eBay Seller Won't Accept Return of Fake Item. Advice Needed on Appeal Process/Strategy

Ljonho on 24/01/2024 - 06:02

Hi all, seeking your advice on eBay returns and appeals…. I purchased a raw MJ rookie sports card for a significant amount (knowing that there are lots of fakes out there, but believing that eBay would protect me). Received the card by my US shipping agent and then requested that they send it out for grading by PSA. The agent (who I have dealt with before and I trust) tells me he is not comfortable sending it to PSA because he thinks it is a fake.

These are his words: “The color and blurriness on the back is VERY fake. the even the picture on the front is more blurry than normal.”

Based on this, I contacted the seller for a refund. When no response was forthcoming, i initiated a return request via eBay which was subsequently denied (I am assuming by the seller?). I am needing advice now that I only have 30 days to submit an appeal and likely not enough time to get it graded and back by PSA. Has anyone had experience with the appeal process and have tips/strategies on what info to include or should i send to another grading company who won’t charge $$$$ for expedited grading? I have high resolution photos to include, but no definitive evidence. Not sure if any of this would mean anything to eBay in their assessment anyways? I’m assuming that I only have one chance to put my best foot forward here, so any advice is welcome. Thanks all.

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Comments

  • apsilon on 24/01/2024 - 06:30
    +11

    Can't you raise a "item not as described" dispute with ebay/paypal rather than a return? Been a while since I used ebay or had to do it so may not have the term exactly right.

  • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 08:26
    +1

    Yeah, that’s exactly what I did, but apparently it is in the form of a return request now. PayPal is no longer associated with eBay. I think the only course of action following the rejected return request now is the appeal.

    • foxmulder on 24/01/2024 - 08:56
      +5

      Do this and if not working you can do credit card charge back.

      • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 11:24
        +1

        Thank you. Will keep the credit card charge back in mind as a last resort, though have hear that this could cause suspension/cancellation of my eBay account

        • BLAIL on 24/01/2024 - 12:46
          +2

          yeah they could cancel your account but so what, better then losing out on $1000s from fake collectibles

        • Some Human on 24/01/2024 - 15:04

          I think you would have to make a habit of it for them to cancel your account.

  • Ocker on 24/01/2024 - 08:33
    -1

    If YOU have not physically received the card then I doubt eBay would entertain an INAD case.
    Your only course of action for such a return would be to have independent proof the item is a fake, and provided the eBay listing specifically said the item was genuine then you should have success.
    Should the listing have given no indication as to the genuineness of the item, then I would reckon you have no chance - the seller could rightfully claim they made no representation the card was genuine.

    • CodeXD on 24/01/2024 - 08:51
      +2

      OP had it sent to shipping agent so according to ebay and the seller, it has already reached the destination.

    • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 09:46

      Seller definately made representations that the card was authentic. From the listing:

      “This is a set of three rookie cards, number 57 fleer and prototype and a mini rookie dating back to 84 which is extremely rare. These are all original cards came from my original collection. Any questions please feel free to email me additional pictures can be provided these cards are in original form in original shape and not modified all original and placed in protective /covers.”

      • Ocker on 24/01/2024 - 11:04
        +2

        In that case call eBay and explain the situation. Get the card independently graded and if it is certified to be a fake you should have a winning case.

        • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 11:25

          Will try, but time is against me. Need to get it send/graded/received within <30 days now to meet eBay’s deadline

          • Chandler on 24/01/2024 - 11:44

            @jonho: Note: you can go back to eBay as soon as you get the authenticity results - you don't need to wait until you have the physical card back.

            • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 22:49

              @Chandler: Ok thanks, but I would have thought the authenticity result would be received at the same time as the card? Or am I missing something?

              • Chandler on 25/01/2024 - 01:10

                @jonho: Depends on how they give you the results: they may email them as soon as they are available, or they may include something like a certificate with the cards upon returning them. I don't know. Just positing an idea :)

  • CodeXD on 24/01/2024 - 08:53

    Did the seller put anything explanation in the dispute as to why they declined it? I'm pretty sure when I raised a dispute back in December 2023, I automatically received return label from ebay to send the item back. However, it was for ebay AU so might be different for ebay US.

    There is also a lot of moving parts here especially since you are using a shipping agent, how do they just automatically know it is a fake? Isn't it in yours and their best interest to send it in for PSA review to actually verify it?

    • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 09:43

      No explanation provided on the rejected return request. The shipping agent is also an experienced collector and a family run business which is why I use them and trust their opinion. Agree that in hindsight it would have been cleaner to just send to PSA, but the agent was trying to be helpful and alert me to an unsuccessful grading and associated fees. I’m afraid that there is not enough time now to get the official verification from PSA before the appeal needs to be lodged (could possibly go with another grading place that can turn it around quicker)

      • godofpizza on 24/01/2024 - 10:01
        +1

        But if you get it grade and it's rejected. Ebay isn't going cover you for those costs, have you spoken to ebay support to step in?

  • Dollar General on 24/01/2024 - 08:57
    +5

    I’m astonished someone would buy an expensive trading card on eBay.

  • godofpizza on 24/01/2024 - 09:37

    contact ebay support about the denied claim.

  • brendanm on 24/01/2024 - 09:48
    +2

    You paid with PayPal?

      • godofpizza on 24/01/2024 - 10:01

        so what did you paid with?

        • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 10:05

          Credit card

      • MS Paint on 24/01/2024 - 10:09
        +1

        I'm calling BS on this as I used PayPal to buy an item on eBay yesterday.

        • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 24/01/2024 - 10:27

          PayPal still works even tried to checkout and can still use it.

          https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/299294/110039/screensh…

        • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 10:28

          Yes, just checked and you are right. Not sure why I didn’t use PayPal (maybe because it was eBay US), but for whatever reason I paid with credit card

          • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 24/01/2024 - 10:29
            +1

            @jonho: Just checked eBay US, PayPal works fine on there too.

          • MS Paint on 24/01/2024 - 10:57
            +1

            @jonho: Ok. So you have a history of jumping to conclusions without any research and then deleting any evidence. Interesting.

            • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 11:06

              @MS Paint: Sorry that i haven’t researched every part of every comment. I deleted my previous comment because I had already admitted it was incorrect and it didn’t add to the purpose the thread which was for advice and assistance. Why so much hate?

              • MS Paint on 24/01/2024 - 11:08

                @jonho: No hate intented. I'm just challenging whether the card is actually fake or allegedly fake. Your title implies that is fake but you don't really know.

                • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 11:18
                  +1

                  @MS Paint: Technically it is allegedly fake, but it has been inspected by a highly experienced collector/shop owner and he has no doubt it is fake. In hindsight, the deal was probably too good to be true.

                  • brendanm on 24/01/2024 - 14:24
                    +1

                    @jonho: I don't know how long it's been since you've paid so far. How much does it cost to get it independently verified? Best course of action would be to do that, then if there is time, provide this evidence to eBay, if they screw you around, credit card chargeback. That's IF it's fake, which is still an assumption at this point.

                    Always use PayPal, paid with a credit card, for anything like this.

                    • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 22:51

                      @brendanm: Thanks will try with a different authenticator. Very expensive with PSA/BGS to expedite.

  • payless69 on 24/01/2024 - 09:58
    -2

    Common knowledge that fakebay thrives on fakes.
    Lets vote if this is a troll?

    • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 10:04
      +1

      Agreed, but my prior experience as both a buyer and seller is that ebay overwhelmingly sides with the buyer. Maybe a false sense of security, so this experience may change that.

      • payless69 on 24/01/2024 - 10:06
        +2

        I bought 5 faulty ear cameras from fakebay. Got my money back 5 times, each time under $10.

        Then I bought an expensive Ryobi charger and large battery. Battery never arrived.
        Ebay told me: TFB you had 5 strikes you are out!

  • Duckie2hh on 24/01/2024 - 10:01
    +2

    How about the standard ozbargain answer of "bikies"

  • shmoney on 24/01/2024 - 12:08

    seems like you've done something wrong, sellers usually aren't able reject INAD return requests.

    what did you file the return request under?

    • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 22:52

      Filed it under item not as described

  • Cave Fire on 24/01/2024 - 12:11

    Hpw much are they? Could the shipping agent have gone rogue? so intercept the real cards and provide fakes. Happens when limited items are around. There is also a lot of fraudulent agents shipping empty pack etc.

    • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 22:54

      Possible but unlikely in my opinion. I have used this agent many times before. They are reputable and regularly deal with cards much more valuable than this one.

  • frondono on 24/01/2024 - 12:18
    -1

    Credit card charge back?

    • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 22:55

      Will give it a go as a last resort. Thank you

  • ifyareckon on 24/01/2024 - 13:38
    +3

    The seller you purchased from has 100% positive feedback from a decent amount of sales. If they were flogging fakes, I would think they would have been pulled up on it already, especially given they have 8 sales of this same card in the last couple of months.

    While the listing makes mention the item "original card from my original collection" they are very careful to stay away from saying they are authentic so while it seems to be implied, it's not explicitly stated. Given how much cheaper than a graded authentic card they sold these for, surely if authentic they would have taken the time for them to be sent out and authenticated/graded for the extra $$$.

    Item link for those interested…. Ebay link

    • MS Paint on 24/01/2024 - 14:00
      +1

      Is that the actual item? The 30 days is well and truly over if so.

      • ifyareckon on 24/01/2024 - 14:29
        +1

        Appears to be with the exact wording in the description to OP posted above.

        The 30 days for the appeal on eBay refers to 30 days from the return decision being handed down.

        • MS Paint on 24/01/2024 - 14:36

          That makes sense. Cheers

    • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 22:57

      I was under the impression that I would be technically illegal to sell fake items on eBay?

    • jonho on 24/01/2024 - 23:34

      That’s what I said to myself before I bid, but it does not appear to be turning out that way, unfortunately

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