Results 1 to 13 of 13

Ebay Fraud Reduction

| Ebay Traders
  1. #1
    armygreywolf started this thread.
    armygreywolf's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Germantown, WI
    Posts
    1,084
    Thanks
    193
    Thanked 2,065 Times in 650 Posts

    Ebay Fraud Reduction

    So I thought since the case is now over and in my favor I would share some details.

    I had a buyer purchase a large lot from me, it was pallet shipped in fact about a year ago. The value was thousands of dollars, they paid via "e-check" which as it happens was the buyer applying for and using the bill me later feature which is basically paypal credit, or so I believed. Anyways, it cleared and the pallet was shipped. I heard nothing for about 27 days then I saw the money missing from my paypal and found out the buyer filed for a chargeback because paypal actually has a credit card...which it never occurred to me he would use this method or even could. Ultimately the money got tied up in the chargeback, the buyer carefully planned this by shipping to a new jersey depot. He even signed for it, produced ID, etc. And that, is how I ultimately got my money back some 11 months later. So what saved me? I refused to ship to the depot on another person's name, that's what. Over and over he told me he needed someone else to pick it up and please ship it to xxxxx. All my paperwork was for the actual buyer, name, address and even phone number. Court received the original bill of lading, someone called and confirmed on the depot computer that he did pick it up (almost 25 days after it arrived but yes he did) and ultimately he lost the chargeback with paypal and I was able to recover all money because I had to sue to get it back (not from paypal but from their **** credit card subsidiary). So...moral of the story with this? Send only to the person who bought it, the name of the person and all.

    2. Partial Refund fraud. This has been a common thing for me, lately I would sell expensive CPUs or rare parts and the buyer would send a picture of a "slice" across the heat spreader as if from a box opener. One buyer sent a picture that showed a HAIR that he claimed was a slice. I didnt say anything about the hair but did clarify our company policy. We accept only full refunds upon return of merchandise. We do not accept liability for return shipping on international shipments that originally had domestic destinations, and ebay does not require you to pay for it either, just from the address it was sent to...so for us we approve the return, then send a label as expected, when buyer cannot fulfill we explain that we need the items back to approve any refund of any kind. I will work with legit item issues, such as breakage and items that show up unservicable...but we do check the buyer feedback just to see what kind of shenanigans we are in for. The second type is buyers who are scalping purchases. They buy working merch then flip it themselves, usually quickly. This type of buyer usually doesn't surface until 10-15 days after delivery (key here is it's almost never a request on day of arrival). They will almost always say discrepency in listing, the screen arrived broken, bad keyboards, the processor was scratched...memory sticks arent working, you name it I have heard it all. I simply apologize and say that due to recent internal policy changes we can only give you a full reimbursement with a return of all merchandise. In 50% of situations they stop talking on ebay and switch to an paypal claim. Repeat same procedure, often at this point if you escalate the claim here within paypal your going to get negative feedback but they will never give you the merch back...why? Because they already sold it, easy enough to check I usually go back and look at their feedback, sometimes I find a positive feedback for them as the seller for the item we are disputing. If you think your feedback rating is that important, it isnt.

    3. Always respond to your negative feedback. I usually reply with basics, something like "Due to situation we opted to request a full refund return, see feedback" Most astute buyers will see these statements, know that I am digging and go elsewhere with the partial feedback and chargeback scams.

    4. Not accepting a return. I have done this successfully. I actually got a ebay concierge to get on video chat with me so I could open a package in front of them. The buyer had put a concrete paver in a large flat rate long box instead of an alienware laptop. Ebay released my pending refund and paypal closed the open case based on that information. It was pulling teeth but ultimately to do this I had to call Washington County Sheriff and give them the buyer's information I had from the purchase (it was over 500) and the deputy contacted the buyer via phone right in front of me, explained that if he accepted money back that he just committed fraud and he would be notifying the appropriate local authorities (again I cannot believe this actually happened). It turned out it was a 20 year old college student who ultimately was using his parents card without permission and was trying to put the money back in before he got caught.

    5. Replacements. Here is where you don't have to wait for a return and the only way you are protected. If you opt to replace an item you can tell the buyer "I am sending you a replacement please return the original" with "If you agree to this, I will send you tracking on your replacement" At this point you are now protected via paypal. Why? Because the buyer is accepting a EXCHANGE, if they do not return the original they have to pay for it...again. You have to file a claim via paypal, give the buyer time to return the item and after a certain amount of time passes, you either get money or product, as painlessly as possible.

    6. Negative Feedback. I am learning that since my account has never had 100% feedback I am actually subject to less fraud than years ago when I was selling movie clips and horror film memorabilia (an account that still has 100% feedback 9 years later). Firstly my feedback is 99.4% second nobody has ever rescinded their negative feedback. I respond to every negative and neutral feedback as well as about 20% of positive feedback (new customers only). I almost always refer to the buyer feedback for more information on what happened. I want people to know. I also ban everyone from purchase who creates issues. That person who nitpicked a laptop, just to get it for 65 dollars with free shipping and then ask for a partial refund because they resold it, even if he or she doesnt leave feedback at all, you can bet they will not be buying from me in the future. I have had a slow and steady decline on returns fraud as a result. The astute bad guys I believe check my feedback before they click the buy it now button just to get an idea of how I handle certain situations.

    Lastly, and like always, reduce your exposure. Sell local, setup an amazon seller account. The point is...the only way ebay will ever side with a seller is if they lose too many of us. I find pretty solid success selling via facebook, craigslist, various forums and word of mouth does pretty well too. Ebay sales used to be 80% or more of my business and I think now it is down to 60% possibly less.

    Last edited by armygreywolf; 11-21-2016 at 11:52 PM.
    WI ITAD LLC, IT Liquidation Services, we remarket, buy and sell scrap electronics No customer too large or small!



  2. #2
    Breakage's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Aug 2016
    Posts
    297
    Thanks
    242
    Thanked 273 Times in 149 Posts

    Ebay Fraud Reduction

    This is outstanding. Thank you. If I wasn't using the app, I would be clicking the "Thanks" button.

    Probably the best seller advice I've read, anyplace.

  3. #3
    Repurposer's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Mesa, Arizona
    Posts
    185
    Thanks
    56
    Thanked 113 Times in 69 Posts
    I used to sell on Ebay at the beginning when it was simple and scams were not the norm. I did get took a few times. We once bought drag racing shoes for my son. I bought RJS SFI approved shoes. Paid almost a hundred for them. Saw a photo of them in the listing and even researched the product info and customer reviews. Paid with paypal. They shipped them for free. When the box arrived and it was opened it was discovered the seller or someone had dropped a pair of stinky old torn up wrestling shoes in the box. They were not even my son's size. I immediately contacted the seller who denied sending the old shoes in place of what I bought and even accused me of trying to defraud him. I sucessfully challenged the purchase and Paypal gave me the money back. It was not hard to prove after they saw what had been substituted. The seller gave me negative feedback but was also kicked off Ebay only to return with a new name but was selling the exact same stuff. Ebay tossed them off again. I finally bought the shoes locally.
    Quote Originally Posted by Breakage View Post
    This is outstanding. Thank you. If I wasn't using the app, I would be clicking the "Thanks" button.

    Probably the best seller advice I've read, anyplace.

  4. #4
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Jun 2012
    Location
    northern nj
    Posts
    296
    Thanks
    110
    Thanked 381 Times in 167 Posts
    following the thread theme of ebay fraud reduction I will add the following exchange that just took place today. names have been removed.

    buyer : What about 450?

    seller : your registration contact address is shown as Tbilisi, GE, Georgia. item is only available to be shipped within united states destinations. are you using a broker or is your registered "delivery" address here in the states?

    buyer : Deivery adress will be in NY

    seller : is the new York delivery address the same address that will be shown and printed on the shipping label. sorry if this feels like an interrogation but I've read a lot of horror stories on ebays forums.

    buyer : Dont worry its adress of my cousin and its ok.

    seller : this is what I was referring to when I asked about confirmed shipping address. your offer of 450. just came in and it shows Ship to:
    19726, New Castle, DE,United States

    shipping to cousin at ny address = unconfirmed address = not covered

    this is risk I will worry about and not accept

    sorry, no deal

    buyer : When i will pay i will change to ny adress . It ok what you afraid i pay for item so you need only provide tracking and you will.be covered from.ebay .

    seller : sorry, no deal offer will be declined

    buyer : Ok you dont want to sell but can you explain what you afraid. Adress is in us so.dont worry.

    seller : 3.Alternate address confirmation. This process takes several days and is only available for U.S. accounts. To learn more, log in to your PayPal account and visit the Alternate Address Confirmation page.

    simply changing ship to address without paypal confirmation leaves transaction in a gray area I am not comfortable with.

    **another offer suddenly comes in for 420.00 from a buyer based in isreal**

    the other guy used up his 3 offers so now using another of his id's

    delivery address for isreal offer shows same 19726, New Castle, DE,United States

    declined 420 offered, revised listing and dropped best offer, buy it now price will cool off things, if not item goes back in safe till scrap silver price rises again or i shop it around locally

    been on ebay since late 1900's and had no fear shipping stuff worldwide, sometimes even before the buyers check arrived in my mailbox. these days though I keep it local and only risk what won't hurt if lost

  5. #5
    mikeinreco's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2011
    Location
    TENNESSEE
    Posts
    4,972
    Thanks
    1,257
    Thanked 5,023 Times in 2,350 Posts
    I use ebay frequently and have come up with this........Don't sell anything you can't afford to lose and no matter what just keep listing items and you will make money in the long run........and if you want to buy in bulk cmon down to good ole Tennessee with cash in hand

  6. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by mikeinreco:


  7. #6
    mikeinreco's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2011
    Location
    TENNESSEE
    Posts
    4,972
    Thanks
    1,257
    Thanked 5,023 Times in 2,350 Posts
    mr wolf dont take offense to this but you may be to smart for this profession (take as compliment)

  8. #7
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Jacksonville, NC
    Posts
    4,917
    Thanks
    15,632
    Thanked 5,861 Times in 2,713 Posts
    oldthoothlessbassmaster communications like this just make me tired. Its a total waste of your time trying to make a deal with an ebay "customer" like this guy. Unfortunately its not immediately obvious they are either a scam or just a waste of our time.

    I used to get offers on electronics from folks from various other countries making offers often asking to to ship the item with a stated value far below the sales prices. Now I am in the Ebay Global shipping service and only ship through them. The foreign buyers usual pay a hefty price for items purchased through ebay.

    I also rarely list anything with "make offer". Since making these changes I haven't gotten any of these type of pain in the butt offers.

    Thank you for sharing your experience. 73, Mike
    "Profit begins when you buy NOT when you sell." {quote passed down to me from a wise man}

    Now go beat the copper out of something, Miked

  9. #8
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Jun 2012
    Location
    northern nj
    Posts
    296
    Thanks
    110
    Thanked 381 Times in 167 Posts
    place this string into a google search

    "19726 new castle de united states"

    among the hits that are listed you will see one called badbuyerlist.org

    further down the hits you will see other topics relating to "issues" with users of this fowarding service

    in order to get around sellers that don't ship worldwide freight forwarding companies will give offshore buyers a U.S. based address

    once that address is registered as buyers ship to address they are able to to buy from the moon if they could because shipping label
    will show McCullough Dr., New Castle DE 19726, USA.

    BUT it will be at this point a reason will be given to please not ship there but use this address instead

    that's where your seller protection goes right out the window

  10. #9
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Jacksonville, NC
    Posts
    4,917
    Thanks
    15,632
    Thanked 5,861 Times in 2,713 Posts
    Yep I don't switch out "ship to" addresses from he PayPal address. To bad you have to be that careful selling small dollar items.

    My wife and I used to sell at flea markets and I have been surprised just how often people work so hard to rip off vendors selling used cheap junk(I included myself in those vendors). Mike

  11. #10
    armygreywolf started this thread.
    armygreywolf's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Germantown, WI
    Posts
    1,084
    Thanks
    193
    Thanked 2,065 Times in 650 Posts
    I ship internationally via fedex not USPS, most of my listings explain that your only options are going to be fedex or UPS and to do your research before you make an offer, I will not close unpaid item cases for 30 days (any buyer with 3 open at once gets their account suspended). I also explain to all buyers that you aren't obligated to accept my shipping costs or terms but know that if you deal with me directly I am going to send you a well packed near bullet proof box that will arrive safely. I use quite alot of shipping materials from bubble wrap to closed cell foam, I even ship laptops to countries in africa...don't be scared of the address, just make them pay for it.

    Mike, thanks man, must be the cav scout...dunno what else the state of mind could be lol!

  12. The Following User Says Thank You to armygreywolf for This Post:


  13. #11
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Jacksonville, NC
    Posts
    4,917
    Thanks
    15,632
    Thanked 5,861 Times in 2,713 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by armygreywolf View Post
    I ship internationally via fedex not USPS, most of my listings explain that your only options are going to be fedex or UPS and to do your research before you make an offer, I will not close unpaid item cases for 30 days (any buyer with 3 open at once gets their account suspended). I also explain to all buyers that you aren't obligated to accept my shipping costs or terms but know that if you deal with me directly I am going to send you a well packed near bullet proof box that will arrive safely. I use quite alot of shipping materials from bubble wrap to closed cell foam, I even ship laptops to countries in africa...don't be scared of the address, just make them pay for it.

    Mike, thanks man, must be the cav scout...dunno what else the state of mind could be lol!
    Retired U S Marine GySgt. Mike

  14. #12
    armygreywolf started this thread.
    armygreywolf's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Germantown, WI
    Posts
    1,084
    Thanks
    193
    Thanked 2,065 Times in 650 Posts
    Lol, I forgot we have so many Mikes on the forum, MikeinReco and MikeD thank you for the good words.

  15. The Following User Says Thank You to armygreywolf for This Post:


  16. #13
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    4
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
    I sell computer parts and clothing on eBay and I do offers on occasion. My rule of thumb is if the buyer counter offers your counteroffer then I won't sell to them.

    The last time I did they said the clothing item arrived "to wrinkled and needed to be dry cleaned." They then wanted a partial refund that brought the price down to the original offer... Another found a "dirty spot" and wanted a similar arrangement. It's never bad enough that they no longer want the item.....

    I also shipped a small clothing item in a hard drive box once. She contacted me saying she had gotten a hard drive instead of the shirt. I asked for a picture and was told she had no camera. I had her ship it back. Once I got it I explained that the shirt was in the box. She had never even opened it. Lol!

    By and large I have had decent experiences with the occasional bad egg, but normally I can see them coming from a mile off now.

  17. The Following User Says Thank You to skittlesmcduck for This Post:



  18. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. How has eBay sales been for the smaller eBay stores lately?
      By APEnterprises in forum Ebay Traders
      Replies: 15
      Last Post: 05-24-2015, 07:09 AM
    2. Replies: 16
      Last Post: 05-15-2015, 04:44 PM
    3. Everything Ebay - General Ebay Discussions - Copper head
      By Copper Head in forum Ebay Traders
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 03-09-2014, 12:33 PM
    4. Everything Ebay - General Ebay Discussions - Copper head
      By Copper Head in forum A Day in the Life of a Scrapper
      Replies: 1
      Last Post: 03-09-2014, 12:09 PM

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

 
Browse the Most Recent Threads
On SMF In THIS CATEGORY.





OR

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

The Scrap Metal Forum

    The Scrap Metal Forum is the #1 scrap metal recycling community in the world. Here we talk about the scrap metal business, making money, where we connect with other scrappers, scrap yards and more.

SMF on Facebook and Twitter

Twitter Facebook