Haven't received my item, its been 30 days, I think i might have been scammed! Any advice?

[raychillan]

Hello all,

I purchased an eyeshadow palette on ebay, which cost me $61.80. This palette is not sold where I live, so I knew I was taking the gamble to buy it on ebay when in the back of my mind I sensed the possibility of getting scammed. I went through with the payment on the 29th of April 2014. I even emailed the seller before buying the item to make sure it was authentic, and he responded back saying yes it is authentic, or else we will be happy to refund back the amount plus postage. Convincingly, I went ahead with payment and a day later the seller marked the item as posted and also sent me a message saying 'thank you purchasing from us, we are 100% authentic and can't wait for your item to be delivered to you'. I felt convinced and thought I just needed to play the waiting game. The item was being posted from Israel. Since then, its been 30 days and I'm not sure any of my packages have ever taken this long to arrive, I have my doubts that it could be stuck at customs but then I'm also thinking I might have been scammed. Long story short, a few days after the postage of my item, the item had been removed and the seller was no longer a registered user.

My ebay summary says: We had to remove this listing from the site and you're not required to complete the transaction. If you've already sent payment, the sale should process as normal and you don't have anything to worry about. If you have any questions about delivery, please check tracking or contact your seller. If you run into any trouble along the way eBay is here to help. Please visit the Resolution Centre to help resolve any problems you may encounter

I was a bit curious so I searched up the same eyeshadow palette again on ebay, and looked for the cheapest price. I found a few sellers that had recently registered with ebay and were selling the exact same palette with the same pictures and same description. I have this strong feeling, it is the same seller who has mutiple accounts (but based in Israel). I'm not sure how many other people are in a situation like this as me. Does any one have any advice for me? I have lodged a claim through ebay and paypal. Some feedback would be lovely! Thanks guys! 

[jerryman12a]

Unfortunately this happens and you have followed the correct procedure , not much you can do but check your PayPal claim to make sure your following any instructions from them.

You can report the (new)  listings , it might help .  I guess we all get caught sometimes hoping a potentially suspect listing/and purchase might turn out ok and as long as you purchase using PayPal etc at least there is some protection . 

As to what else you can do I don't know , you seem to have it pretty much in hand  .

[cq_tech]

When you say that you've lodged a Paypal claim, have you actually escalated it yet? If not, you should do so immediately, as I very much doubt that after 30 days your item is going to turn up.

[some999]

I'd probably be waiting & file a non-receipt on the 43rd or 44th day.  There is a 45 day limit so don't miss it!

I have not had items from Israel but items from the UK have arrived in as little as 4 days while others have taken almost 6 weeks.

There is no pattern & I don't panic until the 45th day is about to approach.

Same from USA, China etc.

Somewhere in transit, your item only had to go to one wrong spot & that could delay it by weeks - not the sellers fault.

(Last year I had a package from USA arrive late showing postmarks in Europe when it arrived - I'm guessing they sorted to Austria not Australia!).

Perhaps the seller didn't post for 2 weeks & the item might take 3.

There are so many variables I suggest holding off.  ++ forgot customs!  That can also delay your item.

I would send the seller an email asking to confirm when they posted & that they had the correct address.

I'd say I'm just getting a little worried as it hasn't yet arrived.  Often when I do that for myself, it arrives the next day & I can email back to say it is here.

If they reply, I'd be holding off filing.

[silversterio2]

"the item had been removed and the seller was no longer a registered user"

Was it something like this ?

【Urban Decay】**NEW** Naked 3 Makeup Eye Shadow Palette 100% Authentic

shown here:

http://tinyurl.com/kdmn6bj

Those listings from low feedback sellers from Israel are all SCAMS - Fraudulent listings for non existent items.

They've built up their feedback by buying very cheap items - Typical Scammers

As already advised and if you haven't done so already, escalate your dispute to a claim immediately.

[davewil1964]

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@some999 wrote:

I'd probably be waiting & file a non-receipt on the 43rd or 44th day.  There is a 45 day limit so don't miss it!

I have not had items from Israel but items from the UK have arrived in as little as 4 days while others have taken almost 6 weeks.

There is no pattern & I don't panic until the 45th day is about to approach.

Same from USA, China etc.

Somewhere in transit, your item only had to go to one wrong spot & that could delay it by weeks - not the sellers fault.

(Last year I had a package from USA arrive late showing postmarks in Europe when it arrived - I'm guessing they sorted to Austria not Australia!).

Perhaps the seller didn't post for 2 weeks & the item might take 3.

There are so many variables I suggest holding off.  ++ forgot customs!  That can also delay your item.

I would send the seller an email asking to confirm when they posted & that they had the correct address.

I'd say I'm just getting a little worried as it hasn't yet arrived.  Often when I do that for myself, it arrives the next day & I can email back to say it is here.

If they reply, I'd be holding off filing.

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Why? eBay have already NARUd the seller. Open a case and escalate it as soon as you are allowed.

Did you read the OP?

The seller is a scammer.

[some999]

Re my reply - When I gave my advice I'd missed the line about the seller was no longer a registered user & that the item had been removed!!!!!

In that case, yes, I agree - file with paypal asap if not already done so.

[raychillan]

Hi,

Thank you for your response. Yes I did escalate the claim immediately when I was convinced I was scammed. 

Rachel

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@cq_tech wrote:
When you say that you've lodged a Paypal claim, have you actually escalated it yet? If not, you should do so immediately, as I very much doubt that after 30 days your item is going to turn up.

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[raychillan]

Thank you for response. You could actually report a listing? I did purchase with paypal, and I'm glad I did. I also escalated the claim immediately. Thanks again 🙂

[raychillan]

Hi,

The seller is no longer a registered user, so there is no way to contact them. I have escalated the claim, but still waiting. Ignore my naiveness, but If I could just ask what a non-receipt is, and what am I supposed to do?

Thanks again 🙂