iPad Pro Am I being scammed on eBay?

[psun786]

Ok, I sold my iPad Pro 9.7 on eBay a few days ago. It was packed securely in its original retail box with multiple layers of quarter inch foam as impact absorbing material. I have used this packing material for years and never had a problem. It is much more resilient than bubble wrap.

Today, buyer said the iPad arrived with a fractured screen. At first I thought it must be damaged during transit and about to give him a full refund. But when I looked at the picture he sent me, something is not right. The damage looks like a long scratch instead of shattered glass from drop. I mean, the iPad I sold him has a tempered glass screen protector installed. If it is scratched, it shouldn't go through the protector. If it is damaged due to impact, the glass should look shattered.

I want to hear your guys' opinion before reply this buyer. Does the damage looks like something happened during shipping? Anything I shall ask him than a photo of the packaging box?

 

[keysofanxiety]

You should get him to send a photo of that with the iPad info open (S/N, etc.). If they're trying to scam you, they could well have bought an identical iPad model with big ol' scratches on the screen and they're trying to take advantage.

I would also report to eBay to see if they bought any other iPads recently.

I'd definitely say they need to prove it's your iPad with those scratches.

 

[psun786]

You should get him to send a photo of that with the iPad info open (S/N, etc.). If they're trying to scam you, they could well have bought an identical iPad model with big ol' scratches on the screen and they're trying to take advantage.

I would also report to eBay to see if they bought any other iPads recently.

I'd definitely say they need to prove it's your iPad with those scratches.

I did post a photo of the iPad showing its serial number in the listing. Now, what is the chance someone with a scratched screen decided to swap his LCD screen with mine?

 

[iosuser]

Ok, I sold my iPad Pro 9.7 on eBay a few days ago. It was packed securely in its original retail box with multiple layers of quarter inch foam as impact absorbing material. I have used this packing material for years and never had a problem. It is much more resilient than bubble wrap.

Today, buyer said the iPad arrived with a fractured screen. At first I thought it must be damaged during transit and about to give him a full refund. But when I looked at the picture he sent me, something is not right. The damage looks like a long scratch instead of shattered glass from drop. I mean, the iPad I sold him has a tempered glass screen protector installed. If it is scratched, it shouldn't go through the protector. If it is damaged due to impact, the glass should look shattered.

I want to hear your guys' opinion before reply this buyer. Does the damage looks like something happened during shipping? Anything I shall ask him than a photo of the packaging box?

That definitely looks more like a deep gouge and not a crack. The guy probably gouged it with a knife to try to pull one on you. As soon as you refund he'll peel off the glass protector.

 

[keysofanxiety]

I did post a photo of the iPad showing its serial number in the listing. Now, what is the chance someone with a scratched screen decided to swap his LCD screen with mine?

Personally I'd say it's highly unlikely. Far too much effort involved for very little reward.

Get a photo of it with the info open I say. If they're trying to pull a fast one then they'll have to do some quick rethinking. It's a very small barrier but will immediately present some big problems if they're a scammer.
[doublepost=1498167286][/doublepost]

That definitely looks more like a deep gouge and not a crack. The guy probably gouged it with a knife to try to pull one on you. As soon as you refund he'll peel off the glass protector.

I dunno, that scratch looks pretty deep, like it's straight into the screen rather than on the surface of a screen protector. If they are scamming it's likely a second damaged device they've photographed.

 

[psun786]

That definitely looks more like a deep gouge and not a crack. The guy probably gouged it with a knife to try to pull one on you. As soon as you refund he'll peel off the glass protector.

But he is required to ship the iPad back in order to receive his refund.

 

[justinTlME]

It looks like a gouge that was put there intentionally. Not like something that was done in transit.

 

[iosuser]

But he is required to ship the iPad back in order to receive his refund.

Yeah I would expect the return of the item before issuing a refund, but your original message sounded like you were just going to refund him..

Have him remove the glass protector to show you the supposed crack, with the serial number showing.

 

[psun786]

It looks like a gouge that was put there intentionally. Not like something that was done in transit.

But why go through the trouble to return an item? All he has to say is the iPad doesn't function probably and eBay would force me to accept the return.

 

[missbing]

It's hard to say as there is so much scamming on eBay it's unbelievable. He could have an old scratched one that he will send you betting on you possibly not keeping the serial number. I've been scammed twice on eBay and eBay takes the buyers said 95% of the time, no matter how much proof you have. You can try asking him to take a video showing him turning the iPad around and opening it to settings to see the serial number to make sure that it's your iPad. If he refuses to do this, then I would think he's trying to scam you, but again not much you can do, but refund him and get back the iPad he sends you. In this case I would have him send to iPad to a UPS/FedEx location and have someone take a video of you opening the box to make sure he didn't place a brick in the box.

 

[justinTlME]

But why go through the trouble to return an item? All he has to say is the iPad doesn't function probably and eBay would force me to accept the return.

I don't know. I'm just saying with that screen protector it's pretty obvious. Ayes the guy isn't well versed in eBay's policy and thinks he will pull a fast one and get refunded without returning it. It just looks and seems SUPER phishy.

 

[psun786]

Yeah I would expect the return of the item before issuing a refund, but your original message sounded like you were just going to refund him..

Have him remove the glass protector to show you the supposed crack, with the serial number showing.

I think it is probably better just accept the return for now and fully examine the item once it arrive. There is always a chance that something went wrong during shipping and no need to cost him more trouble to get reimbursed. I also worried if he is a scammer, asking additional proof would alert him and cause him to cover his track.

 

[HiItsMe]

It's hard to say as there is so much scamming on eBay it's unbelievable. He could have an old scratched one that he will send you betting on you possibly not keeping the serial number. I've been scammed twice on eBay and eBay takes the buyers said 95% of the time, no matter how much proof you have. You can try asking him to take a video showing him turning the iPad around and opening it to settings to see the serial number to make sure that it's your iPad. If he refuses to do this, then I would think he's trying to scam you, but again not much you can do, but refund him and get back the iPad he sends you. In this case I would have him send to iPad to a UPS/FedEx location and have someone take a video of you opening the box to make sure he didn't place a brick in the box.

Even if he did put a brick in the box and even if it's recorded on video, eBay won't care. They'll just refund the buyer from the seller's funds as soon as tracking says delivered. Sometimes if the seller complains enough, eBay will reimburse them with eBay's own money but usually they tell you tough luck. eBay is the devil, in my opinion.
[doublepost=1498168378][/doublepost]It seems clear to me that the buyer is going to switch out the iPad you sent him with a busted up one that he's had prior. I'd ask for that SN photo first.

 

[psun786]

It's hard to say as there is so much scamming on eBay it's unbelievable. He could have an old scratched one that he will send you betting on you possibly not keeping the serial number. I've been scammed twice on eBay and eBay takes the buyers said 95% of the time, no matter how much proof you have. You can try asking him to take a video showing him turning the iPad around and opening it to settings to see the serial number to make sure that it's your iPad. If he refuses to do this, then I would think he's trying to scam you, but again not much you can do, but refund him and get back the iPad he sends you. In this case I would have him send to iPad to a UPS/FedEx location and have someone take a video of you opening the box to make sure he didn't place a brick in the box.

Very good point. I will have it sent my POBOX and video log the entire pickup / unboxing. If I was sent a different item, I shall present this evidence to eBay.

 

[iosuser]

I think it is probably better just accept the return for now and fully examine the item once it arrive. There is always a chance that something went wrong during shipping and no need to cost him more trouble to get reimbursed. I also worried if he is a scammer, asking additional proof would alert him and cause him to cover his track.

Yeah. Unfortunately, scam or not, the buyer has the upper hand in this kind of situation.

If you sent it via USPS, just gently remind him of the mail fraud statute as a last resort scare tactic.

 

[Bravia3d]

I highly doubt that in transit that happened. He is trying to scam you.

My old iPad 9.7 had a leather case on it, I dropped it and it fell on the screen and didn't crack like that. That looks like he took a knife to it.

 

[44267547]

It's hard to say as there is so much scamming on eBay it's unbelievable. He could have an old scratched one that he will send you betting on you possibly not keeping the serial number. I've been scammed twice on eBay and eBay takes the buyers said 95% of the time, no matter how much proof you have. You can try asking him to take a video showing him turning the iPad around and opening it to settings to see the serial number to make sure that it's your iPad. If he refuses to do this, then I would think he's trying to scam you, but again not much you can do, but refund him and get back the iPad he sends you. In this case I would have him send to iPad to a UPS/FedEx location and have someone take a video of you opening the box to make sure he didn't place a brick in the box.

And this is why I don't sell my Apple
Devices/electronics on eBay anymore. There are to many variables and risks sellers take advantage of honest buyers. I would rather sell my items locally for cash or give it to a close a friend/family member Than be victimized of fraud.

 

[jaydee24601]

Contact the eBay concierge – – and have a conversation and sharing the pictures! That doesn’t look like natural cracking!
[doublepost=1498169171][/doublepost]Ebay is pretty good helping with problem buyers.

 

[psun786]

Update. I asked the buyer to send me a photo of the box. The box shows no damage at all. For a gouge that deep, something sharp must went through the box or severely damaged the packaging.

 

[Fancuku]

What is the buyer's feedback score? How many feedbacks does he/she have? Look at the feedback left to others. If he likes to leave negatives then probably he is trying to scam you.

 

[badmojo69]

Doesn't matter if you were scammed that's why you always do insurance.
I learned a long time ago on Ebay. The buyer always wins. Just take it back and go have a good cry.

Also I agree with have them turn it on and show the S/N photo and if it is yours nothing you can do.
Do like you said and video yourself opening the package (live stream it). But I really don't think Ebay will side with you.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Update. I asked the buyer to send me a photo of the box. The box shows no damage at all. For a gouge that deep, something sharp must went through the box or severely damaged the packaging.

I don't mean to be blunt but you asked for advice, then myself and other posters suggest you get a photo of the damaged iPad with the serial number showing on the screen to prove it's your device. It's one of the most common scams on eBay to buy a damaged device and claim that's the one that shipped. So that would be a simple and reasonable request which would be difficult for them to overcome if they are scamming you.

You've promptly ignored all that advice and gone ahead with what you originally said you were thinking of doing anyway. A picture of the box proves nothing.

 

[jca24]

My opinion is he is scamming you. Have you been paid for the iPad? If so I would tell him to gfhs and go on with life. Ebay is crap now, not worth the trouble. Next time if want to sell something sell it to someone you know of better yet give to someone that does not have one. If you need help with the acronym let me know.

 

[npolly0212]

is it the right iPad?

 

[InvalidBassist]

Honestly, looks like a cracked screen to me, the pictures don't do it justice, but there are faint lines in both directions of the "scratches."

Can't tell if it's your iPad without verification though...