Hmmm, just received a message about refund from my buyer, but it's for a different seller

[Stratter5]

Briefly, sold a meerkat, buyer said certificate wasn't with it. Now I know the certificate was with it, because I checked before I packed it up, but as it's a fairly low value item, and I don't want negative feedback (that's a whole other story, bloody buyers), I offered a partial refund of 50%.

Just opened my email, and there's a message from my buyer regarding a refund, but she's sent it to me instead of the correct seller. I'm now suspicious that she makes a habit of this. Anything I can do?

I would be interested to know what others more knowledgeable than me about Ebay would recommend in this situation.

In your shoes I might be inclined to contact live chat and see what they advise. They may just take a look at your buyer in a bit more detail. I can't see how she could contact you about someone else's item though because isn't the only way you can contact a buyer about what they've bought through the links provided on the item? Did the message come to you via ebay or just your private email.

You can report the buyer if you suspect abuse of the buyer protection policy. There is a link to it somewhere on ebay, not sure where

Not sure what I've said makes any sense sorry - think I must be suffering from hot weather brain and not yet properly awake! You are the seller here so I assume she would have your private email from the item you sold her. FWIW I think there's definitely something fishy going on.

Check out the feedback left for others - some of the Shoplifters On Ebay are real numpties and give the game away quite easily.

Contact the other seller and ask them what they think

Contact any other sellers appearing in her feedback and see if she has done it before.(Unfortunately Ebay have decided to remove the buyer history feature in their crusade to make everything on EBay free to the buyer)

Report her to Ebay with as much proof as possible, do not refund her - use delaying tactics for as long as you can.

Now that Royal Mail are flagging addresses where there have been more than 3 compensation claims, freebayers are having to use other tricks to get their items for free.

yes - tell her to return and then you will refund - never give a partial refund. You are leaving yourself wide open to being scammed.

Sorry, I wasn't clear, she messaged on the wrong item, mine instead of the other seller. I think I'll tell her I would prefer it if she returns for a full refund.

It's been a bit of a week, 5 non payer items, one has left me neg feedback on 4 items in retaliation for me leaving warning feedback, and another item that looks like it's going the same way as they've not paid after 5 days, plus another chancer trying it on for a refund.

I hate eBay, but there isn't a viable alternative afaik

you mustn't leave neg statements for buyers and you must file non paying bidder cases to get your fees back and to stop them negging you. Start the unpaid case within 48 hours - there really is no point waiting.

Well, that was a very satisfactory morning. Ebay have removed all the negative feedback my twatty buyer left, and are investigating the dodgy messaging buyer.

Thanks for all the help, I only found this bit of MN this morning, and I'm very glad I did :)

oooh... well done you!!! :)

Great result!