UPDATE 28th August 2013

WOW! What a mess!!! Sorry for the long thread – but a lot has happened since my last update.

Would you believe……on 23rd August 2013 at 2:05pm the eBay Buyer Protection Case against me was escalated by the buyer. 

24 minutes later at 2:29pm eBay "Decided in favour of the buyer". The buyer was instructed to return the item to me.  

This would have to be the fastest response the history of eBay!!

The reason for the buyer opening this case was due to alleged minor cosmetic flaws or damage during shipping.

The item purchased was a USED and COMPLETE 1992 Retired Scrabble Board. The sale included a rare Glass Lid.

eBay's Buyer Protection Policy clearly states the points mentioned by “digital*ghost”

The buyer is guilty of points 1-5

The case should have been opened with PayPal but has been opened under eBay Buyer Protection Policy (USA eBay).

This morning (28th August 2013), Australia Post delivered the returned parcel.

Upon opening the box, the RARE GLASS LID IS MISSING and the drawer on the Scrabble table will not open. The contents inside have spilled during transit and are stuck inside the game set. Without risking more damage to the timber drawer, I cannot inspect the rest of the contents.

The buyer did not return the item with Insurance, (like I sent to her).

Therefore, I can't claim the damages through Australia Post. As for the missing glass lid - I believe this is plain THEFT.

I believe the buyer, has deliberately not sent the glass lid.

In emails in the case, the buyer indicates that she only purchased my scrabble set for the glass lid & admits to already owing an identical board that she plans to resell after receiving mine.

Seeing as the tracking information that the buyer uploaded on the eBay Case, now shows "Item Delivered" this case is likely to be closed by eBay soon.

I understand they will issue a refund which will be debited from my PayPal account.

HOW IS THIS LEGAL??

Not only am I forced to accept a return and refund the buyer; I forfeit my eBay Final Value Fee unless the buyer accepts my request to cancel the sale (which is very unlikely).

I am now without the original item that I sold which is now impossible for me to resell for what it was worth.

My PayPal account is limited also. Payments that were paid into my account AFTER the initial Hold was placed, have been deducted from my negative balance. I have had to process further deposits into my PayPal account from my bank account to resolve the negative balance. PayPal's notice states that my deposits may not be applied for 3-5 business days.

As an eBay buyer, I am limited by PayPal also. I cannot pay for items I purchase until my negative balance is resolved.

I have taken the item to my local Police station today and have filed an incident report. I will be following eBays instructions and fax the report tomorrow……

I even had to proove (by searching ebay in the police station! ) that in order for me to appeal the case for theft / fraud etc.  I must fax ebay a police incident report! The officer reluctantly did in the end.

Has ANYONE had this (or similar) happen to them?? I’d love to hear your thoughts!