vBay me auction / eBay forums: eBay Buyer Protection Guarantee - vBay me auction / eBay forums

So here it is, eBay and PayPal have sided with the criminals with their joint Buyer Protection Guarantee, which allows "buyers" to get all their money back AND KEEP the items sellers send them. This may only apply to non-US sellers, I am not sure. But I am not in the USA and never want to be.

What eBay and PayPal offer is the chance for buyers to complain and ask for a refund if;
a) They do not receive the items, or
b) If the items are not as described.

Seem a good thing to prevent dishonest sellers? Why no, if you want to prevent dishonest sellers you allow users to post messages on auctions warning others the item is a reproduction or whatever; actually eBay prevent users from contacting buyers at any stage to let them know they have been ripped off. So dishonest sellers punting repros and fakes as genuine articles still abound on eBay; no protection there.

But the eBay Buyer Protection Guarantee does allow dishonest buyers to rip honest sellers off however. Here is how.

1) Dishonest buyer bids, wins and pays by PayPal.
2) Honest seller ships and provides buyer with tracking data.
3) Buyer pretends to be out when package arrives; they have 10 days to 2 weeks to claim the item by the carrier, normally USPS.
4) Buyer immediately files a complaint / request for refund with eBay / PayPal.
5) Seller replies and provides tracking data and scan of Post Office certified sending certificate.
6) Buyer does nothing.
7) PayPal looks at case after 7 days and emails buyer.
8) Buyer says they still have not received the item.
9) Without regard to the facts submitted by the seller, PayPal refund the buyer the entire amount including shipping costs from the seller's account.
10) Seller appeals but is told PayPal, wait for this, need proof of acceptance by the buyer; in fact PayPal need a copy of the buyer's signature which USPS does not provide the seller.
11) Buyer contacts USPS and has the parcel delivered; they end up with a free item and free shipping.
12) There is NOTHING the seller can do about it.

Trust me, that is what is going on. I got stung and so have others.

Do not sell on eBay unless you are a crook ripping people off with fakes and repros.