Possible fraudulent buyer scheme?

[jsales123]

Hi there,

I have recently sold an electronic Google Pixel Watch 2 and this device is brand new, having only been turned on once - with no connection between my mobile device and the watch.

The buyer reported a problem to myself, claiming the device has a pin on it, and that it was locked. To me, this is unusual as the device has not been setup - a passcode cannot have been implemented. 

I am not sure how to proceed with this. I cannot provide a pin as I have not set-up one - and if I allow a return, I'll then have an unusable device - not what I had prior to selling. 

Regardless, I fear that I cannot do anything about this as they can claim that the device is unusable and goes against my listing details.

Is there any assistance I can have regarding this - or any suggestions?

Many thanks 

[cobwebcottage]

Unfortunately, you will have to accept the return. Maybe take it to a shop for advice and if they can help and you resell it, it will have to be listed as used.

[jsales123]

Thank you for the response,

What if the device was tampered by the consumer? I am quite unsure - I think I will accept a return, although I will take your advice and lower the price.

[cobwebcottage · Accepted solution]

The problem is when you sell online, is proving the condition of the item when you sent it. If the buyer claims that an item is not working the odds are against the seller. If it has been damaged and is not in the same condition, you can report them to Ebay although this won't really change the outcome.

[suelel1968]

Hi @jsales123 You have had good advice already. Did you make a note of the serial number which might help you verify the return? Have you checked out the buyers other feed back? Don't hesitate to report the buyer if you get the wrong item back. There is so many of these type of issues now reported on the forum  so you are not alone, but that in itself is no help to you now. 

I put a copy of your initial post into Copilot and it gave a lot of helpful advice about how to handle the return and ebay so it might be worth you doing that.

[jsales123]

Hi there,

I have noted down the serial number so I will process the return and deal
with the order from then onwards.

The buyer has 2 positive ratings - I'm not sure if they're trying to pull a
scam here?

I will await the return and see if the serial number matches.

Thanks for the help!

[selective_distribution]

`this device is brand new, having only been turned on once`........... just for your future listings, if this device has been turned on, then it is `Used` and not `New`. whether connected or not. Please be careful when describing items as `New`.

[kyanyama]

Plenty of threads on here about the exact same problem you have.  Check through them but remember you only have 3 days to deal with the problem yourself before eBay steps in and you end up losing your item and your money.

One of the hazards of selling on this platform.  A lot of buyers know the system and use it to their own advantage.

Accept the return, check it is the same item you sent.  If it is try and get it back to re-saleable condition although it will never be 'new' again - in fact anything that has been switched on is considered 'used'.

If the item returned is not the one you sent you will need to report it to Action Fraud, get a case number and report it to eBay stating the item returned was not the one you sent and give the Action Fraud case number and all the other info re serial number, etc.  Thankfully not had to do it myself but you can look it up on here when you have a chance.

And remember to block the buyer - you don't want to sell to them again.  Good luck.

And remember don't sell anything on this platform you can't afford to lose.  Most buyers are honest but you won't know which one you have until a problem arises after it's delivered.

Every day is a school day!