iPhone missing

[boyard101]

Hi,

Can someone please help me out. I sent an iPhone XS signed for recorded and the buyer took pictures of an empty box. I feel he has scammed me as the package didn’t appear to have been opened and resealed. Due to Ebay’s poor rules I had to issue a refund and now have asked eBay to investigate as I have whitnesses to prove I sent the phone etc. I’ve had no contact and am 1 iPhone down and £450 out of pocket! Anyone had experience of this before?

Thanks
Tom

[tobiasd4]

I would say claim from Royal mail, but as you used wrong service, they won't pay out,

all items over £50 must go by special delivery, PO staff should have told you this when posting.

[boyard101]

Thanks for the Reply..

Unfortunately I wasn’t told this and it’s a joke to find out after that sending a £450 phone. I convinced the buyer has the phone and he’s scammed me. Stories of him being out the country abs his brother “returning” the empty box to me which still hasn’t been sent.

I’m furious that eBay have such **bleep** policies to protect the buyers. Rather just send a few Glasgow mates round and sort it out myself!!!!

Tom Byard

[ruby*tuesday]

As said it is the risk you take Selling On here. You could have helped yourself by using Royal Mail's Special Delivery. For future Reference you cannot add your Mobile Phone Number to your Listing. Is not allowed as EBay see it as a means for an Off Site Deal.

[red_magpie]

Anyone had experience of this before?

Disputes over "empty box" deliveries, or allegations that the item received was not the item described are not unusual.

These are almost always found in the buyer's favour. EBay's money back guarantee policy is that if they can't determine that an item matched the description, they will support the buyer. You accepted this in the user agreement.

EBay never even sees the item before or after delivery. Even if you had produced witness statements that you sent the phone, these don't prove that it arrived. Hence eBay can't determine who has the valid case, and follows their policy to find in favour of the buyer. It happens all the time.

If the phone was stolen in the post you could have claimed compensation from Royal Mail if it was sent insured. Unfortunately, if you just sent it by the ordinary 1st class post you will get next to nothing.

As you have discovered, eBay is a very risky place to sell anything of value.