Advice needed-return request

I sold a Bose subwoofer, speakers and sound system for 300 to a buyer in miami.  I carefully packed all of the items and shipped them via FedEx.  The buyer at some point shipped the items to Colombia via another's shipping compnay(logicodex I think was the name).  Of course, now the buyer claims the 5 speakers never arrived.  I offered to contact FedEx but he has opened a return and wants me to offer a total of refund.  Now my funds are frozen.



 I have offered a partial refund and so far he has refused.  I don't think I should have to pay to return what's left from Colombia.  But even if he says he'll pay to have the items shipped back to the us, he won't have the speakers.  



What can I do?  I'm nervous to ask ebay to intervene as they always seem to side on the buyer no matter what.  Should I accept the return and see if the buyer pays to ship it back from the USA. Should I refuse?  I've never had a problem like this and would like your advice.  

Comments

  • Wait did you ship them to him or to colombia? If he changed the shipping somehow I would say it's some sort of scam. I've never had that issue but I've had ebay side with me as a seller before especially if you try and work it out with the buyer before bringing it to them.
  • Wow, sounds like a pretty crappy situation for sure. If the buyer is claiming they never received the item you may have a small chance since you should have confirmation from Fedex that the package was in fact delivered. Ebay's protection is great as a buyer, but sucks for a seller dealing with scammers.
  • Originally posted by: nesman



    I sold a Bose subwoofer, speakers and sound system for 300 to a buyer in miami.  I carefully packed all of the items and shipped them via FedEx.  The buyer at some point shipped the items to Colombia via another's shipping compnay(logicodex I think was the name).  Of course, now the buyer claims the 5 speakers never arrived.  I offered to contact FedEx but he has opened a return and wants me to offer a total of refund.  Now my funds are frozen.



     I have offered a partial refund and so far he has refused.  I don't think I should have to pay to return what's left from Colombia.  But even if he says he'll pay to have the items shipped back to the us, he won't have the speakers.  



    What can I do?  I'm nervous to ask ebay to intervene as they always seem to side on the buyer no matter what.  Should I accept the return and see if the buyer pays to ship it back from the USA. Should I refuse?  I've never had a problem like this and would like your advice.  



    Assuming you did ship the speakers, your best bet is to call eBay as a seller.  And I mean CALL every day.  For the people you speak to, get their names and employee numbers.  Ask who their boss is and get their name too.  Say you are being scammed as many times as possible.  Tell them the buyer sold them to Colombia, and is trying to scam you.  Show them the messages.  Do NOT swear or raise your voice.  Even if someone in FedEx got a 5 finger discount, it could've been the additional shipping company the buyer used.



    eBay is so frustrating, but it's the price of doing business.  There's no better marketplace at the moment.  
  • I'd say if he shipped the items elsewhere after receiving them but prior to settling up with you regarding item complaints, he implicitly accepted their condition as satisfactory. If he stated in eBay communication that he shipped them to Colombia, that'd certainly be strong evidence in your favor that either he's full of crap or trying to pull a scam.
  • So what does your original Fedex tracking number show? If it never shows as delivered (but does show the buyer changed the address), definitely call ebay.



    If it does show as delivered, slam dunk in your favor.
  • The real question is that Zelda sign available? :-)
  • Originally posted by: captmorgandrinker



    So what does your original Fedex tracking number show? If it never shows as delivered (but does show the buyer changed the address), definitely call ebay.



    If it does show as delivered, slam dunk in your favor.

    It shows delivered in Miami on September 28th



     
  • Originally posted by: CD2193



    I'd say if he shipped the items elsewhere after receiving them but prior to settling up with you regarding item complaints, he implicitly accepted their condition as satisfactory. If he stated in eBay communication that he shipped them to Colombia, that'd certainly be strong evidence in your favor that either he's full of crap or trying to pull a scam.

    My delivery information says delivered in Miami (which is where the address via eBay was).  He told me I need on email he sent it on to Colombia.  



     
  • Most likely he was using a freight forwarder. You have to call eBay on this one. You have to be careful with all these places in Florida.
  • Originally posted by: nesman

    I sold a Bose subwoofer, speakers and sound system for 300 to a buyer in miami.  I carefully packed all of the items and shipped them via FedEx.  The buyer at some point shipped the items to Colombia via another's shipping compnay(logicodex I think was the name).  Of course, now the buyer claims the 5 speakers never arrived.  I offered to contact FedEx but he has opened a return and wants me to offer a total of refund.  Now my funds are frozen.



     I have offered a partial refund and so far he has refused.  I don't think I should have to pay to return what's left from Colombia.  But even if he says he'll pay to have the items shipped back to the us, he won't have the speakers.  



    What can I do?  I'm nervous to ask ebay to intervene as they always seem to side on the buyer no matter what.  Should I accept the return and see if the buyer pays to ship it back from the USA. Should I refuse?  I've never had a problem like this and would like your advice.  




    I'm a little confused with your story. If you've posted the item and it showed that it's been delivered thru tracking, and to the correct address on eBay, that's all that is needed. Surely, the buyer then redirecting to somewhere else is no longer your responsibility? I guess the best thing to do is contact eBay customer service to see if anything needs to be done.
  • You got it.  Now the buyer says when it got to Colombia the speakers were missing.  My only guess is they were stolen or the buyer is lying.  I will call customer service today and see what my options are.  I agree that I should not be responsible once the item is delivered in miami. 
  • Called eBay. Apparently re-shipping items forfeits any return policy. I have to call back Thursday but they said they will rule in my favor.
  • Thanks everyone.
  • Originally posted by: nesman



    Called eBay. Apparently re-shipping items forfeits any return policy. I have to call back Thursday but they said they will rule in my favor.



    Good to hear, and I hope you got employee specifics.  I have been told this and lost once the buyer called in as well.
  • Originally posted by: captmorgandrinker



    So what does your original Fedex tracking number show? If it never shows as delivered (but does show the buyer changed the address), definitely call ebay.



    If it does show as delivered, slam dunk in your favor.

    Came here to parrot this.



    For Item Not Received (INR) cases, your role as a seller ends when tracking shows delivered to the address the buyer provided when they paid for the item (aka. the listing ended). That's the only address you can ship to and still be protected by eBay's seller protection. As long as you didn't ship to a different address than what the buyer used the moment they bought the item (ie. buyer told you to ship to a different address outside of ebay or something) than the case should be closed in the seller's favor.
  • Your job was to ship to Miami, not to Colombia. It's on the freight forwarder.
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