Where is the win in this suspected eBay scam?

[Jetsfan]

So I bought a card a few weeks ago on eBay. That evening, I received a tracking number (actually, a photo of the package with the tracking number on it). The seller never actually entered the tracking number into eBay. When I followed the tracking number, I saw that the item was listed as delivered, but to somewhere in Virginia. I live in New York. Of course, I am addressing this with eBay as a item not delivered. I’m virtually certain that I will get my money back, as eBay will see that the item was never delivered to me. I’ve contacted the seller multiple times since Saturday, yet with no response.


Since I’m virtually certain I will get my money back, what is the point of pulling a suspected scam like this?

Adam

[bbnut]

Did it have the right address on the photo? Did you ever live in Virginia? If so, maybe your ebay or PayPal address is a ring. Doesn't sound like a scam, but not responding to your emails is weird.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Jetsfan]

It’s interesting in retrospect, as the seller showed me the tracking number, but didn’t show the full package with the address on it. And no, I’ve never lived in Virginia.

This could all certainly still be a misunderstanding, though I have my doubts.

[ramram]

If they're new to the ebay scam they may not realize that ebay will easily side with the buyer.

Rob M

[chalupacollects]

If it was an expensive item could be a payday loan so to speak...

[Jim65]

Maybe the Virginia address is a friend of his and he doesn't understand that he will lose a claim?

[Throttlesteer]

If it was an expensive item could be a payday loan so to speak...

This is what I was thinking. Interest free loan

[Jetsfan]

You may be right about the interest free loan, but the item in total came to a little less than $400, including tax, so you think if he/she was going to do this, might’ve looked for a more expensive item? But good thought. Still weird though.

[drcy]

Sounds as if the scammer wil be losing money on this transaction.

Live and learn.

[jchcollins]

Standard operating procedure is to put the tracking number into the field in eBay once the package has shipped, if the shipping offered specified something with tracking. The fact that the seller didn't bother to do that is just another point in your favor when you open a case with eBay.

Good luck, I've been there. It's frustrating.

[pokerplyr80]

Maybe people pull these scams hoping customers just won't follow up on not receiving their order? I sometimes forget stuff I ordered and paid for on amazon. I could see myself falling victim to such a scam and finding it not worth the time to fight.

[packs]

Could be a mix up. I was the victim of one this year. I ordered 11 packs from a seller who mailed me one pack. Turns out they mixed my order up with another order but never heard back from the person who received my 11 packs.

I was skeptical of the story but the seller refunded me and let me keep the pack they mailed me by mistake. So, I guess it happens.

[Jetsfan]

I think the reason at this point I think something shady is going on is the complete lack of response from the seller since Saturday. But there are always reasonable explanations. Still waiting to see what happens.

[drcy]

True.

Some scammers send people imaginary bills and wait for the checks from the people who pay.


Maybe people pull these scams hoping customers just won't follow up on not receiving their order? I sometimes forget stuff I ordered and paid for on amazon. I could see myself falling victim to such a scam and finding it not worth the time to fight.

[swarmee]

If the seller is along the Gulf Coast, they might not have power yet.

Also possible he sent you the tracking number for a different customer's item, and should have sent you yours. Could be a payday loan, but too soon to tell.

[hcv123]

Not sure if the way Ebay and Paypal are set up now precludes this from happening - I sent payment via Paypal $1300 for an item that was supposed to be shipped overnight. The "seller/scammer" and I had been messaging back and forth frequently over the immediately prior 24 hour period - after I paid - silence. No tracking - no communication. About 12 hours later I filed an item not received report with Paypal. I had spoken with them previously to understand the process and money flow (obviously didn't listen to my gut that was registering something wasn't right) - I was told that if I file an item not received report, the money is frozen until the case is resolved. Paypal decided the case in my favor BUT explained that the scammer had withdrawn the $$ almost as soon as I deposited it and I was SOL! Never made whole on that one.

[swarmee]

Paypal decided the case in my favor BUT explained that the scammer had withdrawn the $$ almost as soon as I deposited it and I was SOL! Never made whole on that one.
Wait, this was on a Goods/Services purchase? They are supposed to refund you out of their hide as part of their 3% transaction fee. You should have gone up the chain until you got the right supervisor to refund you.
But seriously, opening an item not received claim in only 12 hours after payment seems ridiculous on the face. There was no way they could have shipped to you in that timeline.

[hcv123]

WAY before the seperation between goods and services and friends and family - it was an Ebay purchase (I've been using Ebay since 1998). Paypal was WAY worse back then - no guarantees. Thousands of crazy stories on a website called "paypalsucks" then. The seller had communicated they would be back to me well before that the end of that 12 hour window. Turns out they had scammed a number of people.

The core of my point was that I spoke with Paypal BEFORE sending payment at the time to understand their policy and process. They communicated clearly that the seller would be unable to withdraw funds after I filed a claim. They did not advise me that funds COULD be withdrawn so rapidly (at the time). I never heard from the seller again. Never saw the item I paid $1300 for. Paypal decided the case in my favor, but communicated as there was no money left in the seller paypal account there was nothing they could do.

[swarmee]

OK, I understand. Thanks for the explanation.

[STL1944]

I had a similar situation as described above but, thankfully, I paid through PayPal via credit card.

When the item came in and was not genuine, I immediately opened a case with PayPal (and eBay). After 4 rounds of back-and-forth I eventually just disputed my charge on the credit card which was much easier at the end of the day for me.

The only time I use F&F on PayPal is either with true Friends & Family or folks here at Net54 who have been around for a while.


Jim

[Jetsfan]

To close the loop on this, I never heard back from the seller, and ebay gave me my money back. Maybe it was a short term loan, maybe seller thought I’d forget about it. Who knows.