Ive sold quite a few items over the last several months and 99% have gone through with no issues. Unfortunately a few months back I had a buyer in the USA who contacted me reporting that the item they received was damaged and this was due to improper handling by the courier. I kindly asked the buyer to send photos over so I could raise a claim with my courier Royal Mail as the item was insured. The buyer refused twice and stated he didn't have the time despite the photo being required as evidence. The buyer then became offensive over eBay messaging and I reported the buyer to eBay. No action was taken by eBay after this was reported.
I then received a dispute claim from eBay where the buyer claimed the item was not as described. I replied and supplied photographic evidence showing the item and it being packaged up prior to shipping. Several weeks go by and eBay has just replied to say they are backing the buyer and issuing a refund at my expense and on top of which I had to pay a dispute fee of £14 on top! I phoned eBay customer support to discuss the matter and it turns out because the buyer was in the USA he had filled a dispute with his Credit Card company and nothing they could do!
So basically someone can purchase something off eBay and it being shown as tracked and signed delivered, then the buyer raises a dispute; refuses to send photo evidence and whats worse refuses or fails to return the item and all this as the sellers expense!
Judging by searching previous incidents like this I am not alone and the person I spoke to in customer support said it was a common issue so if I bought something off Amazon, filled a return, refused to send it back and contacted my credit card company wanting a refund is this something that Amazon would turn a blind eye to?
The upshot is don't trust eBay to protect you as a seller in these circumstances. Don't sell high value items unless you are willing to stomach the loss! eBay's seller protection isn't worth the paper its written on!
Very very disappointed by eBay.
