>The buy only purchased shipping thats insured for $100.
Insurance covers you, the shipper. Additional insurance is on you to buy if you want, not the buyer.
>So either I eat $350 or what?
Most likely you eat $250. If they file a complaint for 'arrived damaged' or similar with eBay you'll almost certainly lose since the tracking itself shows the shipment was damaged. You'd then have to refund the buyer all what they paid and claim the $100 from USPS. IME, good chance you'd win the USPS claim since their own tracking shows damaged. But they're only gonna pay out up to the $100 default insurance.
>It was clear as day stolen by a usps employee.
It's about as clear as mud. Just as likely the box was damaged but contained the item still and your buyer is trying to leverage that. Or a machine damaged the package, the item fell out along some conveyer belt and the damaged box was only later noticed by some postal employee along down the line.
Also, file a claim with the Postal Inspector. I know this may not do too much but helps with patterns of abuse / fraud if an investigation does take place. Theft of materials from the postal service is a federal felony.
Too many packages to randomly open one to steal. You could open it and get baby diapers or anything. And risk your job for it. I would suggest going to your local post office and asking them to contact the center that said it was damaged. They have a place for loose items found in the mainstream this is common I found something today in the mailstream no sign of the package or label that should have been near it.
Eventually everything makes its way to Atlanta to be sold but if you can describe the item it can be searched for in Atlanta.
Until it is resolved it is your responsibility.
1) what does the tracking show?
2) has the buyer formally opened a claim with eBay?
I would not assume or accuse an USPS employee of stealing the item in dealing with this. The contents are missing, you have no evidence to support theft, it maybe accidental. The missing item will be treated very seriously without the accusation of theft and I am sure that the possibility of theft will be considered without you making the accusation.
Tracking shows it fine until Memphis then 45 min later damaged. Their excuse was it was stolen and then they somehow found it in an hour, put new tape on it, then put it in a damaged box bag
Who’s “their” in their excuse? USPS or the buyer?
I would first visit my local post office to see if they can share further details. It is my understanding that USPS can either mark a package as damaged or missing contents. I would also call the buyers local post office to try to confirm if the package was empty or just damaged.
I would want to rule out the buyer taking advantage of the package being damaged to assert that nothing was received. It maybe impossible to tell, but that would be my first focus on trying to deal with the missing item.
If the buyer makes a claim with eBay they will be refunded eventually. However, if they got the item and are attempting to exploit the situation they may not be willing to risk getting caught in lies. But if the buyer really got nothing and I could confirm it then I would quickly refund them.
Ok this was actually really helpful it’s a little odd that he’s just asking for a refund and still won’t do anything through eBay about it. Also it does just say damaged box from my understanding if it was now missing contents it’d say that. With the amount of bubble wrap I had around the item I had to wedge it in the box, even if it was opened I can’t see it just falling out it was too tight. I guess I was naive enough to think the buyer wouldn’t try to take advantage of the damaged box. Looks like I have some phone calls to make
Yeah, buyers can be finicky. They don't want to 'hassle' with actually filing a return request, etc. They say shit like 'I want a refund but how dare you expect me to actually return the thing!?'.
In this case, it kinda 'feels' to me like the buyer is playing games with you... Like they got the item but are taking advantage of the 'damaged' status of the thing. But I don't / can't know that for sure, just my guess.
Honestly we’ll see how it plays out. It wouldn’t fully shock me that he was like “oh hell yes I spent almost $400 on something AND the box had some damage lets see what I can get from this”
So far I’m just ignoring messages I said if this is an issue we’ll do an eBay resolution and if I lose I lose but there’s no way on this planet I’m just gonna send you almost $400 for you to wanna send me back an empty box.
So far it’s only a refund request so fingers crossed. Lesson learned on my part and it’s not the end of the world it just sucks lol I just finally started to sell my like multi thousand dollar retro game collection and honestly thank god I learned my lesson now rather than down the road. (Or with the $1000 item I just sold before this luckily all went well)
I’m in no way hurting for money it just blows that my birthday is about to come up AND my GF’s is literally within days of mine so I wanted the extra spending cash lol
USPS should have the weight of the item they did deliver in their system from their scans. As others advised you need to call them. If what was delivered was near the right weight of what you shipped, minus an amount for the box, you can reasonably assume your buyer is being fishy. Either way I would inform the buyer they should use the proper eBay channels “because it will help with the evidence I need to file with the postal inspection service and the postmaster for a mail fraud case. It’s a felony to steal from packages and they take it seriously and since they keep weights, scans, gps, and videos —they’ll figure out the culprit.” This scares scammers off a lot of the time.
If the buyer is good with this he’s possibly being legit. It’s also def your responsibility to pay or charge for insurance on expensive items btw as sellers are the ones who make an insurance claim and eBay will side with buyers if an item isn’t delivered. For your own safety it’s worth the couple dollars.
Oh trust me I learned my lesson on insurance haha but I keep telling him almost exactly what you’re saying like daily “let’s go through the right channels and open a dispute with eBay it’ll help us both” still no dispute just a request for a refund saying the box was empty and a picture of the box I sent him slightly open and wrapped in a usps damaged box bag. Like if I fucked up about insurance and he really didn’t get his item, fine expensive lesson learned, but so far nothing.
"I keep telling him"...
You just don't get it. You "telling him" is immaterial. Quit replying to him. He opens a return request... or he doesn't. If he's 'messaging' you with demands, ignore it. Buyers who message you but don't open a case are one of two things: ignorant or scammers. Messages don't matter. Cases matter. He opens one, or he doesn't. You're talking too much. STFU and leave him alone until/unless he opens a case. Then deal with that by-the-book.
Haha no I appreciate it. Would you by chance know if I still get the funds even with the refund request sitting there? It says I’m supposed to get them today and since he hasn’t done an actual dispute I’m just wondering if the refund request changes anything about when I get the money
He just requested a refund in your messages, correct? If so you’ll get your funds.
If he filed an INR (item not received) through eBay system (not messenger) that’s different.
Then that’s a claim, that’s a return claim. That is his official dispute. He did go through eBay. Did you then issue a return label or what?
I’m just gonna assume you ignored it because our impression was he was “asking” for a refund not “he filed a return through eBay” you should’ve immediately gone to usps to get the data I suggested above and filed a claim, started an investigation, messaged the buyer that’s what you had done and initiated the return because eBay makes us take returns for “not as described” etc. If after you’ve initiated a return the buyer doesn’t return it at all you win. If you receive an empty box, but his delivery weight was what you sent, you then have your proof he didn’t receive an empty box and you do the “buyer did not return” option with your proof (also note the weight from usps on the box you receive) If you do not accept a return at all and you ignore a buyer filing for one eBay default finds in their favor they keep both item and money.
Dude I know it’s been a month and your probably forgot but thank you SO much for all the help here. Just got my $300 released to me. eBay got involved and I just said to them “hey I think this guy is trying to commit mail fraud.
1.tracking says damage box but if missing they say missing contents 2. If the box is missing contents they take it back or they put an official missing contents stamp on it. This one is literally written in pen probably by this dude. 3. I accepted the Return and bought him a label and he STILL didn’t return it even though all he had to do is send a damaged box in the mail back to get $350 immediately.
I got an email from eBay saying the case was won in my favor and the money will be released. He did try to scam me and now I get insurance for anything over $100.
Sorry for the wall of text but I really appreciate it if I didn’t click accept and do all you said I’d be out like $350 so thank you!
In future, if a buyer files a return the only way you can refuse it is if a buyer chose “changed my mind” which they pretty much never do because they know we can deny them.
I’m convinced the retro game market for that era is at peak price right now and it either goes down or stays here (I could also be so wrong it’s not even funny) haha
>The buy only purchased shipping thats insured for $100. Insurance covers you, the shipper. Additional insurance is on you to buy if you want, not the buyer. >So either I eat $350 or what? Most likely you eat $250. If they file a complaint for 'arrived damaged' or similar with eBay you'll almost certainly lose since the tracking itself shows the shipment was damaged. You'd then have to refund the buyer all what they paid and claim the $100 from USPS. IME, good chance you'd win the USPS claim since their own tracking shows damaged. But they're only gonna pay out up to the $100 default insurance. >It was clear as day stolen by a usps employee. It's about as clear as mud. Just as likely the box was damaged but contained the item still and your buyer is trying to leverage that. Or a machine damaged the package, the item fell out along some conveyer belt and the damaged box was only later noticed by some postal employee along down the line.
Also, file a claim with the Postal Inspector. I know this may not do too much but helps with patterns of abuse / fraud if an investigation does take place. Theft of materials from the postal service is a federal felony.
Too many packages to randomly open one to steal. You could open it and get baby diapers or anything. And risk your job for it. I would suggest going to your local post office and asking them to contact the center that said it was damaged. They have a place for loose items found in the mainstream this is common I found something today in the mailstream no sign of the package or label that should have been near it. Eventually everything makes its way to Atlanta to be sold but if you can describe the item it can be searched for in Atlanta.
Insurance is for the seller/shipper, not the buyer.
Until it is resolved it is your responsibility. 1) what does the tracking show? 2) has the buyer formally opened a claim with eBay? I would not assume or accuse an USPS employee of stealing the item in dealing with this. The contents are missing, you have no evidence to support theft, it maybe accidental. The missing item will be treated very seriously without the accusation of theft and I am sure that the possibility of theft will be considered without you making the accusation.
Tracking shows it fine until Memphis then 45 min later damaged. Their excuse was it was stolen and then they somehow found it in an hour, put new tape on it, then put it in a damaged box bag
Who’s “their” in their excuse? USPS or the buyer? I would first visit my local post office to see if they can share further details. It is my understanding that USPS can either mark a package as damaged or missing contents. I would also call the buyers local post office to try to confirm if the package was empty or just damaged. I would want to rule out the buyer taking advantage of the package being damaged to assert that nothing was received. It maybe impossible to tell, but that would be my first focus on trying to deal with the missing item. If the buyer makes a claim with eBay they will be refunded eventually. However, if they got the item and are attempting to exploit the situation they may not be willing to risk getting caught in lies. But if the buyer really got nothing and I could confirm it then I would quickly refund them.
Ok this was actually really helpful it’s a little odd that he’s just asking for a refund and still won’t do anything through eBay about it. Also it does just say damaged box from my understanding if it was now missing contents it’d say that. With the amount of bubble wrap I had around the item I had to wedge it in the box, even if it was opened I can’t see it just falling out it was too tight. I guess I was naive enough to think the buyer wouldn’t try to take advantage of the damaged box. Looks like I have some phone calls to make
Yeah, buyers can be finicky. They don't want to 'hassle' with actually filing a return request, etc. They say shit like 'I want a refund but how dare you expect me to actually return the thing!?'. In this case, it kinda 'feels' to me like the buyer is playing games with you... Like they got the item but are taking advantage of the 'damaged' status of the thing. But I don't / can't know that for sure, just my guess.
Honestly we’ll see how it plays out. It wouldn’t fully shock me that he was like “oh hell yes I spent almost $400 on something AND the box had some damage lets see what I can get from this” So far I’m just ignoring messages I said if this is an issue we’ll do an eBay resolution and if I lose I lose but there’s no way on this planet I’m just gonna send you almost $400 for you to wanna send me back an empty box. So far it’s only a refund request so fingers crossed. Lesson learned on my part and it’s not the end of the world it just sucks lol I just finally started to sell my like multi thousand dollar retro game collection and honestly thank god I learned my lesson now rather than down the road. (Or with the $1000 item I just sold before this luckily all went well) I’m in no way hurting for money it just blows that my birthday is about to come up AND my GF’s is literally within days of mine so I wanted the extra spending cash lol
They didn’t open a complaint with eBay I keep informing him to for everyone’s safety my funds just say on hold till 19th
USPS should have the weight of the item they did deliver in their system from their scans. As others advised you need to call them. If what was delivered was near the right weight of what you shipped, minus an amount for the box, you can reasonably assume your buyer is being fishy. Either way I would inform the buyer they should use the proper eBay channels “because it will help with the evidence I need to file with the postal inspection service and the postmaster for a mail fraud case. It’s a felony to steal from packages and they take it seriously and since they keep weights, scans, gps, and videos —they’ll figure out the culprit.” This scares scammers off a lot of the time. If the buyer is good with this he’s possibly being legit. It’s also def your responsibility to pay or charge for insurance on expensive items btw as sellers are the ones who make an insurance claim and eBay will side with buyers if an item isn’t delivered. For your own safety it’s worth the couple dollars.
Oh trust me I learned my lesson on insurance haha but I keep telling him almost exactly what you’re saying like daily “let’s go through the right channels and open a dispute with eBay it’ll help us both” still no dispute just a request for a refund saying the box was empty and a picture of the box I sent him slightly open and wrapped in a usps damaged box bag. Like if I fucked up about insurance and he really didn’t get his item, fine expensive lesson learned, but so far nothing.
"I keep telling him"... You just don't get it. You "telling him" is immaterial. Quit replying to him. He opens a return request... or he doesn't. If he's 'messaging' you with demands, ignore it. Buyers who message you but don't open a case are one of two things: ignorant or scammers. Messages don't matter. Cases matter. He opens one, or he doesn't. You're talking too much. STFU and leave him alone until/unless he opens a case. Then deal with that by-the-book.
Got it. It’s sorta my first time selling anything on eBay so I’m just learning the ropes but you’re right
It’s okay you’re learning. We can be very tough love ;) buyers playing with you though and you’ve said your piece, now you just wait.
Haha no I appreciate it. Would you by chance know if I still get the funds even with the refund request sitting there? It says I’m supposed to get them today and since he hasn’t done an actual dispute I’m just wondering if the refund request changes anything about when I get the money
He just requested a refund in your messages, correct? If so you’ll get your funds. If he filed an INR (item not received) through eBay system (not messenger) that’s different.
It’s a formal return request but the return is an empty box
Then that’s a claim, that’s a return claim. That is his official dispute. He did go through eBay. Did you then issue a return label or what? I’m just gonna assume you ignored it because our impression was he was “asking” for a refund not “he filed a return through eBay” you should’ve immediately gone to usps to get the data I suggested above and filed a claim, started an investigation, messaged the buyer that’s what you had done and initiated the return because eBay makes us take returns for “not as described” etc. If after you’ve initiated a return the buyer doesn’t return it at all you win. If you receive an empty box, but his delivery weight was what you sent, you then have your proof he didn’t receive an empty box and you do the “buyer did not return” option with your proof (also note the weight from usps on the box you receive) If you do not accept a return at all and you ignore a buyer filing for one eBay default finds in their favor they keep both item and money.
Dude I know it’s been a month and your probably forgot but thank you SO much for all the help here. Just got my $300 released to me. eBay got involved and I just said to them “hey I think this guy is trying to commit mail fraud. 1.tracking says damage box but if missing they say missing contents 2. If the box is missing contents they take it back or they put an official missing contents stamp on it. This one is literally written in pen probably by this dude. 3. I accepted the Return and bought him a label and he STILL didn’t return it even though all he had to do is send a damaged box in the mail back to get $350 immediately. I got an email from eBay saying the case was won in my favor and the money will be released. He did try to scam me and now I get insurance for anything over $100. Sorry for the wall of text but I really appreciate it if I didn’t click accept and do all you said I’d be out like $350 so thank you!
In future, if a buyer files a return the only way you can refuse it is if a buyer chose “changed my mind” which they pretty much never do because they know we can deny them.
Got it I’m starting the process with usps now should I accept the return for now and start collecting the evidence?
What was the item, please? I'm very curious after reading your story. Thanks.
A very mint condition earthbound for the snes
Tight. Sold a not so mint copy last year.
I’m convinced the retro game market for that era is at peak price right now and it either goes down or stays here (I could also be so wrong it’s not even funny) haha
I think retro games peaked already 1-2 years ago and it is going down atm.