Got Scammed by Russian Buyer on eBay

oliman on 10/08/2021 - 12:58
Last edited 12/08/2021 - 21:52

I have sold many computer items to local and international sellers in last 6 months on ebay. One of that was a brand new graphics card that was bought by a Russian buyer. I opted for signature on delivery, took photos and video of the card while shipping to be on the safe side.

After almost a month, the buyer contacted me that his item is not delivered to him. I checked the tracking and saw that it was attempted to be shipped twice but not delivered. I then checked with Australia Post and they advised me to ask buyer to check with their local post. The buyer responded a couple of days later that the item is shipped back to me and demanded a refund. I answered back to him that I cannot favour the refund as I have not received the item.

The buyer then opened a dispute with his financial institution for the refund. After a few days of dispute, I again checked with tracking and still showed nothing new in it. I then contacted Australia Post again and they told me following. The parcel reached Russia and they tried to deliver the parcel but the addressee was not available. Ultimately the parcel has been returned back to Australia on 9/7/2021.

After a couple of weeks, I got the parcel delivered back to me. When I opened it up, the graphics card was removed from the box and there were 2 wooden blocks to mimic the weight of the package. Stunned as I was, I immediately informed ebay about this on chat as well as email with pictures. I also noticed that the buyer ebay ID showed 'not a registered member', as if he was banned from ebay.

The disputed just got concluded a couple of days ago, and ebay notified me that it was in favour of the buyer and he has been refunded. Ebay also said that they will charge my bank account for $3100 in coming days, but I took out all funds from my bank account before that so I am not charged for something I am not responsible for. The transaction was attempted by ebay and got declined from the bank.

Today I contacted ebay again, and told them about the attempted charge by ebay and how ebay can help me in this situation. Ebay chat did not helped much and advised me to check with Australia Post why the parcel was altered while being returned back to me.

What are my options here? I am a regular seller of ebay and sold many similar items to local and international buyer without any issues.

Will ebay send debt collectors to me? Any suggestion will be really appreciated.

Here is the item tracking if anyone is interested to see.

https://auspost.com.au/mypost/track/#/details/EJ274617949AU

Update:

Russian postal website tracking link.

https://www.pochta.ru/tracking#EJ274617949AU

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Comments

  • stirlo on 10/08/2021 - 13:04
    +74

    So disappointed this isn't a follow up to this thread… https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/641804

    • FireRunner on 10/08/2021 - 13:12
      +30

      When I read that title I immediately thought of that thread too

      • FireRunner on 10/08/2021 - 13:44
        +1

        It would be hilarious if anyone ever did make a follow up to a thread after ignoring all the advice given

        • Frankensnore on 11/08/2021 - 08:14
          +29

          I am as shocked as you are, I read this and thought is this me? I ended up cancelling my order and sold locally at a lost.

          I wonder if it's the same buyer as mine.

          All things said, I have bad experiences with ebay, both as seller and buyer, and I find them very unethical. They really should burn in hell.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2021 - 08:35
          +2

          Isn't it a tragedy that people on ozbargain laugh at other's misery

          • FireRunner on 11/08/2021 - 10:02
            +2

            @[Deactivated]: Well if someone ignores the advice of the community and then they the audacity to ask the very same community for help then it would be funny. Glad to see the other person did end up listening to the advice and canceling the order
            I do feel for those too trusting or naive and fall for a scam. It's can be a harsh lesson

    • SF3 on 10/08/2021 - 13:22

      This is an appetizer I reckon, it'll take a week or 2 for logistics move it to destination and those involved to discover "something went wrong". :)

    • Platinumtelecom on 10/08/2021 - 13:24
      +1

      Haha I jumped to the comments thinking this was it

      • capslock janitor on 12/08/2021 - 13:15
        +1

        oliman scammed by an oligarch, how fitting.

    • Hybroid on 10/08/2021 - 13:28
      +42

      When I opened it up, the graphics card was removed from the box and there were 2 wooden blocks to mimic the weight of the package.

      They'll request a return for any other reason. Item never arrives or you get a coin in the mail. They have a certified 'delivered' tracking code. eBay refunds them $2000 and you're left holding a 1 ruble coin.

      Called it.

      Utterly foolish to send a $3,000 graphics card (or any item of value) to Russia…

      • SF3 on 10/08/2021 - 14:25
        +19

        Utterly foolish

        Blinded by greed and knowing it couldn't fetch the same money locally.

        • htc on 10/08/2021 - 23:52
          +1

          That is the only explanation, also may be more costly for the postage. May be the risk is worth it if op did sell to a genuine buyer in Russia. May be good to have a poll to see how many people were successful in selling items to Russia.

        • cameldownunder on 11/08/2021 - 10:47
          +2

          OP should have sold the Nvidia3080 at purchase price here in Australia.

    • subywagon on 10/08/2021 - 16:26

      lol same. Maybe soon? haha

  • stirlo on 10/08/2021 - 13:08
    +18

    but I took out all funds from my bank account before that so I am not charged for something I am not responsible for

    Thank god you did this.

    What are my options here?

    Close ebay account. Learn from your mistake. Thank god you emptied your account when you did.

    Will ebay send debt collectors to me?

    Hopefully not. I'd say if you threatened media action if they did you would be alright.

    • oliman on 10/08/2021 - 13:13

      Thanks for your helpful reply. I am still shaking my head how item was replaced from the parcel and the box with wooden pieces when it was not even delivered to buyer. Was that done by local post in Russia? Why buyer's id got delisted from ebay (10 year old ebayid, 12 positive reviews). So many questions around this mystery.

      • netjock on 10/08/2021 - 13:15
        +43

        I'd suggest local post and buyer were in on it.

        • oliman on 10/08/2021 - 13:16
          +6

          That is exactly my assumption too. If this is true then their postal service is corrupt to its core.

          • pegaxs on 10/08/2021 - 13:50
            +52

            @oliman: “Russia” <— just gonna leave that there…

            Of course it’s corrupt.

            • Cheeper on 10/08/2021 - 14:34
              +4

              @pegaxs: Agree, but there are corrupt people everywhere.

            • Baysew on 10/08/2021 - 16:30
              +15

              @pegaxs: I'm sending Tony Abbot to shirtfront these guys.

            • Hugh G Rection on 12/08/2021 - 11:21
              -5

              @pegaxs: racist.

              there isn't corruption in any other country?

              please let me come to your perfect country, lol.

          • So Was Red on 10/08/2021 - 19:06

            @oliman: Potentially one courier and a mate
            cOrRuPt tO itS cOrE!!12

          • REDRUM on 13/08/2021 - 14:05

            @oliman: It's possible the 'buyer' works in the postal service and/or delivers on his home route…. easy to fabricate a non delivery whilst tampering at the same time.

            • oliman on 13/08/2021 - 14:41

              @REDRUM: Very true…

              Buyer's name on the address and the Russian postal tracking does not match anyway. I have gather some facts which all alludes to the dodginess from buyer's end. Ebay has not attempted come back to me for outstanding debt. If they do, I will present those facts and demand for buyer protection.

        • cameldownunder on 11/08/2021 - 10:50
          +2

          "Attempted delivery": Take to the back, open box, take graca, replace with wood, close up again, give back to postie with 10'000 Rubles.

      • kctt on 10/08/2021 - 13:17
        +14

        The buyer is a postman who knows there is only one postman doing delivery in his area ;-)

      • Cave Fire on 10/08/2021 - 13:20
        +1

        probably decided the 3k+ was worth losing the feedback on his account.

        • oliman on 10/08/2021 - 13:22

          His account was banned by ebay during the dispute.

          • Cave Fire on 10/08/2021 - 13:27
            +3

            @oliman: yeah, he knew that he would potentially lose it for scamming. May have had a few buys going, Could be an easy way to make 20k+ in a month if there is a markup on gpus in Russia.

          • DoctorCalculon on 12/08/2021 - 01:59
            +6

            @oliman:

            His account was banned by ebay during the dispute.

            Yet eBay still sided with the dodgy buyer? SMH

      • stirlo on 10/08/2021 - 13:41
        +8

        Also if you gave eBay your main bank account make sure you stop any regular deposits such as your pay to ensure they don't get their hands on anything.

        Probably best to just close the account.

      • drfuzzy on 12/08/2021 - 02:56
        +3

        Emptying your bank account does not absolve you of your contractual obligations with eBay.
        They may send debt collectors, or they may write it off.
        You will likely lose your eBay account / business.

    • mhz on 11/08/2021 - 10:25
      +3

      Don't be too sure about Ebay not sending debt collectors.
      A few years back when Ebay and Paypal were the same company I had a similar thing happen to me but through Paypal.
      Paypal tried to take funds from my account after they found a dispute in favour of the buyer.
      I also emptied the account so they couldn't retrieve it and then the debt collection notices started appearing in the mail.

      • moggott on 11/08/2021 - 12:14

        Did they turn up at your door?

        • mhz on 13/08/2021 - 10:38
          +1

          No, luckily I evaded them. After a while they gave up and stop pursuing me. But for the good part of a year they harassed me by email and phone.
          The address they had on file was for my old work address, so I don't know if they turned up there or not.

  • netjock on 10/08/2021 - 13:14

    You should keep selling to Russia, good materials for a book which would make you more money.

  • kctt on 10/08/2021 - 13:14
    +1

    A graphic card can travel from Australia to Russia round trip and did some transformation along the way while we human cannot travel overseas, not even interstate at the moment :D

    • 900dollaridoos on 11/08/2021 - 06:19
      +6

      Ship a gopro switched on. Live vicariously through it's freedom

      • Zachary on 14/08/2021 - 18:56

        That would be an interesting experiment….if such a gopro could last weeks on a battery a lone without recharging or filling up your SD card and can live feed from anywhere…..

      • Revrnd on 27/10/2021 - 18:09

        Shame there wasn't an airtag in the box too. lol. Would be interested in knowing where it ended up.

  • popsiee on 10/08/2021 - 13:15
    -2

    Any suggestion will be really appreciated.

    Hide .

    • oliman on 10/08/2021 - 13:19
      +2

      If this is going to be a legal battel then I am ready for it.

      • popsiee on 10/08/2021 - 13:26
        -1

        Ok make sure you hide your assets in private oversea banks , BTC etc make sure they have nothing to get .
        Unfortunately for most people this is way more costly than 3K .

      • Hybroid on 10/08/2021 - 14:04
        +6

        If this is where it leads, bounce some ideas off others so you can see things from both perspectives and be better prepared.

        There's plenty devil's advocate scenarios that could be played.

        For example, if I'm eBay, how do I know if the buyer did actually send you the correct item back but YOU put the wooden blocks in there and are trying to scam the poor Russian buyer yourself? Regardless of any other factors, they'll point to this as the burden of proof is on you, not the other way around unfortunately.

        I know that sounds absurd from your perspective but won't be to them. I stopped selling on eBay years ago because of practices like this. Sorry you had to go through it.

        • oliman on 10/08/2021 - 14:11
          +3

          I record video of every ebay sale when it comes to packaging, sending the item, receiving a returned item etc. I have the video of sending it to buyer, as well as a video of opening it when received back. Not sure if this will help much but I do have a strong reputation of selling graphics card on ebay ()internationally) with positive feedbacks…

          • Quantumcat on 10/08/2021 - 14:13
            +6

            @oliman: It is a good idea but in my experience neither ebay or PayPal are willing to look at videos (barely willing to look at photos and even then make absurd rulings)

          • Msquared on 10/08/2021 - 20:43

            @oliman: If eBay seriously pursue you, contact Today Tonight etc. They might like the story, and the fact that you have video might also help sell the story (so to speak). Journalists might also try to contact eBay to find out more…

          • Juice-Wa on 11/08/2021 - 08:11
            -1

            @oliman: Wait… are you one of those scalping scumbags? If so this is just a case of the scammer getting scammed.

          • soob on 11/08/2021 - 08:36
            +1

            @oliman: Sorry but irrelevant, you need 3rd party verification, your video could be a setup.

          • Zachary on 14/08/2021 - 19:04

            @oliman: So you showed them videos of your process of posting and receiving and opening the box and ebay fluffed it off like it was nothing?

    • brendanm on 10/08/2021 - 13:26
      -1

      They will send debt collectors and the full might of their legal team .

      No they won't. Op hasn't entered into a credit agreement with eBay.

      • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2021 - 13:32

        Yes, they will. They will sell the debt to debt collectors and ban the account.

        • brendanm on 10/08/2021 - 13:33
          +1

          What debt? Where did op enter into a contract for the $3k of debt?

          • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2021 - 13:34
            +2

            @brendanm: The account will have a negative balance. So according to eBay, and no doubt the ToS that no one ever reads, the debt exists. Debt collectors will buy it.

            • brendanm on 10/08/2021 - 13:35

              @[Deactivated]: Debt collector will buy anything, and attempt to scam money out of anyone. Whether it is an actual debt or not, who knows. I doubt it, just enforced through scare tactics.

              • enzioFirenze on 10/08/2021 - 14:03
                +1

                @brendanm: unfortunately these mofos can lodge a credit default against you if the amount is substantial!

        • Quantumcat on 10/08/2021 - 14:14

          Yeah they do, happened to me when I got scammed, but I just ignored them until they gave up. It might be a bit harder to avoid them currently since you will have had to upload ID.

    • Platinumtelecom on 10/08/2021 - 13:32
      -1

      They won't bother with legal action for $3k, however they will close the account and sell the debt to debt collectors. They will call you 50 times a week with different phone numbers.

      Wait a couple of months and then tell them you are happy to settle immediately for $1k.

      • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2021 - 13:33
        +3

        This is why I never give eBay my phone number.

      • Cluster on 10/08/2021 - 14:37
        -1

        Once the debt gets to debt collectors it's too late. You already have a default on your credit record and can't borrow money for 5 years. Even if you pay you're still stuck with it. Happened to a friend, and it put him in deep financial strife.

        • Platinumtelecom on 10/08/2021 - 14:41
          +8

          Absolutely not! Debt collectors cannot list a default on your file without prior written notice.
          It is also very rare for them to do so.

          Before a default can be listed on your credit report:

          60 days must have passed since the default;
          A notice must be sent to you telling you the payment is overdue. This is a section 6Q notice under the Privacy Act and is often merged with a section 88 default notice under the National Credit Code (but it isn’t always);
          Another notice must be sent to tell you that you will be default listed. This is a s21D(3) notice under the Privacy Act;
          You have 14 days from the second notice to fix the default before a listing can be made. The listing cannot be made more than 3 months after the notice.
          If you pay a default after it is correctly listed, you can ask for the listing to be updated as “paid”. The default listing does not disappear just because you have paid it.

        • idonotknowwhy on 10/08/2021 - 15:38
          +2

          can't borrow money for 5 years

          Wait is this it? If I never plan to get a mortgage and could care less about continuing to churn credit cards, I can just not worry about debt collectors?

          • USER DC on 13/08/2021 - 00:53

            @idonotknowwhy: Could potentially go towards freezing your assets like bank account for paying off debt

            Have a look at VIJAY MALYA very famous for his tactics of getting away from debt

  • brendanm on 10/08/2021 - 13:23
    +4

    Pick up the phone. Why is this not people's first option, instead of scripted live chat.

    • oliman on 10/08/2021 - 13:24
      +6

      Chat is easier while you are also working. Also chat transcript can be referred back more easily.

      • brendanm on 10/08/2021 - 13:25
        +10

        Yes, but it goes in an endless circle. You can choose easier, or you can choose to get a proper resolution.

        Was this paid through eBay's stupid new payment thing, or PayPal?

        • oliman on 10/08/2021 - 13:28

          I was paid through ebay's new managed payment system.

          • brendanm on 10/08/2021 - 13:31
            +8

            @oliman: That's very unfortunate then. Still, pick up the phone and talk to them. I don't know if the AFCA has any power over eBay, it would be worth you finding out, as they are exceptionally helpful when dealing with PayPal.

    • TilacVIP on 11/08/2021 - 11:04
      +3

      Got a number for eBay support ??? As I recall they removed contact via phone about a year ago.

      • JoJoker on 12/08/2021 - 10:37
        +1

        Yeah I spent 30 minutes trying to find a number, couldn't find one

    • sAmiZZle on 12/08/2021 - 19:37

      Not sure about eBay, but companies are moving to chat now. Telstra is an example where they don't answer the phone anymore and redirect you to chat now. A 10min issue is now a nightmare to get solved in any less than 3hrs.

  • Drakesy on 10/08/2021 - 13:28
    +1

    Take Ebay to the cleaners.

    I honestly feel sorry for those that still use the platform.

    • freefall101 on 10/08/2021 - 15:14
      +4

      Dunno, ebay seem the type to not piss off too badly - https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/07/lawsuit-ebay-tri…

      Mostly /s, but damn ebay, you scary mofos.

      • madreece on 10/08/2021 - 20:28
        +1

        That was a mind boggling read! Just wow.

      • allegiance86 on 12/08/2021 - 11:04

        Maaaannnnn, (profanity) eBay this is mental

    • magic8ballgag on 13/08/2021 - 14:45

      I honestly feel sorry for those that still use the platform.

      Why? I personally do not use it to sell anymore, but as a buyer, it's still very relevant.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2021 - 13:29
    +1

    Did you insure it through AP? Do they even have insurance to Russia? Anyway, I'd first try to get the AP insurance to handle it. I have had good luck with lost and damaged items through AP. They always pay, although that was for much cheaper items. I have never had your exact situation.

    As for eBay, they will eventually send debt collectors for the money. If you want to abandon the account, and close your bank account, then there's probably not much they can do. Go with the Shaggy defense, and deny everything.

    There are no Russian buyers. Only Russian scammers.

    • oliman on 10/08/2021 - 13:31

      No the parcel was not insured.

      How closing the ebay account will help? Would it not show that I am being shady and trying to run from this situation?

      • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2021 - 13:35

        If you don't pay, eBay will close the account for you. You have no choice in the matter.

      • dojomojo on 11/08/2021 - 07:44
        +34

        You sent a $3000 item to Russia uninsured? wow

        • OzzyOzbourne on 11/08/2021 - 09:44
          +1

          Agree completely, but how would insurance help in this case? Would have to convince auspost of the same thing.

          • Zachary on 14/08/2021 - 19:08

            @OzzyOzbourne: yeah auspost isnt gonna pay you 3k, because from their pov, they never lost the parcel, they successfully did their job.

    • spaceflight on 11/08/2021 - 09:24
      +1

      Did you insure it through AP?

      That wouldn't give any benifit.
      The item has not been lost or damaged.

      There is nothing in the tracking to indicate that the item left the postal network.

      That would mean from an insurance point of view that either.
      * The person who sent the parcel sent 2 pieces of wood trying to pass it off as a video card or
      * Someone in the postal network opened the box, removed the video card and inserted 2 pieces of wood

  • koplik8 on 10/08/2021 - 13:33

    I had similar issue with eBay in the past. Seriously they are no help. They seem to always be in favour of the buyer. Ring your bank or go online and report the card as lost. Then the card will be cancelled. Or report a fraudulent transaction on the account

    • popsiee on 10/08/2021 - 13:35

      I totally agree Ebay is on the side of the Scammer's .
      Lift bad debt provisions about 3 fold to cover it .
      Communication is atrocious with them them to the point your wasting your time .

  • koplik8 on 10/08/2021 - 13:33
    +2

    I had similar issue with eBay in the past. Seriously they are no help. They seem to always be in favour of the buyer. Ring your bank or go online and report the card as lost. Then the card will be cancelled. Or report a fraudulent transaction on the account

  • John Kimble on 10/08/2021 - 13:41

    Video cards cost $3,100 these days? Wow!

    • oliman on 10/08/2021 - 13:42

      It was $3000 when I sold it. The prices have fallen now.

    • FireRunner on 10/08/2021 - 15:17

      RTX 3090s are around these prices thanks to the GPU shortage

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