Appropriate response to payment dispute.

[shoaltech]

A buyer wanted to return an item. I told them that was fine and provided the address. The buyer said he sent it back. After some time he asked about the refund and I asked if I could have the tracking. He provided tracking showing a delivery to the correct suburb. The tracking said no signature required and that it was left at the premises. The time of the delivery on the tracking was well inside my usual business hours when I would never be unavailable for deliveries.

I contacted Ebay asking what to do. They said since there was no actual return started that I didn't need to do anything. 

He has now started a dispute with his payment institution. The reason being 'The item doesn't match the description in your listing', however in the comments he states that he has sent the item back. FYI, it's an expensive item, approx $1500.

I'm wondering if the best course of action is to address that the item was not as described, or that I never actually received it. Or both? Any advice is welcome.

[etb321]

I am of the view, (it's my personal opinion), your user name is misleading, I think salty249 would be more appropriate, but to answer your question.

The choice of an overseas payment provider wasn't particularly patriotic. 

[springyzone]

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@the_dutchess_of_dork wrote:

You have got to be kidding!

Who in their right mind would not go through ebay for a $1,500 return and would not add Signature on Delivery?  Not to mention insurance as it would be limited to $100 in the event of it going missing or being damaged.  Screams scammer to me.

Good luck!

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I thought that too and I am seriously worried for shoaltech as it sounds as if he is being scammed.

I have no idea how the buyer will get on with the bank but I really hope someone, somewhere, looks into it properly for him.

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Shoaltech, I'd probably be inclined to go down the track of saying I did not receive it back, because that is the truth, but I am not a seller so it would be best to get other opinions about that, but good luck. That's a lot of money to have on the line. 

[shoaltech]

Thanks for all the replies. I am preparing my response now. I am going to address that the item provided was exactly as described. And also detail everything regarding the supposed return and the fact that I never received anything. 

[shoaltech]

So I just received a message from Ebay saying that the dispute was found in favour of the buyer. I now have to go through the extremely painful process of providing all the evidence to Ebay that I never received the item back. Even though Ebay's Seller Protection Policy clearly states that I should be covered in this situation, the last time this happened Ebay did not honour this despite me demonstrating that I clearly satisfied all the criteria for seller protections.

[gutterpunkz05]

Best of luck,  but wasn't the return outside of ebay

[sugar249]

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@gutterpunkz05 wrote:

Best of luck,  but wasn't the return outside of ebay

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Thats how I read it,  so self imposed pain

[shoaltech]

Nothing self imposed at all. I've done everything as correctly as possible. Have you ever got anything whatsoever positive to say?? These types of comments is all I ever see from you.

[pnc75]

Good luck. You are obviously dealing with a scammer. Hope it works out positively for you. Please come back and let us know how you go. 

[etb321]

I'm of the view the bank employee responsible for chargeback decisions didn't bother to read your response. Just glanced at the screen to check a bank proforma filled in by their customer, had all the boxes ticked.

[domino-710]

I would first check with Aust Post - in the correct suburb - which address was the item delivered.

They have record of this - given - the tracking number.

Have you considered - Fair Trading - this is now between you and the buyer for $1500 - you have the buyer's details - and - could submit all evidence.