Buyer says item was missing from package

[andrew*912]

So I sell a game - the buyer wins but before payment asks me to confirm it has the discs inside and send a picture of them. Which I did .  Then he pays and I send off.   question seems like setting up for an issue before we have started 

Buyer now claims I sent him and empty package.   Picture they attached shows a ripped end of a packet.   But could be anything so asked for better pictures which I’m to claim from Royal Mail I would need

sent him tracking which shows the item weighed 126g when posted at post office.   Now story changes to the package was not sealed properly.   But the pic shows it torn open again asked for better pics.  Which they say they can’t send (won’t send more like )

advice on next steps so I don’t get ripped off?
i have reported the buyer as they are an account 1 week old and zero feedback.  But not sure that will do,anything

Continue to do nothing until they send a full picture

wait for ebay to step in?   But feels they will side with the buyer without checking 

send a returns label to get the empty packet back?

it’s obviously a scam but how to prove that?

[**peaseblossom** · Accepted solution]

The problem is you can't prove it.   It is possible the item has been stolen in transit.   See what the buyer does next but if/when they escalate to ebay, as you say, they will almost certainly side with them.    If so you will have to refund but get the packaging first and then claim from RM.

[andrew*912]

I agree it could have been damaged in transit but assume to be successful in a royal mail claim i would need some better pictures of the package as it arrived to them which they wont send.   

So have sent them a returns label to send back my 'empty' package and see what happens

[andrew*912]

Got resolved in the end.   Sent the returns label, which they never used.   Ebay resolved the case in my favour after the case timed out.  

[john1297576]

Basically you called their bluff, they hoped you would refund without wanting item sent back. Some sellers also foolishly refund BEFORE item returned which then never hsppens.

As they did not use the label, you will not be charged for it.