Ebay Pressure Tactic And Pseudo-Scam About Refunds.

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 867
Brandmeister Pillar of the Community United States 6451 Posts	Posted 03/14/2025 12:13 am I wanted to warn my fellow coin sellers about a pressure tactic and potential scam. I just completed a days-long ebay dispute over a multiple coin sale in which I was the seller. I sent the coins using ebay standard envelopes with limited tracking. Only a few days after purchase, the buyer began threatening repeatedly to demand a refund from ebay if the coins did not arrive shortly. The USPS takes a lot longer to move envelopes across the country. I asked for patience. The buyer then began badgering me daily, sometimes multiple times per day, threatening to call a news reporter and demanding a full ebay refund. ebay tracking clearly showed the envelopes moving across the country, but that did not deter his complaints. Eventually, the buyer opened refund requests on all five coins. He also left neutral feedback. The coins showed delivered for three days, but he still kept banging away demanding a full refund and threatening to call a reporter. ebay customer service assured me that they would rule in my favor, of course. I also had the neutral feedbacks removed. The buyer eventually messaged and said the coins had arrived, and he canceled the refund requests. I believe that he had the coins for quite some time and was hoping to intimidate me into a refund anyway. When that didn't work, he conceded the game and moved on. However, during the course of trying to negotiate, the buyer revealed that he had purchased a 2025-D cent from another buyer. When that coin did not arrive quickly, the seller immediately gave him a full refund. The coin did arrive eventually, but the buyer just let him keep it. I believe that's where he got the notion that he might be able to pressure sellers into issuing a refund and yet still keep the received coins for free. If someone tries this pressure tactic on you, stand your ground. ebay will side with you if the envelope shows as delivered. It's also important to know that if ebay tracking shows the envelope as delivered, they will resist giving you the envelope insurance claim if you voluntarily issue a refund. Don't get scammed. It's frustrating to have a buyer threaten your feedback score, but ebay customer service is very helpful (the humans on the phone, not the AI bot). Anyway, I hope this anecdote helps, if any of you run across that situation in the future. Report this Post to the Staff

ijn1944 Bedrock of the Community United States 19112 Posts	Posted 03/14/2025 07:48 am Yes, the standard envelope method can be frustrating. I purchased an item early last month from a seller who shipped using the standard envelope. I've bought from many sellers who use that method so I'm familiar with the 'wrinkles' involved. Anyway, In this last instance USPS reported the item as delivered to my mailbox--11 days after it was mailed. It wasn't in the mailbox. Twelve days later it arrived. I was patient because I anticipated there would be issues. Report this Post to the Staff
DOCC Pillar of the Community United States 1502 Posts	Posted 03/14/2025 09:27 am ESE is a major PITA. I know this is off topic but might be useful for some ebay buyers/sellers. Last month I had a two week period where there were no scans on around 20 Standard Envelope shipments. The only way I knew it was delivered is when I got feedback from the buyer. I take video of the the bulk mail drop just in case I get a IND notice from ebay. Not sure if it would suffice for the insurance claim but I have my proof that it shipped. Also, FWIW in case you never get consistent ESE scans as a shipper. I think I finally figured it out. I bought plain white 4x6 mailers and print my label directly on the envelope at 1200 DPI. I also scale the print to fill the envelope making sure the QR code is no less than 1/2 from the top right corner. I also tape my mylar flip with coin to the right side of my insert (as far right or left as possible). This seems to be working well as I'm at 100% scan rate over the last 4 weeks or so. Prior (with an adhesive label) maybe 1 of 5 would never get scanned. I swing a metal detector and have a knack for finding dirty old coins. Dirt coin restoration projects - https://www.prodetecting.com/restorations Dirt coin restoration blog - https://www.prodetecting.com/blog/ccaw Dirt coin dig videos - https://www.youtube.com/@prodetecting Report this Post to the Staff
Brandmeister Pillar of the Community United States 6451 Posts	Posted 03/14/2025 09:49 am I believe that not all USPS sorting facilities, post offices, and trucks have the proper scanning equipment. That causes data to be missing. So the envelope destination might have more to do with missing information than the envelope label. Also, some facilities don't seem to upload data immediately, it can take days to update, even though the envelope was routed correctly. When an item is scanned as Delivered before it actually arrives, I think they are purposely scanning it at the post offices because the trucks don't have the necessary equipment. ESUS aside, I do believe this pressure tactic was used with cynical intent. It wasn't just impatience. Report this Post to the Staff
Pacificoin Pillar of the Community Canada 5392 Posts	Posted 03/14/2025 09:54 am Use Ground advantage USPS, you won't have these issues. Also selling low value items is getting very hard to do profitably This is where the ebay buying scammers live! Report this Post to the Staff
DOCC Pillar of the Community United States 1502 Posts	Posted 03/14/2025 10:21 am Quote: I think they are purposely scanning it at the post offices because the trucks don't have the necessary equipment. That is the way ESE works, the USPS mail routing/sorting equipment is what scans it and makes it available to ebay. It is untrack mail as far as USPS is concerned. Walk up to a counter and ask for a scan and they'll laugh at you. I swing a metal detector and have a knack for finding dirty old coins. Dirt coin restoration projects - https://www.prodetecting.com/restorations Dirt coin restoration blog - https://www.prodetecting.com/blog/ccaw Dirt coin dig videos - https://www.youtube.com/@prodetecting Report this Post to the Staff
Brandmeister Pillar of the Community United States 6451 Posts	Posted 03/14/2025 11:02 am Quote: Use Ground advantage USPS, you won't have these issues. Also selling low value items is getting very hard to do profitably Sure, USPS tracking is preferable, but obviously I can't charge $4.58 shipping for a $2.50 coin. ebay Standard Envelope is the only viable solution for shipping inexpensive coins. It has been a great learning experience, though. When I am done selling my elderly friend's Eisenhower hoard, I am going to change what I am selling on ebay. Occasionally selling more valuable coins would allow me to use USPS. Report this Post to the Staff
Pacificoin Pillar of the Community Canada 5392 Posts	Posted 03/14/2025 2:35 pm And that is why the low price model does not work . Untracked customers usually last name Mr Ididnotgetit Report this Post to the Staff
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