Sorry . It seems this is the correct place to post my thread . Hi guys, My name is Daniel Pinheiro . I run a online coin business at Ebay under the name "enjoytreasure" . We are very proud of our 100% feedback and our top rating with customers all over the world and mainly in US . I would like to have some feedback please from experienced users from Ebay regarding a situation I had with a buyer . We have sold $2600 (37 coins) to a buyer in Florida at 10th September . It's not usual we sell so much money in a single order (our coin average is $11) . I was delighted !!! We have sent the order in 2 packages . These 2 packages were succesfully delivered by USPS at 25th September . Today the buyer have open a return for a single coin stating that "Received two packages, looks like they were open at some point and re-taped afterwards - only 5 items out of 39" - they were 37 coins not 39 ........... offcourse now the $2600 is being blocked at Paypal because of his complaint . My question is : he is saying that the package have been open and put tape again (he is lying because the only tape on his photo shown is our tape) . It's virtually impossible you open our packages without totally destroying them ! Is there any procedure you should do at USPS post office when you pick up the goods and see that someone have open previously your package ? It seems he have done nothing . He have only complaint 3 days after he receives the goods . When I receive $2600 in coins I open the package right away - if the package have tape around and seems to be have been opened by someone I'm even faster . This is a clear scam scheme from this buyer . He have strategically open a "return" and honestly speaking I don't know what to do since he is claiming that he haven't received the coins so I'm guessing what he is returning ! I'm trying to work this with Ebay and I will appreciate any feedback from you guys . I've just found out that this guy have been charged before in Florida for "petit theft" ......... with me it was "grand theft" Any ideas how to get this scammer down ? All the best to you guys !
Tell him that you will be filing a report with the postal inspectors and handing over his messages to you and his information so that they can follow up with him about the mail theft that he is claiming and will hold a refund until the conclusion of their investigation of the federal felony
Preface - I have been a buyer and seller (mostly) on ebay since 1999, and one of the first paypal users (used them when they were "x.com"). First question; was the package sent insured? For that type of value, I probably would have even sent it registered insured with a return receipt requested. If it was insured (for the proper amount), I would start a claim with the USPS, (even though what he says probably never happened), and tell the buyer that as the package was insured, the USPS investgators will be contacting him, and to retain any and all packaging. If he has discarded the packaging, he will be out, I think. Contact the local police department in his city or county, and have them start an investigation. Let him know that because of the dollar amount, you have also started a police investigation, telling him it's in his best interest for that to be done. He is claiming the package was opened (and that a theft occurred) during transit. This is good, as he is not saying you didn't send them, just that they were stolen. Keep in mind that hurricane Irma came through he on 9/11, and depending on where in FL he lives, mail was stopped for as long as a week. I got mail on 9/12, but not again until last Thursday. Any packages en route were stopped ahead of FL, and if they were sitting somewhere for a week or more, could have easily been damaged, and the contents spilled/removed. I'm sure many FL bound packages that week were damaged and delayed. I would make sure to make ebay aware of his public record of a criminal record for theft, and see how ebay can help, if at all. Shaking this guy up with the USPS investigation, and a possible knock on his door would probably help bring this to a quick, positive end, if in fact he is trying to scam you. Remember, it is very possible the package busted open during transit, and the contents were lost, and he could be telling the truth. If he is telling the truth, there is the possibility that the USPS has the coins, but had no clue what package they belong to. I know most folks think that the mail carriers are more then happy to steal stuff when the opportunity arises, but I think most would turn them in to an unclaimed goods department or something. Best of luck, and let us know what happens.
enjoytreasure? The same enjoytreasure with 37,000 positive feedbacks and only 3 negatives in the last 12 months? I'm sure ebay and paypal are going to want to work with you. Great point. Explains the Sep 25 delivery. Folks down there have a lot to sort out @Daniel Pinheiro , so it might take a while. Hope it works out for you.
I cannot offer any advice on this situation but I will say that I have bought from you on EBay before, although not such a large transaction. I was happy enough that I have another purchase from you in transit. Most of your coins, as you say, are relatively low priced and if this guy picked out 37 coins at an average of $70 it almost seems like he was aiming to make this claim from the beginning. Your auctions seem clear as you state: Registered Mail (sent at seller's risk) is recommended for orders above $50 . Please add $7 to the regular shipping cost for registered mail All shipments are sent at the sole risk of the buyer unless registered mail is purchased Your coin will be packaged with care so that it is not damaged in transport and not recognized as a coin in in the mail
Yes just be careful! I had a similar incident, buyer bought 30ish coins in separate auctions and the package never arrived according to him. Eventually I refunded his money but he left 30 negative feedbacks, one for each coin, soon after, I lost my selling privileges permanently on ebay.
I think I've bought from you before too and never had a problem. Sorry this is happening to you. I've had a few people scam me too but nothing like this. I hope you get it worked out in your favor.
So his claim is he only got 5 coins out of the 37/9 you sent him? Contact his local post master and speak with them. Most of the packages are photographed when they are at the post office. It does appear to be a scam, sadly. Hope eBay and PayPal help you along this expensive journey. I'm going to guess it was insured and needed a signature and the weight of 5 coins is much different than 37/9 coins
Thank you so much guys !!! I'm now in several fronts to get my money back . I'm now working with several people/departments in US to get out of this . There's nothing to do about the hurricane . Coins were purchased at 10th Sept. and mailed at 13th Sept. and delivered by USPS at 25th . A good service from USPS I must say ! Who have bought from us before know very well how we pack the coins . I repeat it's impossible on our package open on the side and take coins . The only thing possible is steal all the coins (package included) . There's no other way . I challenge the folks who used to buy from us to try to steal their own coins when they get them . It's a massive challenge ! The most frustrating for me is that these things let me down a bit . I'm not perfect but I work very hard to be fair and honest on seller side and on the buyer side . Trying to give the best service as possible to our customers . Me and my wife work here full time and we have 2 more very professional guys here with us that we treat very well when we pay almost the double of the average Portugal salary (one of them we even gave him company car), try to put a healthy economy around and someone without any previous notice just press a button and screw all our hard work ! Thank's again for your words and any ideas are very welcome ! Take care & all the best !
This is true. You do tape all the coins to the cardboard or in some cases they're hidden inside one of those peeling cardboards. I've bought from you several dozen times for lower value US coins. And you usually throw in a free foreign coin too! Hope this gets resolved for your sake.
What's the feedback of the buyer? Florida is state that looks to me to have Dare I say, More per capita scammers. I sold one thing to Florida in the last couple months and made sure I sent it adult signature required as it was going to an apartment building mail box. Always raises a Red flag. Cost me a little more $$ but it's safer. Good luck, if the guy has a record for petty theft, I'd mention to the buyer that the USPS will be investigating the issue for felony mail theft charges and the last guy you had an issue with is probably still serving prison time
