Ebay refunded buyer saying item not delivered, when delivered in person?

[bigbruggsy]

Hi All, I'm a long term ebay buyer and seller. Today I was told by ebay that they have reviewed a buyer dispute case in favor of the buyer, even though we delivered the items in person to the buyer. As theres no tracking etc, its just my word against the buyer. The buyer has "0" feedback, new to ebay I guess and I've been loyal to ebay for almost 15 years.

I have sms messages proving the item was delivered, this was given to ebay as proof. But still theyre awarding the buyer full refund and no return of the items? Has anyone else had an issue like this? Is this a loop hole in ebays conditions that scammers know?

[bigbruggsy]

Just an update, after talking online and on the phone with eBay it's clear that are not interested in resolving the issue and only in getting their money back. I've learned a few things that some of you have mentioned and I would like to share them to hopefully save others the pain I've gone through. 

1) Never hand deliver an item, even with QR code or tracking numbers, eBay will favour the buyer.

2) Never use phone or SMS or email outside of eBay to communicate with buyers. Even though this is the easiest way as the eBay system is so slow. eBay will not accept these as proof of communication. 

3) Do not think your 20+ years of loyalty means anything to eBay, in my case they favoured a 0 feedback buyer!

4) eBay admitted there are some known "loop holes" in their policy allowing people to steal. First sign is if you get "buyer disputes transaction" if you get this you're in for a world of trouble as eBay admitted they can not do anything against this. 

I'm sorry to say as a 20+ ebayer seller today I've deleted all of my for sale items. I will be will never sell on eBay again 😞 

[jellybirddesigns]

As a seller, you have to take many steps to protect yourself.

Sorry this happened, but I would use it as a teachable moment, not have a knee jerk reaction and delete my items.

1) Both hand delivery and/or pickup should be cash only

2) You didn't have the QR code in the first place, so you didn't have that protection

3) Definitely never use any other communication method other than Ebay messages.

4) It doesn't matter if the buyer has 100,000 feedback - you had no way of proving delivery. 

If you have been successful on this platform up to this point, why not continue? Take the lessons learned and don't get yourself into this position again.

[papermoon.lady]

And don't take any risks with buyers with 0 feedback... Personal delivery without proof to a buyer with 0 feedback was, unfortunately, a bit risky. There are also honest people, but better safe than sorry.

And I still think you should try to solve the issue outside eBay, as already suggested.

I wouldn't let the buyer get away with it. Well, at least I would do my best not to let him get away with it.

[domino-710]

Bruggsy - you still have enough - hope you didn't delete the messaging between you and the buyer - to put the wind up them with a police report.

The buyer is still in possession of ' stolen goods '.

Edited to say - type it up from the SMS - as a statement to take with you - as well as the phone.

[bigbruggsy]

It turns out my "buyer" is now currently in jail. I guess the law finally caught up with him. Now my problem is, will ebay still think that the "buyer" is in the right when he is obviously a criminal?

[jellybirddesigns]

I would ask the police to recover the TV as it is stolen goods.

If they can get it back to you, you can resell.

Ebay is VERY black and white when it comes to disputes. They don't care if the person is a criminal or any inter-personal issues. They only care that you could not prove delivery and that is all that matters in this regard.

[bigbruggsy]

And the money ebay is trying get back from me? The "buyers" credit card  has approved a charge back to ebay and ebay is passing that onto me. 😞

No, I've lost faith in Ebay. I'll try and get my goods back. But the way I've been treated by ebay is appalling.

[papermoon.lady]

Maybe you could even contact A Current Affair.

[gutterpunkz05]

Hi Bruggsy,  Giving ebay the flick, is entirely up to you.

Just a different view,  ....  Many years ago, as a seller,  I lost a considerable amount, to an ebay scammer, in the vicinity of $1000,  Anyway  lost the dispute, lost the appeal, and was about to give ebay the flick.   Then I realised that if I did just walk away, that money was gone forever.

 Instead I learnt everything I could about selling on ebay and online in general and decided to make ebay work for me, and as such recovered that $1000 in no time. In addition by using ebay promotions etc, I was able to save nearly $30,000 in ebay fees over a two year period.  I still continue to sell on ebay  and I think since have only lost 2 disputes for relatively low amounts, with both amounts easily recovered.

[bigbruggsy]

Yes, you're right about ebay. I have quite a few sms proving the item was delivered, but ebay are living with their head in the sand and don't recognize sms as a valid form of communication, a bit like my grandmother 🙂