Fraudulent buyer on Amazon?

An item was returned recently and was very suspicious.  The envelope was basically empty, only the crayola box was inside.


We send a pack of colored pencils by Crayola to a correctional facility as request on the order.  Upon return was saw the envelope was opened and re-taped, the pencils removed.  Reviewing the tracking information, the postal service shows that the item was delivered and 5 days later they took it back and marked it refused.

There are a few issues here.

1. The postal service accepting a package that was clearly delivered 5 days before, opened and re taped and marked refused and damaged. It all seems strange to me.
2. The fact partial contents were removed.

3. Amazon does not have a way to report buyer fraud only seller fraud.

We took pictures of the envelope inside and outside.  If you examine the images you can see that there are colored pencil markings inside the envelope. The Crayola boxes are not normally sealed so it was easy enough to just open the box and pull out the pencils.

I spoke with my local post office and they said the post office should not have accepted the package that was re taped the way it was.

Now I have a few more potential issues.

I reported it to Amazon thru the seller fraud link.  I couldn not upload images but I have them on my computer just incase. We are expecting a case to be opened from the buyer any day now and we even expect Amazon to side with the buyer since the package was returned to us.   We have proof there was something in the package by showing the receipt from the post office showing the ounces as 9. An empty envelope wouldn't weigh more then 2.


In all the years we have been selling online we have never seen anything like this before. Be warned - in recent weeks we have been wrapping all our items in paper and all to try and deter this, we are also placing labels along the opening of the envelopes so tracking numbers have to be ripped to be opened. I am hoping it helps stop people from opening a package, remove the contents and return the package.  We may have to return to using poly bags, not sure if that would be better then padded envelopes.  I also thought of using special marking tape.

Its a shame it has come to this.

Whats with eBay and Amazon siding with buyers in a dispute case

Ok so we have all had our share of buyers filing a claim. On eBay or Amazon someone gets something they are unhappy with or they claim to never have received the item at all and they file a claim.

This is nothing new but they both do the same thing. The total funds get placed on hold awaiting you to fill out your side of the story. I have come to a point where I refuse to issue a refund until the item is returned. We have the right as sellers to request that the item is returned. On both platforms you can request that. Then at least you would get the product back and lose out ONLY on the shipping fees. There are times when the buyer would 'escalate' the claim.

I had someone that basically threatened me and said I better do the right thing or they would leave the worst feedback I had ever received! I reported this person immediately.

So the buyer escalates the claim and they find in favor of the buyer but dont find you responsible! So the money basically comes from where? Not your pocket, should you care? YES!

These are cases that we cant do anything about once a decision is made. But it gives the buyers the impression that they can say what they want, keep the item AND get their money back!

The most recent claim came from a person on my Amazon store. They claimed the package never arrived but the tracking information says it was 'DELIVERED" the day before. Not only did this person go on and on harassing us about UPS this and FedEx that, both services did not have the package, they said it should be in their 'office' and it never showed up. I tried to assist, sometimes the packages are marked delivered and left next door, or tossed, or someone keeps it. Its happens!

Anyway, this buyer went on about their chemo treatments, being tired, needing to sleep and how they didnt not want to 'trifle' with such a small amount. (Total of $9.07) So image my surprise when the 'claim' came thru two days later!

Of course both platforms give you the option to issue a refund when these come thru. I have never just issued a refund. I always fill out 'my side' of the story. In the end they sided with the buyer but did not fault us at the same time. So the $9.07 came from Amazon and not my account. This person keeps the item AND gets a refund.

I once asked eBay about this method of dealing with customers and they said sometimes they do things to appease the buyers. It makes me wonder how many times they go around 'appeasing' the buyers with such small amount. When will they start 'appeasing' the sellers?