What happens if I deny a partial refund? Packaged arrived, but nothing was sent.

Summary: 6756patrick purchased a large number of trading cards from a newer seller, but upon receiving the package, discovered it contained only a towel and bubble mailers instead of the cards. They opened a case and contacted the seller, who offered a partial refund, but 6756patrick is seeking a full refund. The package was lighter than expected and showed signs of tampering, raising suspicion. 6756patrick spoke with eBay, who confirmed they would be covered for a refund as the situation seems suspicious. lotzofuniquegoodies advised that if tampering by customs occurred, it would usually be marked officially, and suggested contacting the seller directly to straighten things out. The conversation concludes with 6756patrick waiting for a resolution while expressing empathy for the seller if they were also wronged.

I purchased 800+ trading cards from a newer seller and the package arrived yesterday. When I recieved it, it was really light and weighed only half of what it should of. I took photos and when I opened it, inside was a towel and a bunch of shipping bubble mailers.

I opened up a case right away and messaged the seller. Today they offed at partial refund, but I am not happy with that. My question is if I decline that, will ebay help me be able to get my full amount back? I can't return the item since it wasn't in the box to begin with. I've been a member since 2005, and have never been scammed like this and I'm not sure what to do.

Thanks 🙂

6756patrick

1831 View listings

Posted 2 years ago·Last reply 2 years ago

5 comments

lotzofuniquegoodies

·2 years ago

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@6756patrick wrote:
I purchased 800+ trading cards from a newer seller and the package arrived yesterday. When I recieved it, it was really light and weighed only half of what it should of. I took photos and when I opened it, inside was a towel and a bunch of shipping bubble mailers.

I opened up a case right away and messaged the seller. Today they offed at partial refund, but I am
not happy with that. My question is if I decline that, will ebay help me be able to get my full amount back? I can't return the item since it wasn't in the box to begin with. I've been a member since 2005, and have never been scammed like this and I'm not sure what to do.
Thanks 🙂

@6756patrick

A couple of quick questions for you. What weight was shown on the package? Did the weight jive? Was it sent from the USA or from internationally? If it was any customs would need to match. Were you able to tell if the package was opened and retaped? It may have been tampered with in transit. Have to checked to see if seller has received any previous poor feedback from buyers?

6756patrick

OP2 years ago

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The weight was shown to be 6lbs, but it was under 3lbs. It was sent from the USA to Canada. The box looked a bit beat up, and it looked taped a few times. I know I reuse boxes I recieve all the time and keep some of the original tape intact. There were no customs charged which was weird considering it was valued at $250 USD. The seller had only 5 feedback, all positive. I ask them if they purchased insurance for a high value packaged, but they never responded to that.

I spoke with ebay on the phone just now and they said I would be covered and I could decline the partial refund because it is deemed suspicious to them too. If no return shipping label is printed, and there is no resolution, I could contact them again on my resolution date to get a refund processed.

This whole situation is just weird to me. I've had packages go missing over the years, but I have never had a package arrive with the contents stolen from the inside, if that is the truth.

lotzofuniquegoodies

·2 years ago

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@6756patrick wrote:
The weight was shown to be 6lbs, but it was under 3lbs. It was sent from the USA to Canada. The box looked a bit beat up, and it looked taped a few times. I know I reuse boxes I recieve all the time and keep some of the original tape intact. There were no customs charged which was weird considering it was valued at $250 USD. The seller
had only 5 feedback, all positive. I ask them if they purchased insurance for a high value packaged, but they never responded to that.

I spoke with ebay on the phone just now and they said I would be covered and I could decline the partial refund because it is deemed suspicious to them too. If no return shipping label is printed, and there is no resolution, I could contact them again on my resolution date to get a refund processed.

This whole situation is just weird to me. I've had packages go missing over the years, but I have never had a package arrive with the contents stolen from the inside, if that is the truth.

@6756patrick

In the past IF customs opened a package it had to be resealed with official customs tape. Unsure how that is handled with anything eIS if it came that way. My hunch is it was tampered with in transit seeing the weight on box matched the ordered goods. On the shipping label is the sellers phone number included. For international orders that IS a requirement.

when customs opens your box they retape it with a tape that says right on it inspected by cbsa.Nov 7, 2022

-Lotz

As a side if you think the box was tampered with, any claim normally has to be started by the shipper. Difficult if there is no way to easily contact them. Who delivered the parcel to you? CP or courier?

6756patrick

OP2 years ago

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Just plain packing tape. And yes, their number is included. It was shipping vis USPS to Canada Post.

I feel bad because I think they could have sent the cards, and someone along the way just decided to open the box for themselves since you could see on the label what it was. The package went out for delivery the day before at a weird time, and then was rescheduled for the next business day which is when I got it.

The seller isn't responding to my messages, but I would like to believe we were both wronged and as an experienced seller, I want them to get help too. I guess I will just have to wait until next weeke to see how this all plays out now. Thank you for your help 🙂

lotzofuniquegoodies

·2 years ago

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@6756patrick wrote:
Just plain packing tape. And yes, their number is included. It was shipping vis USPS to Canada Post.

I feel bad because I think they could have sent the cards, and someone along the way just decided to open the box for themselves since you could see on the label what it was. The package went out for delivery the day before at a weird time, and then was rescheduled for the next business day which is when I got it.

The seller isn't responding to my messages, but I would like to believe we were both wronged and as an experienced seller, I want them to get help too. I guess I will just have to wait until next weeke to see how this all plays out now. Thank you for your help 🙂

Push comes to shove you can call them. It would be worth the time/dime and then you would know you are on the same page and where to go from there. Because you have completed a transaction with them it is perfectly acceptable to contact them directly. You can cc anything discussed in a message so there somewhat of a papertrail.