A buyer starts a claim for non delivery of goods yet chose to collect from store

[the_pellet_guys]

As per title

We had a buyer purchase a low cost item he used the collect in store function, I tried calling to let him know his item is ready for collection (fake tel number)   so sent a message via the eBay messaging system,  a week goes by the buyer instigates a claim.

Whats concerning here is the fact eBay side with the buyer yet the buyer chose to collect, its pretty dam obvious to anyone with half a brain that it was never going to arrive. 

Fortunatly for me this is a low cost item with cheap postage so I just posted the goods to save being down ranked on the ebay platform,  but the seller has kept the claim alive.

My questions on this issue are

is this a common known scam?

Why doesnt eBay verify buyers telephone numbers  I get challenged enough times

Why doesnt eBay see this is a collection and not a delivery and just blow the claim out from the offset

As I said above its a low cost affair and the amount is negligable but it leaves a bad taste and this could happen on a higher ticket item  and to find eBay siding with the seller

Paul

The Pellet Guys

[red_magpie]

This is what eBay's current money back guarantee policy states:

The buyer chose a Click & Collect delivery option

Covered: The item did not arrive at the collection point Not covered: The buyer was notified that the item was ready for collection, but did not collect it within the specified time frame

You can read the full policy here: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/money-back-guarantee.html

Always check the latest version as eBay keeps changing it.