Buyer received 'empty box' and filed dispute. Scam?!

[hideldeedum]

Need advice on what to do... I sold a piece of costume jewellery on the US site to a US buyer, after failing to sell it on AU ebay for the price I wanted. The item is a designer piece, so it's got some value and it was sold for a substantial amount. The buyer paid, I had it shipped with tracking and insurance and kept a very close eye on the delivery with the online tracking since it was an international shipment and item had some value, so was definitely paranoid! But to my relief, packaged arrived and delivery was confirmed - my paypal funds finally released for me to spend. Yay?!! WRONG!! Fast forward 2 weeks after receiving the item, the buyer files for non-receipt of goods through PayPal, claiming they received the package but box empty, no contents. After 2 weeks of receiving it and you're telling me now the box is empty?! Oh C'MON. Mind you, I did not get a message from the buyer about the issue straight after they received it. They waited 2 weeks to file this. I have a perfect 100% seller record, ebay member for 10 years, sold over more than 100 items some more than double the value of the item in question and have never had this problem before.. Buyer seems to have a good buying (100+) record with 1 or 2 off ones... I've now misplaced the receipt for insurance but still have tracking details on the web. I am smelling a scam due to the time it took for them to file the claim. What would be my best course of action and do you think PayPal will rule in my favour, given I have excellent selling record and tracking/delivery confirmation? Please let me know opinions on this - I am extremely peee'ddd to the core. :s

[expanded_perceptions]

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@clarry100 wrote:

I should imagine that as long as there is one other person in the house (or wherever) at the time you are packing who knows/sees that you are packing the items and sending them that the stat dec should stack up.

Even if that other person is your partner.

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Yes, I agree, it is not a biggie for me. I would possibly feel more comfortable having somebody independent verify the contents, but I am lucky I have a partner on hand to sign a stat dec if needed. If anybody does not have that, and may need a witness in the Inner West region, I am happy to do so, anything to try to counter these scammers.

[clarry100]

Fortunately in our particular category we don't get too many.

We have had a couple who we know were scamming over an $10 item.

But there is nothing we can do about it as we use regular mail and have ZERO defence.

So we just have to mail out a replacement.

I always make sure I leave a follow-up against the FB I left for them that makes it clear that we mailed out a replacement for a claim of loss, damage or missing, whatever, so that other sellers can see that if they repeat it with others. Just make it clear, concise and factual without the accusations or malice. Just might help others.

[designers*n*more]

OP, you could try calling their bluff - tell them you have video evidence of the item being packaged and posted that you will be providing to Paypal and that they need to contact their local police etc straight away regarding the "theft" of the item and that you will also be contacting the relevant authorities. Just a thought!

[thecatspjs]

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@hideldeedum wrote:
Need advice on what to do... I sold a piece of costume jewellery on the US site to a US buyer, after failing to sell itonAUebay for the price I wanted. The item is a designer piece, so it's got some value and it was sold for a substantial amount. The buyer paid, I had it shipped with tracking and insurance and kept a very close eye on the delivery withtheonline tracking since it was an international shipment and item had some value, so was definitely paranoid! But to my relief, packaged arrived and delivery was confirmed -mypaypal funds finally released for me to spend.Yay?!! WRONG!! Fast forward 2 weeks after receiving the item, the buyer files for non-receipt of goodsthroughPayPal, claiming they received the package but box empty, no contents. After 2 weeks of receiving it and you're telling me now the box is empty?! Oh C'MON. Mind you, I did not get a message from the buyer about the issue straight after they received it. They waited 2 weeks to file this. I have a perfect 100% seller record,ebay member for 10 years, sold over more than 100 items some more than double the value of the item in question and have never had this problem before.. Buyer seems to have a good buying (100+) record with 1 or 2 off ones... I've now misplaced the receipt for insurance but still have tracking details on the web. I am smelling a scam due to the time it took for them to file the claim. What would be my best course of action and do youthinkPayPal will rule in my favour, given I have excellent selling record and tracking/delivery confirmation? Please let me know opinions on this - I am extremely peee'ddd to the core. :s

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Despite others posters intimating that paypal favours buyers - that is not my experience.

My advice is to carefully craft your response to include:

- reference impeccable track record on eBay and history of Paypal disputes - if there are little to none REFERENCE this - it is evidence

- highlight your track record in selling high priced goods with no problems

- also reference tracking number and receipt of goods dates with link to same

- draw attention to significant delay in buyer opening case for no goods in box ?? and that you are skeptical of their intent as they have not acted in a timely manner for you to follow up with freight company

Regarding proof for purchase of insurance, if you did purchase insurance and you also purchased tracking I am not sure why you are searching for receipt ??  the electronic purchase of post (whether in person or online) will show insurance was purchased at time of payment of post via records of shipping company

Open an investigation with shipping company and reference insurance and/or claim reference number in response

[hideldeedum]

I have done exactly as how you have outlined it @thecatpjs, and am pretty confident the dispute will be ruled in my favour. Thank you for the reassurance.
Have not heard from the buyer these past few days in response to my comments through PayPal, so am hopeful at this point. Cheers everyone for your input!