Abusive buyer misuse of returns - unbelievable distress as a seller

[jewelry_secrets]

Recently I asked ebay to help me because a buyer chopped the back off a platinum diamond ruby and sapphire pin to wear as a pendant - the wrote in messages they did this

Then...next day they started a return stating it was broken or damaged

i had documentation from an independant appraiser it was in good condition from an independent party I was never asked to provide this document..

I accepted the return

I reached out to ebay because this item was damaged...and changed....I don't know how to cover these losses as a seller there is no shop on the planet that allows buyers to alter items then forces sellers to accept back an item that may never be sold again and/or is damaged

By reaching out and asking for help I have now been told I will not get my final value fee credit back...I am being charged for asking for help

I NEVER ESCALATED THIS TO A CLAIM I JUST ASKED FOR HELP UNDER DURESS

I tried to discuss with the high value team but feel I have no rights

I feel frightened to start this conversation on ebay  and feel I will be persecuted further for it but I am terribly distressed at the treatment I have had

[domino-710]

Given - the item was as described - until ' chopped ' by the buyer.

[papermoon.lady]

I am not a seller, but aren't you able to add a message to the request? I mean, a message where you tell eBay what the buyer said and telling them to check the messages? They CAN check messages when there is a problem. If you can't add a message, you can always contact eBay via live chat (from the help page) to explain the situation.

[jewelry_secrets]

Hi everyone...I appreciate comments and assistance here I was crying all morning and it's been 2 weeks of stress

I found this article that was helpful on these issues it says that 1/5 items are sent back and 7.5% as in almost 1/10 of those are scams/fraud as a fact...although that is average over all categories of items and of course some categories jewelry are more open to that

Here is the article it was informative and distressing

https://www.comparitech.com/identity-theft-protection/ebay-scams/

[jewelry_secrets]

admitted in writing and ebay read that message and acknowledge they altered it

so they told me

"don't worry you will get something back it mightn't be what you sent but you will receive something back"

that damaged item has no value for resale....

I could not refuse the return

I am not being charged for asking for help

I have been refused assistance by the high value team who said "the buyer stated it was damaged"I have was given the opportunity to refute that and show it was sent in good condition

I was told I could report the matter to the internet crime authority but the return was forced on me and I had no choice on ebay except to offer to pay return costs and accept the return the truth is nobody can refuse any return

[jewelry_secrets]

sorry..meant to say when I asked for help in tears the high value team closed the return escalating it I DID NOT REQUEST TO ESCALATE...AND then told me I would never receive my final value fee back

[papermoon.lady]

---

@imastawka wrote:

OMG.    Such high priced items.

Why did you agree to a return when your listings say No returns accepted?

---

I think the item the OP sold to that person is the most expensive one they have sold, and it is really very expensive. I think the OP should have a witness to see what the buyer sends back (maybe not even the modified item). 

[imastawka]

Appeal eBay's decision about a return or missing item for sellers | eBay

[jellybirddesigns]

Sorry to hear this - it's awful 😞

Do you have the option for "Auto Accept Returns" on? You can change this.

There are seller protections to deduct a certain percentage if the item sent back is not what you sent to them. You are allowed to deduct up to 50% of the items value.

I have another take on this - assuming that the buyer is Australian based, you may need to approach small claims court, or, depending on the value of the item, you may want to engage a lawyer and/or file criminal damages depending on what happens when you get it back.

I don't know why the rep says you won't get your FVF back, but in all honesty, they are useless and are barely worth approaching in the first place. The boards are far more helpful and we've been successful in helping sellers get proper resolution.

[papermoon.lady]

Jelly, there was a case in the USA recently with Judge Judy/ Judy Justice (about a piece of junk that had been sent back to the seller instead of the original watch), and if you go to 14:40 the buyer says how eBay sided with him and Judge Judy replies "Ebay isn't as smart as I am". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u96IMAj_R0 So yes, a small court case can help, except that the OP will have to pay, but considering the price of the item it is worth trying.

[jewelry_secrets]

you cannot refuse a return

you are not allowed to refuse if you call and ask for help you are given a warning to accept provide the return address and to contact them urgently to offer to pay for the return postage

you cannot refuse a return now - whatever the buyer says...you are not allowed to refute it and cannot refuse a return - you are given no opportunity to state otherwise with formal documentation or any other way

further if the buyer does not get their way they can escalate and if you do not comply the case will automatically be found against you

this matter appears as a defect in my selling record but in fact...the item was appraised independently sent in good condition and the return was a lie further to that the buyer ADMITTED in messaging the chopped the pin to wear as a pendant