Scammers and Ebay's returns process

Hello folks, newbie with a quick question.

I've been selling small scale items for a few years now, and I've fortunately only had a handful of scammers rip me off. After reading some of the tales on this board though, I can't help but wonder just how they get away with it so often.

Is Ebay's return process just that automated that no human will look at a claim if its under 750? I've even heard people say that their scammer mailed their (assuredly empty) envelope to a completely different address, and yet Ebay accepted the tracking information regardless!

For the veterans out there, do you fine folks have any insight or educated guesses at just how this moon-logic process can be sustained?

Sharktooth said:

Is Ebay's return process just that automated that no human will look at a claim if its under 750?

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The problem is, if it becomes a buyer's word against the sellers, eBay will almost always side with buyers because sellers will always go where the buyers are. I can't really blame eBay too much on this because they're looking out for their best interests.

toml3030 said:

The problem is, if it becomes a buyer's word against the sellers, eBay will almost always side with buyers because sellers will always go where the buyers are. I can't really blame eBay too much on this because they're looking out for their best interests.

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Surely to God there's some kind of human element present to monitor return amounts under 750 though--if a scammer has done five of these false returns wouldn't it set off some kind of alarm?

eBay is worse in support for buyers and sellers. I bought some items and sold other items on eBay. The support is very arrogant and it is worthless.

Sharktooth said:

Surely to God there's some kind of human element present to monitor return amounts under 750 though--if a scammer has done five of these false returns wouldn't it set off some kind of alarm?

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Sure, if the buyer abuses it, eBay will step in and ban them, but until buyer establishes a pattern of pulling scams, they don't do jack. I'm actually fairly certain that a good number of people who're looking to buy eBay accounts here are pulling those scams as a buyer, in fact. There have been people here asking for tutorials on how to rip off the sellers.

I was a seller on ebay and the best work arround for this was to quit selling. Until ebay target this and avoid scammers is better to be a buyer than a seller.

Not worth to work and loose money and effort and to get angry. Look for alternatives, they dont deserve % fees they charge ...

If interest of ebay is helping buyers ( plus scammers ) instead of sellers, they will loose at the end. A seller almost never lies, if a seller lies soon will have negative feedbacks so wont sell any more, not worth at all, will be stupid to scam buyers... seller must be more trustable than buyer...

First, I document everything that I sell on eBay. I ask my buyers who are returning the items to provide me a valid repeat of my address, email, phone, etc. I have a video of me shipping the item out in box for them to pick up. What I move on to avoid a scammer is feeling out the signs of a scam. Account, price, contact, etc? Anything is off, I simply cancel the transaction, contact eBay about the buyer with any documented evidence that concerned me about the transaction, and move on.

Sometimes I get my fees back, mostly I don't. It happens to a lot of people, and it would be wise to simply use your flip phone and document as much evidence as you can of you shipping out the item. As for recieving the item, I would NEVER confirm I recieved the item until the item showed up at my door. I would never let eBay "think" that the buyer shipped back the item, stating to them and the buyer you are waiting for the item to be shipped back, checked for damanges, and that you are concerned about them SCAMMING you on the return shipment. Also, for tracking numbers unless they use my return label, I REJECT it, contest with eBay, etc. Usually with enough "evidence" and constantly harrasing trying to talk with a supervisor, you will win.

toml3030 said:

Sure, if the buyer abuses it, eBay will step in and ban them, but until buyer establishes a pattern of pulling scams, they don't do jack. I'm actually fairly certain that a good number of people who're looking to buy eBay accounts here are pulling those scams as a buyer, in fact. There have been people here asking for tutorials on how to rip off the sellers.

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I don't doubt that for a second either. I'm a little more leery about the pattern idea though, as I've heard of assholes making upwards of 5k scamming people, and I imagine thats not even taking into account the types that open dummy accounts just to buy something massive then pull an snad.

It really has nothing to do with the automation of the process, but the way ebay TOS are set up.

They try to make a "safe, comfortable, secure environment" for both buyers and sellers, but in order to give buyers comfort in knowing their money is safe to spend on ebay, their return policy is extremely one sided to the point of completely screwing sellers.

It's a sad fact, but that's just how it is. Probably the single worst thing about ebay.

With that said, consumer fraud is something that is dealt with in all retail systems. it comes with the territory, there is no 100% safe method to open up shop.

Even with a standalone personal webstore with a no return policy, frauders will gladly dispute the charges with their bank and you'll lose the revenue in exactly the same way.

I have given some detailed advice in other threads on this board explaining the best ways to combat ebay fraud when it occurs, look in my profile and find the posts