Navigating Disputes on Online Platforms: Your Experiences and Solutions
Summary: abdptyltd is appealing a decision regarding a disputed eBay return and seeks a review by a senior specialist. They assert that the item returned might not be the same as the one originally dispatched. sandypebbles responds by reminding abdptyltd that this forum is for member discussions, not eBay's customer service. *casey* offers reassurance about the return process, while e_purchasing and davewil1964 question the evidence provided by abdptyltd and the likelihood of eBay taking their side without proper documentation in the original listing.
Formal Appeal — Suspected Fraudulent Return / Request for Executive Review
Dear eBay Customer Service,
I am appealing the decision to require a refund in connection with the following transaction:
Item: Victron SmartSolar MPPT 250/100 TR Solar Controller Bluetooth
Item number: 307097049649
Buyer: kombixx
Return deadline: 5 September 2026
My previous correspondence was rejected without addressing the central issue: I have provided photographs, identifying images, and serial-number evidence showing the genuine item that I dispatched. I have also raised a specific and reasonable concern that the buyer may return a different, damaged, counterfeit, incomplete, or materially altered item.
The issue is not simply whether a parcel is returned. The issue is whether the item returned is the same item that I sold and dispatched. Delivery of a parcel cannot, by itself, establish that the buyer has returned the correct goods.
I therefore request an immediate human review by a senior case specialist or the appropriate seller-protection/fraud-investigation team. Please do not treat this correspondence as a request to reopen the same automated decision without reviewing the evidence already supplied.
I request written confirmation that:
The photographs, images, serial numbers, listing details, and dispatch evidence will bereviewed.
Any returned item will be verified against that evidence before the refund is treated asfinal.
A parcel being delivered will not automatically be treated as proof that the correct itemwas returned.
I will be given a reasonable opportunity to report and evidence any discrepancyimmediately after delivery.
I will not be held responsible for a different, counterfeit, damaged, incomplete, ormaterially altered item.
The case will remain appealable if the returned item does not match the item originallydispatched.
If a parcel is returned, I will preserve evidence of its condition on arrival and document the unboxing, packaging, labels, serial numbers, identifying marks, accessories, and physical condition. My acceptance of delivery will not constitute acceptance that the buyer has returned the correct item, and it will not waive my right to dispute the return.
Please provide the reason for rejecting my previous reply and identify the specific evidence relied upon in deciding that the buyer’s return should proceed. If this matter cannot be resolved through seller protection, please provide the final decision and the applicable appeal route in writing.
This message is a formal appeal and notice that I dispute any refund or deduction based on the return of an item that does not match the genuine goods originally sold and dispatched.
Yours faithfully
Martin
*casey*
·2 weeks ago · EditedHi Martin
This sounds like your first return and I can tell how worried you are.
I suggest you don't overthink it at the moment
Keeping it simple, when you receive the item back , you should be given 3 days to inspect the item before issuing a refund.
If eBay do the wrong thing and refund the buyer, you'll be given a chance to appeal the decision.
Whilst it's not always a guarantee of a good buyer because buyers can only receive positive feedback, your buyer is a regular user with up to date good feedback.
Please let us know the outcome and if necessary, we can further advise you further.
Hopefully everything will run smoothly for you.
(And in regards to the title of your thread, unfortunately, even before the changes to the forum, there haven't been many sellers around the AU forum to discuss experiences and solutions in your situation for a very long time)
abdptyltd
OP2 weeks ago · EditedThanks But what is Concerning is a Complete Lack of respect here They have admitted the return would probably be a different item & still they constantly Require me to accept the return & expect me to accept a 50% refund it its the wrong Item even after I pay postage costs 2 ways I have LOST the original Item & received a Damaged NON working one That is NOT even an Australian Model Which can be proven by the buyer providing the serial number in a pic of the full unit & they don't seem to be Making any attempt to get the info from the Buyer & I smell Corruption & then they get my working unit for Free NOT ON EVER & now I received this
Here's the case outcome
We asked the buyer to return the item for a refund. We asked the buyer to return the item for a refund.
When tracking details show that the item is delivered, we'll issue a refund to the buyer on your behalf. This case won't affect your seller performance.
so where is the seller Protection in this
When tracking details show that the item is delivered, we'll issue a refund to the buyer on your behalf. This case won't affect your seller performance.
e_purchasing
·2 weeks agoEbay would not admit "the return would probably be a different item" They may acknowledge if that happens to be the case to contact them.
Conversely what is to stop you from telling eBay you got something different back. You have no images of any serial number in your listing to "prove" anything.
Who's side is eBay supposed to take when it is a he said she said scenario?
abdptyltd
OP2 weeks ago · EditedThe seller has been provided with a picture as have eBay of the item being placed in to the sent parcel Showing the serial Number The Seller HAS NOT provided any images to clarify this & continues to Do Nothing
& eBay STATED I understand your concern that the buyer intends to return a different or damage item
The serial Number is the fingerprint of the item & I can Prove its what I sent in Picts & documentation I can Also Prove the one they wish to return is not the one I sent with Its Fingerprint
davewil1964
·2 weeks ago · EditedThe fingerprint needs to part of the listing, not an afterthought. You could well have put another item in the parcel post picture.
Either way, your pic of the item will not count with eBay.
I can Also Prove the one they wish to return is not the one I sent with Its Fingerprint
How do you prove that? Unless the buyer has admitted to fraud. Unlikely.
abdptyltd
OP2 weeks ago · EditedIts & All fingerprints & information related to it Are Traceable
I should Add that every Victron Product has a relationship to Where in the world it was made Sold & who purchased it from Who When & Where
ARE YOU SCARED NOW ? AI WILL DO THIS FOR US
davewil1964
·2 weeks agoI'm not scared. I manage without AI
davewil1964
·2 weeks agoI find issue with that statement.
I have not encountered such issues, so have no experiences nor solutions, but I am a seller who regularly visits the forum.
And provide solutions when I am qualified to do so.
sandypebbles
·2 weeks ago · EditedNot eBay customer service
This is a member to member forum, not read by eBay
Your post is not a formal appeal , you are simply telling other members
Posting here will not achieve anything in the way of ebay looking at anything, they will not even know you posted here at all
abdptyltd
OP2 weeks agoNo but maybe members will be a bit more aware of eBays Unconsionable conduct to Australian LAW
sandypebbles
·2 weeks agoThen why address the comment to Dear eBay Customer Service along with the whole spiel and say 'this message is a formal appeal'
Maybe make other members more aware by letting other members what they can do, other than post here and believe eBay will read it and contact them?
I doubt sellers who are not already aware are going to learn anything new by what you have posted
If you want a senior eBay staff member, you will need to use eBay Help, type speak to an agent in the chatbot and then ask that agent for a supervisor
If you have already lost a dispute and an appeal, I don't see anything changing