Baby Bunting Got Scammed by Private eBay Seller?

PissLUR on 15/01/2020 - 13:37

I was looking to buy a stroller. RRP$499. was on sale $399 on the Baby Bunting website.

Managed to find a private ebay seller selling the same item for $349 delivered. Have a few positive feedback - selling strollers and car seats.

Decided to buy from this seller and waited for the delivery. Stroller was delivered and only enclosed with 'Delivery Note' from Baby Bunting.

Seller is no longer a registered eBay user. Chat support mentioned that the seller is under investigation.

Tried contacting Baby Bunting for a tax invoice. They cant find the order detail. seems like it has vanished from their system.

any idea how this seller does it?

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Comments

  • HighAndDry on 15/01/2020 - 13:42
    +9

    Staff discount/stolen credit cards/scammed gift cards (like the JB Hifi guy)/etc.

  • GG57 on 15/01/2020 - 13:43
    +5

    So you received the product, but not an invoice?

    • PissLUR on 15/01/2020 - 13:48

      I received a delivery note on the product/package.

      The invoice might have been sent out to the fake email address on the order.

      • virhlpool on 16/01/2020 - 21:20
        +1

        Whose fake email address? Did you not use your real email address?

  • rompastompa on 15/01/2020 - 13:45
    +24

    Triangulation fraud

    • scrimshaw on 15/01/2020 - 13:47
      +16

      Was going to say that as well. Sounds a lot like this

      • alikazi on 16/01/2020 - 00:34
        +2

        What are the chances. I saw that video 2 days ago at random.

      • hongas on 16/01/2020 - 14:32
        +2

        I was about to say that too. "coffee machine talk…"

        I am still not sure Who is the real VICTIM here? the company?

        • John Kimble on 16/01/2020 - 14:34
          +3

          Baby Bunting

          • Kranbone on 17/01/2020 - 11:57

            @John Kimble: The video in the triangulation fraud mentioned the victim had their identity stolen to open a line of credit which the seller (third party) translated into cash.

            It's possible there's 2 victims here (retailer and original victim)

    • rompastompa on 15/01/2020 - 13:48

      Triangulation fraud is when a customer makes a genuine purchase on a third-party marketplace, but the product they receive was fraudulently purchased from a different retailer's website.

      I'm not sure their internal system, but the staff member from Baby Bunting might not have access to view the invoice as it may have been flagged / modified on the backend due to being fraudulent.

      Scrimshaw locked me out of editing :D

      • PissLUR on 15/01/2020 - 13:51

        if it has been flagged as fraudulent. wouldn't they be able to contact AusPost to re-route the package back to them?

        • rompastompa on 15/01/2020 - 13:54
          +10

          That's the thing with triangulation fraud.

          Baby Bunting receives the money, so they give the thumbs up.
          You receive the product, so you give it a thumbs up.
          It can take a month before the stolen credit card gets reported, as people don't actively check their statements until they receive the end of month statement.

          This means that the alarms don't get raised until it's too late.

          • PissLUR on 15/01/2020 - 14:03

            @rompastompa: I have paid the seller using PayPal. If I claim a PayPal dispute and got refunded. Who's the loser here?

            • rompastompa on 15/01/2020 - 14:09
              +3

              @PissLUR: Everyone besides the bank. The bank never loses.

            • HighAndDry on 15/01/2020 - 14:13
              +12

              @PissLUR:

              Stroller was delivered

              On what basis would you claim a PayPal dispute? You got the goods…

                • HighAndDry on 15/01/2020 - 14:15
                  +33

                  @PissLUR: But you're not the victim in the fraud. You paid the money and got the goods…

                    • HighAndDry on 16/01/2020 - 09:24
                      +15

                      @Choc83: OP purchased from a private seller off eBay. A tax invoice is only needed if GST was charged, and private sellers can sell without GST. There's nothing entitling OP to a tax invoice in this case.

                • whooah1979 on 15/01/2020 - 14:16
                  +24

                  @PissLUR: You didn't purchased good from baby bunting. They are not required to provide a remedy.

                • whooah1979 on 15/01/2020 - 14:53
                  +15

                  @PissLUR: You already have the item and at a good price. Why do you want to return it for a refund?

                • Bargain80 on 15/01/2020 - 15:12
                  +4

                  @PissLUR: why?
                  you get the goods and you didn't do the fraud.

                  it's possible that baby bunting may ask you to return the goods but then they should refund you whatever amount you have paid.

                  • abb on 16/01/2020 - 16:41
                    +4

                    @Bargain80:

                    @PissLUR: why?
                    you get the goods and you didn't do the fraud.

                    It sounds that PissLUR was planning on enacting another fraud, by returning the stroller to the retail store and claiming a refund.

                    Spend $349, get $399 back.

                    Reminds me of a saying: "you can't cheat an honest man".

                    • PissLUR on 16/01/2020 - 16:43
                      -2

                      @abb: i paid via paypal. so it is paypal refund that i am after.

                • John Kimble on 15/01/2020 - 22:10
                  +10

                  @PissLUR: You are basically the recipient of stolen merchandise. You can either do nothing and keep the pram or report it to the police and possibly have to hand it in or back to Baby Bunting, meaning you'd be out of pocket $350.

            • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 15/01/2020 - 14:15
              +4

              @PissLUR: You'll be the loser. Paypal will request you return the items. You'll get your money back, be without the item, and have wasted a crapload of your time as they'll place the funds on hold for ~90 days minimum to resolve.

        • kickling on 15/01/2020 - 18:30
          +6

          Like everyone else is saying, why do you want to return it now? You bought it off ebay from XYZ seller and not Baby Bunting.

          I've tried to help you, but now I don't understand your motive…

          • netjock on 16/01/2020 - 00:39

            @kickling: Wants the tax invoice for TRS?

            • Jayymes on 16/01/2020 - 09:42

              @netjock: correct me if I'm wrong, but i always thought TRS needed to be purchased under your name, and also refund given under the card that was purchased with? or is this not the case? If this was purchased through private seller, it won't have the original invoice under the buyer's name regardless

              • netjock on 16/01/2020 - 09:54
                -2

                @Jayymes: You are right.

                This is a complicated case. Suspect that buyer thought it was the real baby bunting and expected an invoice.

                • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 16/01/2020 - 10:00
                  +6

                  @netjock: It's not complicated at all.

                  Managed to find a private ebay seller selling the same item

                  OP knew exactly who they were buying from. A private seller at a cheap price.

                • whooah1979 on 16/01/2020 - 11:04

                  @netjock: Buyers can print out invoices on eBay.

              • Trance N Dance on 16/01/2020 - 14:06

                @Jayymes: A name is only required if the invoice comes to a total of $1000 or higher. You don't need the card that was used to pay to get the GST refund via TRS, any card is valid.

              • rave75 on 16/01/2020 - 15:41

                @Jayymes: only if the purchase is above $100

    • PissLUR on 15/01/2020 - 13:49
      -7

      but there is no record for this order on BB' system.

      • rompastompa on 15/01/2020 - 13:51
        +2

        Maybe the eBay user is working in the warehouse and just posts goods? Pretty ballsy scam if that's the case :D

        Also; Con (delivery) notes and invoice numbers are different. Are they looking at the delivery notes or invoice number? They might have two separate systems, and the person you spoke to might be looking at the wrong system.

      • HighAndDry on 15/01/2020 - 13:56
        +3

        Could be that they just can't find that order with the details you provided, because only the (potential) scammer has the actual order details?

        • PissLUR on 15/01/2020 - 14:00

          I used the Order No from the BB's Delivery Note.

          I'm not sure their internal system, but the staff member from Baby Bunting might not have access to view the invoice as it may have >been flagged / modified on the backend due to being fraudulent.

          It makes sense if the order has been flagged and a member can no longer retrieve/view the order.

  • Hybroid on 15/01/2020 - 13:52
    +4

    Have you seen the Baby Bunting store in Moore Park Supa Centre? Delivery bay is in the corner of the complex with products strewn all over the outside public walkways. Anyone walking by can pick up boxes of stuff easily and there's evidence of large boxes being tampered with. Wouldn't be surprised if they were reselling stolen items.

  • 01011010 on 15/01/2020 - 13:57
    +3

    Baby Bunting didn't get scammed - the scammer just used Baby Buntings name - not their fault.

  • profar on 15/01/2020 - 14:05
    +3

    If you received the product from a seller who isn't Baby Buntings that you knowingly bought it from . You're only issue is a tax invoice that you won't receive until Ebay reinstate the seller if at all .

    Bigger issues in the world OP !

    • PissLUR on 15/01/2020 - 14:06
      -4

      need tax invoice for warranty and trs.

      • whooah1979 on 15/01/2020 - 14:10
        +20

        Managed to find a private ebay seller selling the same item for $349 delivered.

        Buyers won't be able to claim GST if the seller isn't registered for GST.

          • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 15/01/2020 - 14:16
            +36

            @PissLUR: The seller is not Baby Bunting. It was not their ebay account.

          • whooah1979 on 15/01/2020 - 14:18
            +10

            @PissLUR: The good may have been shipped from a BB warehouse, but the seller wasn't BB. BB are not required to provide a remedy.

          • Bargain80 on 16/01/2020 - 10:08
            +3

            @PissLUR: the seller is the ebay seller. Period.
            You won't be able to claim TRS.
            Baby Bunting is not responsible for warranty.

      • spackbace on 15/01/2020 - 15:09
        +25

        need tax invoice for warranty and trs.

        But you knew full well that you were buying from a private seller at time of purchase.

        Why the decision now to try to get an invoice, besides greed?

          • dufflover on 15/01/2020 - 18:02
            +14

            @PissLUR: So the topic should be you got scammed a tax invoice by an eBay seller who promised you one.
            Be thankful that's all you lost if it is a dodgy seller!

      • huydn on 15/01/2020 - 19:11
        +7

        TRS for a stroller? That sounds dodgy af.

        • lolmao on 15/01/2020 - 19:53

          not sure why that would be dodgy

        • Choc83 on 16/01/2020 - 08:19
          -2

          Why? It's a carry on item, and you'll get a good 35 bucks back from the taxpayer…

          • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 16/01/2020 - 09:51
            +2

            @Choc83: For the love of all things holy, don't carry a stretcher onto a plane.

            • takezo on 16/01/2020 - 11:14

              @Typical16-bitEnjoyer: Strollers can fold up as small as carry on and fit in overhead.

              • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 16/01/2020 - 13:27

                @takezo: This one does not.

                • ccrap on 16/01/2020 - 16:39
                  +2

                  @Typical16-bitEnjoyer: Umm yes it does. OP is talking about the Baby Jogger City Tour 2, which like the Yoyo pram is designed to be folded and taken on board and meets carry on requirements. I know this because I was eyeing up the exact same pram but ended up getting it from Baby bunting direct last weekend for $322 with a mad combination of now expired deals.

                  I have been watching this pram for months and the MO of that seller is set up a new ebay account, sell some popular prams and baby seats for $50 - $100 less than best price on market, ship out the items using the triangulation fraud Jazz already covered and keep going till account is suspended. They might even pick up a few positive feedbacks along the way which will push the ‘on fence doubters’ to go ahead and buy the prams as well, further boosting sales. Then they just set up another account and repeat. If you do a sold item search on ebay you’ll see this going back at least 2 - 3 months. Even though different accounts are used it’s always the same honeypot attractive price.

                  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 16/01/2020 - 17:57
                    +1

                    @ccrap: I think we have different definitions of "small". I'll leave it at that.

                    (Lol, also just noticed my phone auto corrected stroller to stretcher in that other post. Whoops.)

                    • Bargain80 on 17/01/2020 - 10:01

                      @Typical16-bitEnjoyer: @zeggie: it may not be that small.
                      But apparently small enough for carry on baggage for some airlines. Link

                    • [Deactivated] on 14/03/2020 - 00:04

                      @Typical16-bitEnjoyer:

                      (Lol, also just noticed my phone auto corrected stroller to stretcher in that other post. Whoops.)

                      Sounds more like a Freudian slip than an auto-correct.

                  • markathome on 17/01/2020 - 00:26
                    +3

                    @ccrap:

                    I was eyeing up the exact same pram but ended up getting it from Baby bunting direct last weekend for $322

                    Did you get a tax invoice? I've heard they're all the rage.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 15/01/2020 - 14:12
    +33

    You didn't buy from Baby Bunting. You bought from an ebay seller. The ebay seller needs to provide the tax invoice. You'll never get it.

    They likely bought items from Baby Bunting using stolen card details and put your details down as the delivery address.

    If you persist with asking Baby Bunting for the original tax invoice, likely in a fake name, likely purchased with stolen card details and subsequently reversed, then delivered to your name and address, then expect Baby Bunting requesting you return the fraudulently bought goods :)

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 15/01/2020 - 14:17
        +19

        Fraud aside, do you even understand how dropshipping works?

          • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 15/01/2020 - 14:24
            +14

            @PissLUR: Cool. You can use wikipedia.

            Now tell me is this particular eBay seller a retailer or a wholesaler?

          • HighAndDry on 15/01/2020 - 14:26
            +4

            @PissLUR: Yes. In this case, the eBay seller is the retailer and Baby Bunting is the "another retailer". You bought from the eBay seller, Baby Bunting isn't the seller.

              • whooah1979 on 15/01/2020 - 14:33

                @PissLUR:

                So, they could pass the tax invoice to me.

                This depends on their privacy policy. The end buyer in this instance didn't deal directly with BB.

              • HighAndDry on 15/01/2020 - 14:50
                +5

                @PissLUR: Your contact details but very likely stolen payment (credit card) details. So you wouldn't be entitled to a receipt or paid invoice from Baby Bunting anyway - you didn't pay them.

                If I were you, I wouldn't want to be involved.

              • John Kimble on 15/01/2020 - 16:31
                +1

                @PissLUR: The seller is a fraudster. They are not doing anything for you.

              • blackout134 on 15/01/2020 - 23:13
                +4

                @PissLUR: That's an odd thing to say. It implies you knew all along where they were getting the item from.

              • kiitos on 16/01/2020 - 16:00

                @PissLUR: But the price charged by BB would be less than what you paid, otherwise the 3rd party seller wouldn't make any profit? (In the case it's not fraud, which is what op would have been thinking outside they wouldn't have bought it from them)

                • PissLUR on 16/01/2020 - 16:08
                  -1

                  @kiitos: when i received the delivery from BB, it just got me thinking - how did the seller does it? employee discount/ discounted gift card or other ways.

                  fact is that the billing info and delivery info are both mine. so, all i am asking for BB is to pass me the copy of the receipt. I didnt ask BB to generate a tax invoice for me.

                  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 16/01/2020 - 18:02
                    +1

                    @PissLUR: You don't get it, do you?

                    BB won't give you an invoice. They got ripped off. They got $0. Your money never went to their pockets. It's in the fraudster's pockets.

                    Technically you should be giving the stroller back to them. It's BB's property still.

      • whooah1979 on 15/01/2020 - 14:21
        +5

        Managed to find a private ebay seller selling the same item for $349 delivered.

        Your post is confusing. Did you purchase the good from a private seller or BB?

        • PissLUR on 15/01/2020 - 14:21
          +1

          private seller.

          • HighAndDry on 15/01/2020 - 14:27
            +16

            @PissLUR: So you didn't buy from Baby Bunting, so they're not the seller.

          • pyramid on 15/01/2020 - 14:29

            @PissLUR:

            private seller.

            But then you claimed this as well.

            private seller.

          • brendanm on 15/01/2020 - 14:31
            +21

            @PissLUR: Then you aren't getting an invoice are you. Far out, if you wanted the invoice from a registered business, you should have purchased it from baby bunting. They have nothing to do with your purchase from a third party.

          • smartazz104 on 16/01/2020 - 07:59
            +2

            @PissLUR: And did you know they would be placing an order with Baby Bunting on your behalf?

  • askme69 on 15/01/2020 - 14:33
    +70

    It amazes me how some people get by in life.

    • John Kimble on 15/01/2020 - 23:00
      +1

      At least he realised (sort of). He's just gone the complete opposite direction and tried to milk it some more with the TRS…

    • Shiny Mew on 16/01/2020 - 06:57
      +7

      Most of the top five threads at any given time that show at the bottom of the main Ozbargain webpage make me wonder this.

  • SS625 on 15/01/2020 - 14:36
    +2

    Greed is good.

  • Fredfloresjr on 15/01/2020 - 14:39

    Nearly fell in trap with that seller. He's a private seller and nothing to do with BB or Baby Jogger. Lucky I found different seller with same photo product and price but one mentioned it came from BB and the other one from baby jogger so I passed. looks sus.

    Here is the pram that cost 349$. This was way back November.

    https://ibb.co/yBqF7w7

    • PissLUR on 15/01/2020 - 14:42
      -1

      any positive feedback when you saw that listing?

  • stirlo on 15/01/2020 - 14:44
    +8

    Whats to say the seller didn't buy the stroller from baby bunting then decide to sell it to you after taking the invoice? Just because they have reused the baby bunting packaging and left a consignment note doesn't mean you have any relationship with Baby Bunting.

    There's heaps of reasons why some one could have done this and many of them are not fraud. Maybe they get a staff discount that enables them to sell strollers profitably for $50 less, maybe they bought it and just regretted the purchase, maybe they got given it and didn't like it.

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 15/01/2020 - 14:45

      So why is the seller account blocked and under investigation?

      • stirlo on 15/01/2020 - 14:52
        +20

        Most likely fraud (not against the OP though), but eBay also has been know to lock accounts pretty arbitrarily especially if they sell a high volume of expensive items in a short amount of time.

        Either way the OP is trying to have his cake and eat it too. They got the stroller, for a cheaper price and now they're demanding the support of a large retail chain for warranty and TRS but they didn't want to pay the $50 more.

        Theres no indication that the product is defective or the warranty will not be honored by the manufacturer and they're still better off paying $50 less but missing the $39 TRS refund.

        • whooah1979 on 15/01/2020 - 14:55

          The buyer may claim the warranty directly from the manufacturer.

          Asking for a refund doesn't make any sense.

          • HighAndDry on 15/01/2020 - 15:01
            +4

            @whooah1979: Lot of manufacturers are going to need proof of purchase (so they're not fulfilling warranty claims on stolen goods) so OP might be SOL there too.

        • Bargain80 on 15/01/2020 - 15:16
          +1

          private ebay seller is unlikely to have ABN.
          So it's a long shot to but from private ebay seller and hoping to claim TRS.

          but yeah, still don't understand OP.

  • MKDHS on 15/01/2020 - 15:18
    -5

    It seems to be a case of dropshipping as mentioned by few people above.

    And Ebay doesn't like dropshippers on their platform. They have been suspending the seller accounts, in past, if they suspect a seller to be a dropshipper. They generally ask a seller to provide a proof of their inventory and if the seller cant provide one then the account can get suspended.

  • kickling on 15/01/2020 - 15:29
    +3

    Haha. This happened to me twice OP. I believe same seller. I bought a car seat. You see that there is a mobile number on the Delivery note? And they made up a fake email?

    Anyway. Send me a PM. I will tell you how to get the original invoice from BB.

    I don't think PayPal will refund you. Your purchase agreement was with ebay. You got your item correctly. Doesn't matter who shipped it to you.

    • PissLUR on 15/01/2020 - 15:30
      -1

      PM sent.

  • Porker on 15/01/2020 - 15:53
    +2

    I too bought an ebay pram at what was $50 off sale price and about $100 of RRP. Seller had less than 10 positive feedbacks and my overall experience was satisfactory. I got the pram, it looked legit, and that was the end of the transaction.

    Pram has been great! The seller's ebay account was eventually deactivated also, they were located in Flemington in Melbourne.

    I bought from this seller knowing that there would be no invoice, as none was ever stated for inclusion and the ebay seller name was clearly not a major business name.

    It's just annoying seeing OP try to get resolution on their situation (due to lack of understanding or other) via BB and validation from OZB.

    I'm aware of the arrangement of drop-shipping, I just didn't know that was it's name. It happened to me in the past - it was just a learning lesson to be more savvy buyer and do research.

    • John Kimble on 15/01/2020 - 15:58
      +4

      This is not drop shipping though?

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