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Original poster

eBay return - sending back a different item!

54 replies

Za1ny · 21/09/2017 21:55

I recently sold a pair of new boots for £100 on eBay (highly sought after) and the buyer was new with 0 feedback. I had my reservations but as they had paid, I sent the item signed for but to cover my back, took photos of the boots before I sent them off. The photos are dated and shows no marks / shows the boots has tags on etc

The buyer has requested a return on the basis that they are damaged & the wrong size! I have pics to prove otherwise and she is obviously going to send me back her damaged pair and keep my new pair

What do I do?

OP posts:
meltdownsanonymous · 21/09/2017 22:01

Sorry to hear this happened to you OP. Can't help you but I think I had the same thing... This person said the trainers were a 4.5 not a 4 (which I wasn't sure about) & that they were damaged. They were immaculate. I have never had to refund before so didn't really know what I was doing & refunded before she returned them. She then said she won't return til I send her the postage... And in the end I couldn't be arsed with the hassle as my life is stressful enough at the moment so I just told her to keep them! Stupid of me really...
I wonder if this is a 'thing' now. People buying shoes, then returning similar damaged ones?

Original poster
Za1ny · 21/09/2017 22:13

Oh no I'm sorry to hear that happened to you. How cheeky of her saying she won't return till you send the postage!
I think it definitely could be a new scam unfortunately.
:(

OP posts:
ImaLannister · 21/09/2017 23:37

OP on the receipt it goes by weight. Unless she changes the packaging dramatically they might send back some that doesn't weigh the same. I have heard of this, and thankfully it has never happened to me. (Doesn't help sorry) 😩 The weight is used by eBay on things like this.
I won't sell to new sellers with 0 feedback, that screams scam unfortunately. Buyers do this when buying expensive phones a lot. It is a thing.
It's a shame because obviously the majority of newbies to eBay will be genuine, will have just opened an account, want to buy/sell and you have to start from somewhere right?
These people ruin it for innocent newbie joiners.
Just wait out and see what they send back. They would be stupid to send something weighing too light or too heavy, so let's hope they are stupid.
I can only advise you to phone ebay if the item you receive isn't the boots you posted out.
eBay don't make contacting them easy tho, try all the different options until you get a phone number with a case ref number given to you. Resolution centre & help & contact.

Original poster
Za1ny · 22/09/2017 00:36

Thanks for this. Yes hopefully she'll be stupid enough to send back something which doesn't weigh much!
I was thinking of ringing eBay and telling them that I've got pictures of the boots which are dated and prove that they didn't have the marks she is claiming and the pictures also show the shoe size. I don't know if I should bother, perhaps it's better to just accept her return and see what she sends back!

OP posts:
ImaLannister · 22/09/2017 07:30

What marks is she claiming? She might have bought them to wear for a night out/occasion. N now that she's worn them they could be all marked and she's returning as they are no longer needed. That is bad too, and this does happen as well. I can't help you if what I have said happens, or if what you suspect happens, as I have no experience in this. Been a seller on eBay for 10 years. I must be lucky! But I do strongly suggest you contact eBay after they arrive if either of the things mentioned happens. It is also a good idea to check the item before you sign for them. If they aren't to your satisfaction don't sign for them or accept it from the post man. They will be returned back to depot. That would also be a good thing to tell ebay, a bit of proof as why would you refuse something if all was well? Also look into if she doesn't send signed for. All parcels larger than a letter non signed for come with a reference number now, it's like tracking but doesn't say if it got delivered to you. It says got delivered to you or neighbour. So it's worth looking into seeing if you can get away with saying you didn't receive them personally. That way ebay would defo refund you as it doesn't say YOU received the item back. Either way keep me updated! I hope all goes well.

cherrytree63 · 22/09/2017 07:39

Have you asked her to send you photos of the boots showing the damage?

GeorgeTheHamster · 22/09/2017 07:59

Yes it's a scam.

Send her the photos you have and ask her to send you photos. You won't hear from her again.

Original poster
Za1ny · 22/09/2017 09:36

The photos she is showing shows some kind of bleach marks! The boots are burgundy and the marks are a large pink stain at the top of the boots (these are over the knee boots)
Luckily I have photos of the boots near the top on the day that I sent them.
She has also claimed that the boots are a different size but she hasn't responded when I have asked her what size they are
im awaiting her response and if she does say that the boots are a larger size I am going to contact eBay before I accept the return as I have the pictures showing the shoe size!

OP posts:
Original poster
Za1ny · 22/09/2017 09:40

Oh I've just realised I HAVE to refund her!

OP posts:
SheStoodInTheStorm · 22/09/2017 09:41

I don't think you have to - you can open the case with eBay?

woodhill · 22/09/2017 09:58

Make sure you phone ebay. They are helpful.

Also if they are unworn, you could tell if she has worn them outside as the soles will be marked.

Plus they should still have tags on.

She is trying it on. Why would you send the size wrong if it's your size.

Don't have it.

Winteriscomingneedmorewood · 22/09/2017 10:04

Open a case with eBay. . . Don't be a soft touch and send her cash back!!

Original poster
Za1ny · 22/09/2017 12:12

I'm defo not going to be a soft touch I am going to fight this! I've rang eBay who have told me to not accept her return and after the timeframe passes, they will step in and investigate. I want them to do this as there is no way bleach marks can just suddenly appear as I've got the dated photos to show the boots were immaculate!

OP posts:
Winteriscomingneedmorewood · 22/09/2017 12:26

Good for you!!!

ImaLannister · 27/09/2017 07:15

Any update op? I'm glad ebay took your side & got involved! It's not all doom & gloom for us sellers so it seems!

Original poster
Za1ny · 27/09/2017 09:04

No update as of yet! I will find out on the 29th as that's the time they've given for me to accept the return, after which eBay will investigate.

OP posts:
SmokingGun · 27/09/2017 09:30

May be a bit late for this OP, but I have had a few people try it on like this (normally with electronics). On all occasions telling them I have security marked the items discreetly and once I have received the return and check it for the security mark they have just dropped it.

To be honest on a couple of occasions I hadn't security marked the item but banked on them not wanting to risk it.

Original poster
Za1ny · 27/09/2017 09:52

That's a good idea! Will definitely keep that tip in mind, thanks

OP posts:
AllToadsLeadToHome · 27/09/2017 13:17

Save the listing page complete elsewhere just in case it gets removed. Sometimes this happens and it would leave you with no proof of what you listed.

TheKidsAreTakingMySanity · 29/09/2017 18:32

Any update OP?

Original poster
Za1ny · 29/09/2017 19:31

Not yet! I'm anxiously awaiting a message from eBay to see what they are going to do. They've held on to the funds from the sale & told me they will not automatically give it to the buyer unless they have proof that she's sent something back... I've not sent her a return label & she's not sent anything back so let's see what eBay will do...

OP posts:
19lottie82 · 29/09/2017 20:37

If you don't send a returns label then you haven't accepted the return and the buyer can escalate the case to eBay which will lead to a defect on your account.......

woodhill · 29/09/2017 20:50

Why should seller have to do this when the buyer is effectively committing fraud.

Original poster
Za1ny · 29/09/2017 21:09

Did I shoot myself in the foot by not sending her a returns label?! Today was the deadline! Oh no... I bet she'll get to keep the boots and have her money back

OP posts:
Badweekjustgotworse · 29/09/2017 21:16

Oh no OP, this is precisely what puts me off selling on eBay. Scammers and chancers Angry

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