To be seething that someone is trying to cheat me an expensive item on eBay?!

[ponderingthisthing]

Sold a BNWT expensive designer blouse on eBay which has gone through the global shipping programme. The buyer messaged me with a picture to say that there's a hole on the sleeve. There is no hole in the one I sent!! The picture the buyer sent me is a zoomed in view but it looks like a terrible quality replica.

I made the terrible mistake of just uploading stock photos and can't believe I didn't take pics of the actual blouse. Does this mean I'm now doomed and will lose hundreds of pounds to this scammer, who will end up getting the genuine item for free? I know eBay almost always sides with the buyer so not feeling hopeful here. Also the buyer has over 2k ratings on eBay and is clearly business seller. Any tips at all on how I could protect myself? Feel so sick about this whole ordeal.

eBay will ask her to return it to you.

But are you sure you checked it? I once bought a rug which turned out to have a small burn on it. The seller was FURIOUS claiming it hadn’t been there when I received it.

No tips, just sympathy.

This is why i gave up selling anything of value on ebay.

Yes, sorry, you have been scammed and eBay will side with the buyer.

They will be asked to return the item yto you at your cost, but what you receive from them will be anyone's guess.

Sorry that sounds very heartless...... It was said with much sympathy as this is utterly shit and I hate scammers to my core!

She has to return it before a refund will be issued, so make sure she does!

They will have to return it, the problem is they could return the replica (if it is one), and there's not much you could do. It is rubbish how much ebay side with the buyer, I've not sold on there for years after hearing horror stories. Sorry this has happened, I hope it is genuine and maybe a real flaw you overlooked instead of a scam.

Why didnt you just take photos of your actual blouse? No genuine buyer would buy from stock photos

If they return the replica, wait for them to post your blouse for sale and then get a friend to order it. Tell them they found a hole and return the replica to them. It might cost for the shipping but imagine how satisfying it would be.

That sucks. I dunno if this is good advice, but could keep an eye on their page and scam them back on a similarly priced item?

That’s why I’m opposed to selling high end stuff on eBay, someone tried to return a bag to me that was a knock off of the one I sold them. It’s a nightmare.

Thanks for the sympathy, I needed it...

I know they're going to now return the replica blouse with a hole now.

For those asking if I might have missed the hole in the blouse - no I definitely didn't, checked it before sending. It's an ugly hole on that buyer's picture.

Obviously I'm beating myself up now for not taking pictures of the actual blouse.

@ShesComeUndone

If they return the replica, wait for them to post your blouse for sale and then get a friend to order it. Tell them they found a hole and return the replica to them. It might cost for the shipping but imagine how satisfying it would be.

I like this in theory, but if they take pics of the actual blouse they'll be covered, won't they.

It's always hard to try to go against the scammers as they have so many filthy tricks up their sleeve

Have you got photos of yourself wearing it?

Sorry OP this is why I no longer use eBay.

@MrsElijahMikaelson1

Have you got photos of yourself wearing it?

No, I briefly tried it on but didn't take any photos. looking back I'm so naive for not having any pics taken!!

This is awful, so sorry op. I had no idea these things happened on eBay, it's completely put me off selling on there. I too have listed things before with just stock photos because it just looks better. Don't beat yourself up about that, you shouldn't have to expect people to be dicks.

@LoveComesQuickly

Sorry OP this is why I no longer use eBay.

But do other sites like vinted have a better system? Or do they tend to side with buyer too regardless? What annoys me is that, if memory serves me right, if a case gets opened, then eBay will even remove any feedback so I can't even warn others. Surely this is a terrible system!!

You ask the buyer to send to item back to.when you received the item back,you refund the buyer.take some pics of the actual item,mention all the flaws and relist.dont blame ebay for what is clearly your mistake.

@MrsColon

She has to return it before a refund will be issued, so make sure she does!

Yeah. I know she will return the replica with a hole though so I don't even want it. Unless I can prove the replica isn't made of silk as the original blouse is? It looks terrible quality on the photo the buyer sent me.

Hmmm could you offer a partial refund? They might go for it!
I once sold a brand new top globally and they complained about the size coming up too small which is hardly my fault! Ebay sided with me thankfully but I stopped shipping abroad

If she sends the replica back get into it with EBay - provide photos of what she sent you back plus your original proof of purchase from the designer site (a bank statement etc)

You've nothing to lose by fighting this

Has she got no negative feedback at all OP?

You might be ok, this happened to a friend on a ridiculously expensive pushchair & due to the value (£400/500/600) it wasn't automatically refunded/sided with the buyer.

I can't actually remember the outcome though, I'm afraid!

@LaurieFairyCake

If she sends the replica back get into it with EBay - provide photos of what she sent you back plus your original proof of purchase from the designer site (a bank statement etc)

You've nothing to lose by fighting this

Yes I will fight for this but once eBay closes a case you can't reopen it I think.

Why didn’t you take pictures of the actual blouse?