Camera Equipment Scams On Ebay By Buyers

[Smaug01]

> What I've found most of the time is that there is a much larger market on ebay and items sell for higher prices.

You talk about haggling, but Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace sellers are the worst, in that regard. Ask $100 for something that would sell for $150 on ebay. They offer $30. It's all I can do to resist telling them to go play in traffic.

Selling locally is just dumping it. For example, and FM2 in nice shape would sell for around $300 on ebay; maybe $100 locally.

There are also a lot of comments here about how we can't give buyers negative reviews. However, we CAN report them to ebay, and they will investigate. I would suspect that after a few such reports, the person, their IP address and email address would be banned.

I had someone hack my ebay account a few weeks ago. They immediately changed the email address associated with my account, and paid with my paypal account. (credit card) Ebay took care of it immediately, once I got through to their phone support group.

--
-Jeremy
*********
"Rudeness is the weak person's imitation of strength."

 

[New Day Rising]

Pics of the scratched filter:

Is the brand, model, and type correct?

Seems to be. I want to know how you scratch a lens like that except intentionally.

But why would the buyer scratch it intentionally?

Are you saying they have paid you, received the filter and then taken to it with a knife or (whatever), just so that could send it back to you and get a refund?

Or have they taken an identical filter, presumably in good condition, and then deliberately damaged it so they could send it to you in lieu of the one they bought to you?

In either scenario the buyer has gained nothing except potentially the "satisfaction" of annoying a complete stranger and maybe costing that stranger a few dollars in postage and the value of the filter. The buyer would have to be mildly sociopathic to do that.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding your meaning.

 

[Smaug01]

Pics of the scratched filter:

Is the brand, model, and type correct?

Seems to be. I want to know how you scratch a lens like that except intentionally.

But why would the buyer scratch it intentionally?

Are you saying they have paid you, received the filter and then taken to it with a knife or (whatever), just so that could send it back to you and get a refund?

Or have they taken an identical filter, presumably in good condition, and then deliberately damaged it so they could send it to you in lieu of the one they bought to you?

In either scenario the buyer has gained nothing except potentially the "satisfaction" of annoying a complete stranger and maybe costing that stranger a few dollars in postage and the value of the filter. The buyer would have to be mildly sociopathic to do that.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding your meaning.

The buyer bought his filter BECAUSE he already had one that he'd accidentally scratched.

When he gets the new one, he'll swap it into the return package and send our seller the scratched one, claiming the seller sent it to him like that.

--
-Jeremy
*********
"Rudeness is the weak person's imitation of strength."

 

[ZodiacPhoto]

Pics of the scratched filter:

Is the brand, model, and type correct?

Seems to be. I want to know how you scratch a lens like that except intentionally.

But why would the buyer scratch it intentionally?

Are you saying they have paid you, received the filter and then taken to it with a knife or (whatever), just so that could send it back to you and get a refund?

Or have they taken an identical filter, presumably in good condition, and then deliberately damaged it so they could send it to you in lieu of the one they bought to you?

In either scenario the buyer has gained nothing except potentially the "satisfaction" of annoying a complete stranger and maybe costing that stranger a few dollars in postage and the value of the filter. The buyer would have to be mildly sociopathic to do that.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding your meaning.

The buyer bought his filter BECAUSE he already had one that he'd accidentally scratched.

These scratches don't look accidental...

When he gets the new one, he'll swap it into the return package and send our seller the scratched one, claiming the seller sent it to him like that.

--
http://www.zodiacphoto.com

 

[New Day Rising]

Pics of the scratched filter:

Is the brand, model, and type correct?

Seems to be. I want to know how you scratch a lens like that except intentionally.

But why would the buyer scratch it intentionally?

Are you saying they have paid you, received the filter and then taken to it with a knife or (whatever), just so that could send it back to you and get a refund?

Or have they taken an identical filter, presumably in good condition, and then deliberately damaged it so they could send it to you in lieu of the one they bought to you?

In either scenario the buyer has gained nothing except potentially the "satisfaction" of annoying a complete stranger and maybe costing that stranger a few dollars in postage and the value of the filter. The buyer would have to be mildly sociopathic to do that.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding your meaning.

The buyer bought his filter BECAUSE he already had one that he'd accidentally scratched.

When he gets the new one, he'll swap it into the return package and send our seller the scratched one, claiming the seller sent it to him like that.

--
-Jeremy
*********
"Rudeness is the weak person's imitation of strength."

Yep, I absolutely get how the scam (if there is one in this case) works. But that is premised on the damage to the buyer's original filter being accidental, as you said. The claim by the OP is that the buyer scratched the filter intentionally. That's the bit that makes no sense to me.

 

[New Day Rising]

Pics of the scratched filter:

Is the brand, model, and type correct?

Seems to be. I want to know how you scratch a lens like that except intentionally.

But why would the buyer scratch it intentionally?

Are you saying they have paid you, received the filter and then taken to it with a knife or (whatever), just so that could send it back to you and get a refund?

Or have they taken an identical filter, presumably in good condition, and then deliberately damaged it so they could send it to you in lieu of the one they bought to you?

In either scenario the buyer has gained nothing except potentially the "satisfaction" of annoying a complete stranger and maybe costing that stranger a few dollars in postage and the value of the filter. The buyer would have to be mildly sociopathic to do that.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding your meaning.

The buyer bought his filter BECAUSE he already had one that he'd accidentally scratched.

These scratches don't look accidental...

Indeed. Which is where the "scam" stops making sense.

When he gets the new one, he'll swap it into the return package and send our seller the scratched one, claiming the seller sent it to him like that.

--
http://www.zodiacphoto.com

 

[Blanche Bovine]

Dont you think you should at least wait until the filter is actually returned to you, you verify that it is not the same filter and you loose your money before you actually claim you got "scammed".

He already knows he got scammed. He stated that he packed the filter very well and it was in perfect condition. Since he used eBay, they always side with the criminal.

Take a look at the pics I posted above.

I did. You posted the pictures of the returned filters showing the scratch.

 

[pcrc11]

Dont you think you should at least wait until the filter is actually returned to you, you verify that it is not the same filter and you loose your money before you actually claim you got "scammed".

He already knows he got scammed. He stated that he packed the filter very well and it was in perfect condition. Since he used eBay, they always side with the criminal.

Take a look at the pics I posted above.

I did. You posted the pictures of the returned filters showing the scratch.

I believe if you go back and read the thread, the filter has not been returned yet. Those are pictures provided by the buyer showing the scratches. That is why I said he has not been scammed yet as the filter has not yet been returned according to the OP's original statement from yesterday. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Blanche Bovine]

Dont you think you should at least wait until the filter is actually returned to you, you verify that it is not the same filter and you loose your money before you actually claim you got "scammed".

He already knows he got scammed. He stated that he packed the filter very well and it was in perfect condition. Since he used eBay, they always side with the criminal.

Take a look at the pics I posted above.

I did. You posted the pictures of the returned filters showing the scratch.

I believe if you go back and read the thread, the filter has not been returned yet. Those are pictures provided by the buyer showing the scratches. That is why I said he has not been scammed yet as the filter has not yet been returned according to the OP's original statement from yesterday. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

Sorry. I didn't go back and read all the threads. I believe you.

 

[teejaywhy]

Pics of the scratched filter:

Is the brand, model, and type correct?

Seems to be. I want to know how you scratch a lens like that except intentionally.

But why would the buyer scratch it intentionally?

Are you saying they have paid you, received the filter and then taken to it with a knife or (whatever), just so that could send it back to you and get a refund?

Or have they taken an identical filter, presumably in good condition, and then deliberately damaged it so they could send it to you in lieu of the one they bought to you?

In either scenario the buyer has gained nothing except potentially the "satisfaction" of annoying a complete stranger and maybe costing that stranger a few dollars in postage and the value of the filter. The buyer would have to be mildly sociopathic to do that.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding your meaning.

The buyer bought his filter BECAUSE he already had one that he'd accidentally scratched.

These scratches don't look accidental...

Indeed. Which is where the "scam" stops making sense.

No it doesn't make sense to buy a filter, damage it intentionally, then return it.

The scratches definitely look deliberate. What's not known is if the filter is the same one sold/shipped by the OP or a different one the buyer already had,

But who would do something like that? Mischievous child? Drunk/drugged? Crazy wife/girlfriend upset because their partner bought another piece of photo gear?

Could be that the newly received filter was damaged as suggested above or the buyer already had one and the OP seller was lucky enough to have an identical one for sale.

Some people suck.

 

[fstopx2]

Pics of the scratched filter:

Is the brand, model, and type correct?

Seems to be. I want to know how you scratch a lens like that except intentionally.

But why would the buyer scratch it intentionally?

Are you saying they have paid you, received the filter and then taken to it with a knife or (whatever), just so that could send it back to you and get a refund?

Or have they taken an identical filter, presumably in good condition, and then deliberately damaged it so they could send it to you in lieu of the one they bought to you?

In either scenario the buyer has gained nothing except potentially the "satisfaction" of annoying a complete stranger and maybe costing that stranger a few dollars in postage and the value of the filter. The buyer would have to be mildly sociopathic to do that.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding your meaning.

The buyer bought his filter BECAUSE he already had one that he'd accidentally scratched.

These scratches don't look accidental...

Indeed. Which is where the "scam" stops making sense.

No it doesn't make sense to buy a filter, damage it intentionally, then return it.

The scratches definitely look deliberate. What's not known is if the filter is the same one sold/shipped by the OP or a different one the buyer already had,

But who would do something like that? Mischievous child? Drunk/drugged? Crazy wife/girlfriend upset because their partner bought another piece of photo gear?

Could be that the newly received filter was damaged as suggested above or the buyer already had one and the OP seller was lucky enough to have an identical one for sale.

Some people suck.

You can set all kinds of rules about returns - returns must be with 14 days, 30 days, must not be damaged, in original packaging and you can charge a restocking fee. Unless you offer free returns the buyer will be out the return shipping.

Except in one scenario - all the buyer has to do is say the item is "not as described". Once the buyer says the item is not as described Ebay automatically refunds ALL their money including the shipping. If the seller wants the item back he has to pay for the return shipping.

There are a few scenarios that could be happening:

-The buyer received the filter and it was perfect and he damaged it playing with it. How you could damage it like this I dont know. So now he wants to return it. By saying its "not as described" he gets all his money back including the shipping.

-The buyer has the exact same filter and his is damaged so he wants to swap it out for mine and than gets his money back including the shipping. New filter and money back - who doesnt love that.

-The buyer wanted to return the filter but knew he would lose the shipping coming and going so intentionally damaged so it would be "not as described" which triggers automatic refunds. This guy was haggling me over $5 on a $100 filter. So this is very possible.

The one thing I know for a fact - the filter was NOT like this when I shipped it. It was in the Hoya hard case with padding. AND I wrapped bubble wrap around it and than put it in the USPS Priority Mail box with tracking. The seller already admitted that the box and Hoya case was not damaged.

So how did it get damaged?

 

[pcrc11]

Except in one scenario - all the buyer has to do is say the item is "not as described". Once the buyer says the item is not as described Ebay automatically refunds ALL their money including the shipping. If the seller wants the item back he has to pay for the return shipping.

Not automatically. First it must be returned and tracking must show it was delivered. Here is a little technicality that may work in your favor. The buyer has only 5 business days to get it in the mail and have tracking uploaded to ebay. If after the 5 days tracking was not uploaded you can call ebay and have the return closed. This happens to me about 20% of the time. Buyers either drop the ball or never really wanted to return it in the first place, just fishing for a refund.

This guy was haggling me over $5 on a $100 filter. So this is very possible.

That was your first mistake. 99% percent of the time when a potential buyer asks me for a discount I refuse and block them from buying from my items.

 

[fstopx2]

Except in one scenario - all the buyer has to do is say the item is "not as described". Once the buyer says the item is not as described Ebay automatically refunds ALL their money including the shipping. If the seller wants the item back he has to pay for the return shipping.

Not automatically. First it must be returned and tracking must show it was delivered. Here is a little technicality that may work in your favor. The buyer has only 5 business days to get it in the mail and have tracking uploaded to ebay. If after the 5 days tracking was not uploaded you can call ebay and have the return closed. This happens to me about 20% of the time. Buyers either drop the ball or never really wanted to return it in the first place, just fishing for a refund.

This guy was haggling me over $5 on a $100 filter. So this is very possible.

That was your first mistake. 99% percent of the time when a potential buyer asks me for a discount I refuse and block them from buying from my items.

I am following the policy as you said - I did the buyer must return the item for a refund to be issued.

Understood about the haggling. I have found that people that haggle are a giant pain in the butt. They always want more and are never satisfied.

 

[pcrc11]

Except in one scenario - all the buyer has to do is say the item is "not as described". Once the buyer says the item is not as described Ebay automatically refunds ALL their money including the shipping. If the seller wants the item back he has to pay for the return shipping.

Not automatically. First it must be returned and tracking must show it was delivered. Here is a little technicality that may work in your favor. The buyer has only 5 business days to get it in the mail and have tracking uploaded to ebay. If after the 5 days tracking was not uploaded you can call ebay and have the return closed. This happens to me about 20% of the time. Buyers either drop the ball or never really wanted to return it in the first place, just fishing for a refund.

This guy was haggling me over $5 on a $100 filter. So this is very possible.

That was your first mistake. 99% percent of the time when a potential buyer asks me for a discount I refuse and block them from buying from my items.

I am following the policy as you said - I did the buyer must return the item for a refund to be issued.

Understood about the haggling. I have found that people that haggle are a giant pain in the butt. They always want more and are never satisfied.

Maybe you will get lucky and he wont get it in the mail in time. Ebay does not publish this information, but once again, if a buyer does not have the tracking uploaded to ebay in 5 business days from the time a seller approves the return you can call ebay and have the return closed and the buyer will be out of luck and you wont have to refund. In addition, because the return case was escalated and ruled in your favor any negative feedback they leave will be removed. Like I said this happens to me about 20% off the time with returns.

 

[Jonsi]

all the buyer has to do is say the item is "not as described". Once the buyer says the item is not as described Ebay automatically refunds ALL their money

That's not true at all. There is nothing "automatic" about it. Buyer is required to return the item unless seller agrees to just forfeit it.

 

[rich_cx139]

sell quite a few items by ebay uk. have narrowly missed being scammed a couple of times.

my strategy, and its the best i've thought if so far is:

I only sell by BIN and best offer.

if you get an offer then it gives you time to check their ebay record. if i am at all suspicious then i block the buyer and decline the offer.

i havent had a straight 'buy' as opposed to 'offer' yet where i thought there was something dodgy. if it was a small value item i would just let it pass but for expensive lenses etc I would reverse the transaction even if i was told to 'sit on the naughty step" by ebay.

the only other thing is that if people ask me questions that suggests they dont know what they're bidding on / haven't read the description then i block them. Stupid people can cause as much hassle as scammers.

 

[ZodiacPhoto]

sell quite a few items by ebay uk. have narrowly missed being scammed a couple of times.

my strategy, and its the best i've thought if so far is:

I only sell by BIN and best offer.

if you get an offer then it gives you time to check their ebay record. if i am at all suspicious then i block the buyer and decline the offer.

This is what I do also.

With 200+ transactions, I only was "scammed" twice, not for very expensive items.

First one was not really a scam, but a negligence. the buyer returned a heavy amplifier, but did not pack it properly like I did - the amplifier was damaged in shipping back to me, not insured. It did not cost me much to fix it.

Second time, very recently, I received a ball head that was not functioning properly. I guess the seller did not know how it supposed to work. For the price I paid, I decided to fix the problem myself, rather than initiating a return.

i havent had a straight 'buy' as opposed to 'offer' yet where i thought there was something dodgy. if it was a small value item i would just let it pass but for expensive lenses etc I would reverse the transaction even if i was told to 'sit on the naughty step" by ebay.

the only other thing is that if people ask me questions that suggests they dont know what they're bidding on / haven't read the description then i block them. Stupid people can cause as much hassle as scammers.

How can you block a particular buyer who has sufficient feedback, etc.?

 

[rich_cx139]

sell quite a few items by ebay uk. have narrowly missed being scammed a couple of times.

my strategy, and its the best i've thought if so far is:

I only sell by BIN and best offer.

if you get an offer then it gives you time to check their ebay record. if i am at all suspicious then i block the buyer and decline the offer.

This is what I do also.

With 200+ transactions, I only was "scammed" twice, not for very expensive items.

First one was not really a scam, but a negligence. the buyer returned a heavy amplifier, but did not pack it properly like I did - the amplifier was damaged in shipping back to me, not insured. It did not cost me much to fix it.

Second time, very recently, I received a ball head that was not functioning properly. I guess the seller did not know how it supposed to work. For the price I paid, I decided to fix the problem myself, rather than initiating a return.

i havent had a straight 'buy' as opposed to 'offer' yet where i thought there was something dodgy. if it was a small value item i would just let it pass but for expensive lenses etc I would reverse the transaction even if i was told to 'sit on the naughty step" by ebay.

the only other thing is that if people ask me questions that suggests they dont know what they're bidding on / haven't read the description then i block them. Stupid people can cause as much hassle as scammers.

How can you block a particular buyer who has sufficient feedback, etc.?

there is a 'blocked buyers' list that ebay maintains for each individual seller. You can just add ANY seller ID to it that you want to. There are no restrictions on who you put in there.

It took me some time to find it - best way is to google "ebay block buyers" There are about 30 id's in my list - most i put in cos they annoyed me.

 

[tbcass]

Scams on local and online selling sites are common. You have to learn what to look for. I am trying to sell a camera and lenses on Craigslist and out of 4 responses 3 are obvious, to me, scam attempts. For example a scammer will present an offer often too good to be true. They then say they want to send you a money order or cashiers check. The scam goes like this. The bank will give you the money and then you send the person the product. The problem is the check or money order is not legit and about a week or two later the bank will ask for their money back. By then your camera is long gone. To avoid this on Craigslist I do face to face cash transactions only. I part with my product only when the cold hard cash is in my hand. Even then I suppose there's no guarantee that the money isn't counterfeit.

--
Tom

 

[fstopx2]

Scams on local and online selling sites are common. You have to learn what to look for. I am trying to sell a camera and lenses on Craigslist and out of 4 responses 3 are obvious, to me, scam attempts. For example a scammer will present an offer often too good to be true. They then say they want to send you a money order or cashiers check. The scam goes like this. The bank will give you the money and then you send the person the product. The problem is the check or money order is not legit and about a week or two later the bank will ask for their money back. By then your camera is long gone. To avoid this on Craigslist I do face to face cash transactions only. I part with my product only when the cold hard cash is in my hand. Even then I suppose there's no guarantee that the money isn't counterfeit.

Regarding Craigslist - no shipping and only cash face to face in a public place. I just sold a Dakine camera backpack yesterday via Craigslist. I didnt do to bad - paid $100, sold it for $75.

This thing with Ebay has given me hesitation about selling there any longer. There is a lot of downside for the seller, its all in the buyers favor. And Ebay wonders why their revenue is not like the others in terms of growth - MORONS. You make an environment hostile to sellers, than why bother.