05-06-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsot

You have contact info of the buyer right?

Ya I have the address.

ShadyOne · #21 05-06-2011

A technique for lowering the chance of this happening again in the future is to give many signals in your eBay listing decriprtion about what techniques you do or might have in place to prevent fraud/scamming

You obviously have to word it correctly as to not put of genuine buyers.

A brief example would be if you were selling mobile phones, you could display in your listing that you record all unique information such as the IMEI numbers etc etc. The idea can pbviously be taken further than this, that is just one example I have used.

It is just a technique to possibly decrease the likelyhood of this happening, showing them that you may be a few steps ahead of them, which will likely make them take their scamming elsewhere.

To some other poor eBay seller