Ebay Sales

[EllieJP]

Hi, I recently sold a brand new Samsung tablet on eBay. It's a free gift I got with my phone upgrade. The buyer received the item just fine, however asked if she could return it just to there being a tiny tiny bug under the screen (apparently it's quite common) and I figured eBay usually sides with the buyer so I agreed and she agreed to send the item back to me after I came off my holiday.. Anyway, she sent the item once I got back, I asked her if she had the return address on the back, to which she replied she had. But over two weeks later I still haven't received it.. Her tracking information indicates it's been signed for but to nobody at my address and by nobody near me. She says she found the return address inside the box of the tablet (however this was sent in brand new sealed packaging so impossible for me to put anything in it!) I only put the address on the back of the packaging as a sender. So if she's returned the product to the wrong address where do I stand? I mean my address is registered with eBay and has been since I signed up so eBay will be able to see it's not been sent to me..
I've looked on the eBay community but nobody seems to be able to answer my question. And I don't really want to have to refund someone £240 for a product when I haven't received it due to their error! Please help.

[tamborine]

She has to prove she sent it with postal receipts or claim her loss from carrier. No refund till you receive goods

[thelewisgang]

have you asked her to clarify the address she used to return it to you? Also, if she sent it by Royal Mail tracking (maybe recorded delivery?) this would confirm the definite address it was sent to (just in case she wrote it down wrong on the package.

[EllieJP]

She has proof of postage, but she hasn't confirmed any address to me at all.. The person that signed for it is a surname that doesn't even exist on my street. I've asked her to clarify the postcode on the receipt of proof of postage.. But if it's down to her error surely I can't be liable? She's claiming that there was a note with the return address in, in the bottom of the box.. But it was a brand new sealed package so she's absolutely not being honest. The only return address I put on was on the back of the packaging because Royal Mail asked me to put it on the back when I was posting the item! I'm really quite worried as I don't have £240 to just refund! It paid for some of my Christmas presents before she even mentioned she had an issue with the item!

[Retrochic]

Hi Ellie she is trying it on. Do not under any circumstances refund the buyer. you really should have followed Ebay return procedure, as they would have issued a return label and once the item was returned using the label then you would have to refund. Basically tell her to go do one - she has not a leg to stand on as 'proof of postage' means nothing to Ebay. Ebay will stand by YOU as a seller if the buyer is fraudulent, which this one obviously is.

[Giggsie]

She sounds a bit iffy to me hold on to your money.

[EDDIE51]

Just escalate the dispute to eBay customer service. The buyer MUST return the item to your registered address by signed for post.
The old idea that eBay always side with the buyer is just not true.
eBay are very even handed they will not side with the buyer as she has clearly not followed eBay rules.
This is an easy one as your buyer clearly has NOT returned the item to your registered eBay address, eBay WILL find in your favour.

[EDDIE51]

My advice about eBay is based on my personal experience, I sell a lot of stuff on eBay and have had my share of problems, but I have always found eBay customer support to be scrupulously fair.

[thelewisgang]

what were her previous feedbacks like? It does sound rather fishy to me. She should be able to scan & email a copy of the proof of delivery to you. Good luck. I will be keeping an eye on your progress.

[jack daniels]

Hi Ellie

also if the item is valued at £240 it will not be covered by royal mail signed for as that only covers an item up to the value of £50.
Yes you would see a signature but i would open up a 'dispute' with ebay and as mentioned before they would look at it from your point of view, they'll look at any evidence too

Anna x

[thelewisgang]

just to add, you can do a "live chat" with ebay & they will be able to steer you in the right direction. all the best

[EDDIE51]

If she has used Royal mail there will be a tracking number , anyone can track the item you just need the tracking number and log onto Royal Mail Tracking. When you report this to eBay the first thing they will do is to ask the seller for the tracking information so that they can check it.Also Royal Mail receipts for tracked items have the address and post code it was sent to printed on them so your buyer just has to look on the receipt to see where it was sent to.

[EDDIE51]

£50 is the standard compensation you can buy extra insurance up to £500 when you post a tracked item.

[hc4361]

As I understand it, the item was returned by a tracked method and signed for

[EDDIE51]

As I read it the buyer has not ,will not or can not say what address it was returned to.
Just a thought, if the buyer says she found the return address inside the box,she has probably sent it back to the original supplier who sent it to you when you bought the new phone. Ask the seller what address she sent it to !
As I said that information will be on the postage or dispatch receipt.

[EllieJP]

When I asked her, she told me she couldn't remember the address off hand, I told her it should at least have the postcode on.. However, I'm still waiting on the photos she was suppose to send me of the fault with the item! Her previous feedback was all good.. It's my first time selling in a long time and I'm doubtful I'll do it again!

Luckily I've saved all the messages from her, and I have all the messages I've sent her too.. She seemed a genuinely nice person though, I don't think she's done it on purpose. But at the same time, I don't want to be penalised for her error. Because knowing my luck, I'll be left without a tablet and I'll have to refund her! :(

[woofgang]

if she has proof of posting then the postcode that she sent it to will be on the proof of posting.

[EDDIE51]

Just open a case and report this to eBay they will soon sort it out, seriously she does not have a hope in hell. Do it now! as there is a 90 day time limit for claims and disputes.

[Retrochic]

Ellie I have had a similar problem with a seller. Just keep referring them back to Ebay in a polite manner -if they email you, tell them you have reported the matter to Ebay and it is now in their hands - thats the quickest sure fire way never to be bothered by them again!

[Khandro]

Without a receipt from the post office or carrier, she cannot claim either against you or them.