I think I am being scammed, please help.

[ibeyondwu]

I listed a watch on eBay for $1500, a buyer with 0 feedback tried to approach me for the purchase, after talking to him, I feel the buyer is reasonable and sold my watch to him. But I am quite careful when doing business with people with 0 feedback. The buyer is from the US, before the item arrived, I sent him a message asking him to check the delivery while the postman is there, if there is any issue get back to me straight away. Turns out he was not home while the postman was delivering the item, and he asked the postman to left the watch at reception.

I have just been contacted by the buyer told me the watch has issues that not been described in my advertisement, and the watch is not functioning. I have checked the watch before I post it out, I know and love watches if I am not in financial difficulty, I would not put it on sale. I am confident the watch is in great condition, without any issues.

So I feel like what I have been worried has come true, this buyer is trying to scam me. I never have this kind experience, but heard eBay always on the buyer side, some buyer even sent back empty box, papers for the refund, return with a different watch, or take the movement out of the watch, and return the case back. 

Please tell me what should I do, how should I handle this, I did purchase the insurance for the shipping if the buyer can prove the watch is damaged on arrival, can I claim the insurance?

Should I accept the return? If I do I will lose 200 for the postage, and I don't know what I will receive.

I can relay on eBay against this kind of scam from 0 feedback buyer?

[annieoakley2000]

I don't think you can issue a return postage label for an overseas transaction..........

Either the buyer will have to initially pay for return postage or the seller will have to somehow facilitate available funds.....

I'm curious to see how all this is going to pan out .....

[huatao1975]

I checked that AusPost "Compensation for lost or damaged items" has to be made within 30 days delivery.

So there might not be enough time sorting out return postage and actually have it back. I think you might need to call up AusPost and have someone telling you what to do.

[fixnwear]

Hello ibeyondwu,

not the most pleasant situation to be in!

If the buyer claims the watch isn't working and is damaged, you have every right to ask for a specialist watchmaker's check and the results - in writing, specifying what is wrong with it.

I wouldn't even consider accept just his word, for no other reason than this is Ebay, scams are rife, daily occurence, and you don't know the person nor does he knows you - so something in writing is the neatest way of showing what is wrong for both of you.

I would also ring Ebay ASAP, alert them to this fact and inform them you have asked for a professional apprisal document.

Also, warn them not to even think of giving the buyer your watch and your money on just his say so - that is illegal anywhere on the planet, incl. USA.

And - if it does turn out there is damage - then, yes, most definitely you can claim the insurance.

Best luck with it,  and stay focused and consistant with your request for proof.

[annieoakley2000]

Where does it say the watch is damaged or damaged through the post ?

This is what the op is stating:

"the buyer told me the watch has issues that not been described in my advertisement, and the watch is not functioning"

Good luck with trying to make a claim through Australia post/US postal system or any type of Insurance on grounds of the above.

[fixnwear]

annieoakley,

thank you so much for pointing out what  a first class idiot I am!

Not to mention that I can't read either - but then that is the most obvious symptom &  result of being an idiot.

You are so right of course, yours is the best advice given to anyone on the boards, ever!

On ya, sweetie.

And OP,  you could do much better  by disregarding my opinion about your predicament - just follow annieoakley's advice  and all will be well.

[ibeyondwu]

yes

[ibeyondwu]

what happens if the buyer returns an empty box or a watch that is not the same when I post it out? what should I do to protect myself?

[ibeyondwu]

The watch is in really good condition, the marks are very had to show on the photos, so in the description, I state the watch is pre-owned, there are small marks.

I did not show the serial number, and I don't have it in my hand, the watch is limited edition, I don't think they are able to return a same watch with a different serial number, the watch has not been checked by a jeweller.

I have a photo of the packed parcel with post label, it has all the information.

I declare the value of the watch is 1500 to the custom, I purchased the insurance for 700.

[annieoakley2000]

Basically the only two options you have are already mentioned by Clarry !

Of course you don't want the buyer to end up with the watch and the money, so the other option is for you to get the watch back....

If you are worried  the buyer is going to send you an empty box, a different watch, a doctored watch, a brick, whatever; perhaps the only other solution is to offer a partial refund for the "scratches" the buyer is claiming and explain to him how to properly set the different functions for the watch.

I did notice you have sold/are selling some high end watches with lots of functions and as you mentioned you checked the functions on the watch before you sent it, so perhaps the buyer hasn't figured out how to work them.....

You also mentioned it may cost you $ 200.00 to get the watch back, so perhaps that is the partial refund to offer; it is not an ideal situation, but a lot better than having sleepness nights worrying about what you are going to get back in the mail and thinking you are going to be scammed ....

Hope it all works out for you

[*tippy*toes*]

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@annieoakley2000 wrote:

At this point in time - where exactly is the scam ??

Buyer has received the watch and claims it is not functioning ......

Other than that we don't know what dialogue has taken place between buyer and seller; other than seller panicking she "thinks" she is being scammed .......

Wouldn't it be more prudent to get the watch back first ??

Just saying ......

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I am wondering if the buyer has gone back and looked at the photos in the listing. There are 2 photos showing the face of the watch. Both photos show the time as being 9.25 with the second hand on 12. It could be something as simple as them thinking "how could 2 photos show exactly the same time if the watch was working? There should even be a couple of seconds difference between photos". That could prompt them to think "I could say the watch isn't working and those photos prove it".

I still smell a scam though and I'd be blocking overseas buyers on the remaining watches. I've seen too many go pear shaped here on the forums.

Edit: I also wanted to ask the OP, why would you only insure the watch for half it's value? That's crazy!