Sold an item on June 24th. I had no watchers on other items and when the buyer hadn't paid after 2 days I sent an invoice. Buyer has low feedback so I thought maybe they were waiting for one. By the 28th, I'd heard nothing and there was no payment, so I opened an UPI. On day 3 of the UPI I sent a message asking if she planned on paying for the item and that if she's changed her mind, that's OK, but she needs to let me know. If she hadn't paid by the time the UPI was closed, she would get a black mark on her account and her buying privileges could be restricted. I heard nothing back.
5 minutes before I closed the dispute, she paid. It was a Saturday, so I posted first thing Monday, which was July 4th. As I always do, I uploaded the tracking number into the order details. Tracking showed delivered on July 8. The My Post app also indicated it had been delivered and by that stage, I had no outstanding undelivered tracking numbers. I had already ended all my listings on all 3 accounts a few days before due to having to go away for a sick family member, so was pleased that everything was showing as delivered.
You can imagine my surprise when I received notification of an INR dispute opened against me. I double checked the tracking number, yes, it shows delivered at her local PO. My first ever INR. In fact, my first ever dispute! I responded to the dispute by uploading the tracking number. In the comment box I cut and pasted the tracking details off the AP website, showing the item as being delivered on the 8th and I also added a message to the buyer explaining that tracking is showing as delivered, blah blah blah, polite, polite, polite and said I look forward to hearing back from them. Nothing. Just like when she bought the item. Nothing.
I sent eBay a message this morning asking how I can close the dispute as the buyer is not responding. They replied within a few minutes and said yes, the tracking is definitely showing as delivered and arrived before my handling time was even expired, let alone the delivery estimate. They said I have done everything correctly and will be covered by seller protection. I pointed out that PayPal has blocked my account, even though I had more than enough to cover the disputed amount, so I can't pay for purchases I've made and I can see that eBay has tried to take their fees and failed.
They said I could escalate the dispute tomorrow. As in, ask ebay to step in and help. I said that when that happens, eBay will instantly close the dispute in favour of the buyer and refund them for an item they have received. I went into the whole spiel about it. I asked how they would recoup the money from the buyer after refund, because I would be very angry if she got to keep the money and eBay refunded me out of their pocket. They basically promised it would close in my favour.
So, after a very long winded message, what are the chances of me asking eBay to step in and help and the dispute being found in my favour? I actually wonder if she's opened the dispute on the wrong seller because I can see by her feedback she has bought quite a bit from China. I know she has got the item. She has a PO box and the tracking says it was delivered to her local post office. I do believe she's trying one on because that account only has 5 feedback. Maybe she thinks a dispute will scare a new seller to refund.
Has anyone escalated an INR dispute when tracking has showed as being delivered and had the dispute closed in their favour? I just have a bad feeling if I escalate, this woman will get away with it and encourage her to try it on with other sellers.
