ebay shenanigans

[Strangeways]

I've had a few customers ask me about some new "ebay shenanigans" or recent purchases.

A buyer wins an item on eBay. Buyer pays, picks up and leaves positive feedback. Seller leaves positive feedback.
Within 3-4 weeks, the buyer receives a message via eBay that the item bought has been "cancelled" by the seller, and leaves the buyer with a short questionnaire ;

A - You paid for the item, didn't receive the item and received a full refund.
B - You did not pay for the item, and you did not receive the item.

There are no other options.

I've stumped - is this some new strategy to avoid eBay fees ?

Since I'm not familiar with this concept, I instructed a customer to contact eBay, with a photo of the item and today's paper to demonstrate the item was sold as in the buyer's possession.

Anyone else heard of this ? 

[morgo]

if a once off - may have been an error on sellers part - the questions from ebay would be an automatic response.if more than once - it would be interesting to see how ebay deals with it.
in the past i have had people send me a large cheque, way more than the cost of item to cover " selling costs" then when the buyer turns up takes the change and goes, less a little something for my trouble . found out later its a popular form of money laundering. But in this its the seller playing games...not sure?

[MartyJ]

As the ATO look at those who sell on eBay and not pay tax