Clever Ebay seller scam
Discussion
I purchased a cheap £5 light from Ebay for my mountain bike, but I never received it. The seller never replied to my messages, so eventually I left him negative feedback.
He then messaged me stating he would post the item, but instead he sent an a jiffy envelope that was empty, but the clever bit was he sent it 'signed for' delivery.
I opened up an Ebay case, but because the seller could provide tracking information (for an empty envelope) Ebay sided with him, and closed my case.
He probably did it as revenge for me posting negative feedback, but what else was I going to do?
I've opened up a Paypal case in their Resolution Centre, which is still pending, but it's quite a clever little scam he's pulled off.
He then messaged me stating he would post the item, but instead he sent an a jiffy envelope that was empty, but the clever bit was he sent it 'signed for' delivery.
I opened up an Ebay case, but because the seller could provide tracking information (for an empty envelope) Ebay sided with him, and closed my case.
He probably did it as revenge for me posting negative feedback, but what else was I going to do?
I've opened up a Paypal case in their Resolution Centre, which is still pending, but it's quite a clever little scam he's pulled off.
spikeyhead said:
What class of "signed for" service was it sent?
I'd be surprised if a biker light would fit in a large letter, and anything else would be too expensive to be worthwhile.
Maybe he sent it normally before hand and it actually got lost. He may be thinking it's another buyer at it again so doesnt care about the cost but as a more get it up you to the buyer. I'd be surprised if a biker light would fit in a large letter, and anything else would be too expensive to be worthwhile.
cobra kid said:
Who signs for an obviously empty envelope?
Happened to me.I ordered a locking wheel nut, and recieved an empty padded envelope. Never thought anyhing of it as buy stuff all the time. I rasied an action fraud case as per ebay requirements and got a refund.
I was suprised, and had to double check myself, but i noticed the weight on the package was lower than the nut would have been (I weighed one).
It was all very odd, maybe it was an error, never know but got my money back.
The bike light was i tiny LED light which would very easily fit in an envelope. The wife signed for it as I wasn’t home, but I’d have happily signed for it had I been home as it was a padded Jiffy bag envelope which could easily have contained other items I was expecting that would be small lightweight items. You don’t know who the sender is until you’ve opened it.
As for leaving negative feedback, the seller ignored all my communications with him and so negative feedback was appropriate, that’s what it’s for. It was only after leaving the feedback that he messaged me asking why I had done so, and that he would send the item. I told him not to as I had purchased elsewhere. That’s when he posted the empty signed for envelope. I then opened up an EBay case as it was obvious what he was doing.
After the case was opened I had a missed parcel delivery card through my letter box so I went to the local sorting office where I had to sign before they handed it over. Again it was an empty Jiffy bag from him. He now had tracking information to give eBay to settle the case, proving he had posted the goods.
I agree he’s done it for revenge, but that’s what the feedback system is for. It’s cost him a few £££ to pull it off, nevertheless, I’m £5 down with no bike light. eBay think he’s sent it, and I assume PayPal will also. I regard it as a scam as he’s deceived myself and EBay.
As for leaving negative feedback, the seller ignored all my communications with him and so negative feedback was appropriate, that’s what it’s for. It was only after leaving the feedback that he messaged me asking why I had done so, and that he would send the item. I told him not to as I had purchased elsewhere. That’s when he posted the empty signed for envelope. I then opened up an EBay case as it was obvious what he was doing.
After the case was opened I had a missed parcel delivery card through my letter box so I went to the local sorting office where I had to sign before they handed it over. Again it was an empty Jiffy bag from him. He now had tracking information to give eBay to settle the case, proving he had posted the goods.
I agree he’s done it for revenge, but that’s what the feedback system is for. It’s cost him a few £££ to pull it off, nevertheless, I’m £5 down with no bike light. eBay think he’s sent it, and I assume PayPal will also. I regard it as a scam as he’s deceived myself and EBay.
Edited by LeadFarmer on Monday 18th November 08:34
Edited by LeadFarmer on Monday 18th November 08:36
227bhp said:
Someone who doesn't know it's empty and wants to know what's in it?
True, it could have been some stickers I’d ordered for my lad, or the plastic hinge pins I was waiting for. You can’t confirm it’s empty until you’ve opened it. No good shouting the postman back, he’s delivered the package he was paid to deliver, not his fault it’s empty. 
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