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]

I asked ebay if they would give me discounts in sellers fees, ebay promotions etc and if so I would of stayed with them. They flat out said they do not do this as it would be seen as that they were endorsing criminal behavior. In other words in ebays eyes I was the criminal and I should be punished. Fortunately for me, my ebay sales has been sliding while other selling formats has been increasing. I will probably list again with ebay, but I'll add extra to my normal prices to cover the dishonesty of ebay and the higher fees.

[countessalmirena]

@bigbruggsy,

You need to think of eBay merely as the platform on which you sell. It’s not your protector (unless you proceed exactly according to its bot-driven seller protections), and it is not a court where you can bring forward evidence other than that which it strictly requires.

If you’re selling regularly, it can be a good avenue for that. You might want to dip your toe in other selling platforms while still listing on eBay, as it might give you a valuable perspective. (eBay is not the only place where seller changes have occurred. The online landscape has experienced massive shifts as a result of changes in technology, more sophisticated/prevalent scams, and higher risks.)

[merfar2107]

Perhaps try consumer affairs, or whatever it's called these days? Not against the buyer, but against ebay. As soon as you open a case sent eh number to ebay to let them know that you're fair dinkum. 

[jellybirddesigns]

I definitely understand your frustration and I realise your mistake was inadvertent.

In my early years on the platform, I also had a couple of situations where I lost money, and that's why I made sure that everything subsequently went with tracking. I don't offer pickup and I don't deliver anything. If it can't be posted, I just list it on Facebook Marketplace.

One of the reasons they introduced the QR code system was exactly because of situations like yours, where a buyer would pay, get the goods and then file a claim or a chargeback with Ebay. Seller couldn't dispute anything and since they didn't get cash in hand, buyer ended up with goods and their money back. 

Ebay has no way of knowing that you actually delivered the item, and the same applies to any seller who sends any item with no trackable method. Whilst you say you've lost faith, a dispute will never fall in your favour if you don't use the tools and follow the advice for specific situations that Ebay gives you. The onus is always on the seller to follow current policy.

[jellybirddesigns]

---

@bigbruggsy wrote:

avior. In other words in ebays eyes I was the criminal and I should be punished. Fortunately for me, my ebay sales has been sliding while other selling formats has been increasing. I will probably list again with ebay, but I'll add extra to my normal prices to cover the dishonesty of ebay and the higher fees.

---

Many sellers do this as a matter of course - it's called self insurance.

Building an extra dollar or two into every listing adds up over time, so that IF something goes wrong, it takes the sting out of it as you have covered your loss and managed the risk.

[*sons_and_daughters*]

---

@bigbruggsy wrote:

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?

---

Yes, ebay will still side with the criminal buyer. Go to the police and make a report for stolen goods, today. It's your only chance. Ebay isn't going to help you, because they don't need to. They don't care. As far as they are concerned, it's done and dusted. The cops are your only hope. 

[papermoon.lady]

You could possibly also try a debt collector. 

[countessalmirena]

jellybirddesigns and sons_and_daughters have said exactly what I would be doing in your situation.

I would print out the proof of delivery, the correspondence, the notification stating that the money's been taken back, etc., and go to the police. I would ask for a police escort to retrieve the television which has not been paid for.

It's your property.

[designers*n*more]

You could lodge a report with ACORN (online fraud)

[bigbruggsy]

Thanks all for your comments, my problem is the "buyer" is now in jail. I doubt I have any chance of getting them to give me my money back. The hardest part in all of this is Ebays attitude, they accused me of being dishonest, and even when I told them that the "buyer" is an actual convicted criminal they still would not help. So a "0" feedback convicted criminal is believed over  a 20 year long supporter. What hope do we all have?