Have I Been eBay Scammed?

chocohoney on 01/05/2023 - 00:15
Last edited 01/05/2023 - 15:13

UPDATE: I’ve now successfully asked auspost to send my parcel back to me. They were very kind and helpful. Thank you for all your insights. I didn’t want to take the chance on the buyer being innocent (considering they redirected it then disputed 2 days later).
—————————————————————

So about 2 weeks ago, I posted to ask the community on how safe eBay is for selling. Well I think I’ve already been scammed.

I sold a highly sought after baby toy, around $200

I sent it immediately using the eBay post label (AusPost with tracking) and chose to pay extra for signature on delivery.

Just today, I’ve been sent a request for refund due to parcel not received. I checked tracking and it seems the package has been mysteriously redirected to a new address last week (has been on hold for a few days and hasn’t arrived yet)

I have 3 days to sort something out with the buyer before eBay steps in. Apparently if I do nothing, eBay will give my funds back to buyer.

Edit: I have called auspost this morning who has clarified that the parcel had indeed been redirected through mypost (which can only be done by the buyer). They basically redirected it to the same address but fixed it up a little (deleted the eBay bit at the start). She put in a redirection on Friday and on Sunday (2 days later), has filed a missing package case. So I smell fish!

I’ve asked for them to redirect it back to my home. It’s at DC so there’s a chance it might not go through.

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Comments

  • Hybroid on 01/05/2023 - 00:20
    +2

    I checked tracking and it seems the package has been mysteriously redirected (has been on hold for a few days and hasn’t arrived yet)

    Look at it from buyer's perspective, the package may have gotten lost and thus they haven't received anything. Hopefully you have AusPost insurance on the item.

    Did you enter the tracking number into the eBay status?

    • chocohoney on 01/05/2023 - 00:30
      +1

      I bought the post label through eBay so it’s automatically inputted.
      The tracking clearly says package has been redirected to a new address - besides the buyer, who else would have redirected it? Seems very sus to me but I would gladly be proven wrong.

      No to insurance. It wasn’t expensive enough for me to worry about it - but I haven’t sold on eBay for many years as I’ve been worried about scammers, so it would be very unlucky to have come across one so soon.

      • Hybroid on 01/05/2023 - 00:33

        Well was it redirected or has it not arrived yet? Can you provide some more information. Was it redirected to another sorting office or maybe post office location for pickup?

          • Hybroid on 01/05/2023 - 00:47
            +1

            @chocohoney: That does seem strange. Definitely call up AusPost and see if they can offer any further information. It may be the buyer requesting redirect or incorrect address provided or something on AusPost end.

            In either case, seems odd to raise a complaint about not received when it hasn't even been a week. Usually they can only do so after the estimated delivery date has passed. Worth checking if it has (e.g. if you sat on it for a week before posting and this is second week since purchase).

            There's some info here: https://www.ebay.com.au/help/buying/returns-refunds/get-help…

            It does say one of the options is seller to provide a delivery update so you can do so and advise it's still on the way. Maybe worth contacting eBay and talking it through with support as well. Make sure you have the tracking number handy.

            • chocohoney on 01/05/2023 - 00:48

              @Hybroid: I didn’t paste the whole tracking, it’s been 2 weeks. I’ll add in the extra bit now

          • chocohoney on 01/05/2023 - 00:49

            @chocohoney: Redirected to new address
            CESSNOCK NSW
            Fri 28 Apr • 12:45pm
            Held at facility - In transit redirection
            CESSNOCK NSW
            Thu 27 Apr • 7:57am
            Arrived at sorting facility
            WARABROOK NSW
            Wed 26 Apr • 4:36am
            In transit to next facility in CESSNOCK NSW
            Wed 26 Apr • 12:31am
            Item processed at facility
            SYDNEY NSW
            Wed 26 Apr • 12:11am
            Item processed at facility
            SYDNEY WEST NSW
            Mon 24 Apr • 5:50am
            Arrived at sorting facility
            CHULLORA NSW
            Sun 23 Apr • 5:39am
            In transit to next facility in SYDNEY NSW
            Sat 22 Apr • 3:29am
            Item processed at facility
            BRISBANE QLD
            Sat 22 Apr • 12:49am
            Shipping information received by Australia Post
            Wed 19 Apr • 6:04pm

        • chocohoney on 01/05/2023 - 00:40

          You could be right, maybe I’m over thinking. I’m hoping to call aus post tomorrow, not sure what they can do for me

          • jv on 01/05/2023 - 00:44
            +3

            @chocohoney:

            CESSNOCK

            There's the problem…

            Since it's going Australia Post, it is probably going via Adelaide and Perth first.

            • chocohoney on 01/05/2023 - 00:46

              @jv: Does that explain why tracking says redirected to new address? I get it takes longer for rural locations, but I’ve never seen a normal parcel say such things unless it’s been redirected by the buyer.

              • Protractor on 01/05/2023 - 11:27

                @chocohoney: APost customers have items sent to other states to rot for weeks even when sending from one side of a city to the other. Pkgs sent Express to and from the same broader (intra city) location can and often do take weeks.Items E to W national arrive in WA in a few days and park up for days . It's a klusterpuk. You should ask the receiver to 'kindly' wait a few more days. Submit a case anyway so the buyer knows you are honestly invested in resolution, even if APost never are.
                Then email the CEO (it's a PUBLIC email address) with an accurate description of your expectations VS the outcome. Google Paul Graham A Post CEO email address
                Check out APost online reviews.Says it all

  • eccaz on 01/05/2023 - 00:37

    How long has the buyer account been on eBay and what rating?

    • chocohoney on 01/05/2023 - 00:39

      5 ratings, member since Jan 2022.

      Ive sold 3 items in the last month, and nothing for past 6-7 years. My account is solid as I used to sell and have over a hundred feedback (100%)

      Can I ask whether you think this will be in my favour if eBay looks into this?

      • eccaz on 01/05/2023 - 07:37

        5 ratings with 100% feedback?

        Scammers can strike at any time, but they tend to go after higher value items. This could simply be Aus Post dropping the ball slightly, and not a scam.

  • AustriaBargain on 01/05/2023 - 00:42
    +3

    Well low and behold, I think I’ve already been scammed.

    The correct phrase is "lo and behold." It is an idiomatic expression used to express surprise or amazement at something unexpected that has happened or been discovered. The word "lo" is an archaic word meaning "look" or "see." The phrase is often used to introduce a surprising or unexpected turn of events in a story or conversation.

      • eccaz on 01/05/2023 - 13:37

        For a gervais fanboy you don’t seem to have much of a sense of humour. What would he say about someone who overreacts to comments on an online forum?

        • Gervais fanboy on 01/05/2023 - 14:46
          -3

          Hmm
          Comments - plural
          I have replied to a single comment here.

          Second, I did find him to be funny, I always do. That is why I was the first to like his comment when it already had 2 dislikes to it. Sheeps 🐑🐑

          I was just poking him with a gentle jab.
          You lot need to chill out, taking everything soo seriously.

          • eccaz on 01/05/2023 - 22:45

            @Gervais fanboy: You seem like a cool chill surfer dude.

            Gervais would go to town on you.

            • Gervais fanboy on 01/05/2023 - 22:50
              -2

              @eccaz: Is that your best attempt at humor there? Damnnn

              Btw one thing that Gervais would never do is, slyly comments on the internet like little 🐱.
              How about that, aye?

              • eccaz on 08/05/2023 - 09:56

                @Gervais fanboy: You need to stop taking yourself so seriously and life will be more fun.

                • Gervais fanboy on 08/05/2023 - 11:41
                  -2

                  @eccaz: Says the fella that sneakily negs comments like a 🐱 and can’t help but be disingenuous in his assertions.
                  I didn’t take anyone or anything seriously, just made an observation.
                  You are implying intent when there’s isn’t any to be implied.

  • Bargainitis on 01/05/2023 - 07:20
    -5

    OP, don't panic.

    If you use Australia Post, its actually very difficult for the receiver to "Redirect" - its not a courier service like DHL or Fedex where you can call up and amend things. Australia Post doesn't have the capabilities nor the time to do so.

    I would tell the buyer to just be patient for a bit longer as mail tends to move slower these days. Hopefully it shows up.

    If you haven't already, call up Auspost and put in a trace for the package in the meantime. Depending on what you use, if it does get lost, some services can refund you $100.

    Good luck with it all.

    • Motek Benzona on 01/05/2023 - 07:49
      +6

      Well that's a load of rubbish misinformation.

      For non signature parcels i get a button to redirect on my app almost every time i get tracking. A big red button. Its pretty standard

      • chocohoney on 01/05/2023 - 07:54

        That’s a good point. I paid for signature on delivery…. Is redirection still an option?

        • Motek Benzona on 01/05/2023 - 08:35

          If you use the app and the sending method allows it a big button saying redirect this parcel will come up on the tracked items details. If you see it.. you can do it.

      • Bargainitis on 01/05/2023 - 09:28
        +1

        sorry, you are right. You can redirect it if they know where the parcel is.

        To the OP, probably the more important thing is even if it is redirected, as long as its "delivered", eBay should protect you.

        If Auspost loses the package, you are out of luck other than the $100 potential claim from them.

  • lostgoat on 01/05/2023 - 07:41

    Well if it doesn't get delivered you will get back $100 from AP .
    If it does after Ebay pay out the buyer you will get 0 .

  • RockyRaccoon on 01/05/2023 - 08:02
    +1

    You say

    I sold a highly sought after baby toy, around $200

    If you got a really good price, then the scamming value is greater.

    Scammers usually dont worry about "paying" near retail, since in the end they arent paying that at all.

    BTW $200 for a baby toy seems a lot. Why is this popular toy so popular and expensive

    • bazingaa on 01/05/2023 - 10:26

      may be LEGO ?

    • Ridiculous Panda on 01/05/2023 - 16:26
      +1

      It is exclusive for rich babies.

    • chocohoney on 01/05/2023 - 20:56

      Rare collectible I suppose. More for the mums than for the bubs haha

      • RockyRaccoon on 02/05/2023 - 15:12

        It always is, our family's babies like cardboard boxes more than fancy electronic tables.

  • Malik Nasser on 01/05/2023 - 08:36
    +1

    What was the expected delivery timeframe when this item was listed on eBay?
    If I ever had an issue with a slow delivery I would first contact the buyer to find out what was going on (not just cancel the order - but that's just me). Did the buyer try to contact you for an update?
    If the item is in transit, it is out of the sellers hand. I would think it would be pretty straight forward to show to eBay and the buyer that the item had been sent, and AusPost have dropped the ball on this one.
    I don't have any actional advice other than messaging eBay and the buyer with the details you have already noted above.
    Not sure what else you can do.

    • chocohoney on 01/05/2023 - 13:13

      The buyer put through a request for redirection on Friday, and on Sunday claimed item is lost in transit. Smells fishy. I’ve asked aus post to send it back to me, fingers crossed it’s not too late

  • apple2016 on 01/05/2023 - 10:37
    +1

    You can recall a parcel via auspost if its not yet delivered. Check with auspost.

  • Protractor on 01/05/2023 - 10:37

    Your problem OP, is called AUSTRALIA POST. A feral cess pit . Employee,contractor behaviour and policies and procedures that defy logic.Zero accontability. The place is run on pure DILLIGAF magic.
    Do not expect any truth accuracy or comfort when submitting a case. You will be disappointed

  • zoombie on 01/05/2023 - 11:01

    Relax OP, ebay got you covered. You should have seller protection with ebay. Contact customer service to notify them of the scam, they will sort you out.

  • HardQuiz on 01/05/2023 - 11:08
    +3

    I don’t like your chances OP.

    The buyer or someone else accessed a registered AusPost account to redirect the parcel, once a parcel is redirected to a new address that adds extra days to the delivery date.

    If it was the buyer, they are banking on eBay stepping in and refunding them before delivery. Which in this case will occur AFTER the original expected date, hence eBay ruling in their favour.

    If you can stop AusPost from delivering and recall the item, your loss will be minimised.

    • chocohoney on 01/05/2023 - 13:12

      My thoughts exactly. I’ve put in a request for return to sender. The item is at DC so it might not get through in time. Fingers crossed I get my package back

  • thatonethere on 01/05/2023 - 12:33

    If you can contact Ebay support just say the parcel is still in the process of being delivered and share the tracking number. Might buy you more time.

  • Empharand on 01/05/2023 - 13:24
    +4

    Sounds dodgy on the buyers end, likely banking on eBay refunding when the delivery goes beyond the 'Estimated Delivery Date' and then doing the cry for sympathy to eBay Live Chat in the hopes they issue a refund. As a seller myself, I can tell you that eBay are biased to the buyers 99% of the time and allow buyers to get away with too much BS sometimes.

    I wonder if you can call Australia Post and re-request a redirect as the sender, and get them to lock out the ability to do further redirects given the circumstances….. I don't know if that's possible but I guess it doesn't hurt to ask?

    At the end of the day you're the sender, you're the one that has paid Australia Post and therefore you're Australia Post's customer so you have full control over what happens to it and if they don't deliver it to the address you instruct them to then they haven't done their job properly.

  • AndyC1 on 01/05/2023 - 19:06

    Looks like op did not read the feedback on the posts on "So about 2 weeks ago, I posted to ask the community on how safe eBay is for selling." or did not understand what people wrote….

    • lostgoat on 01/05/2023 - 20:54

      So a lot of people don't put aside a provision of 1-2% to cover bad debts . To give them worldwide exposure to obtain 40- 300% more than Scumtree and FB .
      LOL :)

  • Rukiata on 06/01/2024 - 18:06

    Ok so Op did you get the item back or???

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