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Scam related to the sale of Pokémon cards
Summary: The discussion topic concerns a scam related to the sale of Pokémon cards, started by iovendocartepokemon, with a response provided by cizeta1964. However, there are no specific details provided in the posts themselves.
Hi everyone, I supported my son in selling a Pokémon card through eBay.
The card was in good condition and was shipped on time to the buyer, with exceptional, bomb-proof packaging: an iPhone box in which the card was gently secured so it could not move in any way or be damaged. We also spent 9 euros for tracked shipping.
When the card arrived, the person who bought it wrote us a message in outrage, as if they had received a ruined card. They said they were shocked by the condition of the card.
Also speaking with eBay support, we had them send us the photos of the card they received, and those photos are identical to the ones we posted in the listing.
After messaging us, they started trying to keep it anyway but at a lower price... since, in their words, the card was damaged.
We immediately became suspicious when this person wrote that they had never had anything like this happen and didn’t know what to do. Then we saw that they’ve been trading hundreds of cards for years, so that statement couldn’t have been true. We immediately understood that the intention and strategy was to negotiate a lower price since we had already shipped and spent over 9 euros, and would have had to spend another 9 to get it back…
I told them right away that I had no intention of lowering the card’s value and that I wanted the card back, refunding everything I owed, but I would not be willing to pay for the return shipping since that wasn’t included in my return conditions and that she (or he, because we’re not sure they’re using a real name) decided to return the card not because it doesn’t match the photos but because it doesn’t match their expectations. In reality, we believe this is just the strategy of lowering the price once someone has already shipped it.
Now I’ve let them open the dispute with eBay and then we’ll see how it goes. Unfortunately, e.-bay and these platforms have a blind policy of protecting buyers at all costs, even bad-faith ones, so I expect nothing other than having to pay for the return myself, but I don’t want to let this end here because, in my opinion, this is a classic scam in these card trades and this person is acting according to script.
Incredible that, searching ChatGpt with this question: what are the typical scams on eBay Italy for people who sell Pokémon cards through the platform?
these are ChatGpt’s answers, which coincidentally match 100% the behavior the buyer is adopting with us
here are the answers:
Selling Pokémon cards on eBay can be a profitable activity, but there are some common scams you need to be aware of, especially in Italy. Here is a list of typical scams:
3. The "Not as described" scam
- How it works: The buyer claims that the card received does not match the description (for example, that it is not in "mint condition"), trying to get a partial or full refund.
- How to avoid it:
- Use precise descriptions and photograph every detail, including any imperfections.
- Clearly specify the return policy in the listings.
8. Post-purchase negotiation attempt
- How it works: The buyer, after receiving the card, tries to negotiate a lower price by claiming the product is not in optimal condition.
- How to avoid it:
- Clearly state that the price is final and that the description accurately reflects the card’s condition.
what do you recommend? Has anything like this ever happened to you?
cizeta1964
Mentore1 year agoAs eBay works, apart from reports, the best thing is to handle the dispute within the prescribed time limits - otherwise you lose money and the item - and force the buyer to return it, paying the return shipping costs.
This may make the buyer give up on returning it (the partial refund is at the seller's discretion, neither eBay nor the buyer can decide), or force them to return the item in the condition in which they photographed it for you when it arrived; otherwise you will then be able to seek recourse against them (even if that is not an easy route).