Have you seen this eBay scam? I am out $277

Question

I bought a "Dr.ZX Hitachi Excavator Diagnostic Tool Dr. Zaxis palm version" from a top rated eBay seller sjsino99.The seller reported the item as delivered, but I never received it. The seller used Speedpak to send the item, Speedpak then sent it via USPS. eBay shows my correct residential address, however the item was delivered to a PO Box. I asked my town's postmaster about this item's delivery and he said that not only did the item only weigh 1 oz (the item itself should be heavier), but that it was addressed to a PO box the whole time.I contacted eBay and they refuse to provide any support as the Speedpak tracking link shows the item as successfully delivered. I provided them with images showing my address as the correct shipping address on ebay and comparing that to the USPS link, but they closed the case in just a few seconds anyways.I tried to leave negative feedback for this seller, but the feedback was removed, leaving unsuspecting buyers to think this seller is a good one like I did.I think the seller scammed me by sending an empty package to an incorrect address via speedpak and getting a tracking link saying it was successfully delivered. What do you think? Have you experienced anything like this?

elmerfud · Accepted Answer

I never have, but I've heard about things like this. Often times eBay just doesn't care they really have no incentive to care either. I've had defective items sent to me and when the seller doesn't care eBay for sure doesn't care.
The one way to make sure that everyone cares is always use a credit card when purchasing. Your credit card company works for you and they will always care. Your credit card company doesn't care about eBay or the seller or anyone else but you. File a dispute they will look at all of the evidence eBay will be required to provide counter evidence and if eBay or the seller shipped to the wrong location the credit card company will find in your favor.
Filing a dispute will also be the quickest way for eBay to take notice and attempt to resolve it outside of the dispute process. Because when you file a credit card dispute they immediately pull the money out of the seller's account and issue you a temporary credit back. That's why the credit card dispute process is the best dispute process because filing a dispute with eBay there's no monetary incentive for them to do anything. But when the credit card company yanks the money back now it hit them in their pocketbook and if they do nothing by default it'll be awarded back to you.
I have never lost a credit card dispute process but I also don't dispute very often only in legitimate cases similar to what you described. I've disputed in cases on products that the seller indicates are non returnable but what they shipped is different than what is in the pictures of their posting. The credit card company still finds in my favor and the sellers just out the money.

Projectiboga · Answer

We went through a similar scam from a hijacked eBay account. Account supposedly USA, they exploited a bug w some kind of UPS international handoff and got more than one bogus delivery from one intl shipment to a different zip code. I had to reverse w eBay as it was obvious fraud. That one sounds tougher but charge it back that is clearly fraud, then tell you State AG that eBay is harboring fraudsters.

altairprime · Answer

[delayed]

sudosysgen · Answer

Yes, I've had this scam a long time ago before. In my case eBay support was helpful and I got a refund.

ActorNightly · Answer

I got scammed in a similar way as well.I go directly to AliExpress/Alibaba now, since a lot of the cheaper stuff I would buy on eBay was essentially resold from the same suppliers. Had nothing but positive experiences with those.

pomatic · Answer

Try reddit r/scams

sashk · Answer

Many years ago I ordered what I thought was a 256MB memory stick. But I received 32MB stick. I didn&rsquo;t notice seller said Mb vs MB. But priced it was in the 256 megabyte price range&hellip; it was only time I got scammed out of money. I filed case, provided docs and got some money reimbursed, but not everything.

gperkins978 · Answer

I had the same scam, but with a US gold eagle ($2,000 coin). I filed a report with the postal inspector, but I guess I learned to not buy expensive things online.