Feel like I am being scammed by a buyer - anything I can do?

[peggyblackett]

I sold a dress recently on EBay. The buyer was really slow to pay, but did eventually.

I posted dress first class, with proof of postage. They have now raised a case on EBay, saying it never arrived, but have made NO communication with me! I've tried to contact them, to check whether its arrived since, however they are not replying. I have to resolve the case today, so I'm guessing I have no other option other than to refund? I can risk my ratings. However it pisses me right off as it stinks of fish.

Note: if they'd contact me I would feel that their plea is more genuine. However I have had radio silence from them - just a case raised.

Time to give up on EBay I think...

well they did contact you - by ticking the box saying item not arrived a case is automatically opened so I think you saying it stinks of fish is very unfair. Them stating an item has not arrived does not make them a scammer!

All you can do is refund and then claim from royal mail with your proof of postage. You have no idea if they are lying or not, which is why you should have sent with online proof of delivery. That is for your protection, not theirs, and is part of the paypal agreement that you agreed to when you signed up. The item was less than £20 wasn't it?

It was.

I just don't understand why you wouldn't reply to messages. Anyway, after 100s of transactions on eBay it's obviously time for me to bow out.

Will refund, and make a claim.

My frustration stems from the fact that EBay is so biased towards the buyer. What is stopping any of us buying multiple items and then saying we never got them?

nothing - which is why sellers need to send with online proof of delivery otherwise you are leaving yourself wide open to being scammed and left out of pocket.

Contact Ebay. Let them know that you have contacted the buyer, include time, dates and messages and tell them the buyer has not contacted you at all.

Stuff goes missing. Not everyone is dishonest.

You are a seasoned ebayer, so why are you still sending stuff with proof of delivery when ebay and paypal tell you to send trackable?

ebay won't do anything though will they - no tracking = refunded buyer.

Because stupidly I'm trying to keep costs down for the buyer. I know otherwise now, and will chalk it up to bad experience.

well if they are scamming then you have kept their costs down to zero. Try myHermes or Collect+ - no need to pay extra for signature and tracked online proof of delivery. MyHermes will collect from a safe place, ie shed, if needed. Don't forget you get charged 10% on p&p fees also now.