Click & Collect error, Possible Duplicate eCP problem as Item "collected" and eBay refusing refund

[wingman_s]

Absolute mystery as my order sent to Argos click & collect has been collected by somone else ?!! how ? EBay are refusing a refund. Do you think it's possible eBay have generated duplicate eCP codes for collection. The item was delivered and then collected , I have spoken to Argos and they checked the CCTV, which I presume invalidates my eBay protection.  How has this happened? Initially I thought a eloberate scam but I think it's error on eBay's collection codes, however they have now closed the case.  I assure you I have not asked or no one I know has collected the item. I have a crime reference number and will be speaking with the police to investigate the case further. Any help

or advise would be appreciated. Have eBay had me over here !!? 

[dch2112011]

Ask your card company to reverse the payment (chargeback) 

it hardly seems possible - could be Argos have somehow mixed the packages up on their system ?

I doubt the police will have much interest unfortunately  

[lucy_farmer]

I'd be more inclined to suspect an 'inside job'. 

What was the item? was it tech  of any kind? 

It may be a good idea to report it to 'Action Fraud'. (they don't *do* much about the case, but they do give you a 'case number' which may help with your case on ebay...)

[xyz307xyz]

What did the CCTV show?

Is the item marked as "collected" in your purchase history (presumably yes, but I thought I would double check)?

Ask the seller if they included the ECP code in the address. About 1/6 of my c&c orders don't - "my friend" told me once a shop keeper allegedly managed to get an ECP code themselves somehow (when the seller hadn't included it) but the code was actually for another item for my friend which was still in the post to them. (It wasn't Argos.)

[wingman_s]

My main theory is the same eCP code was used on the 2 different packages as eBay are responsible for generating eCP labels and collection codes, therefore perhaps their has been an error and duplicate codes have been produced. It was merely a designer brand of sports ski clothing. The CCTV showed a women collecting the parcel, I haven't seen the footage even tho Argos initially said do I want to view it.. I think the mistake could fall within Argos either an inside " hack" or innocent error but it's more likely that the error has arisen from eBay's email "ready" Collection Point code (eCP) and subsequent eBay generated a duplicate FM buyer "collection" code. The seller had lots of orders and the system could of glitched using a already used code for their stock, but who knows if this other customer has got her correct parcel. Very odd indeed and at this stage I doubt I have any eBay protection but I am going to try to appeal the outcome. Although I think eBay have grounds to refuse as the item was delivered and then collected. Very frustrating I don't think I'll be using click & collect again because the liability isn't clear at all. 

[zoomingmouse]

Long shot... was the parcel collected before your collection code was sent/received?

If yes, then how could you have collected... 

Worth a return to view the CCTV to see what the parcel looked like too. Maybe you could get a copy if they are able?

[xyz307xyz]

Also to see if they used a barcode or the code. Perhaps wingman's code was FM/VVVW823 and the woman's was FM/VVWW823 (as an example).

As I said before I would first ask the seller if they included the ECP code in the address. If not, anything could have happened.