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I never realized how easy it is to get something for free just by scamming on ebay!

How I know? I just got scammed myself...and thought I had put myself on the safe side....boy, was I wrong!

I am one of those sellers who pride herself in low shipping rates and on top offer most of my items with delivery confirmation included.

Some smaller items have been sent out without a tracking number in order to save my customers on the shipping rate as delivery confirmation now costs a whopping $ 0.65.

Well, I guess from now on I will have to charge these for ALL my items as it so happens that one of my customers got away with a really nice scam, although I thought I had all proof in the world needed to show that I had sent out her package.

How she did it?

After I had sent out a package on Monday, right after payment was received on the weekend, I received a complaint from the buyer already two days later that she had not received her (not even) $ 4 item. I told her to be a little bit patient since 2 days really is no time for First Class shipping. After 4 days I received threatening emails calling me a thief who keeps the money and not sends the items....I emailed her the postal transaction record as I print my postage off the internet...after 5 days a Paypal dispute was filed since I did not have a tracking number for this very small item.

The dispute was transfered into a claim within 1 hour by this buyer and guess what, Paypal leaves me two options: refund the person completely or send tracking number....

I did not get a chance to respond to the claim nor seems like Paypal is even investigating?

The feedback of this person makes clear that she has claimed several packages already as non-receipt and I see a scam pattern, on top she is not verified with Paypal. How do I know she really did not receive her package??? Still Paypal gives not much help - so the way is open to all scammers, just say you did not receive an item and either way you will end up with your money back...no questions asked.

It's not about the $5 (including shipping) that I am out, but the angry feeling that scamming is made real easy...there is no protection for us sellers, unless we can provide a valid tracking number.

From now on....ALL my items will be sent out with delivery confirmation. I apologize to my customers that the fees have to go up a little bit, but this has to happen due to a wrong doing from one single dishonest buyer.

UPDATE:  Since Paypal needed a tracking number and I obviously could not provide one from the first package I went ahead and sent out the very same item to this person again...this time making sure I have a tracking number. Although this scammer now receives their item twice at least she won't get her money back too, she can just work with two items (and since she claimed not to have received the first one anyway.....)

I just hope that Paypal will do the right thing and dismiss this claim or I am out even more....I will update as soon as I know more

SECOND UPDATE: The package was delivered and Paypal took it as proof that in fact everything worked out, the buyer was NOT awarded with her money back, which I am very thankful for as she was just counting on getting the item for free (plus even shipping) and her money back. Even though I am always willing to work with my customers and I am not without fault as I am only human, I do not like threats or customers who think that First Class Mail should be delivered overnight! I have gone over and about for my customers and as you can see I have a great turnaround with tons of customers who always love to come back due to my customer service. If you ever should not be satisfied with your product or my customer service (I cannot even remeber one single time that occured...) please email me first so that I at least get a chance to resolve a problem.

SMILES!