Buyer scammed me, eBay does not protect its sellers

[evonnestore1990]

It’s disappointing to see that eBay allow buyers to get away with so much, at the cost of sellers. I was selling some Christian Louboutins and the buyer obviously uses this scam all the time because they knew exactly what to do. They opened up a case claiming the state of my shoes didn’t match my pictures. This was entirely incorrect and eBay found me not at fault. However, before the outcome of the case, the buyer took advantage of me (as I am a new seller and don’t use this platform a lot), and messaged me continuously asking me to accept their return request. I did not know that accepting the return request (refund) meant that they received a refund without the buyer having to send my shoes. The buyer has now received 2 refunds - one from eBay and one from me direct. I have not received any refund. The buyer is now refusing to return my shoes even though they convinced me to pay for a shipping label. They tricked me by telling me that if I clicked accept refund and purchased a label; they would send the shoes back. The buyer has now disappeared and is not responding to my messages. I paid for a shopping label for the return of my shoes, I have lost my money and my shoes. EBay have done nothing about this save for a very small seller fee refund. The buyer has got away with this, with no protection of a new seller by eBay. When they provide the refund request, eBay should have an explanation to describe what the request means, when the option pops up. 

This buyer took advantage of a new seller and it is so clear that I have been scammed. EBay did nothing to help. This is so concerning. I don’t feel comfortable selling my products on eBay anymore. I don’t trust that eBay will protect me. 

[twyngwyn]

oh, bugger.....go to HELP at top of page>>>>(during business hours)...follow the prompts and ask to speak to a supervisor...good luck!!

[sugar249]

The sale was only 7 days ago,  so even if they had recieved them within 2 days, and thrown them back in the mail the next day, they could still be with Australia Post.

And why don't you next time if hit with a return request,  read up on the process,  thats what help files are there for.   

[personal*collection]

I have been on Ebay since 2007.  I have had the same happen to me in the last couple of weeks.  The buyer (scammer) says the item doesn't match the description and wants a refund.  I immediately refunded the seller and asked for the item to be returned.  Ebay refunded the buyer and I have not received my returned item.  Ebay then closed the case and refunded me a mere $15 not $164.00.  It seems that sellers do not have any protection on Ebay and they favour scammers.  The scammers know how to get around Ebay policies and the sellers pay for their dishonesty. 

[sugar249]

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@personal*collection wrote:

I have been on Ebay since 2007.  I have had the same happen to me in the last couple of weeks.  The buyer (scammer) says the item doesn't match the description and wants a refund.  I immediately refunded the seller and asked for the item to be returned.  Ebay refunded the buyer and I have not received my returned item.  Ebay then closed the case and refunded me a mere $15 not $164.00.  It seems that sellers do not have any protection on Ebay and they favour scammers.  The scammers know how to get around Ebay policies and the sellers pay for their dishonesty. 

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From what you have written here you didnt follow the correct process,  read up how buyer protection works,  maybe in those 17 years on Ebay you should have done some research.

[domino-710]

You actually ' scammed ' yourself.

You send a return label - you wait for the item to be returned - then refund.

[9815amanda]

i had a very similar experience , check my feedback and please block the woman who ripped me a pair of shoes as well , the so called agents are pathetic ............

[sandypebbles]

Nobody else can see who the buyer is, only you and the buyer so pointless to say in your feedback to avoid them, and pointless to tell people here to block them

And yes, the agents type from pre-written scripts

You could *try* asking for a supervisor

What is the buyer's feedback left for others like?  if this kind of thing is a habit of theirs, you can also point that out to a supervisor, and if it is a habit, at the very least, it might get them on eBay's radar

And you are correct, as far as eBay are concerned, buyers can pretty much do no wrong and as the please