Ebay/Amazon scam?

[Jeff423]

I don't know if this is a scam or not because I received the item I ordered but:
Last week I decided to purchase some new sound suppressors. I looked at them on Amazon and ebay and since the prices were about the same I decided to get them from ebay because I had a few $ in Paypal that I wanted to use.
They were supposed to arrive in about a week. Two days later a package arrives from Amazon containing the ear muffs and a gift receipt saying they were provided at no cost and would I write a review?
The next day I get a message from the ebay seller saying the item was delivered. I got back to them-making no mention of the Amazon delivery and saying the post office has nothing showing they were delivered. They responded with tracking information from an off-shore delivery company saying the package was delivered.
Has anyone else seen this before? I initially thought that the "gift" was real because I had looked at the item on Amazon but now I'm starting to wonder.
I plan to pursue this further with ebay.

[glenwolde]

To be clear: you did pay for them?

[Onomea]

I have read of people receiving unsolicited items from Amazon for free and being asked to write positive reviews. Apparently this is a method some sellers adopt to drum up positive reviews. I think this is what's happening.

The eBay seller and Amazon seller are the same. I think he uses Amazon as his delivery "brand" (?) for both platforms.

I think the scam is that the gift approach seems a somewhat dishonest way to generate positive reviews, but I don't think you are in danger of losing money.

Originally Posted by glenwolde

To be clear: you did pay for them?

Good point...

[sceva]

So; Did the PayPal payment go thru? If it did they were NOT provided at no cost. If the Paypal payment was not taken or if refunded then you were gifted the muff. Either way you got what you were looking for so you are good. If the muffs and service were good go ahead and leave some feedback or not - up to you.

[Jeff423]

Originally Posted by Onomea

I have read of people receiving unsolicited items from Amazon for free and being asked to write positive reviews. Apparently this is a method some sellers adopt to drum up positive reviews. I think this is what's happening.

The eBay seller and Amazon seller are the same. I think he uses Amazon as his delivery "brand" (?) for both platforms.

I think the scam is that the gift approach seems a somewhat dishonest way to generate positive reviews, but I don't think you are in danger of losing money.



Good point...

Yes, I did pay for them on ebay.
From my point of view: I received a gift from Amazon and the ebay seller has not confirmed it was from them so I have still not received their item. I would be happier if the seller would admit that is what is being done rather than quote ebay's standard message to check with my neighbors etc.
But, to be clear I have received an item - I just don't know from whom.

[Jeff423]

Originally Posted by sceva

So; Did the PayPal payment go thru? If it did they were NOT provided at no cost. If the Paypal payment was not taken or if refunded then you were gifted the muff. Either way you got what you were looking for so you are good. If the muffs and service were good go ahead and leave some feedback or not - up to you.

Interesting point. I'll check with paypal.

[Jeff423]

My paypal account was charged.
This is not a big deal hence the question mark in my original post but (and I'm retired so I have plenty of time to pursue this and be petty):
Based on the information I have there are two transactions:
1. Amazon sent me an unsolicited gift.
2. I paid for an item on ebay and have not received it.
So I should have two sets of earmuffs - if it really was a gift from Amazon.
If the "gift" from Amazon was really from the ebay seller why the duplicity?

[RichardWA]

I have bought things on ebay that were shipped by amazon before. I think the sellers list items they don't have and order them from amazon when you buy them.

[jscheck]

I had the same thing happen to me. My wife (who sells on Ebay) informed me the seller had "drop shipped" the item. This is against Ebay rules but happens. The seller lists something they don't have, then purchases it on a third party site and has it sent to you as a "gift". The item almost always has a slight mark up so they can make a profit.

[Jeff423]

Originally Posted by jscheck

I had the same thing happen to me. My wife (who sells on Ebay) informed me the seller had "drop shipped" the item. This is against Ebay rules but happens. The seller lists something they don't have, then purchases it on a third party site and has it sent to you as a "gift". The item almost always has a slight mark up so they can make a profit.

You may be on to something there.
The item looks OK but the packaging has been tampered with. Based on your information I'm guessing that these are from Amazon's "Used-Like New collection". It was also about $6 less than I paid.
I think I'll report this to ebay on Friday when they get involved.

[madmikeb]

A lot of sellers on ebay drop ship from Amazon. Happens all the time.

[Jeff423]

Originally Posted by madmikeb

A lot of sellers on ebay drop ship from Amazon. Happens all the time.

That's interesting. If I receive a damaged item how are returns handled?
FWIW: I just checked ebay's customer service and drop shipping is prohibited.
This just keeps getting better. They have a better than 97% positive rating on ebay but in the last month there are about 30 people with problems identical to mine.

[Jon651]

Originally Posted by Jeff423

I don't know if this is a scam or not because I received the item I ordered but:
Last week I decided to purchase some new sound suppressors. I looked at them on Amazon and ebay and since the prices were about the same I decided to get them from ebay because I had a few $ in Paypal that I wanted to use.
They were supposed to arrive in about a week. Two days later a package arrives from Amazon containing the ear muffs and a gift receipt saying they were provided at no cost and would I write a review?
The next day I get a message from the ebay seller saying the item was delivered. I got back to them-making no mention of the Amazon delivery and saying the post office has nothing showing they were delivered. They responded with tracking information from an off-shore delivery company saying the package was delivered.
Has anyone else seen this before? I initially thought that the "gift" was real because I had looked at the item on Amazon but now I'm starting to wonder.
I plan to pursue this further with ebay.

This is not unusual and not a scam. There are plenty of sellers (actually, they are RE-sellers) who will provide you what you purchased but use Amazon as their supplier. Occasionally the item even comes from Amazon in another country, but regardless of the source you purchased and item, paid for it and received it. The gift receipt is simply a way to hide the Amazon price from the recipient so you don't know how much you overpaid.

Is it illegal? No, but when it happens it sure makes me feel like I could have done a better job searching Amazon before buying it off of eBay.

[Jeff423]

Apparently it is against ebay's policy.
I have to go back to an earlier position. If it came with a gift receipt from amazon and the seller won't admit that's what they did how do I know it wasn't a gift?
It's beginning to look like the seller sent me an opened item from an Amazon return instead of the new item I ordered.

[DWalt]

Several weeks ago I bought a new KitchenAid mixer off eBay for my wife. It was the best price I found anywhere. When the mixer arrived it was from Amazon. The mixer was new and in its original sealed box. Not the first time things like that have happened to me.

[Rammer Jammer]

I've ordered several items from ebay that were delivered by Amazon I their packaging. Don't think it's it's scam, just another avenue of sales for Amazon sellers.

[Jeff423]

Not that it's a big deal but it's prohibited by ebay. When you received the items did they come with gift receipts? Have you needed to return any of these items?

[pawngal]

Where are you guys getting the idea that drop shipping is prohibited on eBay?
Here is the link to the informationhttps://www.ebay.com/help/selling/po...ir%20purchase.

In some cases eBay promotes drop shipping (when the average seller sources the product from an eBay approved drop ship business.)

Amazon tells you how to do it.
What You Need to Know When Dropshipping from Amazon to eBay - eDesk | Faster, smarter customer support software for eCommerce

Nothing fishy or illegal about it.
However, if what you received was used and the eBay listing was for new, file a claim with eBay.

[s&wchad]

Originally Posted by Jeff423

Ebay/Amazon scam?

Just a couple of quick quick questions...
Did you receive what you ordered?
Were you charged the correct amount?

If the answer to both is yes, how exactly were you scammed?

[Jeff423]

Originally Posted by s&wchad

Just a couple of quick quick questions...
Did you receive what you ordered?
Were you charged the correct amount?

If the answer to both is yes, how exactly were you scammed?

Please note the question mark in my original post.

From an earlier post in this thread:
Based on the information I have there are two transactions:
1. Amazon sent me an unsolicited gift.
2. I paid for an item on ebay and have not received it.
So I should have two sets of earmuffs - if it really was a gift from Amazon.
If the "gift" from Amazon was really from the ebay seller why the duplicity?

Additionally the item I received had obviously been opened.
I have sent a message to the seller asking if they sent the "gift". I'm awaiting their reply.

[Jeff423]

Originally Posted by pawngal

Where are you guys getting the idea that drop shipping is prohibited on eBay?
Here is the link to the informationhttps://www.ebay.com/help/selling/po...ir%20purchase.


In some cases eBay promotes drop shipping (when the average seller sources the product from an eBay approved drop ship business.)

Amazon tells you how to do it.
What You Need to Know When Dropshipping from Amazon to eBay - eDesk | Faster, smarter customer support software for eCommerce

Nothing fishy or illegal about it.
However, if what you received was used and the eBay listing was for new, file a claim with eBay.

From ebay tonight: "However, listing an item on eBay and then purchasing the item from another retailer or marketplace that ships directly to your customer is not allowed on eBay."

[Jon651]

Originally Posted by Jeff423

Apparently it is against ebay's policy.
I have to go back to an earlier position. If it came with a gift receipt from amazon and the seller won't admit that's what they did how do I know it wasn't a gift?
It's beginning to look like the seller sent me an opened item from an Amazon return instead of the new item I ordered.

eBay's rules are easy enough to circumvent - a seller cannot re-sell or drop-ship from Amazon, but there is no rule say he can't give you a gift he purchased from Amazon... And regardless of what you believe the item to be (open box, return, etc.), so long as it matches the description posted on the eBay page you can't really complain. Now if it was damaged or obviously used but listed as "Brand New" then that's another thing.

It's a technicality and not a big deal. If you got what you wanted and expected for a price you were willing to pay, I'm not certain I would bother about it.

[pawngal]

Originally Posted by Jeff423

From ebay tonight: "However, listing an item on eBay and then purchasing the item from another retailer or marketplace that ships directly to your customer is not allowed on eBay."

Source???
Me thinks you are wanting a refund and to keep the merchandise.
PM me and I'll tell you how to do it.

[Jeff423]

As in other threads I have seen, this one has deviated as it has gone on, and I'm asking that it be closed. If anyone still wants to contribute I would ask that they please read the entire preceding thread because I'm sure that almost all of the questions that could be asked and points that have been made have already been answered and made.

[crankyoldlady]

Originally Posted by madmikeb

A lot of sellers on ebay drop ship from Amazon. Happens all the time.

It is called "ebay arbitrage" and is a policy violation. The item came as a gift because the shady seller used free friends and family Prime shipping.