EBay - Need Help with Buyer Please

[js]

Hi. I sold two iphones on ebay. Both in excellent condition. They were kept in Outter Boxes and great working and looking condition.

I just had one buyer contact me and ebay saying they want a refund. The packaging was great and the phone packed good and no postal mishandling but that I sold him a Phone that was bent and very damaged.

He wants a refund and I am guessing if I did that I will be getting back not my phone.

Ebay has already taken money from my paypal (there was money in there today from a point rental for DVC) until the matter is resolved. I have never had any negative comments and he has left one but what I am more concerned about is the phone and money.

I guess in the morning I contact ebay but it really stinks since my dd just came back from school tonight for spring break and leaving for Italy tomorrow and we have a lot of running around to do in the morning.

Am I out of luck with the money and phone since I read on here ebay doesnt help buyers? He has had a few negative comments about doing the same stuff but with less costly items. If I knew I was getting my phone back I wouldnt care but it was my phone and always in a defender outterbox and really like new. It wasnt bent And cracked.

What do I need to please do.

Thank you dis friends.

 

[DisneyHardin]

The buyer will have to return the phone to you to get their refund. They should have had to put a reason for the return, so you should know if it because they just changed their mind or if because they think something is wrong with it. If you insured the package and it was damaged in shipment, then file the claim and get the money from the post office.

 

[jedijill]

You should be able to compare the serial numbers of the phone to make sure the buyer is sending you the same one back.

Jill in CO

 

[js]

Thank you but I know I will be getting back a bad phone since my ohone was in excellent condition. Them what happens next? Ill be out my money and my phone.

 

[Turk February]

Thank you but I know I will be getting back a bad phone since my ohone was in excellent condition. Them what happens next? Ill be out my money and my phone.

As sad as that sounds you're basically right. I have sold at least 6 iPhones throughout the years on eBay and I always worry I will get hit with a scam like this. What I assume the buyer is doing is purchasing good phones and then sending back bad ones. The downside to selling on eBay is they are INCREDIBLY buyer friendly and not very seller friendly even though your fees you pay keep them in business.

Basically you won't have any proof that what they send back isn't what you sent them (photos of the phone you sent are nice and all but is it really proof that is what you sent?) and eBay will side with the buyer, refund the money, and you will be left with a damaged phone. You'll be able to make a bit of the money back by reselling whatever they send you as a broken phone. It really really sucks and I feel for you but there's rarely a good outcome for the seller in these situations.

 

[Juliet25]

Was it sent priority mail? If so, it is insured. The only thing you can do at this point is file a claim with them since any damage happened during shipment.

Ebay pretty much always sides with the buyer, even the bad ones.

Of course, you'll want to check the serial numbers and call ebay ASAP if it's different.

 

[Turk February]

Was it sent priority mail? If so, it is insured. The only thing you can do at this point is file a claim with them since any damage happened during shipment.

Ebay pretty much always sides with the buyer, even the bad ones.

Of course, you'll want to check the serial numbers and call ebay ASAP if it's different.

OP already said the package wasn't damaged. USPS will not pay an insurance claim if the package is not damaged. You have to prove it was their fault and without exterior damage the fault would lie with the seller for not protecting the item well enough (even though in this case that is not the issue).

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

.....

Basically you won't have any proof that what they send back isn't what you sent them (photos of the phone you sent are nice and all but is it really proof that is what you sent?) and eBay will side with the buyer, refund the money, and you will be left with a damaged phone. You'll be able to make a bit of the money back by reselling whatever they send you as a broken phone. It really really sucks and I feel for you but there's rarely a good outcome for the seller in these situations.

Yes the seller has proof; the phone has a serial number which can be checked.

 

[MrInfinity]

Yes the seller has proof; the phone has a serial number which can be checked.

The number you seek is the IMEI. On most phones, this is printed on the inside, usually behind the battery. An iPhone, however, is sealed. Generally you would get the IMEI by dialing the shortcode *#06# from the phone, and it would display on the screen. If the phone is dead, you cannot boot it up, cannot get the IMEI (buyer probly knows this). If you are skilled at disassembling the phone, you can go this route but taking apart an iPhone is beyond most ppl's tech ability. Your phone company (assuming you had this phone active on your account) will have record of what your IMEI was, but if it's been a while, getting this might be tough. A photo of your original is your best friend. You will have the opportunity to present this to ebay/paypal support. A person will observe the case -- it is not a guaranteed buyer win, especially if the buyer has a paper trail and you have a photo. People should always take closeup pictures of things sold, and how they were packed. Check the photos you put in the listing, and see if the item sent back to you has any clear tells of being a different item. If you're leaving for Italy, you probly wont have time to deal w it all and you're just out the phone. Altho Ebay has held the funds from the transaction, the buyer has not received those. He will not get them until the item gets confirmed shipped back to you, and then the case gets resolved in his favor.

 

[Turk February]

Yes the seller has proof; the phone has a serial number which can be checked.

My point is there is no proof that that was the phone that was sent. It's all "he said, she said". I completely understand what you're saying, but the OP cannot prove that the phone sent to the buyer is different from the one sent back. I know what I'm saying sucks, but it's the truth.

 

[Turk February]

You will have the opportunity to present this to ebay/paypal support. A person will observe the case -- it is not a guaranteed buyer win, especially if the buyer has a paper trail and you have a photo. People should always take closeup pictures of things sold, and how they were packed. Check the photos you put in the listing, and see if the item sent back to you has any clear tells of being a different item. If you're leaving for Italy, you probly wont have time to deal w it all and you're just out the phone.

A photo of the phone just proves you have a photo of a phone, it is not proof you sent the phone in the photo. The buyer will just say "well that's not what was sent to me" and you'll have no proof they are lying. I know I'm coming off as negative in this thread, I've just had to deal with bad buyers on eBay and know how terrible eBay/Paypal is to sellers.

 

[MrInfinity]

A photo of the phone just proves you have a photo of a phone, it is not proof you sent the phone in the photo. The buyer will just say "well that's not what was sent to me" and you'll have no proof they are lying. I know I'm coming off as negative in this thread, I've just had to deal with bad buyers on eBay and know how terrible eBay/Paypal is to sellers.

I get your point, you've made it several times. It is certainly valid, and this is an uphill battle, which can be met with resignation leading to easy buyer win. My point is that the issue is not closed, and a human will review it. Particularly if this buyer has a paper trail and the seller has a clean history. OP should make a solid case. My tips were suggestions for how to do so.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I just wanted to say good luck.
I sell a little on eBay but nothing high value. I actually stay away from selling items like this because of stories like yours. I have a Samsung S4 that just sits in a draw because I feel like selling it on eBay could be a bigger headache than letting it go to waste in a drawer. It's too bad people can't just be honest.

 

[jedijill]

I just wanted to say good luck.
I sell a little on eBay but nothing high value. I actually stay away from selling items like this because of stories like yours. I have a Samsung S4 that just sits in a draw because I feel like selling it on eBay could be a bigger headache than letting it go to waste in a drawer. It's too bad people can't just be honest.

You should look into some of the electronics buy back programs like Best Buy or Costco. You can get some money back without the risk.

Jill in CO

 

[Turk February]

I get your point, you've made it several times. It is certainly valid, and this is an uphill battle, which can be met with resignation leading to easy buyer win. My point is that the issue is not closed, and a human will review it. Particularly if this buyer has a paper trail and the seller has a clean history. OP should make a solid case. My tips were suggestions for how to do so.

Absolutely. There's always a chance.

 

[js]

Thank you all. On hold now. Also I was able to see that the buyer has also done this in the past to two other sellers but not for high ticket items. I will make sure I tell ebay that too.

Once I get the phone back and it isnt my phone then what? Im out of luck is that correct? Going to Disney next month and this was going toward trip.

Ill come back with an update.

 

[sunshinehighway]

You should look into some of the electronics buy back programs like Best Buy or Costco. You can get some money back without the risk.

Jill in CO

Thanks for the idea. Maybe I will. I keep it thinking maybe someone will need it but its really just going to waste at this point.

 

[js]

I have to call ebay back on March 4. The buyer has 7 negative comments with a few being the last 6 months with "bait switch" comments, not sending items, saying items are incorrect ect. Ebay said the buyer looks very suspecious but dont know if they are telling him the same thing about me.

Ebay suggested I contact the buyer informing him what I sent was correct so it looks as if I am wanting to try to resolve even though I told them I do not want my phone back since I wont be getting what I sent. The man agreed. He aaid to just be professional in my email.

So, I will update on March 4. Wish me luck but Im still very nervous since it seems from all the search I do on dis that ebay sides with the buyer.

 

[GAN]

Wow ...call me naive but I hadn't heard of this scam before, I don't do much at all with eBay. I suppose now I'll do even less.

 

[supersnoop]

Just tell the buyer that you'll refund the money as soon as you receive the phone back and verify the serial number. 90% chance he doesn't bother sending it back.