Though one can ascribe all sorts of chicanery to either party in a deal gone bad, it’s been my experience that most buyers and sellers are pretty honest and straightforward. Disputes that I’ve been involved in have been more a matter of misunderstanding and lack of disclosure (my perception of "mint condition" may differ from yours) than outright dishonesty or fraud.It would be nice to think so, but unfortunately about 4% to 8% I’d estimate as scammers. It is too high of a price for many to pay for using eBay. I’ve got several stories too, one only turned out OK because of a detective in Warner Robins Georgia who took an interest, or I’d have been out several hundred dollars. It ended up being some 30-year-old guy living in his mom’s basement, and using her account, and no I’m not making this up, the detective told me.
If possible, arrange to pick up the returned item either at the post office or UPS or FedEx office to witness opening the box. The scammers send either an empty box, or with rocks, and then say you’re trying to scam them, with eBay of course taking their side. I’d also check, if you actually do get it back, to make sure it is the same serial number. I remember one story, a very rare item, the guy sends it, the buyer says not in as advertised condition, demands a refund and sends it back. Great, but the critical internal parts were missing.
I’m sorry to be the potential messenger of bad news, but this is the sad reality of eBay.
