Victim of fraudulent eBay buyer - need advice

OmegaLover · Mar 1, 2017

WatchVaultNYC
I've been in e-commerce with tens of thousands of sales, and a few credit card nightmares, what you say has never worked for me, and I do this as a business so it's not like I am uniformed and just want to disagree with you - I want you to be right and I want me to be wrong, because more $$$ for me if I'm wrong. But I'll admit I don't have perfect knowledge on everything. Send me some good links and lets see where this leads.

I am not sure why it would not work for you too if it works for everybody else, that is why we have legal system in first place. I am not going to share any links here, but I am sure you are getting the idea in general. Just do not let CC or anybody else take advantage of you and your business. Nobody above the law.

cimo · Mar 1, 2017

Thank you everyone for your input. I am still waiting to hear from PayPal regarding the chargeback.

I did some research after reading all of your suggestions last night. It seems like I have a few options left even if I lose the chargeback. It looks as if people have had some success filing against PayPal in small claims court under very similar circumstances. Like @OmegaLover pointed out, I can file in my home state since they have a business license here.

If that fails, I am willing to file against the buyer in small claims in his state. I am a teacher, and have summers off. It would be no skin off my back to fly to his state for a court appearance. Even if the judge does not reimburse me for airfare, I will still recoup over $1k from the judgment (assuming I win).

Beyond this, I have the law enforcement option that @Foo2rama suggested assuming I can make my case and have a detective visit the fraudulent buyer.

Rodmar · Mar 1, 2017

cimo
Thank you everyone for your input. I am still waiting to hear from PayPal regarding the chargeback.

I did some research after reading all of your suggestions last night. It seems like I have a few options left even if I lose the chargeback. It looks as if people have had some success filing against PayPal in small claims court under very similar circumstances. Like @OmegaLover pointed out, I can file in my home state since they have a business license here.

If that fails, I am willing to file against the buyer in small claims in his state. I am a teacher, and have summers off. It would be no skin off my back to fly to his state for a court appearance. Even if the judge does not reimburse me for airfare, I will still recoup over $1k from the judgment (assuming I win).

Beyond this, I have the law enforcement option that @Foo2rama suggested assuming I can make my case and have a detective visit the fraudulent buyer.

Worth a shot talk to DCI

j.allen · Mar 1, 2017

I have sold and purchased hundred of items through ebay and paypal, but none for more than $600. If I was to sell something for $1500, I would probably use a platform outside of ebay- 1. because of these potential problems and 2. The huge fees that ebay charges. Fortunately I have never encountered a fraudulent buyer or seller. The few times I have had a problem with a purchase the buyers were receptive and quick to return and refund.

I did not hear you say that at any time you attempted to open a dialogue with the buyer. I won't give him the benefit of the doubt, but maybe his problem did not fit neatly into a category so he chose "not as described." and he tried to contact you. You did mention some discrepancies with your account.

cimo · Mar 1, 2017

j.allen
I have sold and purchased hundred of items through ebay and paypal, but none for more than $600. If I was to sell something for $1500, I would probably use a platform outside of ebay- 1. because of these potential problems and 2. The huge fees that ebay charges. Fortunately I have never encountered a fraudulent buyer or seller. The few times I have had a problem with a purchase the buyers were receptive and quick to return and refund.

I did not hear you say that at any time you attempted to open a dialogue with the buyer. I won't give him the benefit of the doubt, but maybe his problem did not fit neatly into a category so he chose "not as described." and he tried to contact you. You did mention some discrepancies with your account.

At no point did the buyer attempt to contact me or ask for a return. I have sent him messages on eBay and through email and he has not responded to either one.

danicycle · Mar 1, 2017

that really stinks.. hope you get this resolved.. some people really are scum, but hopefully it's just a big misunderstanding.

Lukeeesteve · Mar 1, 2017

Thank you for sharing this ... it's a learning experience for me for sure. On my higher priced item sales, I reserve the rights to cancel bids on new / low feedback buyers.

I've had attempted scams where the buyer asked me to ship to his 'neighbor'. I told him I'll ship to any address as long as it matches his PayPal account.

Rasputin · Mar 1, 2017

If you have confirmation of receipt of the watch by the buyer, then it appears your best bet of any recourse is to pursue him in court. Big hassle I know.

cwindham · Mar 1, 2017

I was a Power Seller on EBay for a few years and got ripped off for 600$ from the same type of Scam. I sent the iPhone and buyer claimed it never made it to him.
I had proof of delivery and all supporting documents but PayPal and EBay refused to pay me back. Long story short, I filed a complaint with the BBB and wrote my state senator to get action taken. After 1 year, EBay finally reimbursed me just out of the blue. No explanation, nothing! EBay sucks and that is a mild word for them.

Bill Sohne · Mar 1, 2017

Hi everyone

This is a tough situation. This is actually why I don't sell much stuff anymore unless I know the buyer....

You need three things in any relationship...
It could be personal or business

1). TRUST
2). COMMUNICATION
AND
3). Common sense ....

Missing anyone of the above , it not if you will fail, just when.

Getting back to OP ISSUE ...

I don't know what I can add to other replies...

Best regards
Bill

night0wl · Mar 1, 2017

This really grinds my gears. I'll never sell anything on eBay again or accept any more PayPal transactions over 50 bucks. Watchvaultnyc is right though with wiretransfers, and it is too bad Venmo isn't an option commercially. When it's for large sums of money, and dealing with people I will not do a wire transfer or the PayPal +3%

I ended up passing on a deal here only because the cost of the flight, to do an in person transaction, and watch ended up being slightly more expensive then me sourcing locally and that was me passing from super reputable seller here but it was bank wire only.

OmegaLover · Mar 2, 2017

What OP is going thru is normal it does not happen all the time, OP is just asking what options available in this case. eBay and Paypal evolved in to a good eCommerce with many filters to stop bad buyers & also sellers. Do not let this post discourage you from using eBay/Paypal.

night0wl · Mar 2, 2017

OmegaLover
What OP is going thru is normal it does not happen all the time, OP is just asking what options available in this case. eBay and Paypal evolved in to a good eCommerce with many filters to stop bad buyers & also sellers. Do not let this post discourage you from using eBay/Paypal.

Not really discouraged by it but it just reaffirms how many scams are amongst eBay and PayPal and for me it won't be worth it other than offload things I might otherwise throw away. I have decent luck dealing locally with Craigslist, other than low ballers which I just ignore and if they low ball me in person I simply decline and tell them thanks but no thanks and begin to move on, but they somehow magically find that extra $20 or $100 that was alluding them prior to me leaving.

bokbok · Mar 2, 2017

PayPal law on to themselves [emoji35]

DLT222 · Mar 2, 2017

This very thing happened with me on a Dark Side of The Moon when it first came out. I was in dispute with both eBay and PayPal for 18 months (no Joke).

I hate eBay with a passion and paypal even more. This is why I personally only accept a bank transfer for a watch I sell.

Sorry to hear you have been scammed and I really hope you get it sorted. Good Luck.

efauser · Mar 2, 2017

Just a thought: Isn't this also mail fraud, since it was shipped via USPS? If so, make a federal case of it--literally. That will scare the shit out of the buyer far more than the other options mentioned.

gatorcpa · Mar 2, 2017

I would give these guys a call:

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/...d/fraudschemes/mailtheft/ReportMailTheft.aspx

If there is a federal case to be made, they will make it.

They are the equivalent of the FBI when it comes to mail fraud. If nothing else, they can give advice on how to avoid these issues in the future.
gatorcpa

zerocool · Mar 2, 2017

Terrible situation and I feel for you. I just wanted to chime in on EBay's new policy with PayPal as I listed a rather large watch for sale not too long ago and wanted to opt for wire (because of PayPal fees and to avoid any charge backs.) Apparently eBay now scans the ad and a message pops up basically saying "You can't mention payment by wire transfer. As of January eBay has instituted a PayPal only option and no longer allows for transactions paid through wire transfer."

The funny thing is that they mention this new policy is to protect buyers & sellers.

cchen · Mar 2, 2017

zerocool
Terrible situation and I feel for you. I just wanted to chime in on EBay's new policy with PayPal as I listed a rather large watch for sale not too long ago and wanted to opt for wire (because of PayPal fees and to avoid any charge backs.) Apparently eBay now scans the ad and a message pops up basically saying "You can't mention payment by wire transfer. As of January eBay has instituted a PayPal only option and no longer allows for transactions paid through wire transfer."

The funny thing is that they mention this new policy is to protect buyers & sellers.

Not true.... I see active listings now that don't even offer Paypal as an option and have bank/wire transfer

zerocool · Mar 2, 2017

cchen
Not true.... I see active listings now that don't even offer Paypal as an option and have bank/wire transfer

Don't take my word for it, here is a link to EBay's payment policies:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/accepted-payments-policy.html#categories

Wire transfer are only allowed for things like cars, motorcycles, real estate, industrial supplies, etc.

People still mention wire transfers on their listings but HAVE to accept PayPal as form of payment. My guess is eBay will begin to cancel listings which mention wire transfers (for categories which aren't allowed) in the future.

Victim of fraudulent eBay buyer - need advice

OmegaLover

cimo

Rodmar

j.allen

cimo

danicycle

Lukeeesteve

Rasputin

cwindham

Bill Sohne

night0wl

OmegaLover

night0wl

bokbok

DLT222

efauser

gatorcpa

zerocool

cchen

zerocool

Similar threads

Am I a bad eBay buyer?

OMG I need to rant (watch related) bloody eBay authenticators

It finally happened... my first fraudulent Paypal claim.

eBay/PayPal sale nervousness

Seeking advice on some eBay listings

The Channel crosser: a Speedmaster’s tale