Report Fraudulent Buyer

[vlad_chirita]

Report Fraudulent Buyer – Username Change from 

Dear eBay users,

I am writing to report a serious case of abuse and fraud involving the buyer who previously went by the username  and has now changed it to 

This individual is clearly using eBay to scam sellers intentionally, as they did with me — receiving a full refund without returning my item (a valuable watch). Despite providing proof and speaking with an eBay agent who confirmed the buyer had the return label, the case was closed in their favor. Now they refuse to return the item and are hiding behind a new username.

This is clearly a pattern of abuse, and yet eBay has taken no action against this user. Changing usernames does not erase misconduct, and this buyer should be banned immediately for violating eBay policies and taking advantage of seller protections.

I urge you to investigate this user and take appropriate action to prevent further abuse on your platform.

I am writing to express my deep dissatisfaction with the way my recent appeal was handled regarding a transaction with buyer. The case was incorrectly closed in the buyer’s favor, and I have been left without my item and without any form of protection or resolution.

The buyer is refusing to return the watch, claiming they never received the return label. However, during my phone conversation with an eBay representative on 21.05, I was clearly told that the buyer had received the return label and that I would get my watch back. This has not happened.

Instead of resolving the issue, I received a generic email from your representative (Shweta) effectively telling me to work it out with the buyer — even though this is clearly a case where eBay should intervene and protect the seller, as the buyer has both the refund and my property. That is not just unfair – it's absurd.

I do not need to be given lessons in return procedures. I need my watch returned or to be refunded for its full value. eBay’s current handling of this situation offers no seller protection, and it is completely unreasonable to refund the buyer in full without ensuring the return of the item. It’s beyond belief that your system would allow this to happen – essentially empowering the buyer to keep both the refund and the product.

Due to this serious mishandling and lack of support, I am left with no choice but to consider closing my eBay account. I no longer feel my transactions or property are safe on this platform.

The appeal was dismissed by eBay due to a full refund being processed, which is an illogical and unfair outcome since I have not received my item back.

eBay’s decision to cancel the appeal based on the refund is unjustified and disregards the fact that the buyer still has my property.

Sincerely,
vlad_chirita

[tressygirl]

You are ' naming and shaming' a fellow seller, this is not allowed and a moderator will be along later to remove the seller's username.

It's difficult to see how the case was closed when the return label was not used to send your item back, but once closed it cannot be reopened, and I'm presuming you contacted Customer Services again and they refused your appeal?

One more thing to try, contact eBay Customer Services again,  but only very first thing on a weekday at 8 a.m. as there's more chance of Dublin answering.  Lines open at 9 a.m. on weekends but Only speak to Dublin,  it's a call back so you'll hear the dulcet tones of the Emerald Isles.  Explain the return label was never used the watch never returned.

If that fails,  and this was a valuable watch,  you may need to take a legal route to get the watch back.

@vlad_chirita 

[papso22]

Did you provide the return label through the case?  

[vlad_chirita]

Hello, thanks for your replying. Spoke on the phone with ebay agent right on the day of full refund, was guaranteed that buyer has the return label, and that i should be patient and will receive a email from them. And this is the outcome. Kind regards.

[vlad_chirita]

As ive said, i was told on the phone by ebay's agent that the buyer has a return label, call that i had on the same day i did the full refund to the buyer. Also the buyer used a drop off address , a sainsbury's, not his home address.

[tressygirl]

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@vlad_chirita wrote:

Hello, thanks for your replying. Spoke on the phone with ebay agent right on the day of full refund, was guaranteed that buyer has the return label, and that i should be patient and will receive a email from them. And this is the outcome. Kind regards.

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Think there must have been some miscommunication here.

When the buyer receives that return label,  you do Not refund,  Before the item is back with you.  There is no email for you to receive,  just your item and as said,  only then,  do you refund.

If you refunded Before the item came back to you,  this tells eBay you do not want the item back and happy to refund now.

Is this what happened?  You refunded before the item was sent back?

@vlad_chirita 

[papso22]

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@vlad_chirita wrote:

As ive said, i was told on the phone by ebay's agent that the buyer has a return label, call that i had on the same day i did the full refund to the buyer. Also the buyer used a drop off address , a sainsbury's, not his home address.

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But you haven't answered the question.

[vlad_chirita]

i dont want the item back? happy with the refund? theyre must be confused, ebay and the buyer. no, i want the item back, as per my previous messages. buyer messaged me that will intervine in the watch aspect, didnt wanted that, ive sent him a full refund right on the day he received it and complaint about it, so he can send the watch back to me asap.  you should see the messages between me and this con user.

ebay does not protect the sellers, at least does not protect me. 

[tressygirl]

This looks like you handled this outside an eBay case.

In a case  opened by the buyer,  you the seller pays for the return tracked label.

Buyer Has to first use the label provided in the case, to send the item back.

You do not refund Before you receive the item.

You do not refund outside a case that the buyer has to open.

Where in the above were the steps not followed?

@vlad_chirita 

[vlad_chirita]

ebay allows this kind of actions, with their full refund option. ebay is biased.

[tressygirl]

Nope, sorry to disagree they are not biased, but cases have to be followed exactly, if you refund BEFORE the buyer sends your item back , there is no way to then enforce the buyer to send the item.

Never refund before receiving your item, those are the rules to follow.

@vlad_chirita 

[vlad_chirita]

ebay brings prejudice with their full refund option, and their case handling manner.

[jckl1957]

The Money Back Guarantee gives the buyer the right to return but there is no expectation that the seller will refund the buyer until they get the item back.

Can you imagine going into Marks and Spencer and saying, 'I want to return my coat'.  Would they say, 'Here is all of your money back.  Pop the coat in next time you are in town'?

The answer, clearly, is no.

You did not follow the process Ebay lay down.

Buyer requests return.

You provide a label.

You refund the buyer when you get the item safely back.

If you voluntarily refund before the buyer returns the item, then the issue lies with you.

There is nothing Ebay can do.

You could try communicating with the buyer and asking them, extremely nicely, if they would please return the item to you.

[vlad_chirita]

having a chat with the buyer

[jckl1957]

The buyer has asked you to provide adequate return postage.

You can go into any Post Office and buy a pre-paid Royal Mail Special Delivery envelope.

Buy one.

Send it to your buyer.

They will then be able to return your item.

In the meantime, send them a brief but lovely message apologising for not providing sufficient postage and telling them you will be sending a pre-paid Royal Mail Next Day  Special Delivery envelope addressed to yourself and please would they use it to return the watch.

[*guinevere*]

I've read all the responses here and nowhere can I see that the buyer has opebed a return case. 

If you have both done this in a DIY manner then ebay cannot help you.

You have to follow ebay's basic rules for them to be able to help you.

Without a case being opened by the buyer you have zero chance of getting your watch back.

I suggest you try legal steps now to get your money back.

[vlad_chirita]

please. thanks for replying

[vlad_chirita]

yep, the buyer will need to pick it up from his local argos sainsbury's

[papso22]

You can send an electronic version of a label to your buyer. 

You need to make this as easy as possible for them to do, as the issue is all down to you.    

You said in your opening post:

"I do not need to be given lessons in return procedures", I am afraid you do.

[jckl1957]

I don't think that eCP code will work again - you may have to ask the buyer for their address.

[vlad_chirita]

user still refusing to send back the watch even though was provided with a second return label, and ebay is using AI for a decision on the report of theft

[vlad_chirita]

Not the first time eBay allows this kind of fraudulent attitude from certain buyers. Right before this  back-and-forth with, not naming names,  starts with bona and ends with fidequod, I had another case — a buyer who told me "not to worry" after the watch left the authentication guarantee, only to disappear.

I’m seriously starting to wonder: why are these types of buyers being drawn to the items I sell? I follow all the rules, offer legit products, ship on time — and still, I get targeted. Meanwhile, eBay does little or nothing to stop repeat abuse.

ebay does not protect me.

[jckl1957]

Repeatedly complaining in here will not get your watch returned.

As advised earlier, Ebay do not expect you to refund UNTIL you get your property back.

This is between you and the buyer, Ebay will not intervene.

[vlad_chirita]

this transaction took place on ebay platform. what is the reason behind full refund option? if i can have a legal answer from ebay please.

[jckl1957]

You will have to speak to Ebay.  

This is a members' forum.

All the details about handling a return request as a seller are available from the link below.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/handling-return-requests?id=4115

[papso22]

You won't get an answer from ebay on here.

The refund option is there because some sellers decide they don't want to pay to get an item back, particularly if it's damaged.

It gives sellers a choice.

Where are your screenshots from?  Without context they don't prove anything.

[vlad_chirita]

One of the biggest problems with eBay is how unclear and inconsistent the rules are, especially when it comes to returns and seller protection. Situations like mine happen because the platform’s policies leave too much room for misinterpretation and loopholes, and buyers take advantage of that.

When rules aren’t transparent or fairly enforced, it leads to errors in case decisions, unfair refunds, and ultimately, the loss of the item. This isn’t just frustrating it’s unacceptable.

eBay needs to take responsibility for these gaps in policy and provide clear, consistent protection for everyone using the platform, not just buyers.

[vlad_chirita]

and eBay’s full refund policy  which is absurd, especially when it's applied before the item is actually returned. How can a buyer be refunded in full and still be allowed to keep the item? That’s not a refund — that’s a giveaway at the seller’s expense.

This kind of policy creates a perfect ambiguity for abuse. It encourages dishonest buyers to exploit, knowing they can claim a refund and never bother to return the product. Meanwhile, sellers are left with zero protection, out of pocket, and without their goods.

Is completely unfair and invites fraud.

[*vyolla*]

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@vlad_chirita wrote:

One of the biggest problems with eBay is how unclear and inconsistent the rules are, especially when it comes to returns and seller protection. Situations like mine happen because the platform’s policies leave too much room for misinterpretation and loopholes, and buyers take advantage of that.

When rules aren’t transparent or fairly enforced, it leads to errors in case decisions, unfair refunds, and ultimately, the loss of the item. This isn’t just frustrating it’s unacceptable.

eBay needs to take responsibility for these gaps in policy and provide clear, consistent protection for everyone using the platform, not just buyers.

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eBay have a clear and comprehensive guidance page for returns:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/handling-return-requests?id=4115

[vlad_chirita]

thanks but,  ebay and that particular buyer/user are very confused, cannot make distiction between Full refund/send the watch back pls/dont keep it, not a gift AND Full refund/keep my watch, doing some charity for you/im so rich i can affort to lose things thru this ebay platform.