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Original poster

Possible eBay scam but is there anything I can do?

18 replies

Lordamighty · 02/03/2022 16:11

As per the title, I sold a computer game on 18/2 & posted 1st class the following day & got proof of posting.
Buyer just messaged saying it’s not received. Looking at their profile, they only joined this year, have some positive feedback but have made it private so I can’t see what it is.
There doesn’t seem to be any way of stopping people ordering stuff & claiming non receipt is there? Will I just have to refund & take the hit?
I don’t really want to expend too much effort on it as it was only around the £20 mark.

OP posts:
daimbarsatemydogsbone · 02/03/2022 16:14

If you had a tracking number for proof of delivery you'd be fine. You took a chance.

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 02/03/2022 16:15

What if the buyer is honest?

WiddlinDiddlin · 02/03/2022 16:15

You only have proof of posting, not proof of delivery.

There is no way to tell if they're genuine, and it hasn't arrived, or if they have the item and are lying.

The way to stop this in future is to only send stuff recorded/signed for - so yes I think you'll have to refund.

If they open an ebay case, ebay are going to side with them on this.

Walesrecommendations · 02/03/2022 16:17

They may or may not be lying, but you can claim back from royal mail for your postage and the cost of the goods, Google royal mail claim centre 10 working days after the delivery aim so 1-2 days for 1st class. Ebay will probably force you to refund anyway so I would do that then claim back via RM. You can screenshot the ebay sale page as proof of the items value.

Original poster
Lordamighty · 02/03/2022 16:17

@daimbarsatemydogsbone

If you had a tracking number for proof of delivery you'd be fine. You took a chance.
My mistake obviously, I’ve been on eBay for many years but only sell sporadically & this is the first time anyone has ever claimed non receipt of an item.
OP posts:
NelliesWellies · 02/03/2022 16:19

Your proof of posting should have a reference number on it if sent from a Post Office, so you can see if the item has been delivered even if you didn’t sent it tracked. It’s usually a 16 digit number. If you enter this into the Royal Mail website you should be able to see if it has been delivered or not

BingoFucklinger · 02/03/2022 16:21

There's no way of knowing if they're genuine. You have to assume they are and refund them.

I had this recently and put in a claim with Royal Mail and they reimbursed me for the postage and the cost of the item. I had to send them screenshots of the eBay listing and a photo of the proof of posting but they were brilliant and sent me a cheque within a few days.

DuchessofAnkh22 · 02/03/2022 16:45

EVERYTHING you post needs to be recorded. Otherwise you just get this.

SartresSoul · 02/03/2022 16:52

In future send everything tracked to avoid this. All you can do is refund and claim through RM.

Lurleene · 02/03/2022 17:05

If you sent it as a standard parcel the tracking number on the proof of posting will also show if it has been delivered, unfortunately this won't apply if you sent it as a large letter.

LikeABreathRipplingBy · 02/03/2022 17:08

This happened to me everytime I used standard mail. You just have to quote for tracked mail for everyone - sadly the costumer has to pay more to protect the seller from cheats.

Original poster
Lordamighty · 02/03/2022 17:14

My DH took it to the PO & I think it went as 1st class large letter, so no tracking number, unfortunately.
I will definitely refund the seller & lesson learnt for any future sales. I try & keep the postage costs low so the buyer isn’t paying too much on top of the sale price.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lordamighty · 02/03/2022 17:15

*refund the buyer

OP posts:
AlwaysWaiting78 · 02/03/2022 17:17

You shouldn't refund, proof of postage is enough as it's got their house number & postcode on. If they want to raise a dispute with eBay you can send them a copy of the proof of postage and they will then decide whether you need to refund or the buyer needs to contact the Post Office

Walesrecommendations · 02/03/2022 17:18

You can still claim from RM if its a large letter, if you have proof of postage, regardless of if its tracked. I sell on Etsy and post everything 2nd class large letter and have claimed several times when customers say it hasnt reached them.

betwixtlives · 02/03/2022 17:23

@AlwaysWaiting78

You shouldn't refund, proof of postage is enough as it's got their house number & postcode on. If they want to raise a dispute with eBay you can send them a copy of the proof of postage and they will then decide whether you need to refund or the buyer needs to contact the Post Office
Er, no Confused
BeforeGodAndAllTheFish · 02/03/2022 17:27

@AlwaysWaiting78

You shouldn't refund, proof of postage is enough as it's got their house number & postcode on. If they want to raise a dispute with eBay you can send them a copy of the proof of postage and they will then decide whether you need to refund or the buyer needs to contact the Post Office
Wrong.
1987qwerty · 02/03/2022 17:29

Always waiting done a lot of selling on ebay have you?

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