Scam Buyer

[robuk-ntlvjh]

So I sold a pair of jeans..put wrong leg length..when buyer recieved he told me this and asked what I was going to do..I stupidly gave refund without him opening a case and provided him with a ROYAL MAIL QR code to return them..he is now refusing to deal with me and hasn't returned item! I've spoke to Ebay on chat but not very clear what's happening their end. Buyer also sells jeans..coincidence I don't think! I'm so upset and have no idea what to do...

[*vyolla*]

I'm afraid to say that there isn't anything you can do now if you've refunded your buyer without first getting your jeans back.

[robuk-ntlvjh]

Yeah I made such a mistake..he messaged me when I was in the middle of a family emergency and I just reacted quickly..raging at myself

[jma2815]

Oh dear. You should have just asked him to open a case (I believe they’re called ‘return requests’ now though) and refunded when you got the jeans back.

There’s nothing you can do now. A buyer got free jeans. You’re not the only one to make a mistake like this, its easily done, if its any consolation. 

[arty.crafty.books]

 It's incredibly unfair when buyers act in bad faith like this, especially after you've tried to do the right thing by offering a refund.

While many are saying 'nothing you can do' because you refunded without a case, I beg to differ. You have a strong argument that the buyer's refusal to return the jeans after agreeing to do so (implied by you providing a return label and their initial communication about the wrong size) constitutes theft.

Here's what I would advise if they initially agreed to return the item:

1. Report them online to Action Fraud: This is the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime in the UK. Even if the police don't immediately investigate, having a crime reference number is important. You can do this online and have all their details already.
2. Report them to the police (online): Most police forces in the UK allow you to report minor crimes online. Explain the situation clearly, highlighting that you provided a refund for the return of goods, and the buyer is now refusing to return them. Mention the evidence in your messages where they indicated they would return the item. You can usually find your local police force's website and the online reporting
3. Gather all evidence as police will need this -  copies of all messages with the buyer, screenshots of the refund confirmation, details of the Royal Mail QR code provided, and any communication with eBay.

I had a similar experience with a buyer and an expensive vintage dress. Despite their lies (pattern with other sellersexcu, excuses for delays) the police did intervene on the report, someone went to their house,  and told the buyer they could be arrested if they didn't return the item. I had to collect it from the station, but the point is, theft is theft, and you have grounds to report this. eBay can be useless in these situations, but having a police report can sometimes prompt them to take action. In my case, eBay refunded the return label I had purchased from them after the ordeal.

You have a right to your goods back after providing a refund for their return - even if this was not an expensive item, the principle is important and ebay policies are not the law.

[robuk-ntlvjh]

I have reported it to action fraud as eBay informed me to do so. I'm so disheartened 

..10 years of selling on ebay and this is the 1st bad experience 

[edwardian-dreams]

Message them and say if they don’t send them back you’re reporting them to the police 

you have all the proof on your side let them provide their defence to them 

if it wasn’t a lot of money id let it go down to experience cos who wants that hassle 

but I’d name and shame them if they still didn’t respond

oh hang on

maybe they’re ill or something s happened 

but if they’re active on eBay selling jeans well, that’s that theory out the window 

[robuk-ntlvjh]

I've just done that actually but he's so abusive and arrogant back in messages I'm anxious about his reply! His username is 

Make_my_day

Kevin Hopper

Plymouth

AVOID AVOID AVOID

[tommystrezures]

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@arty.crafty.books wrote:

 It's incredibly unfair when buyers act in bad faith like this, especially after you've tried to do the right thing by offering a refund.

While many are saying 'nothing you can do' because you refunded without a case, I beg to differ. You have a strong argument that the buyer's refusal to return the jeans after agreeing to do so (implied by you providing a return label and their initial communication 

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where does the op say they provided a return label in their opening post? 

as others have correctly said and the op accepts to a point there is nothing they can do. The op should have asked the buyer to open a case so the item could have been returned. 

sadly they had other issues to deal with which I empathise with we are all human and we all make mistakes. All the op can do is ask the buyer to return them and offer to pay the return costs, and hope the buyer plays ball.

[wintersdawn1]

I know its not a good situation but if the buyer is causing more stress with abusive messages it might be best to put it down to experience and let it go.

[robuk-ntlvjh]

I've provided the buyer with Royal.mail returns tracked label and he's still refusing to return..I know I made a BIG mistake not getting him to open a returns case but in the heat of the moment that went out of my head and I just automatically refunded the item..now I know that was a big mistake and a lesson learnt. He has no reason not to return as I've provided him with QR returns code..he refuses to use it amd has said so in a message

[wintersdawn1]

@robuk-ntlvjh You can add them to your blocked buyers list:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/bmgt/BuyerBlock

[robuk-ntlvjh]

Just done that before I read your message. Just going to leave it all now and out it down to lesson learnt. I just hope he doesn't get away with it again with someone. 

[lucy_farmer]

'Just done that before I read your message.'

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So has everybody else reading this thread once they reached post no.8 !😆

[edwardian-dreams]

He’ll be trying to avoid police and fraud office now

thanks for the name lol

[podlingsmum2007]

I have read their responses to the neutral and negative feedback they received. They are extremely rude. 

[jma2815]

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@robuk-ntlvjh wrote:

Just done that before I read your message. Just going to leave it all now and out it down to lesson learnt. I just hope he doesn't get away with it again with someone. 

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He certainly won’t get get away with it with any of us now. 

Looked at the fb responses. What a nasty individual.