Dear eBay Queen: Return Request Can Be A Pain BUT So Can Craig’s List Scams

Dear eBay Queen:

I haven’t been selling for very long, but I have sold 100 or more items on eBay.  My next door neighbor’s son asked me to sell his handheld game console for him.  It came with the console, 2 games, a carrying case, charger and rechargeable batteries.   I shipped it off quickly and within a few hours of receiving it, the buyer contacted me saying the console does not work with her games.

I responded to this person’s message, and they sent me a pretty rude email. I ignored how rude they were to me, and asked them what they would like for me to do.  I get NO response for 5 days, and then just this morning I received a return request for the item, saying it was not as described!  It was as described; I stated that it worked with the 2 games I sent them!  I have no idea what this lady is talking about.

I called eBay customer service, and they say that I have to pay for return shipping. I sold it for $227 with free shipping .What should I do? I don’t want to pay to have it shipped back esp. if there is something wrong with it. Do I just give her a full refund? Will I still get a defect?

Oh, and did I tell you she left me positive feedback already?  What should I do?

TRG

Dear TRG:

Electronics are a high fraud category anywhere, just not on eBay.  I don’t know the story, but maybe what the guy said was true, and only those games worked.  Either way you are obligated by eBay to accept the return.  The good thing is, you won’t get a negative.

Have you spoken to your neighbor’s son about this? Are there any identifying marks on the item that would let you know it was the one you sold once you get it back?  I would talk to the neighbor and ask them if they knew if the item only worked with the games that you sent, and let them know that the buyer will be sending the game console back for a refund.

 

Dear eBay Queen:

My mother in law passed away last month.  Since I sell on eBay, and I live in the same town where my mother in law’s stuff is, I was asked by my husband’s siblings, (who live out of state) to sell off her stuff.  I wanted to take some of the big stuff to a consignment auction, but thought I would try my luck with the “non-shippable” items on eBay.  I received this message regarding an antique hutch and dining room set.  Do you think this person is FOR REAL?

“Thanks for messaging me. I want to buy this from you. I hope you will withdraw your ad from Craig’s List and let me buy this beautiful set. I am going to have my partner FedEx our payment to you. We will be sending you a certified bank check.  Please send me the following information so I can send you the check…  I would EVEN be willing to send an extra 150.00 if you can get this to me ASAP.
Name
Address: Not Po Box please
City………..
State and Zip Code…………..
Final Asking price…………..
Cell phone # to contact you …………….

My partner will be calling you to make arrangements for the pick up as soon as the check clears.

All the Best

Cynthia Trueman

I messaged them back, telling them I prefer cash at time of pick up, and they responded with this.

I’m terribly sorry.  Because of my work schedule, I will not be able to come with the cash to pick this item up.  Please accept my check, as I have already FedEx’d it to you.

What should I do?

Elizabeth

Dear Elizabeth:

I believe this is a slightly different version of a Craig’s List Scam.  You could always take it to your bank, and they could call the bank it is drawn on to see if the funds are available and that it is a real check.  In a situation like this, I am pretty sure that I would not accept it, and move on.

 frenchhangers

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #331509094273. How much would you pay for a pair of vintage clothing hangers? Some people will pay quite a bit! Pair of Divine Decadent Vintage French Silk Coat Clothes Hangers Pink Blue SOLD: $373.48.

 

 

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