So is this a common scam?

[byoud]

I have recently purchased something worth about $125

After 1 month it didnt arrive.... I messaged the seller (was international so 2 weeks is normal postage time +- 3 or 4 days)

They provided tracking numbers for 3 parcels via the ebay page (even though the item was only quite small and would have been sent in 1)

They claim to have 'sent it to the wrong address that paypal gave them'

I doubled checked the order details and both ebay and paypal list my correct address

The supposed address they sent it to is not even in the same country.

After raising a dispute with paypal a few days ago (which is waiting on their reply).

they asked to settle outside (typical scam giveaway)... so I have decided to ignore them from now and wait for the paypal dispute

[kopenhagen5]

It's certainly a common course for many ebay members to draw it out beyond the 45 days or get the buyer to close the case. (Especially from some countries)

Whether it's a scammer or crook ebayer, don't know.

But it sounds like you know to only follow through on the directions from PayPal.

Don't deviate no matter how genuine they sound.

And I hope the message of them asking to settle is in ebay as you can use that to appeal should PayPal see in sellers favour. 

[davewil1964]

What did they offer to settle for? If the original payment, they can simply do so through Paypal and that, I think, would close the case.

[byoud]

no actual offer to give me anything
Just said they wanted to settle things outside of paypal

I said I just wanted a refund

after that they sent me a photoshopped picture of random address on paypal order page

[davewil1964]

Okay. Stick to your guns then. Don't communicate outside of eBay/Paypal.

They have to prove at least postage of your item to your address. A random page will probably not help their case.