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Buyer requesting return but I suspect a scam
Summary: antgt81 attempted to sell a high-value item on eBay with collection only. The buyer arranged a courier to pick up the item, and later requested a return, claiming it didn't work, but provided a photo of a different item. antgt81 suspects fraud and seeks advice. tobiasd4 suggested that the buyer's involvement with a courier could void eBay's Money Back Guarantee. papso22 clarified that posting a different item photo isn't fraud but might lead to it and advised leveraging eBay’s terms. antgt81 discovered the buyer might have resold the item, adding complexity to the situation.
Hello, so I foolishly tried to sell a highish value item on eBay, collection only. Buyer messaged me asking if he arranges DPD collection can I pack it and send it to him, so I did. He did send me the collection code for it to be marked as collected.
This was on the 4th September. Now today, he wants to return it claiming that it doesn't work (it does). He has attached a photo in the returns message - but, that photo is the same make and model but it is NOT the one I sold him.
How should I proceed?
EDIT: As of morning of the 18th...
It turns out they are an IT recycling company and have already sent this out to someone who is claiming that it doesn't work.
So my buyer has since sold the item onto someone else.
tobiasd4
MentorSep 17, 2026 at 6:24 PMIf buyer arranges his own courier, instead of collecting himself, then they invalidate ebay MBG.
You may need to contact eBay CS to inform them of this.
Had they collected item themselves, you would have arrange collection.
antgt81
OPSep 17, 2026 at 6:39 PM · EditedAs it's collection only, they'd have to return it themselves surely? But thanks for the other information, will let eBay know. Where in the T&Cs is that?
Any comments on the buyer trying to return an item which is not the one I sent? Isn't this fraud?
Edit: the MBG is only invalid for claiming items not received I've just found out. So there's still an issue with being scammed over an item which isn't mine.
tobiasd4
MentorSep 17, 2026 at 7:19 PMSellers still have to pay return postage for collected items.
antgt81
OPSep 17, 2026 at 7:23 PMAny comments on the buyer trying to return an item which is not the one I sent? Isn't this fraud?
papso22
MentorSep 17, 2026 at 7:36 PMReturning a different item would be, but they haven't done that.
Look in the exclusions to the money back guarantee for information on arranging a third party pick up.
antgt81
OPSep 18, 2026 at 5:53 AMThey haven't done that?
They have pictured an item which is not the one I sent. They are attempting fraud.
papso22
MentorSep 18, 2026 at 6:05 AMThey haven't returned a different item as they haven't returned anything. Posting a different picture is neither fraud nor attempted fraud but may be a precursor to fraud. However if you handle this correctly by pointing out the exclusion to the MBG to ebay you should get the ebay case closed. You may still be at risk from a chargeback though.
There is no way to sell safely on ebay since they removed cash on collection.