Sorry this happened to you. eBay does side with buyers, but you can appeal. They offer returns to try to have the seller at least recoup the item.
1. Contact the buyer and state that you did not receive the item back, instead you received a phone with a different IMEI number, that is damaged (send photos) and that they need to send your item back. If they respond denying they sent the wrong thing, state that you will have filed fraud, theft and internet crime reports, so the Post Office, FBI and police will be reaching out to them.
2. File a police report for theft either online or with your local police station or by calling your local police. eBay has let me use a police report as evidence before.
3. File a mail fraud report with USPS.
4. File an internet crime complaint -https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
5. Once you have copies of filed complaints and reports with associated numbers, contact eBay via phone to appeal.
As an expert in online marketplace transactions and dispute resolution, I understand the frustration and challenges that can arise when dealing with issues like the one described in the article. My extensive experience in this field has equipped me with a deep understanding of the mechanisms involved and the steps one can take to address such situations effectively.
First and foremost, it's crucial to recognize that eBay generally tends to side with buyers in disputes. However, this doesn't mean sellers are left without recourse. The key is to approach the situation systematically and provide compelling evidence to support your case. Let's break down the recommended steps outlined in the article:
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Contact the Buyer:
- Communicate with the buyer promptly and professionally.
- Clearly state that you did not receive the original item back.
- Provide evidence, such as photos, to demonstrate that the received item has a different IMEI number and is damaged.
- Politely request the buyer to return your original item.
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File a Police Report for Theft:
- Initiate the process of filing a police report for theft.
- Choose the appropriate method, whether online, at your local police station, or by calling your local police.
- eBay may accept a police report as evidence, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
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File a Mail Fraud Report with USPS:
- Report the incident to the United States Postal Service (USPS) by filing a mail fraud report.
- This adds an official layer of documentation to your case.
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File an Internet Crime Complaint (IC3):
- Submit a complaint through the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at .
- Provide all relevant details about the incident.
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Contact eBay with Supporting Evidence:
- Once you have copies of filed complaints and reports, contact eBay via phone to appeal the decision.
- Reference the complaint and report numbers associated with your case.
- Clearly present your case, emphasizing the evidence you've gathered to support your claim.
By following these steps and presenting a comprehensive case with documented evidence, you increase your chances of a favorable resolution. eBay takes fraudulent activities seriously, and providing a paper trail of official reports and complaints significantly strengthens your position in the dispute. Remember, maintaining a calm and professional demeanor throughout the process is essential to achieving a successful resolution.
FAQs
Ebay doesn't know what the seller shipped or what the buyer received and they don't know what the buyer sent back or what the seller received, so they almost always take the buyers side.
Does eBay always side with buyer? ›
Buyers don't always have the right intentions, yet Ebay will more often if not always side with the buyer.
Why do eBay sellers not answer questions? ›
There is nothing you can or should do. The seller either didn't receive the messages for whatever reason, or did and chose not to answer. Sellers have no obligation to answer questions, and you need to move on to another seller if that doesn't work for you.
Do buyers always win eBay disputes? ›
"Seller Protection" is NOT a thing. I did everything right, the buyer did everything wrong, he keeps my item AND the money and my only recourse is to vent to the community. The photos and VIDEO on my listing showed the item he received working perfectly.
How do you answer feedback on eBay? ›
Here's how you can reply:
- From your Feedback profile - Opens in new window or tab page, find the feedback you'd like to reply to.
- Select Reply from the Action column.
- Enter your reply, then select Send.
14 Items You Should Never Sell on eBay
- Illicit items. Let's just get the obvious one out of the way. ...
- Food. ...
- Furniture or heavy items. ...
- Liquids. ...
- Items that require authentication. ...
- Anything alive. ...
- Items subject to recalls or legal safety standards. ...
- Handmade items.
We protect all sellers from abusive buying behavior and from events outside their control. Your track record matters on eBay, and we'll support you when you deliver on your service promise and provide a good buying experience.
Why do sellers ignore your offer eBay? ›
Sellers are not required to reply to offers from buyers. If your offer isn't accepted, you can always try to send a higher offer. The seller has the right to refuse or ignore any offers. The only guarantee you would have of a response is to purchase the item at full price.
What happens if you don't answer questions on eBay? ›
Not responding to questions on eBay could also impact your seller rating. EBay calls this rating your detailed seller rating (DSR), which includes the kind of feedback buyers leave after completing a transaction with you. So, say that you didn't respond to a buyer's questions, but the buyer bought from you anyway.
Can you ignore a seller on eBay? ›
Go to the Seller section, select "exclude" and then add up to ten seller usernames separated by commas and then search again to eliminate those sellers' listings from your results.
U won the bid, u won't pay, eBay will submit an unpaid strike against you, simple as that, and that might hurt your buying on eBay, as sellers can filter out buyers that have unpaid strikes against them. Remember, sellers are not required to cancel on behalf of buyers. A bid is a commitment to buy if successful.
Can an eBay seller refuse a winning bid? ›
Until the listing ends the seller has the ability to cancel your bid. If your bid stands & you win the item, the seller is expected to complete the transaction.
Can an eBay seller cancel a winning bid? ›
Unfortunately Ebay can't force a seller to mail the item you won. They do however get charged a fee for cancelling the transaction and they get a strike against their selling account. Too many cancellations and they are bumped off Ebay.
Can I answer negative feedback on eBay? ›
If you believe feedback you received from a buyer isn't accurate or fair, you can try to resolve the situation by replying to the feedback or by requesting a feedback revision.
Why can't I leave negative feedback on eBay for a buyer? ›
Sellers can't leave negative (or neutral) feedback for buyers because too many sellers were using the threat of negative retaliation to discourage less than positive feedback from buyers no matter how warranted it was.
Is eBay all 2nd hand? ›
You can get new and never used items on eBay—even from the biggest brands!
Can you trust people on eBay? ›
One of the best indications of trust on eBay is the length of time the person has been using eBay and their feedback rating. If the person has a feedback in the hundreds with no negative reviews and has been on eBay for several years you would most likely be safe with this participant.
Do most buyers leave feedback on eBay? ›
Buyers and sellers. Now, only about one-quarter of them leave feedback, no matter if it's a buyer OR seller. Even sellers with an actual Ebay Store, who you would think would use the automated feedback tool that gives you feedback the minute you buy.....but they don't anymore.
Do eBay sellers have to accept bid? ›
The seller is under no obligation to accept any offer or respond in any way to a particular offer or any offer at all.
