Ebay scam - new one on me

[deeps]

I've been using Ebay for 20 years, very few problems, but last week I was caught by what appears to be a clever scam.

The seller had 4 figure good feedback, around 98.8% positive.

The item never arrived, so I contacted the seller who then issued me with a tracking number.

The number showed item delivered.

This aroused my suspicions as the item had not been delivered, the seller only supplied the tracking number after I had contacted them, and the courier company had curious phrases on their website like this:

adpexpress said:

For genuine feelings of serenity, we additionally offer a track and follow benefit so you can see the improvement of your shipment consistently. Whenever you require us, we are there to encourage you!

I searched a bit deeper and found these reviews which are from other people who have been caught in the same situation:

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/adpexpress.co.uk

I opened a case to try and get a refund, but the seller then supplies the fake courier company with fake tracking number to Ebay, who believe it and close the case in the sellers favour.

I'm now very wary about buying anything over a few quid, as if this happens with an expensive item the genuine buyer will have no way of getting a refund.

I tried taking it further but everyone you deal with at Ebay is not interested after they see 'item delivered' on the scam courier website.

Hope this helps some people who like me thought they were covered via Paypal for non delivered items. Not so.

[Sheepshanks]

I'd try going to one of the newspaper consumer help columns, like Katie Morely at The Telegraph, to see if they can cut through it - they usually have press office access.

[siovey]

Did you pay by credit card? Can you do a charge back through the card?

[Spare tyre]

Total disgrace that some eBay team isn’t proactive and test buying stuff from suspect accounts like this and shutting them down

[Alex_225]

Worth giving the courier a call just for curiosities sake? 02038830499 is the number on their site.

https://adpexpress.co.uk/contact-us/

[FMOB]

If they are a bunch of crooks, someone has a sense of humour.

ADP Express based at Sir Robert Peel House, High Road, Ilford.

Sir Robert Peel formed the Metropolitan London Police Force in 1829.

[Tankrizzo]

ADP Express was dissolved as a company a month ago, so I'd love the seller to explain how they're still getting contact from them.