Ebay is a platform that encourages fraud!

[little*sticker*co]

Unfortunately, after 18 years on Ebay, we have decided to stop selling on the platform due to the excessive amount of Fraud from buyers on Ebay.  Buyers have learnt that they can manipulate Ebay's policies. Fraudulent buyers receive a full refund- no questions asked by Ebay, when they return an empty box to the seller.

Australian Police have received many reports from sellers, yet they advise it is Ebay who are accountable here. 

Ebay believe they are above the law and allow the fraud to continue at the sellers expense.

EBAY IS NOT A SAFE PLATFORM TO SELL ON.

[lezned-toycollector]

I'm sorry... are you saying it is eBay who sent the empty box?

Assuming they weren't the sender of the empty box, I don't see how they could be "accountable". I also highly doubt any member of "Australian Police" would stick their neck out by stating as much.

[springyzone]

I think they possibly might, as in that it is between the seller and ebay to sort out as a civil matter, not criminal.

I have a friend who went to police after someone collected several thousand dollars from her but never did the job they were paid for, and she was told this.

What it amounts to is sometimes the little person hasn't the funds to pursue a case, even if they are in the right.

From what I can see froma  quick glance, some of Little sticker's items were sent regular letter, untracked. That was probably the most cost effective way to post but as we know, some buyers can claim it didn't arrive and so get a full refund.

My own experience with Auspost is sometimes things are slow but it is pretty rare something doesn't arrive, ever. So I think any buyers who claim this a few times are either telling lies or need to check their address details.

I would not have thought many buyers send back empty boxes. I have heard of it happening but surely it can't be that common? I don't know for sure as I no longer sell but I assume most buyers are honest.

All I can suggest, little sticker, is if you do decide to keep selling some things, only sell with tracking as I think that would cut down a lot of claims.

[macko_usko]

So sorry to hear that!

I had similar issue with the international order. Buyer claimed he received something else and took a photo of that thing I didn't send. I had to do a refund even I had an evidence what I have sent and the weight of the package was significantly different. Once the buyer claims he received something else, Ebay does not care if it's true. Be careful. 

[springyzone]

Yes, I think international sales are much more of a risk. For starters, the postage is so expensive that if a buyer opens a claim against you and wins, you stand to be out of pocket so much more.

You say

I had similar issue with the international order. Buyer claimed he received something else and took a photo of that thing I didn't send. I had to do a refund even I had an evidence what I have sent and the weight of the package was significantly different

This is where it would be good if ebay reps spent more time investigating a claim before just refunding. I do understand that it is hard for any 3rd party to decide who to believe but where there is a big discrepancy as in your case, they should be able to make the call in your favour.

But time is money and I think sometimes they just do what is quick and easy.

[sandypebbles]

I totally agree that eBay allows buyers to do mostly whatever they want, no questions asked

I mentioned this on another thread not all that long ago when someone commented that eBay only looks after sellers

Well, just let's say that was responded to with several replies of unpleasant comments, a nasty eBay message and other delightful replies

Up until very recently, sellers basically had no chance if a buyer decided to scam,lie and everything else, eBay fully supported them

Unfortunately eBay has recently also started to support dodgy as sellers, but honest sellers are not getting the same support 

[countessalmirena]

There are loopholes which some know how to exploit.

And it’s certainly not improved by eBay’s increased reliance on bot-driven processes and AI sans any human oversight.

I’m sorry that it seems both the OP and the seller posting internationally have apparently had no recourse to being defrauded.