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Original poster

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

153 replies

ponderingthisthing · 18/11/2021 08:21

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.Sad

OP posts:
ginghamstarfish · 18/11/2021 11:16

I have reluctantly returned to selling some stuff on ebay as we are downsizing, tried local FB first but no luck. I now take lots of pictures of the item, with something that is clearly mine and identifiable behind or under the item, just in case of a cheating scammer. Also state on listings, for what little it's worth, that if the buyer wishes to return an item if they feel it's not as described, it will be checked carefully against the original photos before refund is issued. Just to let them know ...

HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule · 18/11/2021 11:22

@ginghamstarfish

I have reluctantly returned to selling some stuff on ebay as we are downsizing, tried local FB first but no luck. I now take lots of pictures of the item, with something that is clearly mine and identifiable behind or under the item, just in case of a cheating scammer. Also state on listings, for what little it's worth, that if the buyer wishes to return an item if they feel it's not as described, it will be checked carefully against the original photos before refund is issued. Just to let them know ...
Another thing I always do is I offer returns but I make it very clear that I do not do part refunds - if they’re unhappy they can send it back for a full refund. To avoid people damaging/messing with it in some way to try to get money off.
Itsalmostanaccessory · 18/11/2021 11:28

You have no proof you ever sent the real blouse. You didn't take any photos.

Only using stock photos and then sending something crap is common. When Ebay look at your case, they will see that you only used stock photos and now the buyer is saying you've sent a faulty/fake item. Ebay will believe the because you have no proof and by using stock photos only, you've made yourself look like a scammer.

Gonnagetgoing · 18/11/2021 11:33

Agreed with @Itsalmostanaccessory.

Although it's not nice from your POV that the buyer seems to have been underhand, if you plan on selling a very expensive blouse, surely you'd take real photos (or get someone you know to take good photos, as I've done) rather than use stock ones.

I'm a bit surprised though, seeing as you don't seem new to selling on EBay that you didn't go through Vestiare Collective instead, especially as it's such a pricey blouse. Even my aunt, who's older and not that tech savvy (but knows about EBay) when she sold her designer goods, she went through Vestiare Collective and not EBay.

Try to find receipt or proof of purchase for the blouse, that might help.

Cowpad · 18/11/2021 11:36

@Itsalmostanaccessory

You have no proof you ever sent the real blouse. You didn't take any photos.

Only using stock photos and then sending something crap is common. When Ebay look at your case, they will see that you only used stock photos and now the buyer is saying you've sent a faulty/fake item. Ebay will believe the because you have no proof and by using stock photos only, you've made yourself look like a scammer.

Exactly this.I would never never buy from a seller that uses stock photos.tney are usually a scam!
Waahingwashingwashing · 18/11/2021 11:42

@Itsalmostanaccessory

You have no proof you ever sent the real blouse. You didn't take any photos.

Only using stock photos and then sending something crap is common. When Ebay look at your case, they will see that you only used stock photos and now the buyer is saying you've sent a faulty/fake item. Ebay will believe the because you have no proof and by using stock photos only, you've made yourself look like a scammer.

Yeah I agree with this as well.
ChocolateToad · 18/11/2021 12:01

Can you search google for a photo of your blouse with a hole in it? I’m wondering if they actually have another blouse with a hole or if they’ve just picked up the image from the internet.

Homemadearmy · 18/11/2021 12:22

Sadly I think they they will side with the buyer as you don't have pics of the item.
I would ask the buyer for more pictures and also alert eBay and say that it's not the item you sent. I think your only hope if that if the buyer has a history of doing this and eBay are keeping a eye in them

Luckymummytoone · 18/11/2021 12:26

Has she opened a case up yet? I’d do what pp said and state you won’t refund until the item returned is checked against all your original photos (which I know you don’t have, but hopefully she won’t and you’ll call her bluff). Good luck 🤞🏼

Wingutyoy · 18/11/2021 12:30

Op I refuse to use ebay anymore because of things like this. I sold an electrical item recently for £450. Within minutes of getting a confirmation of delivery the buyer sent me a tirade of abuse saying it was faulty, I had to pay for the item to be sent back to me and when it was returned the Buyer had stiped working parts out of it, I can only assume they bought it to get free spare parts.

EBay were not interested in the slightest and forced me to return all their money plus pay for all the postage costs. Now I have a worthless broken item as the buyer stripped working parts from and claimed it was broken on arrival. Ebay have not even spoken to them, despite me sending photos and explaining what they had done and don't care one bit I have been ripped off. NEVER again.

WhatHoMarjorie · 18/11/2021 12:42

Ugh. I'm sorry this is happening to you. Soooo many scam artists on ebay.

Not much help to you now but Vestiaire is the safest place to sell designer items.

OhRosalind · 18/11/2021 12:43

Definitely use Vestaire Collective for anything designer - they ask for proof of authenticity for expensive items and will check them before sending on, so scams are far less likely.

kwiksavenofrillsusername · 18/11/2021 12:44

If they’re a business account, keep an eye on them. They might try to sell your blouse in future and you can report them.

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 18/11/2021 12:46

I've given up on ebay now but when I used to sell in the past anything expensive was cash on collection only.

Ronbo · 18/11/2021 13:02

Yes, ebay is very hard on the seller in these cases. But that makes buyers feel safe, and that's the reason there are so many potential buyers for your items.

Who would bid on anything expensive online if the seller could easily rip you off?

Ultimately the seller has the buyers' name and address and can always go to the police/small claims court if they are the victim.

Zen88 · 18/11/2021 13:03

Will the weight of the items be different? The postage should state the weight of the package. Longshot but maybe worth a try?

DingleyDel · 18/11/2021 13:04

I have to say what you claim sounds far fetched. You don’t have any pictures of a blouse that was hundreds of £ and that the woman has an exact replica of a very rare designer item? If it’s in a distinctive print how would she possibly have an exact copy of the material? If plain there will surely be differences unless she has copied it from the item in front of her. Its a silk blouse. It’s far more likely that there’s a small moth hole that you haven’t noticed. Or possibly she’s snagged it when opening the package. Sounds more plausible that she’s sent you a bad quality zoomed in picture than a fake blouse. Sorry op. I hope you get your money or the blouse back though.

AutumnAlmanack · 18/11/2021 13:26

I too had a bad experience with Ebay. Sold a brand new Chanel eye shadow palette. Buyer claimed it had been used and even said she had visited her Chanel counter where the assistant confirmed it had been used too! I refunded her but she never returned the item! I have learned my lesson there!

Sandinmyknickers · 18/11/2021 13:32

@DingleyDel

I have to say what you claim sounds far fetched. You don’t have any pictures of a blouse that was hundreds of £ and that the woman has an exact replica of a very rare designer item? If it’s in a distinctive print how would she possibly have an exact copy of the material? If plain there will surely be differences unless she has copied it from the item in front of her. Its a silk blouse. It’s far more likely that there’s a small moth hole that you haven’t noticed. Or possibly she’s snagged it when opening the package. Sounds more plausible that she’s sent you a bad quality zoomed in picture than a fake blouse. Sorry op. I hope you get your money or the blouse back though.
I have to say I agree with this...maybeitgot damaged in transit? But I think you're jumping to conclusions a bit based off a dodgy photo that she somehow has an exact replica of a rare item? She's probably kicking herself for buying off what seems like an obvious scammer (no photos of actual item) who was trying to avoid disclosing the damage to the blouse. She could be a scammer, she could not be.... it's not clear But youve learned some lessons and the vestiaire tips on here are useful
nordica · 18/11/2021 13:39

@DingleyDel

I have to say what you claim sounds far fetched. You don’t have any pictures of a blouse that was hundreds of £ and that the woman has an exact replica of a very rare designer item? If it’s in a distinctive print how would she possibly have an exact copy of the material? If plain there will surely be differences unless she has copied it from the item in front of her. Its a silk blouse. It’s far more likely that there’s a small moth hole that you haven’t noticed. Or possibly she’s snagged it when opening the package. Sounds more plausible that she’s sent you a bad quality zoomed in picture than a fake blouse. Sorry op. I hope you get your money or the blouse back though.
This is what I thought too - it sounds like a very elaborate scam to have the replica available to swap them like this.
Ariela · 18/11/2021 13:46

I found a rare Item I'd sold had 'not arrived' (even though it was a tracked delivery) where eBay sided with the buyer, it turned up on ebay for sale by the actual buyer would you believe 3 months later - with my photos! I complained and Ebay refunded me

Derbee · 18/11/2021 13:48

@Cowpad

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.
Spoken by someone who has never been scammed on eBay. Pointless comment
Lovemusic33 · 18/11/2021 13:51

Call their bluff, tell them you do have photos and a receipt from when you bought it so can prove that it has been replaced with a replica?

You really should have took photos, I didn’t think you were allowed to use stock photos anymore on eBay? I know your not allowed on vinted.

EmeraldShamrock · 18/11/2021 13:54

You've been hard, Ebay needs to make sellers more aware of these scammers.

Derbee · 18/11/2021 13:54

I think this will just have to be a hard lesson in taking photos and taking steps to protect yourself before bad things actually happen. At least if you’re selling £600 blouses on eBay, you’re not short of money, and will be able to chalk it down to experience and move on. Or claim on house insurance?