NeilCO
09-10-2013, 11:42 PM
This isn't really a sob story-- I only lost $10.50 in the transaction-- but I haven't seen a story like this reported elsewhere so I thought I would share in case it can help uncover a scam.
The details are as follows:
*On 08/18/13 I sold a card on eBay, and the buyer was charged my U.S. shipping rate.
*The given buyer's address was:
[Buyer's Name Redacted]
Reference# ORAAB000000038592631
1850 Airport Exchange Blvd #200
Erlanger, KY 41018-3193
*On 08/27/13, I got a message from eBay customer service telling me, in part: "I am contacting you in regard to the new Global Shipping Program. After reviewing your transaction, I understand that you sent a basketball card (item# [redacted]) to our shipping facility. Pitney Bowes, the company that we use for the program, has told us that there is an issue that we want you to be made aware of.
Our shipping facility has notified us that they received your package opened with no contents inside. We understand that this was unintentional; however with no item to forward to your buyer, we wanted to inform you of the situation. Because you have no insurance on your package, we would ask that you refund your buyer and provide them with best customer service experience possible."
*The latest tracking information provided by USPS at that time claimed the package had been processed the previous day in Cincinatti. I replied to eBay customer service saying as much, and did not refund the money.
*On 09/03/13, I got another message from eBay customer service telling me: "Your recent shipment ([card description redacted]) via eBay's Global Shipping program will be returned to you, because your shipment contained items that are restricted for import to this country: France."
*The latest tracking info provided by USPS at that time: "Exception - Destroy-OTHER" (location: Erlanger)
*On 09/10/13, I got a message from eBay informing me that they have sided with the buyer and taken $10 from my Paypal account. I have not received my return package from eBay.
I am slightly sketched out by the whole situation because 1) the messages I received from eBay are conflicting; and 2) this is the first time I've used the Global Shipping Program, and also the first time I've had this problem after ~1,400 smooth transactions.
My guess is that eBay's shipping facility somehow destroyed the package, but it is also possible that is was destroyed in transit. If this is the only time this ever happens, fine, I'm just out $10. But I wanted to share in case others have the same experience.
The details are as follows:
*On 08/18/13 I sold a card on eBay, and the buyer was charged my U.S. shipping rate.
*The given buyer's address was:
[Buyer's Name Redacted]
Reference# ORAAB000000038592631
1850 Airport Exchange Blvd #200
Erlanger, KY 41018-3193
*On 08/27/13, I got a message from eBay customer service telling me, in part: "I am contacting you in regard to the new Global Shipping Program. After reviewing your transaction, I understand that you sent a basketball card (item# [redacted]) to our shipping facility. Pitney Bowes, the company that we use for the program, has told us that there is an issue that we want you to be made aware of.
Our shipping facility has notified us that they received your package opened with no contents inside. We understand that this was unintentional; however with no item to forward to your buyer, we wanted to inform you of the situation. Because you have no insurance on your package, we would ask that you refund your buyer and provide them with best customer service experience possible."
*The latest tracking information provided by USPS at that time claimed the package had been processed the previous day in Cincinatti. I replied to eBay customer service saying as much, and did not refund the money.
*On 09/03/13, I got another message from eBay customer service telling me: "Your recent shipment ([card description redacted]) via eBay's Global Shipping program will be returned to you, because your shipment contained items that are restricted for import to this country: France."
*The latest tracking info provided by USPS at that time: "Exception - Destroy-OTHER" (location: Erlanger)
*On 09/10/13, I got a message from eBay informing me that they have sided with the buyer and taken $10 from my Paypal account. I have not received my return package from eBay.
I am slightly sketched out by the whole situation because 1) the messages I received from eBay are conflicting; and 2) this is the first time I've used the Global Shipping Program, and also the first time I've had this problem after ~1,400 smooth transactions.
My guess is that eBay's shipping facility somehow destroyed the package, but it is also possible that is was destroyed in transit. If this is the only time this ever happens, fine, I'm just out $10. But I wanted to share in case others have the same experience.