I won't bore you with all the details, but here is the meat of it.
I sold a very collectible factory new sealed book for $150. Buyer receives, I ask him to confirm everything and let PayPal know (to confirm delivery and condition) to release funds (another debacle). He replies back with an email praising and raving about the book! "Excellent condition, wow, better than described, packed well, perfect"
The next day he offers $30 to me to return the book, he bought by mistake, or he will tell PayPal it's "not as described". I don't threaten lightly, and I have his email already, so I tell him, no, I refuse his offer. He opens claim with PayPal. I upload everything, pics of the book, packing details, the email with headers, his other emails. Very cut to dry to anyone with say a 3rd grade understanding. I call yesterday, because PayPal is badgering me to upload funds to cover the negative hold balance (even though his funds have never been received by me - also pending withdrawal verification), and I speak to disputes.
I had offered an exchange on the book and asked for pictures, because at the end of one of the emails, the buyer says he opened the book. Which will destroy the value (of it being sealed). I was told that the buyer had not responded to anything yet, but no decision would be made without a reply and pictures, evidence, etc.
Overnight, the buyer escalated the claim, without ever uploading proof, and the claim is found in his favor!!!!?!?!?
I am floored. What recourse do I have as a seller if the item is returned damaged? An appeal they say. After the case is closed and this buyer has his money back, and I am damaged. He will probably blast me with a negative feedback too, which will be my first negative in 15 years. Then at that point they will review what I have provided for evidence?
I feel I am fairly intelligent. I have never had a chargeback with PayPal, ever. I take items back, replace them, even lose money to keep my feedback positive. It's a cost of doing business. Fraud however is not. I am an Army vet, and it just makes me crazy to think this is actually happening as we speak. That this punk buyer can scam me!!! I have to just bend over??
I asked them this morning, hey I want a new Hublot or Rolex watch, maybe I will find one that is worth, $20,000. I'll buy it, and send back a box of rocks or a note inside that says "hahahahaha" and I will open a claim that says "not as described", so I can be like all these buyers that ruin our system. At least let us leave negative feedback, or a mark that shows he returned or disputed a transaction. Would you allow a buyer with a high return or dispute rate? No. Thats the answer folks.
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