eBay

arhirii2007 · ‎08-15-2020

Here is something I have never seen before. I recently purchased two Starbucks coffee mugs from a seller in Thailand. Upon receiving the items, it was immediately obvious that these were not authentic Starbucks mugs, but rather cheap knock-offs. The listing pictures appeared to be authentic, but the items shipped were most definitely not (the old bait and switch).

I initiated an INAD claim and messaged the seller to accept the return and pay for return postage. According to eBay's resolution centre, the seller had 3 days to respond or I could escalate the claim and ask eBay to step in. Here's where it gets weird: the seller replies that the items are authentic and he won't pay for return postage. Instead, HE escalates the claim to eBay asking them for help dealing with this issue. Ebay replies that they are putting the claim on hold and will make a decision by Aug. 18th. Has anyone ever experienced this before? My concern is that I will not be able to get a refund and will get stuck with two worthless fake mugs.

Any thoughts on how I should handle this? Thanks all.

thriftinpristinmiracles · ‎08-15-2020

Did you send the photos of mugs you received that prooves they're not authentic to Ebay resolution center? If yes, What did they inform you? decision is authentic or not? If Ebay decided it's authentic + If you're sure it is not , you can file a police report to get a case number and a mail fraud report also to get a case number. When you have those numbers appeal the case and give eBay the numbers they may make it refunded to you ( but of course don't know it is too much work for 2 mugs.. your choice)

esclyons · ‎08-15-2020

i would have only said that the mugs in the picture are not what i received, you may want to call customer service and explain your concerns, and have them added to the case, with your photo evidence that they are not the same as the photos on the listing..

It begs the question, was Thailand the only place that had these available to purchase, i very, very rarely order anything from that far away, for many , many different reasons..

pjcdn2005 · ‎08-15-2020

eBay generally rules in favour of the buyer when it comes to not as described returns. They don't require pictures and rarely require any sort of proof. Since the seller doesn't want to pay return shipping, ebay will likely rule in your favour and force a refund without a return being required. As a seller, I wouldn't ask ebay to step in to rule on a return as sellers rarely win in that situation. eBay wants sellers to make buyers happy without any intervention being required.

femmefan1946 · ‎08-15-2020

The main issue may be that the seller refuses to pay for international tracked return shipping and eBay doesn't want to either.

The usual result is that the buyer keeps the unwanted items and still gets her refund.

The main question then becomes what to do with the fake mugs.

Because so much cheap china uses lead-based glazes, I would suggest that you trash them after breaking them up with a hammer.

arhirii2007 · ‎08-15-2020

What you say is absolutely true in most cases. However, I have purchased similar items from other sellers in Thailand that were genuine, sent quickly and well-packaged. My personal experience with Thai sellers were therefore positive, so I decided to give this one the benefit of a doubt. Definitely a case of buyer beware.

femmefan1946 · ‎08-17-2020

Most people are honest, and that includes sellers in other lands.

I have more problems with US buyers as a percentage of sales than with any other nation-- mostly impatient about slower delivery from another nation and difficulty in understanding that Canada is not subject to US rules.

Even so, like most sellers, problem transactions are less than one percent of all sales, and that has been true for the nearly 20 years I have been selling here (and more than 30 selling mail order).

New sellers and sellers in certain high value or high fraud categories have more problems.

15westcoast · ‎08-17-2020

I ordered two expensive pocket knives from a seller in Thailand.

He had fairly good feedback other than several negatives and several

neutrals (item not received--item not as described) in the past six months. The seller seemed to want to delay in

sending the knives (two weeks or more)--excuses--post office was far away from his house-had to wait until

his day off- --he would ask his friend to send them . I kept after him and told him

I wanted the knives posted promptly as that is what his information on Ebay said. I

suspected he did not have one or even both of the knives. Anyways, I eventually got the

knives. Shortly after, he was no longer on Ebay. Three months later he was on again. I suspect

he wanted the negative and neutral feedback eliminated and started over. He is on Ebay now but I won't buy from him again or from any sellers in Thailand.