Buyer returned wrong item and Ebay closed case in the scammers favour
Summary: La discusión trata sobre un caso en eBay donde el comprador devolvió un artículo incorrecto y eBay resolvió el caso a favor del comprador, que fue etiquetado como estafador. Varios participantes en la conversación comparten su frustración y discuten las políticas de eBay que aparentemente favorecen al comprador en casos de disputas, generando una preocupación sobre la protección al vendedor.
I'm a registered seller for approximately 20 years now (this is the first ever time in history I am deciding to use this community forum and I did not want to reveal who I am) that has been selling paintings and rare expensive prints, all with 100% and zero issues.
I recently sold two paintings under the same order to a buyer who had 8 positive feedback. However upon the items being delivered to them, I received a message from the buyer stating that the items were damaged and torn apart, as well as receiving photos. I know for a fact that these paintings were not damaged when I packaged and sent them, but the buyer did not insinuate this either as they had immediately begun blaming the courier saying that this kind of stuff has occurred in the past for them too due to dodgy posties (bearing in mind the delivery proof of postage image showed the parcel looking completely fine).
Since this was literally the first issue I've ever had whilst selling, I contacted Ebay and asked them for advice. They simply informed me to let the buyer know to start a return, which they did once I notified them. I must state also that the value of the order was over £400, which is significantly impactful for me as well. When I received the return shortly afterwards, I was shocked to discover that one of the items returned was actually a cheap printed version of the original painting that I had sent, something the buyer must have already had in possession or somehow gotten scanned, as well as the second print not even being included at all. This was a red flag for me because in the original photo that the buyer had sent to me, the second print barely looked damaged and seemed fixable, so without accusing them or anything I believe they've just held onto it without getting rid of it, since they did not return it back to me as requested. I would like to make it clear that I know the other print which was returned is definitely a fake since the material is more of a poster print whereas the original which I had sent was a thicker museum grade texture.
There was no point me contacting the buyer as their deception here was so obvious that I just contacted Ebay immediately and said they'd launch a case with the buyer, informing me to wait a few days or something (I can't remember much, the customer advisor on the phone was being pretty vague) until I hear of the outcome. After a bunch of days I was shocked to the core when I read the email from Ebay notifying me that they have sided with the buyer and closed the case in their favour. This has almost put me off from ever selling again as I honestly feel so violated. Moving on, I have no idea what else to do. I did contact Ebay right after to ask them their reasoning behind this however it was the same type of scripted response you'd expect from these customer advisors, refusing to engage or discuss further.
All in all, over £400 has been lost from me and I've not received either of the original prints that I had sent out. Is there anything I can do at this point? Anything the buyer might fall in trouble for? I just don't get how they can get away with something like this,
tommystrezures
·1 month agoIF ebay made the refund without you issuing (so to speak) you have the right of appeal. As @lucy_farmer says you need to report this to report fraud. They will give you a case number you will need this when you appeal or talk to ebay.
peacocksrestoration
·1 month agoI would keep hammering away at eBay... As long as you have obvious evidence they should protect you. You said a photo of the posted item undamaged they saw that? I had a coin return exactly like this sent back with a fake which he even sent a photo of before sending back and I said to him it's not the same coin! I think they don't take much action until more than one complaint happens I reckon, but they should at least protect the payment and refund you your loss. I usually keep on until I speak to a manager or specialist maybe even talk about more action you might take if it goes on.... Good luck!
lucy_farmer
·1 month agoMake a report to 'Report Fraud'. (they don't actually do much, but you need to do this!)
R.F should give you a 'case number', then you have to get on to ebay (with this R.F. case number) with 'problem with this return' and 'sent wrong item back'.
Best of luck!
pat_687709
OP1 month agoThank you for this, but the return/case has all been closed. Nothing I can do on Ebay. I wanted to know if there’s something I could do to get money back or at least this scammer receive the right karma
4_bathrooms
·1 month agoIf you look at the very bottom of the case - you can open the last message you received regarding the case to do this - there should be a link to appeal eBay's decision. You will need to obtain a reference number from Report Fraud before making your appeal then include the RF reference number in your appeal.