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Sold iPhone 5 on eBay, possible scam?
- Thread starter airflite40
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I know this is too late, but I have had the Russian experience before with shipping a very expensive ($1500) Canon DSLR camera. I too shipped via USPS big mistake, buyer opened up a fraud complaint and froze my Paypal account. I was able to have USPS get ahold of the package before it left the US. I was extremely lucky. They informed me that if I had left the US there would be nothing they could do since its a completely different mailing system.
I have shipped a few package oversea since but will only used UPS International and Fedex International at the buyers expensive. And I also state that I have a 1-2 Business Processing for International. This gives time for any fraud to be caught prior to shipping. International buyer that contact and insist you send immediately the same day is also a red flag. Also buyers with zero purchases should also be a warning. With some of my high priced sales I do take photos of content inside the box prior to sealing while at the shipping place. This helps with disputes. Good luck though, but you're *******ed once it hits Russia cause you can not prove the item was in the box.
But, if they (buyer) claims the box was empty ask them to take a photo of the content inside the box. Once they do that, dispute it with proof of the "shipping weight" not matching up with the photo content. This could show proof they're scamming and lying. This maybe your only chance so wait until they submit photo before saying anything about the box weight.
I have shipped a few package oversea since but will only used UPS International and Fedex International at the buyers expensive. And I also state that I have a 1-2 Business Processing for International. This gives time for any fraud to be caught prior to shipping. International buyer that contact and insist you send immediately the same day is also a red flag. Also buyers with zero purchases should also be a warning. With some of my high priced sales I do take photos of content inside the box prior to sealing while at the shipping place. This helps with disputes. Good luck though, but you're *******ed once it hits Russia cause you can not prove the item was in the box.
But, if they (buyer) claims the box was empty ask them to take a photo of the content inside the box. Once they do that, dispute it with proof of the "shipping weight" not matching up with the photo content. This could show proof they're scamming and lying. This maybe your only chance so wait until they submit photo before saying anything about the box weight.
If you want to sell your iPhone and get the most money out of your iPhone sell it on Craigslist. I've bought and sold my iPhones there. Never had a problem as long as you have common sense.
I agree Craigslist is fast and no overhead fees. Just always meet in a public place with people and cameras around. And always put "Firm price non-negotiable and bring exact amount". Never fall for the I only have $20-50 less than the agreed upon price. Just walk away, 90% of the time that $20-50 will magically appear. Again, meet at the place you pick and know well. Inside a Starbucks is good, cameras and they're all over the place.
Apparently you did not read my post, I specifically said that I can't speak to individual countries, my statement on eBay policy is their general rule for items shipped based on their value.
For instance, I just shipped an item to Canada using the eBay global shipping program (which I have since opted out of), the item was showing delivered, the customer claimed they never got it, eBay took full responsibility and instantly refunded both of us the money. In another instance, I shipped an item over $250 without signature delivery, buyer claims they didn't get it, tracking said they did... PayPal still awarded me the case because it had tracking on it.
My point is, if you follow eBay policies and principles, you will rarely (if ever) lose a case.
They give you cash on the spot for your phone. And they give a pretty fair amount. I got $318 for a 16GB iPhone 5. If you want store credit they give you much more.
after waiting on hold for 1hr 10 minutes the USPS cust service told me its being investigated by the supervisor and they will call me. Could be today could be monday but I was told to "give it a couple more days."
Ive shipped electronis to russia (family), the last time customs tried to keep the package saying they never got it, after providing proof, they tried to apply fees, it took my sister 8 weeks to get her ipad mini without paying a penny. I think it's the customs that are taking item out, not buyers for the most part.
Yes, their customs in well known for stealing high valued items.
Very crooked mail system.
Suckers every last one of you that get ripped off on ebay. Simply make an UNEDITED video from working phone untill dropping the phone in the bin/handing it off to the mail person and there is no way you can lose. IF you have proof that it was shipped it ends then and there. PLUS pull large amounts of money out of pay pal the second you get it. Ensure you have 3 to 4 business days for shipping so the money will be out of your pp account before they can attempt to rip you off.
I have over 1500 positive on ebay, sold from $20 up to a $1800 and shipped all over the world to include Russia. Always get the video, ALWAYS ensure for at least $200 more than you need to and you will ALWAYS win any attempt to rip you off.
I have over 1500 positive on ebay, sold from $20 up to a $1800 and shipped all over the world to include Russia. Always get the video, ALWAYS ensure for at least $200 more than you need to and you will ALWAYS win any attempt to rip you off.
I sold on ebay over 10 yrs,followed all policies.But ebay is not what it used to be.
They favor buyers,scammers get away with ripping people off.
You may have gotten lucky on those couple of cases but the majority of sellers are getting shafted.
Don't believe me? Just take a trip to the a Seller Central in ebay forums you will see what I mean.
It is full of posts from sellers that got ripped off and paypal or ebay sided with the buyer.
In this situation video will do you no good if the item got either stolen in the mail or never got delivered.
The insurance that you put in with usps doesn't cover iphones send to Russia so he's screwed.
I'm a 15+ year seller with 0 lost cases (knock on wood)... And 782 Positive (100%) feedback.
The video covers me to tell them it was shipped. If I was in his situation there would be no way (in a sane person's world) that they could rule against me IF I have proof the phone was shipped. I keep my PP money, guy on the other end gets hosed. The insurance not being applied by USPS is moot as the video SHOULD protect the seller.
I would however have an issue with USPS allowing me to pay for insurance that they wouldn't honor, I guess that's another thread.
Get the vid guys, you'll thank me later.
I know but that's well documented and experienced by many for years that they won't honor insurance if you ship an iPhone to Russia. It's part of their fine print that not every postal worker knows and lets you purchase insurance anyway.
So in this instance the video would do nothing.
Why not? You have PROOF that the phone was shipped. When it leaves your hands and the shipper takes it, no matter the shipper, Your obligation is complete. You can't control what happens after it leaves your hands. Your obligation is to ship the item, not ensure it arrives.
I guess you could still get screwed but like I said, I don't see how any sane person could see it any other way.
I know what you're saying but in this instance with those variables I'm saying a video will do you no good.
Even USPS knows that once it leaves them and Russian customs and postal service gets it is pretty much gone.
Even USPS knows that once it leaves them and Russian customs and postal service gets it is pretty much gone.
It IS your obligation to give the goods to the buyer after he pays...He gave you money for something, you give him the something.
Since you are unlikely to drive and meet the guy, be careful who you let deliver...Cuz in the end, you are ultimately responsible.
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Good reason to just avoid shipping overseas unless one thoroughly investigates countries policy's and laws.
Exactly.
If he never gets it and you can't prove that he did get it then you don't get paid.
You can't just say I shipped it and now it's the buyers problem if it gets there or not.
Yup. So many sellers seem to think they can just hand off responsibility to someone else...
That's poor business.
That's why I always buy insurance and signature confirmation ON TOP of adequate packing materials. I have to eat those costs in order to stay competitive but I have NEVER had the trouble we're discussing today.
You guys are nuts. It is the shippers responsibility to ensure the product arrives according to the addressed instructions. The shipee has no ability to control the situation so you're not dumping the problem on anyone, the shipper IS the problem and needs to fix the issue. That's why you buy insurance to ensure things are taken care of.... I know they say they don't cover to russia and the guy may be screwed but again, that's another thread.
I never keep money in my PP account, I'll go buy something using my PP master card (gives money back when you use it, got $150 back last year by simply using it..... no brainer) and use up the balance or simply transfer the money to my account.
I guess ultimately lessons learned could be 1. Don't use USPS to ship phones to Russian, 2. Don't ship overseas period, 3. Don't put phone on the customs receipt, 4. Read the fine print before you let someone screw you.
OP I assure you I would be getting some kind of restitution from USPS.... It may cost me 10 times more than I spent in the first place but by god I would be triumphant!! Or not.....
I never keep money in my PP account, I'll go buy something using my PP master card (gives money back when you use it, got $150 back last year by simply using it..... no brainer) and use up the balance or simply transfer the money to my account.
I guess ultimately lessons learned could be 1. Don't use USPS to ship phones to Russian, 2. Don't ship overseas period, 3. Don't put phone on the customs receipt, 4. Read the fine print before you let someone screw you.
OP I assure you I would be getting some kind of restitution from USPS.... It may cost me 10 times more than I spent in the first place but by god I would be triumphant!! Or not.....
Nor have I.... even sending to Russia. Sent phones, paintball gear, books, scrap booking stuff and never had an issue. I only have 1500 feedback on ebay so probably no where near you Fission but I guess we've both been lucky.
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It is the shipper's responsibility to ship the package to a destination in its original condition. USPS does ship it to Russia in perfect condition. However, they cannot be blamed if Russian customs rob the item or lose it. I guess it's up to fate most of the time.