Hi everyone.

I posted a tablet pc to a buyer on ebay via royal mail special delivery. They received the item today at 11:20am.

They sent me a text at 11:54am saying there's a crack on the screen, so they'll send it back and I should send a replacement.

I had yet to reply to this message. At 12:42pm I then get another text saying they've sent it and I should therefore send the replacement.

I sent them a message on ebay asking if they took pictures as royal mail special delivery is an insured service. I also requested a tracking number, as my auction states returns should be sent via a traceable method.

It's been hours and I'm yet to hear from them. Looking at the timeframe, I think they're lying. What with it being Christmas, maybe they're thinking they can use the excuse that the return got lost in the post, when they haven't actually posted it in the first place.

What do you think is going on here? HELP!

Report buyer to eBay before he opens a claim. http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/report_problem.html navigate to "Misuse of returns" press "Report It"

ok take a deep breath.....in......now out...... ok there.

I know it can be frustrating. It sounds to me like either they tried to get two for one, or the product arrived damaged and there too stupid to follow instructions. Either way.....
Just wait for it to arrive back to you. If it don't... they can eat it because they didn't follow protocol. And if it comes back broken and you cant get the insured item paid for because the customer again didn't follow protocol....they get no refund either. I believe giving Ebay receipt of the damaged item returned improperly will allow them to remove any negative feedback a retarded customer might leave.

So Don't panic~! There's safe guards against morons. Either way the money is in your pocket and your in charge as the seller. If they don't follow the rules they lose!

I would report the item and definately don't send a replacement until you receive the defective product.

Thanks guys, appreciate your help!

From my experience, even if they file a dispute with PayPal for the item being defective they will have to provide proof of delivery in order to receive their money back. Do you have proof of delivery for the item being delivered to them (preferably with a signature required)? This will cover you in case they try anything shady.

If there is one thing I have learned from selling on eBay, it's that people are inherently stupid. They don't follow directions and they do things without thinking. A reasonable person would send you pictures of the defective item and would await instruction about returning the item. Just be patient, don't panic, and wait for things to play out. If you have taken precautions to protect yourself as a seller you should have nothing to worry about. I hope everything works out okay for you.

No one send an item back that quickly without trying to sort it out with the seller - Their full of shit.
Don't worry about it, you've covered your ass with your terms from the listing. As well as that, you've done nothing wrong.

You're not really safe here. Here are what would happen:

If that person file a dispute item not as described with paypal, you will have to refund them. Ebay/Paypal are always on the buyer side. However, your buyer has to provide a tracking number to prove that you have received your item.

If s/he can't provide tracking number, you don't need to refund (as you're protected by ebay/paypal) ; however buyer will give you a negative feedback.

Presumably s/he's trying to scam you. S/he will post something to you (but it's not your item, let's say it's a box with stones) and provide tracking number for it, you're fucked! Ebay/paypal wouldn't care whatever in the box, as long as it shows you received the package, you'll have to refund or paypal will refund your buyer money and deduct from your paypal balance.

Or your item is damaged during delivery. Your buyer was worried of Xmas postage deadline, hence s/he posted it back to you as quick as they can.

Good luck & let us know the outcome soon!

You don't send out replacements without having the first one back, period. If they were too stupid to purchase tracking, that's their fault and they will have no proof. Ebay will go against them. Case closed.

wish you good luck m8. Hope you are not receiving box with a Sh$t in it.. it happened before to a seller in other forum.. damn.

Never heard back from them.

I find that about 15% of customers who purchase from me try and start some b.s.

Thank you to all that contributed.

As stated, you're covered on this one. Put your tracking number in the case as well as your terms "must send back by traceable means yada yada yada." You should have no problems.