eBay - how to avoid this type of scam?

[justtryingtobenice]

I am selling a few things on eBay - I've started with things below the £20 mark to get in the swing of things, but would eventually like to move on to a few decor pieces I have in storage that seem to go for £75-200 on eBay. It's very much an attempt to declutter and cut my losses on things I never used rather than an actual business, but I still don't want to get screwed over.

I'm aware of a scam where people buy an item and then claim it never arrived, or claim the wrong item arrived (e.g. a bar of soap instead of a phone), or "return" an inferior item (e.g. they "send back" a Primark trench coat but you are forced to refund them for a genuine Burberry trench coat). My understanding is that eBay usually sides with the buyer?

As a seller, what is the best way to protect myself from this? Thank you in advance.

I’ve had an “item not received” claim against me as a seller, and won the case as I had proof postage and was able to track the parcel. I don’t know how to avoid the other types of scam though. I prefer to sell higher value items on FB marketplace and accept cash only on collection.

I've been selling on ebay for years and haven't once had an issue.

I do think the scam situation leans far more towards those selling and buying very popular designer goods than every day products such as (relatively) low value home decor that isn't likely to have huge interest.

I've never had anything get lost in the post but all you can really do is ensure you wrap things properly to avoid breakage and ensure that you use a properly tracked service that protects to the value of the item as this dictates what you can claim back if it did end up lost. Always retain your proof of postage and post to the address provided by ebay/PayPal- don't agree to send elsewhere.

Take payments through paypal to utilise that protection. Don't negotiate or accept any offers not auctioned through ebay using proper functions (eg in private messages).

I've always found it a really great way to clear out and make small amounts of money in so doing. Don't forget that as a new seller with limited or no feedback yet that there would potentially be buyers off put by that because they're at home worrying about scam sellers (and 0 feedback is usually a possible red flag).

What has worked best for me, other than having a consistent 100% positive feedback is taking good quality photos of items and lots of them (all angles etc), close ups of texture, pattern and detail. Good descriptions that list in detail anything that might potentially count as damage or wear and tear and being honest about the condition, and utilising the Best Offer tool.

@dontgobaconmyheart thank you so much, that is all incredibly useful! And good to hear that you haven't had any issues yourself - hadn't thought of using PayPal but will try to make the switch now. As you say it's all quite low stakes/value in the big picture, especially as the goal is to clear out, but I also don't want to lose money and my nerves in the process... thanks again :)

@thequestionmartyiswhenthehellarewe thank you as well! I did consider fb marketplace but these are quite niche (they have a cult following rather than being staples) although I suppose I could always be surprised...

I sell a lot on eBay. Made more than £2k last year. I'm on a constant declutter I always buy too much (clothes, make up and all sorts) and I have 2 young kids so sell all their old stuff too.

I have in the past I've sold more expensive items like my old mobile etc but I'm more aware now of these type of scams so I don't sell high value items. My highest items are usually still under £50. Mainly under £20.

Make sure the postage insures you for correct value of loss incase it does go missing.