How I Got Scammed on eBay (As the Seller)!

So, we all know eBay strives to be a very safe place to buy and sell items, right? They work damn hard to give the users the best shopping experience they can have, without leaving the comfort of their homes. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible…

I mostly sell cell phones on eBay as a hobby (you may want to check out my step-by-step guide on how I do this). It makes me some nice side cash that helps me get by and I have fun doing it. So I listed this used Audiovox SmartPhone on eBay; 7 days later the phone sold to the highest bidder. Immediately after receiving payment I packaged the phone up and shipped it off! Goodbye phone…

So, a few days pass and the user shoots me an email stating…

“I received a box sent from you today and there was no phone inside. All that was inside was a piece of sewing material and a charger, I want a full refund”

Now normally I have no problems with refunding people their money, but as long as I get my phone back. So, naturally I didn’t jump right into sending her any cash. She opened a dispute with paypal stating that I never sent her the promised item and she wants a full refund. Paypal did their thing; they put my funds on hold as they took their time reviewing the case.

Finally, I get an email stating that the case was closed. However! They sided with the lady who purchased my phone. They took the funds from my account and transfered it right into hers while I sat there with a nice big piece of sewing material and a charger for a phone I don’t even own. I appealed the claim and still it is being reviewed. It’s been a couple months now and I’m down $40 bucks and a phone!

Now this is what I strongly believe the buyer did. I think they received the phone, put it in a nice, safe spot in their house and then opened the claim. They shipped me out a piece of material and a charger, and paypal transfered them their money. So that being said, if you ever want free stuff on ebay just pretend you were shipped the wrong item and you’ll get a full refund, shipping included!(Kidding of course, that’s not right )

I’d feel to guilty if I did something like that, but some people won’t! Lesson learned.