I want to continue to sell via auctions, I've read a lot of post and complaints about auction fraud and before I decide to start selling again, I want to use my logo and invisible black light ink to stamp all my items before they go out. I want to make sure that in the event an item is returned as "Misrepresented" or "as broken" not refunded by carrier" I am getting what I originally shipped to the customer.

How would I go about adding that information for my customers to read before bidding on an item. Keep in mind that they are vintage items and some customer will think that the value of the item will be affected because of my logo (I don't think it will have an impact on value, but I'm no expert).

Will it make a difference if a situation should come up where the item returned is not the original item shipped? Do you think that will discourage anyone thinking of doing a "switch".

Any help concerning this topic and how to stop on line fraud will be appreciated.

There is legal no reason not to use this unless it might damage the item or diminish the value of an antiquity or collectible. Weather or not it will save you money in the long run is questionable. You could just say all items are marked and recorded to deter scammers and never mark them.

How often does this happen to you?

CS

Only once, where person claimed that post office would not reimburse for what I thought was properly packaged items. of course I did the right thing and reimbursed, but I had my doubts.

I'm just looking for a way to protect myself, add that information into my auction without insulting my customers and driving away "would be scam artist".

I actually have pretty tersely worded warning in my listings.

"We stand 100% behind everything we sell. Because of ebay scammers and new feedback rules, any damaged, mis-picked or defective item must be returned to us for inspection before a replacement, refund or adjustment is made. There are no exceptions to this rule."

Occasionally someone refuses and files a claim with PayPal but they never win.

CS

...and of course I don't know what "vintage" items you are selling, but I would be inclined to think the value is somehow diminished with an unseen watermark, invisible ink or any half-way permanent marking.

If I were in your shoes and for example decided to sell Tiffany Lamps - I suppose I would take high resolution pics of minor flaws or unique characteristics under the base or near the switch, etc.

Then - instead of blatantly adding to the description that you are watching the would-be scammer, put the flaw among your pictures in the listing. Explain in the description that this is a hardly seen blemish or surface scratch, but one you thought should be represented.

Cloaked cleverly in the description, most scammers that intend on shipping back an identical product that was not even the one you originally shipped to them would most likely not give the close up of your "flaw" a second thought. Even if they attempt to imitate the flaw on their fraud piece, they'd have to be pretty exact... and at that point, they might need to consider time vs cost. Are we talking hundreds? Thousands?

Maybe I'm underestimating the scammer tho. At any rate, it would have to be an image shared with the customer and publicly on the listing - because you very well couldn't pull a trick out of your hat later to say "HA! LIAR! Here are the pics I took before shipping the item out to you, no refund for you"

Martin

I've read about scam artists shipping an empty box or a box with something totally different back and then claiming that item was returned and not refunded. They show proof of delivery to Pay Pal and Refund was awarded to them.

I don't know what to do at this point, to me if we are talking $1,000 or $1.00 a scam is a scam. I feel that no damage will be done to a purse if I decide to use invisible ink on an inner portion or a conceal portion of the purse or stamp a small portion on the back of the lithograph without of course causing any damage to the piece (like a small corner or something where the image will not be compromised.

The more I think about all the posibilities, the less inclined I'm to going back to sell...... I rather use my Auctioneers license and do "Real Time" auctions.

Like any business there are risks. We each have to determine what is an acceptable risk.

I doubt I would ever sell an item for over $1,000 on ebay just because of the ebay-paypal-scammer equation make it to risky.

CS

I had an expensive item that a buyer tried to switch I was just lucky that my pictures showed some differances in the hand painting.

After that I started using an invisible ink pen to make a small mark in a hidden area on expensive items. But I have this in my return policy on all items.

The item must be returned in original condition as received with my secret mark intact.

Thanks Diane, I already changed my return policies to show that information as well. I hope to discourage anyone trying a scam, I figure if you want it, then you have to deal with the fact that I'm protecting my interest.

samsthisnthat2 wrote (View Post): › I want to continue to sell via auctions, I've read a lot of post and complaints about auction fraud and before I decide to start selling again, I want to use my logo and invisible black light ink to stamp all my items before they go out. I want to make sure that in the event an item is returned as "Misrepresented" or "as broken" not refunded by carrier" I am getting what I originally shipped to the customer. How would I go about adding that information for my customers to read before bidding on an item. Keep in mind that they are vintage items and some customer will think that the value of the item will be affected because of my logo (I don't think it will have an impact on value, but I'm no expert). Will it make a difference if a situation should come up where the item returned is not the original item shipped? Do you think that will discourage anyone thinking of doing a "switch". Any help concerning this topic and how to stop on line fraud will be appreciated.

I don't see any problem watermarking images if that is what you are going to do?!