Sold iPhone 3G on eBay, now buyer is making egregious claims

[gmikesell]

PayPal DOES totally suck.

I had a great 5 year history with eBay/Paypal and last year sold an item. The buyer claimed item was not as described. There went my money out of the paypal account. I told them to send the item back to me. I got it back all shattered. On close inspection, I could see where they hit it with something (hammer?) and the plastic parts broke up. No way could any of that damage could have occurred in shipping. I didn't detest anything since I was successfully able to collect on the insurance claim, however, that is the last time I sold anything on eBay. Now, I just use eBay to get ideas for how much to charge for stuff I sell on craigslist. I've found that I make just as much after factoring eBay and paypal charges vs. the free and easy craigslist. People are just sooo dishonest in general anymore these days though that its almost more trouble to sell to strangers than its worth anymore.

 

[Zepaw]

What can PayPal do if you don't pay after they file against you? Amazon will hunt you down if they have to. They don't usually have to even because they can reach right into the account you gave them the information for to get payments sent to.

 

[ijen0311]

You could have excluded buyers with less than a certain number of feedbacks. Why didn't you do this? They will still be able to bid but you are under no obligation to sell to a 0 feedback highest bidder.

I didn't do it because I had never had a problem, and the scam that she was running never even occurred to me. I'm not a professional seller - I sell things that I don't need on occasion. I had to get burned to learn my lesson.

 

[slicecom]

So many stories like this one yet people still sell on eBay. I put my iPhone 3G up on craigslist and kijiji and sold it the next day for cash and piece of mind.

 

[bruinsrme]

Not to depress you, but...

I'm an eBay 100% feedback member since 2001. (Over 100 transactions.)
Buyer was a 0% feedback buyer who joined during my auction (I didn't notice until it was too late).

She told Paypal I shipped her an empty box when I sold her my 3G. Long story short, even with shipping receipts, etc., I lost. Paypal balance is -$320ish now.

Take all your money out and cancel any Paypal auto-charges like iTunes. Paypal will screw you.

When shipping a high value popular item always, always, always have a ups store or fedex location pack it. once they take possession you are free and clear. the recipient has no idea and then when they have to deal with UPS or Fedex their story will most likely change.
Also, signature required and no exceptions allowed, and insurance.

I include ALL documentation in the box, paypal receipt, ebay auction, warranty (high lighted), insurance shipping and packing receipt.

 

[unamused]

obviously you sold the phone to an idiot... i mean unlocking a phone does not change the hardware....

the buyer is probably stupid and wants a refund because they now realize that unlocking does not let them use the phone on VZW.


I would just be upfront with the buyer and work out some terms to have them send you the phone back and refund money - shipping. just tell them flat out that if they just want a refund because they are on VZW and unlocking iphones doesnt let them run on their network.

 

[iHeartapple2]

I just had a similar situation with a tablet I sold. I had a 30 day refund policy on the item. The buyer contacted me asking for a refund after the 30 days had expired and I told him there was nothing I could do. He filed a claim with PayPal. PayPal immediately put the funds on hold in my account for an investigation and they decided in favor of the buyer. PayPal basically made me take the item back and once I received the item then the money was released back to the buyer. I consider this stealing where I come from but they continue to do it day after day. PayPal and eBay protect the buyer and screw the seller!

 

[DiamondGCoupe]

After you make a sale or in an item description you can state politely that the item has been photographed and filmed to show it's working order and all transactions, shipping are recorded for buyer protection.

I read a few of these stories too before selling my 3GS and did EXACTLY this. Recorded a video on my iPhone 4 of the phone in working condition, turned it off, placed in box, givin to FedEx dude and shown the shipping info. Never had a problem but if I did, I wasn't getting screwed!

 

[cambookpro]

I've only had a buyer who didn't pay for the item. Neither did the 2nd highest bidder, or the third. Screw them!
Luckily a buyer has never done anything as terrible and dishonest to me as some stories on here say. I hope justice is restored OP!

 

[Jessica Lares]

I take as many pictures as I can and have a NO RETURNS policy. If buyers don't like the item, they can just sell it themselves. I do as much communication as I can with the buyer, telling them WHEN I'm shipping, any delays, and when it's finally shipped out.

 

[RetiredInFl]

I read a few of these stories too before selling my 3GS and did EXACTLY this. Recorded a video on my iPhone 4 of the phone in working condition, turned it off, placed in box, givin to FedEx dude and shown the shipping info. Never had a problem but if I did, I wasn't getting screwed!

You would still "lose" a claim. That is totally useless and has been done before by sellers .... unfortunately it's really not "proof" of anything.

Here is a better one. I bought an item from a seller for $750 that was no good. He told me to send it back. I sent it by "adult sig required" Fedex. he got it and immediately issued the refund. I had to wait 10 days until his refund cleared HIS bank. His refund failed because he had no money in his BANK so I didn't get paid. He sold the item a SECOND time. So he's been paid TWICE for it but my refund failed. I file a complaint with PayPal. The phone rep immediately gives me my money back and files a dispute because it was obviously fraudulent. 2 weeks later I get an email from PayPal that my claim was dismissed (seller won) with no reason given. So I call the seller and ask wtf is up. He says "his bank account is under bankruptcy." So now he's been paid twice for the same item and I am out $750. Been a PayPal customer for 12 years with ZERO problems .....

 

[xraydoc]

This is why I never buy anything on eBay over $100. I'm willing to gamble $100, but anything more... forget it.

 

[Karnivore]

People need to realize that when you sell something on eBay your return policy is meaningless, a hogwash. No matter what you specify as your return policy PayPal allows buyers up to 45 days from purchase to file a complaint regardless of your "policy". As someone already stated ALWAYS purchase signature confirmation AND insurance. It's your only way of recouping some of the loss as PayPal will side with buyers in 99% of all cases.

 

[acfusion29]

could perhaps those "dead pixels" have to do with the jailbreakme.com website?

those who don't know what i'm talking about.

when you JB with that website, once you start up the phone you'll see some pixels that appear stuck. once it loads into the OS, it's fine though


paypal needs to start using some common sense in some of these cases.

like this one for instance:

- 3 day return policy, after that = NO REFUND NO EXCEPTIONS

- if there was a problem, why wasn't it reported the day the item was delivered

and i can go on

the company is a huge fail

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

People need to realize that when you sell something on eBay your return policy is meaningless, a hogwash. No matter what you specify as your return policy PayPal allows buyers up to 45 days from purchase to file a complaint regardless of your "policy". As someone already stated ALWAYS purchase signature confirmation AND insurance. It's your only way of recouping some of the loss as PayPal will side with buyers in 99% of all cases.

True, but I'm sure it's less than 99% because there have been success stories here where paypal sided with the sellers (especially if they documented well to show that it was a fraud).

This is why I never buy anything on eBay over $100. I'm willing to gamble $100, but anything more... forget it.

You mean sell? You're pretty much protected as a buyer.

I bought an item from a seller for $750 that was no good. He told me to send it back. I sent it by "adult sig required" Fedex. he got it and immediately issued the refund. I had to wait 10 days until his refund cleared HIS bank. His refund failed because he had no money in his BANK so I didn't get paid. He sold the item a SECOND time. So he's been paid TWICE for it but my refund failed. I file a complaint with PayPal. The phone rep immediately gives me my money back and files a dispute because it was obviously fraudulent. 2 weeks later I get an email from PayPal that my claim was dismissed (seller won) with no reason given. So I call the seller and ask wtf is up. He says "his bank account is under bankruptcy." So now he's been paid twice for the same item and I am out $750. Been a PayPal customer for 12 years with ZERO problems .....

You paid by check? A credit card transaction does not need to "clear." Next time pay using a credit card and you can aways file a dispute with the CC company for an item not received as promised.

I read a few of these stories too before selling my 3GS and did EXACTLY this. Recorded a video on my iPhone 4 of the phone in working condition, turned it off, placed in box, givin to FedEx dude and shown the shipping info. Never had a problem but if I did, I wasn't getting screwed!

I do the same, but it isn't enough. You also need to meet all the requirements for paypal seller protection (as well as insure the item) if you want to play it safe.

I just had a similar situation with a tablet I sold. I had a 30 day refund policy on the item. The buyer contacted me asking for a refund after the 30 days had expired and I told him there was nothing I could do. He filed a claim with PayPal. PayPal immediately put the funds on hold in my account for an investigation and they decided in favor of the buyer. PayPal basically made me take the item back and once I received the item then the money was released back to the buyer. I consider this stealing where I come from but they continue to do it day after day. PayPal and eBay protect the buyer and screw the seller!

If you read the link I posted earlier in the thread, the return/refund policy doesn't apply in a Significant Not As Described dispute. In a SNAD dispute, you need to accept the return or you'll be out your money AND the item. Better to accept the return and actually get the item back than lose it and be out your money. However, paypal will side with the seller if they can show convincing evidence that they were returned a different item, even in a SNAD dispute.

 

[bumzo1]

I'm so glad my transaction went without a hitch. My friend though wasn't very lucky with his 3GS. His buyer said file a SNAD and claimed he took the 3GS to Apple where they said it was fake and threatened to take it from him. My friend sent in all of his receipts from when he bought it and when he had it replaced under apple care, he even called the buyers Apple store and talked to the manager who says they have never seen him and would not take a "fake" iPhone even if they did.

My friend sent in all this proof and all the buyer has done was send heated email with lots of !!!! and &%&^ with not proof whatsoever. Somehow the case is still open even 2 months after he sold it. He most likely will win, at least that what the paypal people said on the phone after he had called every day for 3 weeks. Even without the hassle of a SNAD, after the ebay fees and everything you'll probably make the same profit with criagslist

 

[mr1581]

This is part of the reason ebay has gone downhill for me. I have been a member since 1999 and a few years ago they instituted a policy that is geared more towards the buyer. The seller seems to get the short end of the stick. We used to be able to leave negative feedback for buyers, but no more. I have had two or three instances where I had to re-list items because someone bought it but then disappeared. It's unfortunate. Paypal also puts holds on your balances now until you get positive feedback from the buyer or until you could prove that the item was delivered.

 

[DannySmurf]

+1 for Craigslist/local classifieds.

Besides the things mentioned here, you also have the benefit of being able to show the item to someone, in person, and have them agree, in person, that it is what you described in your ad.

Also, even though it is more personal, this method gives you greater anonymity, if you want it. In a cash transaction, you don't have to make yourself trackable. When I sell using online classifieds, I use a prepaid cellphone specifically for that, and I generally don't even give my name (particularly for smaller items). That greatly helps to avoid becoming Technical Support for your buyer, and having to hear from people who think they're entitled to change their mind after a purchase.

 

[Zepaw]

I take as many pictures as I can and have a NO RETURNS policy. If buyers don't like the item, they can just sell it themselves. I do as much communication as I can with the buyer, telling them WHEN I'm shipping, any delays, and when it's finally shipped out.

That might deter someone from trying to refund it, but if they go forward with a claim PayPal won't give a **** about your policies, only theirs.

 

[Jessica Lares]

That might deter someone from trying to refund it, but if they go forward with a claim PayPal won't give a **** about your policies, only theirs.

Well, I've never had issues, but if that was the case - I'd sue eBay. Why even have the option of stating a return policy when PayPal won't honor it? Actually, we should file a class action for that.

 

[Turkeywrap]

Take all your money out of paypal and detach any cards and bank accounts you have connected to your paypal, so if you do lose you're not out of money.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Take all your money out of paypal and detach any cards and bank accounts you have connected to your paypal, so if you do lose you're not out of money.

DON'T DO THIS! They make your account go negative, then close your account, then take you to creditors. You then have to pay the interest that adds up over time and it destroys your credit. Something that's as simple as $2 becomes $180 in a year.

 

[Turkeywrap]

DON'T DO THIS! They make your account go negative, then close your account, then take you to creditors. You then have to pay the interest that adds up over time and it destroys your credit. Something that's as simple as $2 becomes $180 in a year.

Now that I did'nt know, I usally just use a fake Paypal when dealing with eBay, cause of the poopload of scams going on.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Well, I've never had issues, but if that was the case - I'd sue eBay. Why even have the option of stating a return policy when PayPal won't honor it? Actually, we should file a class action for that.

eBay/Paypal will not honor it if it's a Significantly Not As Described dispute. This is in order to protect buyers from fraudulent sellers who send them a different item than described, refuse to accept a return and run off with their money. However, sellers have successfully fought SNAD disputes from fraudulent buyers such as this one so it can go both ways.

 

[conshok26]

Not to depress you, but...

I'm an eBay 100% feedback member since 2001. (Over 100 transactions.)
Buyer was a 0% feedback buyer who joined during my auction (I didn't notice until it was too late).

She told Paypal I shipped her an empty box when I sold her my 3G. Long story short, even with shipping receipts, etc., I lost. Paypal balance is -$320ish now.

Take all your money out and cancel any Paypal auto-charges like iTunes. Paypal will screw you.

I had the same issue 2 years ago when I sold my 1st Gen when the 3G came out. I even went to the apple store and got a brand new one the day before because the sim tray would not go back into the phone. He claimed he received an empty box. Stupid me didn't have the thing insured so I was out $300.00. The guy would buy phones then make some excuse to dispute the transaction then would sell them on ebay UK with the same user ID.