empty parcel scam - how to beat it?

[rsot]

Originally Posted by agent006140

I dont know,I dont have any personal item worth that much.

So what's your most expensive item/thing owned?

[agent006140]

This morning I checked my bank account linked to my Ebay account and found $3200 from Ebay?
That was the amount for the coins I sold to a buyer who claimed he did not get all the coins,so I refunded him in full after he returned the remaining coins.
This order was insured by a company Ship Insurance,the message popped up when I printed the shipping label on Ebay that I should takeout insurance and I did.
But when it comes to filing claim,it said I should read the fine details as it does not insure coins !
Then I argued with the rep why does its message popped up when I printed my shipping label ,the rep said I should know better and read the fine prints.
It turns out I am not the only seller who did not read the fine prints.
Then I complained to Ebay,like all complaints,it said it will look into it.
So it is a nice surprise ,I got $3200 and get to keep the remaining coins.
Would like to know if anyone knows ,who paid $3200-Ebay or Ship Insurance.

[rsot]

Originally Posted by agent006140

This morning I checked my bank account linked to my Ebay account and found $3200 from Ebay?
That was the amount for the coins I sold to a buyer who claimed he did not get all the coins,so I refunded him in full after he returned the remaining coins.
This order was insured by a company Ship Insurance,the message popped up when I printed the shipping label on Ebay that I should takeout insurance and I did.
But when it comes to filing claim,it said I should read the fine details as it does not insure coins !
Then I argued with the rep why does its message popped up when I printed my shipping label ,the rep said I should know better and read the fine prints.
It turns out I am not the only seller who did not read the fine prints.
Then I complained to Ebay,like all complaints,it said it will look into it.
So it is a nice surprise ,I got $3200 and get to keep the remaining coins.
Would like to know if anyone knows ,who paid $3200-Ebay or Ship Insurance.

That's a nice experience - especially since eb could have said no to the coin coverage but you got a nice CSR person or team who gave you refund.

What were the coins?

[phaz0rz]

Guys.. it's really better to just not engage. Agent isn't selling anything and has no experience with any of this.

[agent006140]

Originally Posted by rsot

That's a nice experience - especially since eb could have said no to the coin coverage but you got a nice CSR person or team who gave you refund.

What were the coins?

It is not Ebay offering insurance it is an outside company which offers to insure Ebay shipments.

Ebay also attached a note with a link saying it has now removed that insurance ad from those categories it does not insure.

[agent006140]

Originally Posted by phaz0rz

Guys.. it's really better to just not engage. Agent is selling anything and has no experience with any of this.

And you do?

[rsot]

Originally Posted by phaz0rz

Guys.. it's really better to just not engage. Agent is selling anything and has no experience with any of this.

phaz, you're better than this while there are defects in the...armor, it's best not to do call outs or be too neg

[phaz0rz]

Originally Posted by agent006140

And you do?

I'm evolving. I used to interact with you as a real user, then I had your posts blocked for over a year.. now I just try to troll you.

[agent006140]

This is just a forum where no one really know who you are or care who you are ,dont take any thing serious,once you log off,go about your life,

[rsot]

Originally Posted by agent006140

This is just a forum where no one really know who you are or care who you are ,dont take any thing serious,once you log off,go about your life,

Hmm not sure I'd agreed with the callous regard of the forum but to each his/her own

[rsot]

Originally Posted by phaz0rz

I'm evolving. I used to interact with you as a real user, then I had your posts blocked for over a year.. now I just try to troll you.

Morning chuckles

[agent006140]

There is life outside this forum !

[slapped]

I used to sell TVs on ebay YEARS ago I stopped because of this scam.

[agent006140]

Originally Posted by firebriar

what would you do with it?

You mean what would people do with a $78k POCKET WATCH?
They are either collectors or dealers,to take in an $78K item into your inventory,the dealer must have a buyer who is ready to buy from him.
The largest antique fair is held outside London,some US dealers who attend could have clients who are looking for certain items,so all they have to do when they find the items is to email him a photo .

[agent006140]

Originally Posted by slapped

I used to sell TVs on ebay YEARS ago I stopped because of this scam.

There was a time Fed Exp expects seller to pack electronic in its original box ,else it is not responsible for any damage.
Are you selling new or used TV?

[rsot]

Originally Posted by slapped

I used to sell TVs on ebay YEARS ago I stopped because of this scam.

No doubt - professional buyers

[agent006140]

That must be long time ago as TV set is getting cheaper and cheaper .
You can easily get one in local store

[rsot]

Originally Posted by agent006140

That must be long time ago as TV set is getting cheaper and cheaper .
You can easily get one in local store

And not necessarily needed in these times of comps and phones...

[hello1212]

Originally Posted by paulfoltyn

I thought this scam had died out but seems some folk still trying, £400 item. Buyer claims another member of their household received the parcel and the packaging was damaged and empty. You know when someone is trying it on as they know all the laws and ebay rules and far too blase about apparently receiving an empty box.

I have the receipt showing its too heavy to be an empty box
Royal mail tracking photo shows the box was still sealed(i put a tonne of tape on it) at the point of handing it to them at delivery.
Royal mail have confirmed in writing(official letter) that there was no sign of damage and the weight of the parcel was consistent.

I know i will have to accept the return(fortunately its the weekend so i get a bit more time to be organised) but how can I ensure I win as eBay are not very seller friendly in this regard.

Whenever I sell any high valued items, I make sure I take note of the serial number or something to prove what I sold/shipped prior to packaging and sending.

For example, I sold a brand new PS5 controller. Buyer wanted to return his broken crap one and keep mine whilst receiving a refund. I took a picture of my controllers serial and compared it to the serial on the pics the buyer uploaded to the claim, both serials were different and eBay sided with me.

I've seen these scams occuring with cheap items, even £5 shirts!

People are unbelievable and times are tough right now for people so scams are on the up.

That's all you can do to protect yourself really, then articulate yourself well and explain the situation with eBay during mediation.

[phaz0rz]

@hello1212 - how does that do anything to protect you though, in 2026? It no longer matters if the buyer returns an empty box. The best a seller can do is deduct a percentage from the refund they're required (as per the TOS) to send. And even using that "tool" reflects poorly on the sellers account and will cause problems if used too frequently.


Last week I had a buyer return an ink pen wrapped in a ton of paper (not even close to what I sold them) and I was still duty bound to refund them $80 just to avoid risking my account.

[hello1212]

Originally Posted by phaz0rz

@hello1212 - how does that do anything to protect you though, in 2026? It no longer matters if the buyer returns an empty box. The best a seller can do is deduct a percentage from the refund they're required (as per the TOS) to send. And even using that "tool" reflects poorly on the sellers account and will cause problems if used too frequently.


Last week I had a buyer return an ink pen wrapped in a ton of paper (not even close to what I sold them) and I was still duty bound to refund them $80 just to avoid risking my account.

Be persistent with eBay live chat / customer support.

Report the buyer, detail everything, send the buyer paragraphs to try and scare them with threats to report it to action fraud.

If your account is in good standing with eBay, with trust established, they will usually side in your favour.

If the scam happens to you early on for a cheap item, just refund the buyer and report him, move on. You shouldn't be selling high valued items when your accounts fresh anyways.

Provide as much evidence as you can, articulate yourself well, it works for me everytime.

But that's the thing with e-commerce, you can never 100% know who did what, eBay knows that, that's why you need to maintain an above average sellers standard with 100% feedback, with no issues or mistakes on your end.