eBay

mr_c18 · ‎13-09-2025

Purchased an iphone on Ebay the end of last month and the seller posted and sent tracking details. The “item” days later ended up with a signature, which when queried with my local depot was delivered directly to a local business which is around 2 miles from my house, I didn’t get a card through the door which I thought was strange. I opened a case with the seller in case he had mistakenly provided the wrong details, he just updated the tracking details with the same reference.

Anyways, on querying the tracking reference with my local Royal Mail depot manager and him speaking to the post woman who delivered it, it turned out it was an A5 letter with a weight of 100g directly addressed to the local business (not a specific person), the staff there were confused as no-one had ordered anything. The manager also mentioned the sellers sending address was also totally different from the ebay sending address when I showed him the listing, he also pointed out the weight of a phone is over 200g. While the manager was speaking to the post woman, she confirmed the letter could not have been a phone as it was completely flat and when the manager of the local business opened the letter there was two sets of sin card tools inside.

The issue I have is the ebay case has now been closed, I sent the seller/ebay all these details and the seller just kept

updating the tracking after each message with the same tracking reference. I even sent a photo of the letter the local business received showing their address and date of post and weight of letter and the sim tools sent. The case was then closed by ebay, which I appealed and ebay still closed saying no change to outcome. Currently, I’m now having to paying £600 (via paypal pay in 3) for a phone which I haven’t received or signed for, nor was even delivered to me. Ebay have been of no help at all and it seems almost impossible to speak to a person. I’ve clearly been scammed and despite paying buyers protection I’m still getting hit. Can any of the experts on here offer any advice on further steps? I’ve now opened a case with Paypal to see what they can do. Thanks

roger_roger_over_and_nowt · ‎13-09-2025

https://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Buying/Samsung-Mobile-Phone-Scam-Be-aware/m-p/7922091

sml192 · ‎13-09-2025

Now that you have opened a case with PayPal you won't be able to take any further action with eBay directly.

PayPal will look more closely at the tracking so should find in your favour. I would also report the matter to Action Fraud and provide the reference number and report together with any other evidence you have to PayPal in order to help support your case.

style_wise · ‎13-09-2025

It's a challenging situation. When I'm in it, I try to keep things very simple for eBay. I would have called them to point out that the 'delivered' address does not match the Buyer's address. Usually they refund very quickly.

Since you have started a case with your payment provider, I would follow through with PayPal now. Or you could try calling eBay on Monday morning - see if 3rd time is the charm with eBay CS - and then close the PP case if you are successful.

sml192 · ‎13-09-2025

@style_wise wrote:
Since you have started a case with your payment provider, I would follow through with PayPal now. Or you could try calling eBay on Monday morning - see if 3rd time is the charm with eBay CS - and then close the PP case if you are successful.

Now that a case has been opened with PayPal it is out of eBay's hands and has to be dealt with through PayPal. It is done this way to prevent the possibility of a buyer obtaining 2 refunds for the same thing.

mr_c18 · ‎13-09-2025

Thanks all. It’s mad that they can get away with it so easily. I saw a similar post to mine and it was recommended to raise a return as item not as described, however, this was prevented in my case due to ebay closing the case and the buyer not accepting returns. Hopefully Paypal will resolve the issue, cheers.