Some people.....

Aaron MacQ

Zorg Guru (I)
Joined
Jan 3, 2017
Points
95
Location
Bangor, NI
Model of Z
2.8 Z3
Ok, I was away over the weekend so only picking this up again now.

So, I've got a quote for the return postage from UPS, but he's not given me his email address, so I can't send the label to him (as required by ebay).

Option 2, send him money by Paypal to cover the return postage costs... so I've logged in here, and he's not on my contacts list, and again I don't have an email address to refund to......

So, in light of the fact I have no way of following eBay's own instructions, and knowing that I have to complete the action today or else they get a full refund and get to keep the item, what exactly am I to do?

Who knows, on hold with eBay right now.... fingers crossed.
 

Althulas

Zorg Guru (V)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Jun 14, 2014
Points
198
Location
Banburyshire
Model of Z
M Roadster
You should update eBay that he’s made it impossible to send a return label if you have exhausted every avenue of contact, Did you contact him by mobile? If so you have a record with dates to screen shot for evidence that you have tried on your part.

I bet the scammer is hoping eBay will refund at the end of deadline.
 

Aaron MacQ

Zorg Guru (I)
Joined
Jan 3, 2017
Points
95
Location
Bangor, NI
Model of Z
2.8 Z3
Lol, on the phone now.... this is shocking!

Ebay agent again told me to send funds to their email address.... , ehhh, I don't have one...

Their next option, process a refund....!!! :banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:


They've put me on hold whilst they check with their manager or something.
 

Aaron MacQ

Zorg Guru (I)
Joined
Jan 3, 2017
Points
95
Location
Bangor, NI
Model of Z
2.8 Z3
The next instalment....

So, I received an email address, and whilst it looks fairly normal, for someone who didn't want to disclose their personal information, it's got it all in there. Remember I found some details on Companies House...? Well, it's almost like someone might have lots of these identities and likes to keep them well organised. Either that, or.... well you'll know by now what my thoughts are....

Anyway, I've logged in to Paypal and just thrown some money out the digital window. That's what they asked me to do, so there we go. Not sure what happens next. I included the item reference, the buyer id, the case id and a note or what it was for.

In eBay, I followed up with:

Since you had not provided an email address I had no way of sending the required postage label via UPS.
Ebay have provided an email address as it's essential to the process and suggested I transfer payment to you via Paypal to allow you to complete the courier booking without me giving out your personal details to a third party.

Therefore, £18.79 has been sent via Paypal. Can you please confirm this has been received.

Now, I've asked for a confirmation, not only because it keeps the records straight, but.... wait for it.....

THERE'S NO PAYPAL ACCOUNT REGISTERED TO THIS EMAIL ADDRESS !!!!

The money is currently in limbo, stating within Paypal:

'[email removed] hasn't accepted yet.'

Oh my.....
 

Aaron MacQ

Zorg Guru (I)
Joined
Jan 3, 2017
Points
95
Location
Bangor, NI
Model of Z
2.8 Z3
Did you contact him by mobile?
Sorry, forgot to answer this earlier. but.....No!
Whilst I do have a phone number (from his earlier text messages), ebay have already acknowledged that anything outside ebay messenger will not be considered during dispute resolution.

So, in short, I will not be corresponding with him, or any future ebay buyer, in anyway other than via ebay messenger.
 

Aaron MacQ

Zorg Guru (I)
Joined
Jan 3, 2017
Points
95
Location
Bangor, NI
Model of Z
2.8 Z3
Grrrrrr...... so in response to me sending money for the return via Paypal (as requested by eBay) I've just received the following from our favourite buyer:

I don t understand what a PayPal transaction id is. I don t use PayPal.
Can you Arrange for the roll hoops to be collected on Wednesday? I will be out of the house on Thursday.

What now???
Guess I'll be spending the evening on the phone to eBay again.

Note: the original purchase was via Paypal, and it's Paypal that currently have the proceeds of the sale.

Strictly speaking, to satisfy ebay, I'd need to book the courier to take a collection from his 'registered address' which is nothing other than a town name and an invalid postcode. If I book the courier from the address he's given me, I'll not have satisfied their process and he'll get full automatic refund and get to keep the item.

Flip, this has been going on so long, I'd forgotten what I'd even sold him....lol. The spare hoops from my black 2.0. Oh what i'd do to go back in time and not sell them on ebay! I wasn't even sure I wanted to sell them at all. Well at least it's provided some entertainment value and hopefully save some of you guys from ever having to deal with this sort of buyer in the future.
 

5harp3y

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
Joined
Jul 10, 2015
Points
168
Location
Basingstoke
Model of Z
2.8
Wanna post his address.

Then the nearest Zorg member can go around a poo through his letterbox
 

philiper

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Feb 24, 2018
Points
78
Location
East Anglia
Model of Z
E86 Montego Blue Auto
It is really amazing that ebay expects you to bend backwards for a numpty like this :mad:
 
Last edited:

Aaron MacQ

Zorg Guru (I)
Joined
Jan 3, 2017
Points
95
Location
Bangor, NI
Model of Z
2.8 Z3
So, today's the day eBay are due to check that I've sorted the return, and have to issue the refund on receipt of the package back, but instead I've just sent:

Hi [name removed],

As your account used the address: collection only, [town], [invalid postcode], and this is the address I would need to arrange collection from to satisfy eBay which obviously doesn't work.

As such, the only other option they offered was to transfer funds for the return via Paypal for you to arrange the courier which I have already done. That Paypal transaction ID sent previously is the receipt for that transfer.

I'm not sure what else I can do at this end, so if you don't use Paypal, you might be best to contact ebay directly.

I think that's the best I can do. I'm not 'bank transferring' him money, or arranging collection from an unconfirmed address. I've no idea how Ebay/Paypal are going to handle this since the buyer protection comes via ebay (which he's making the best use of) and the seller protection comes via Paypal, but since he doesn't have a Paypal account to claim against what use are they going to be?
 

Aaron MacQ

Zorg Guru (I)
Joined
Jan 3, 2017
Points
95
Location
Bangor, NI
Model of Z
2.8 Z3
So, several updates....

Firstly, I received the following from the buyer:

My email addrsss is [a strange email address removed]
You can send that email onto ups if you like.

This isn't the address ebay have on file and it's weird, and again, collection can't be taken from a different address. Oh, I should also add that both email address I now have are unverified free email accounts from a well known email provider.

Followed by:

Can I use my mothers paypal account to collect the PayPal payment you have sent?

Again, I have no interest in doing anything other than what eBay tell me to, but that was followed up with:

Is it ok to collect the roll hoops tomorrow or Friday? Tomorrow is best.

I've not replied to any of these yet, but this morning I have received the following from eBay.

Hello Aaron ,

My name is Pankaj and I am getting in touch regarding the case (Case Id [id removed]) for the item 'Genuine OEM BMW Z3 Z3M Black Roll Hoop Retro Fit Bars Kit' (item# 192463737257) you sold to "olirobi_65".

I appreciate your efforts in providing the return shipping cost to the buyer to return the item.

We have again informed the buyer about returning the item so that you can receive it and send them the refund they paid.

Aaron, I would request you to please send us the screenshot of the PayPal refund of amount £18.79, which you sent to the buyer. It will be a proof for us to take any further decision if the buyer does not return the item.

Please follow the link below to send us the requested document:

[generic ebay document upload link removed]

I request you to please wait for the item and then after checking condition of the item you can refund the buyer. After receiving the item, you have 6 days to refund the buyer.

The growth we've experienced is because of members like you who faithfully support us. I appreciate you and rest assured I will give you the kind of service you deserve.

We wish you continued success for sales on eBay. Have a great day ahead!

Kind regards,

Pankaj L
eBay Customer Service

Oh, finally something that looks (on face value) to be eBay preparing to side with me if he doesn't comply.

Obviously, I jumped on this and after checking the email was authentic (double checking domain, SPF, DKIM, etc...) I've sent the screenshot as requested.

Mind you, seriously??? eBay are considering whether i've done the right thing or not by assessing a screenshot? That seems rather open to abuse...

Anyway, I also attached a note detailing the item id, the case id, the buyer id , the value sent and the reason for the paypal transfer.

You would assume they already have this info, but we've already established that eBay won't allow any new evidence onto a case after the case is opened and the link they sent doesn't contain any identifiable information so I think it's best to include everything at all times to avoid something getting lost.

I'm in two minds whether to reply to the buyer of not.

Is he sitting about today waiting for a collection?
What was wrong with the item in the first place?
Does he even exist?

Given the eBay message above, I believe the ball is fully in his court. He's free to open a Paypal account using the email address on file, and the funds will be waiting for him. I've done everything asked of me by eBay so I think I'll maintain radio silence, and let him jump through some hoops to make sure the item gets returned before Paypal revert the decision to withhold the funds.



 

DavidM

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Apr 25, 2013
Points
208
Location
Ireland
Model of Z
2.8 Roadster
What a fiasco!!! Are you still intending to do business through EBay in the future?
 

Aaron MacQ

Zorg Guru (I)
Joined
Jan 3, 2017
Points
95
Location
Bangor, NI
Model of Z
2.8 Z3
What a fiasco!!! Are you still intending to do business through EBay in the future?
As an actual Business method of selling your products.... No way. I don't know how actual business sellers survive knowing how helpless you are and how drawn out this process has been. If I'd been relying on getting the money in to pay some important bills, I'd be stuffed.

As for selling some odds and ends I have lying about, time will tell. I like it when it goes to plan, and if this all ends up where it should with the funds back with me and a dodgy/nightmare buyer kicked off the site, then it was a merely a cash flow issue and I'll chalk it up to experience.

If not, well, I'll have a story to tell.
 

Aaron MacQ

Zorg Guru (I)
Joined
Jan 3, 2017
Points
95
Location
Bangor, NI
Model of Z
2.8 Z3
WHAT.....

Case #5172183961 is now closed


Hello Aaron,

We refunded Olirobi_65 £475.00 for case #5172183961 for Genuine OEM BMW Z3 Z3M Black Roll Hoop Retro Fit Bars Kit. This case is now closed and your automatic payment method will be charged £475.00 in 10 days.

You can see the case details in the Resolution Center.
 
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