topic Re: I think I am being scammed, please help. in Selling

I think I am being scammed, please help.

ibeyondwu — Wed, 29 May 2019 13:46:47 GMT

I listed a watch on eBay for $1500, a buyer with 0 feedback tried to approach me for the purchase, after talking to him, I feel the buyer is reasonable and sold my watch to him. But I am quite careful when doing business with people with 0 feedback. The buyer is from the US, before the item arrived, I sent him a message asking him to check the delivery while the postman is there, if there is any issue get back to me straight away. Turns out he was not home while the postman was delivering the item, and he asked the postman to left the watch at reception.

I have just been contacted by the buyer told me the watch has issues that not been described in my advertisement, and the watch is not functioning. I have checked the watch before I post it out, I know and love watches if I am not in financial difficulty, I would not put it on sale. I am confident the watch is in great condition, without any issues.

So I feel like what I have been worried has come true, this buyer is trying to scam me. I never have this kind experience, but heard eBay always on the buyer side, some buyer even sent back empty box, papers for the refund, return with a different watch, or take the movement out of the watch, and return the case back.

Please tell me what should I do, how should I handle this, I did purchase the insurance for the shipping if the buyer can prove the watch is damaged on arrival, can I claim the insurance?

Should I accept the return? If I do I will lose 200 for the postage, and I don't know what I will receive.

I can relay on eBay against this kind of scam from 0 feedback buyer?

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

lyndal1838 — Wed, 29 May 2019 16:00:56 GMT

What does the buyer say is wrong with the watch? Is there a problem that can be photographed?

For a start, ask for a photo of the watch and the packaging if the buyer says it was damaged in the mail.

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

kopenhagen5 — Wed, 29 May 2019 22:26:21 GMT

Was the watch sold off eBay ?

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

collect247 — Wed, 29 May 2019 22:33:04 GMT

Just checked kopes,sold on ebay,I think OP took a big risk selling the watch to this buyer.

OP says that they're an experienced seller so they should have seen this coming a mile away and not sold the watch to this buyer even if they're in financial difficulty.

Definately being scammed and I just hope it all turns out well for OP but I have a feeling it will end badly.

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

whoisbiggles — Wed, 29 May 2019 23:23:03 GMT

Reads like the buyer is angling for a discount.

Personally, i'd request the item be returned in the same packaging it was sent in, with you offering a full refund upon receipt of the same watch that was sent inline with eBay policies.

When you have the watch back - lodge an insurance claim. you will have to prove your item was properly packaged and wasn't broken prior to sending.

Don't be rude to the buyer, keep your messages short and to the point.

Do not attack the buyers morals / ethics.

You either want your watch back or the buyer to accept the item. Do not give them any ammunition to take to eBay which will leave him with your watch and your money.

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

collect247 — Wed, 29 May 2019 23:30:54 GMT

Going by the way some sellers have been scammed in the past I'll bet if the watch gets returned that it won't be the same watch and seriously a zero feedback buyer just out of the blue purchases a $1500 watch,not in my books lol.

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

annieoakley2000 — Wed, 29 May 2019 23:51:44 GMT

At this point in time - where exactly is the scam ??

Buyer has received the watch and claims it is not functioning ......

Other than that we don't know what dialogue has taken place between buyer and seller; other than seller panicking she "thinks" she is being scammed .......

Wouldn't it be more prudent to get the watch back first ??

Just saying ......

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

huatao1975 — Thu, 30 May 2019 00:13:14 GMT

I think claiming the buyer as a "scammer" is a dead end. You can't prove anything and neither PayPal or eBay will side with you.

I personally had 1 case of good experience with AusPost compensation. I lodged it online, and actually got someone calling me on my phone. Then a few weeks later, they sent me a money order as compensation. In my case it's item lost ($50 value), but since they do cover for item damaged and they actually have people calling you trying to work things out. It's worth a try.

Watches are delicate items. Of course they can get damaged internally in transport across the pacific. If insurances can't cover this case, what's point then?

So personally I recon, lodging a case with AustPost and claim insurance is the best option. Even if you get it worked out later on eBay side (although unlikely) you can alsways inform AusPost and close the case. AusPost also has a community forum and you can ask your question there too.

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

clarry100 — Thu, 30 May 2019 00:18:21 GMT

At this point the way I see it is you really only have two options.

1. Refund fully and the buyer keeps the item.

2. Accept the return and provide a return postage paid label so the buyer has to send the watch back before they get their refund.

Option 1 you may not wish to do.

With option 2 you are not guraranteed to receive back what you sent out. This is a tough one to battle/prove with ebay.

So it depends, to some extent, upon how much info was in your original listing.

Were all defects/flaws declared and/or pictured, no matter how insignificant?

Did the watch have a serial number? If so, was it displayed in one of the listing pics?

Did you have some kind of service certificate from an independent jeweller to say it was working an a certain date?

Did you record the shipiing weight of the parcel you send out?

How well was it packaged for shipping?

Did you declare the correct value of the watch on the customs paperwork? This can affect any insurance clam.

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

daydreams_12 — Thu, 30 May 2019 00:34:07 GMT

Agree with you but the buyer is in USA so seller unable to provide postage label. I tend to think more to this than we have been advised.

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

annieoakley2000 — Thu, 30 May 2019 00:36:10 GMT

I don't think you can issue a return postage label for an overseas transaction..........

Either the buyer will have to initially pay for return postage or the seller will have to somehow facilitate available funds.....

I'm curious to see how all this is going to pan out .....

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

huatao1975 — Thu, 30 May 2019 00:44:01 GMT

I checked that AusPost "Compensation for lost or damaged items" has to be made within 30 days delivery.

So there might not be enough time sorting out return postage and actually have it back. I think you might need to call up AusPost and have someone telling you what to do.

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

fixnwear — Thu, 30 May 2019 02:10:10 GMT

Hello ibeyondwu,

not the most pleasant situation to be in!

If the buyer claims the watch isn't working and is damaged, you have every right to ask for a specialist watchmaker's check and the results - in writing, specifying what is wrong with it.

I wouldn't even consider accept just his word, for no other reason than this is Ebay, scams are rife, daily occurence, and you don't know the person nor does he knows you - so something in writing is the neatest way of showing what is wrong for both of you.

I would also ring Ebay ASAP, alert them to this fact and inform them you have asked for a professional apprisal document.

Also, warn them not to even think of giving the buyer your watch and your money on just his say so - that is illegal anywhere on the planet, incl. USA.

And - if it does turn out there is damage - then, yes, most definitely you can claim the insurance.

Best luck with it, and stay focused and consistant with your request for proof.

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

annieoakley2000 — Thu, 30 May 2019 03:03:56 GMT

Where does it say the watch is damaged or damaged through the post ?

This is what the op is stating:

"the buyer told me the watch has issues that not been described in my advertisement, and the watch is not functioning"

Good luck with trying to make a claim through Australia post/US postal system or any type of Insurance on grounds of the above.

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

fixnwear — Thu, 30 May 2019 03:17:34 GMT

annieoakley,

thank you so much for pointing out what a first class idiot I am!

Not to mention that I can't read either - but then that is the most obvious symptom & result of being an idiot.

You are so right of course, yours is the best advice given to anyone on the boards, ever!

On ya, sweetie.

And OP, you could do much better by disregarding my opinion about your predicament - just follow annieoakley's advice and all will be well.

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

ibeyondwu — Thu, 30 May 2019 03:21:19 GMT

yes

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

ibeyondwu — Thu, 30 May 2019 03:25:54 GMT

what happens if the buyer returns an empty box or a watch that is not the same when I post it out? what should I do to protect myself?

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

ibeyondwu — Thu, 30 May 2019 03:37:15 GMT

The watch is in really good condition, the marks are very had to show on the photos, so in the description, I state the watch is pre-owned, there are small marks.

I did not show the serial number, and I don't have it in my hand, the watch is limited edition, I don't think they are able to return a same watch with a different serial number, the watch has not been checked by a jeweller.

I have a photo of the packed parcel with post label, it has all the information.

I declare the value of the watch is 1500 to the custom, I purchased the insurance for 700.

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

annieoakley2000 — Thu, 30 May 2019 04:26:51 GMT

Basically the only two options you have are already mentioned by Clarry !

Of course you don't want the buyer to end up with the watch and the money, so the other option is for you to get the watch back....

If you are worried the buyer is going to send you an empty box, a different watch, a doctored watch, a brick, whatever; perhaps the only other solution is to offer a partial refund for the "scratches" the buyer is claiming and explain to him how to properly set the different functions for the watch.

I did notice you have sold/are selling some high end watches with lots of functions and as you mentioned you checked the functions on the watch before you sent it, so perhaps the buyer hasn't figured out how to work them.....

You also mentioned it may cost you $ 200.00 to get the watch back, so perhaps that is the partial refund to offer; it is not an ideal situation, but a lot better than having sleepness nights worrying about what you are going to get back in the mail and thinking you are going to be scammed ....

Hope it all works out for you

Re: I think I am being scammed, please help.

*tippy*toes* — Thu, 30 May 2019 04:44:32 GMT

@annieoakley2000 wrote:
At this point in time - where exactly is the scam ??

Buyer has received the watch and claims it is not functioning ......

Other than that we don't know what dialogue has taken place between buyer and seller; other than seller panicking she "thinks" she is being scammed .......

Wouldn't it be more prudent to get the watch back first ??

Just saying ......

I am wondering if the buyer has gone back and looked at the photos in the listing. There are 2 photos showing the face of the watch. Both photos show the time as being 9.25 with the second hand on 12. It could be something as simple as them thinking "how could 2 photos show exactly the same time if the watch was working? There should even be a couple of seconds difference between photos". That could prompt them to think "I could say the watch isn't working and those photos prove it".

I still smell a scam though and I'd be blocking overseas buyers on the remaining watches. I've seen too many go pear shaped here on the forums.

Edit: I also wanted to ask the OP, why would you only insure the watch for half it's value? That's crazy!