After 16 years I think I've been scammed and I'm powerless to do anything

[wrexhamste]

Sold an Iphone 16pro max an iphone - buyer hadnt purchased in over a year (first red flag) denoted they needed the phone URGENTLY so arranged Special Delivery before 1pm next day - buyer was super chatty and poilte throughout. Next day when checking tracking the item was denoted as Delivery attempted - delivery dosent reside at this address - item returned to sender" Messaged buyer who said that She (it was a guy that I'd spoken to originally) that she had arranged for it to be delivered to her local post office and that she would go collect it. Two hours later the item was denoted as collected. rejoice. 24hours later a returns request was received as item wasnt working ( a huge paragraph of text detailing the attempts on what the buyer had done to get it to work but no messages before opening a case) I asked just to send me over pictures of the phone and packaging to confirm it was my item I had sent ( i had taken pictures and recorded IMEI and Serial Number before shipping) however the picture the buyer sent over showed clearly that the phone box was sealed. How could it not be working of it hadnt been removed from the box? Queried this with Ebay who said agree the return then they would investigate it as they agreed this didnt make sense. Buyer at this point had declined to oblige to any requests for additional information which seemed odd. Sent label and item was shipped out Monday tracked 48.. I had a notification Saturday Am from the tracking number the buyer provided that item had been delivered. Needless to say it hadnt (evidence available on security camera from the time stamped on the tracking) Spoke to Royal Mail who said they have Geotags on where items were scanned in and today ( 14th April) the item was scanned in and delivered to a completely wrong address but stated it would be impossible for a 25a to be misread as number 3 on a completely differnt postcode and street name. Post office confirmed that the address label on the item was for another address and not mine and was handed to resident. Ebay now of course are satisfied that the item was returned to me and have authorised the refund for the buyer...so many red flags and it looks like I've fallen for a commonplace scam yet ebay are basically shoulder shrugging and are complicit in allowing genuine sellers to be ripped off by scummy buyers.

[jckl1957]

You need to appeal using the Ebay appeals process.

Make sure you have evidence from Royal Mail of where the item was delivered to.  Ask them for written evidence of the delivery address or copy the tracking showing delivery to an address other than yours.

The Post Office don't have anything to do with deliveries so I don't know how they can confirm an item was wrongly addressed and delivered to anybody.

This is the evidence required.  Start the appeal from the link below.

Information you may need when appealing

You'll need to provide new, additional information about your case. This can include things like:

• Tracking details showing the buyer received the item before the case was closed. If the order's total cost (total of item(s), postage and any applicable tax) is £450 or more, signature confirmation is required
• Proof that a returned item was delivered to the wrong address or lost in the mail
• Documents showing the item matches the listing description
• Proof the buyer received a refund before the case was closed

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/appeal-outcome-case-seller?id=4369&st=3...

[*vyolla*]

Has the refund gone out yet?

If not, contact eBay straight away.

Tell them that the buyer has pulled the old trick of changing the returns address on the label so that the item they've returned (which won't be a phone even) goes to a completely different address in order for them to get a delivery status for the return label.

What happens if you check that tracking number? Can you see the GPS co-ordinates on Royal Mail's website?

If so, point out to eBay CS that the delivery address is not your house.

[*vyolla*]

Just to add, report that phone as stolen and block it.

[wrexhamste]

Thanks so much for the advice guys I really appreciate it, refund due to go out Wednesday  - the first customer service agent basically said tough luck its showing as delivered theres nothing more I can do about it and raise it as a claim with Royal Mail however a follow up conversation with ebay from a UK based number has asked me to obtain confirmation of the delivery address ( that isnt mine) and upload it to the appeals process along with the picture of the sealed phone the buyer provided despite informing me that it was faulty. Hoping that this does the trick and I'm not fleeced! Never again will I sell an iphone on ebay!

[wrexhamste]

I have now received a certificate of posting from the buyer which has my address on it but the tracking number looks fuzzy and in bold text which looks off  but also the weight of the item sent brand new was 450g however the weight of the item being returned in a padded envelop has been recorded as 621g which seems way out  - do you think this may help my appeal?! 

[papso22]

Possibly, but the real evidence is the written  proof from  RM that the tracking number is not associated with a return to your address.

They can't give you the address it went to so you have to give them your address, (as would have been on the returns label), and they then confirm it didn't go there.