Someone on Ebay trying to scam me!

[whistleclient]

the thing is if you were a scammer, you wouldn't have sent an empty box. it's too easily traceable back to you. you would've sent 35 lbs of sand or cardboard or anything. if the buyer isn't a scammer himself, then the buyer should realize this and that it's most likely someone along the chain.

the only two other scenarios i can think of--

A) someone in the post office on his end is in on it. there was a case a while back about a postal employee stealing netflix movies.

B) someone in the postal place on your end stole them. they saw the ps3s get boxed so they knew the value. the could've slapped a label on an empty box and sent that along.

the 35lb receipt you have is for the postal packing center, right? not an actual USPS receipt? does the postal packing place keep their receipts for when they ship the package? if they accepted payment for a 35lb package but sent a 6oz one you've got them.

 

[GoPackGo]

Originally posted by: tangent1138


the thing is if you were a scammer, you wouldn't have sent an empty box. it's too easily traceable back to you. you would've sent 35 lbs of sand or cardboard or anything. if the buyer isn't a scammer himself, then the buyer should realize this and that it's most likely someone along the chain.

the only two other scenarios i can think of--

A) someone in the post office on his end is in on it. there was a case a while back about a postal employee stealing netflix movies.

B) someone in the postal place on your end stole them. they saw the ps3s get boxed so they knew the value. the could've slapped a label on an empty box and sent that along.

the 35lb receipt you have is for the postal packing center, right? not an actual USPS receipt? does the postal packing place keep their receipts for when they ship the package? if they accepted payment for a 35lb package but sent a 6oz one you've got them.

Those places are usually authorized outlets.

If they scam the Post Office, my guess is they would be in monster trouble.

When a packaged is scanned through and its too heavey for the amount of postage, its kicked back. Does it that if its way to light?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: elbosco
I sold 2 playstations 3's on ebay a few days ago (before the hate mail chimes in, I sold them below cost). It was bought by a gentleman in Delaware who promptly paid and I sent the package on its merry way.

Fast forward to today. He sends me an email claiming the package arrived, but was empty and is demanding a refund. Now before anyone accuses me of pulling a BigCoolJesus, the playstations were packed at a local shipping store, see receipt.

I can get the local postal shop to verify the contents of the package sent, but that won't prevent him from filing disputes with paypal and ebay. What are my options at this point? I plan on visiting my local post office Monday to get their advice, but I can't help the feeling I'm out $1400 no matter what.

Note: the buyer opted out of purchasing insurance, but I felt uncomfortable sending $1400 worth of goods across the country without a safety net and purchased it anyways.

Any opinions on what I should do/say?

Cliffs:
1. Guy buys PS3's on Ebay.
2. Claims package was empty, refuses delivery.
3. What do I do? I still have his money.


Update:

Went down to the post office to pick up the necessary paperwork to file a claim but got something a little more than I expected.

An employee ran an inquiry on the USPS intranet and some interesting details were revealed.

As it turns out the package was delivered at 1:22 but was refused at 3:46. He had the package for over two hours. I would like to think even an idiot would notice the difference between a box that weighs 35 lbs. as opposed to an empty one rather quickly.

I'm waiting for him to explain this new information but I can shake off the feeling he's trying to rip me off.

Should I immediately file a claim with Paypal & ebay in light of this new information or wait to hear his side of the story?

YOu have his address? Call for the ATOT effect!

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap

Originally posted by: Yossarian
withdraw everything from your paypal account NOW

Yup. And then fight the subscription. I'm surprised that the receipt doesn't say how much the package weighs, but there's no way an empty box would have cost $150 to ship.

The receipt with the weight listed should be good ammo for EBay. The guy claimed it was empty ..... so what weighed 35 pounds?

 

[elbosco]

Update:

Crap. The problem is on my end. I just spoke with Terri, the carrier that delivered the package. Nice lady. She confirmed that:

? The package was grossly underweight
? It did not appear to have been opened. There was no excess tape and the labels were placed directly on the tape (I don't remember where they were placed originally, but I can ask the postal store)
? The package was refused immediately upon delivery by the buyer. The difference in time is when the package arrive at his house and when it returned to the post office after the carrier completed her route


I asked her is she could remember any details about the shape of the box. My original box, the one I saw packed, was an 18x18x18 box with the height cut down a few inches to removed some overhead, so it was a rectangular prism and had a slightly thicker top as opposed to the sides and bottom. Unfortunately, she couldn't recall any details so I'll just have to wait until I get the package back to see if the boxes were switched.

Either way, I think this confirms the buyer, despite his shady history, did not have the chance to scam me.

Now I guess I need to speak with my local post office and the owner of the postal store.

ah heck.

 

[Old Hippie]

At least you're getting closer. What are you going to do about the buyer's money?

 

[elbosco]

I think the consensus is I should hold off refunding the money until an insurance claim with the USPS has been filed.

The only downside is I was told I'd have to wait until the package has been returned to me until the post office would accept any paperwork, which should be a few days.

Any thoughts?

 

[SpiderX]

If this works out and you get your insurance claim, I think you got really lucky. The buyer seems pretty scummy and may have been out to get you regardless.

 

[Old Hippie]

I think the consensus is I should hold off refunding the money until an insurance claim with the USPS has been filed.

That was when the buyer was under suspicion for fraud. It's probably still the most prudent thing to do, but he probably won't be happy about the situation. I'd definately communicate with him, tell him his money is being returned, but you're going to follow the USPS claim procedures and it's gonna take a little while.

 

[fatpat268]

Originally posted by: AAjax

Originally posted by: dahunan
Huh.. I have not read the whole thread.. have to walk the dog asap.. but

He is SELLING a PS3??
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-ps3-60GB-NR-Xm...4QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

AND .. these are the items he has won - looks like he has been out to scam people or ?? why so many PS3's??
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V...rt=10&page=1&rows=25&completed=1&all=0

This guy is a total scammer, give him nothing! Funny how he has a PS3 with no box eh?

BTW, that wouldnt be your mailing box in the left side of the pic would it? Wouldnt be such a bad idea to save a copy/screenshot of his auction to provide to the USPS, Im sure a bored postal inspector would have a field day with him

omg... somebody actually bid on his auction?

doh.

the stupid people on ebay never cease to amaze me

 

[crystal]

Base on your latest update. Start the claims with the post office and tell the buyer his refund are in the mail. But seem like this is happening.:

B) someone in the postal place on your end stole them. they saw the ps3s get boxed so they knew the value. the could've slapped a label on an empty box and sent that along.

 

[tomywishbone]

Originally posted by: fatpat268

Originally posted by: AAjax

Originally posted by: dahunan
Huh.. I have not read the whole thread.. have to walk the dog asap.. but

He is SELLING a PS3??
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-ps3-60GB-NR-Xm...4QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

AND .. these are the items he has won - looks like he has been out to scam people or ?? why so many PS3's??
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V...rt=10&page=1&rows=25&completed=1&all=0

This guy is a total scammer, give him nothing! Funny how he has a PS3 with no box eh?

BTW, that wouldnt be your mailing box in the left side of the pic would it? Wouldnt be such a bad idea to save a copy/screenshot of his auction to provide to the USPS, Im sure a bored postal inspector would have a field day with him

omg... somebody actually bid on his auction?

doh.

the stupid people on ebay never cease to amaze me

Wow. Not just someone, but (5) different people and (9) different bids. . $450.00 total for a PS2. Wow.

 

[elbosco]

So, should I refund the buyer now or wait until the package returns and I start the claim?

 

[Thorny]

I voted to wait til you recieve the package back. You never know, the postmaster could be this guys brother or something. Once you get the package back and determine that it was unmolested, send a refund quick.

 

[Old Hippie]

Just stall him for a little while Elbosco. Hopefully you'll get your package back in 2-3 days and can pretty well determine if he was involved.
Good Luck!

 

[Q]

Wow, look at that auction, and notice nowhere in the description does it say specifically what the item is...(I thought you had to say that)
And he says no returns...I feel bad for the people who bid, the seller is an idiot scamming people like that.

Anywho, someone who works in the PO obviously stole em

 

[randay]

Originally posted by: Quintox
Wow, look at that auction, and notice nowhere in the description does it say specifically what the item is...(I thought you had to say that)
And he says no returns...I feel bad for the people who bid, the seller is an idiot scamming people like that.

Anywho, someone who works in the PO obviously stole em

no it says in the auction that its a ps2.

a playstation2 with all the cords and cables, UP TO 7 GAMES, UP TO 6 CONTROLLERS

 

[fatpat268]

yea, but his auction uses a deceptive title, where he clearly says PS3 60gb.

Regardless of whether or not he actually put an accurate description in the body of the auction, his intent was to trick buyers into bidding on his item thinking it was a PS3. To be honest, I hate these sellers, but I also have no sympathy for the bidders.

Anyway, you should refund him when you get the package back and then file a claim with usps. Look on the bright side, if you get the claim, you'll get more money than what you would've if he bought them.

 

[Ragnarok2]

I hate EBay. The prices aren't as low as you'd think they are, and shipping costs ususally kill screws you over. And there's obviously a bunch of assholes that should be taken out back and shot. Anandtech For Sale/Trade FTW!

 

[bluestrobe]

Refund his money. The buyer never received an item that they won. Now it is your responsibility to make it right with the buyer and take the hit until USPS decides to grant your claim. Even if the buyer didn't want insurance I would have got it anyways. With how much you charged for shipping, you had plenty to spare. It might sound wrong to refund the money but the seller always takes a hit when the buyer doesn't get what he pays for.

 

[elbosco]

Update:

I've gone ahead and refunded his payment.

I just hope I don't get screwed when filing the insurance claim.

Nothing more to see here folks; kindly move along and witness the wonders of never ending threads ranging from the proper procedure to hold hands to the best way to rice out my 23 year old daewoo.

 

[cryptonomicon]

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap

Originally posted by: SuperNaruto
Too late..

even if you withdrawl, your bank account is still linked for 4-5 days and it won't delete either.. and even with that, its suspicous on your part to close your accounts.. yes i would do the same..

i think you need to file some sort of postal report.. lying to postal inspectors are federal offense.. if he's caught lying.. its probably some fine or jail time.

Paypal does not have a right to remove money from your bank account without your permission. If there's no money in your account they'll send your account into the negatives and send you to collections.

NOT

TRUE


(--> according to paypalsucks.com)

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: cryptonomicon

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap

Originally posted by: SuperNaruto
Too late..

even if you withdrawl, your bank account is still linked for 4-5 days and it won't delete either.. and even with that, its suspicous on your part to close your accounts.. yes i would do the same..

i think you need to file some sort of postal report.. lying to postal inspectors are federal offense.. if he's caught lying.. its probably some fine or jail time.

Paypal does not have a right to remove money from your bank account without your permission. If there's no money in your account they'll send your account into the negatives and send you to collections.

NOT

TRUE

They will not do it anymore. They used to have this practice, but haven't done it in over a year I believe.

 

[cryptonomicon]

perhaps so, I didn't wait to find out.

 

[GoPackGo]

Did the PO get your "package" back to you yet?