"The Buy & Switch"

[Gazer]

Though many postal transactions go off without a hitch, there is the rare occasion when items are damaged in shipping, and the buyer receives their goods in less than perfect condition. However, even if the package was not insured, the buyer should know it is still the seller's responsibility to get the item safely to the buyer and the seller is still responsible if damage does occur.
Besides many sellers will do whatever they can (provide buyer a refund, send another item, etc.) to make sure the buyer is satisfied with the transaction, and more importantly, leaves positive feedback.Those familiar with ebay know that feedback is the backbone of any sellers success on ebay.
Bad feedback = No Sales!
Some scammers have found a way to take advantage of sellers because of this, the following scam is commonly called the "Buy & Switch".

Basically the scam takes place as follows:

• The scammer has a broken or damaged item that is essentially useless to him.
• The scammer searches ebay and finds the same item (undamaged) on ebay, places bids on the item, wins it, and pays the seller for the undamaged item.
• The seller ships the undamaged item to the scammer, and when the scammer receives the undamaged item, he switches it with the broken one.
• The scammer then tells the seller that the item must have been broken in shipping, or the scammer falsely accuses the seller of sending damaged goods. The scammer continues by threatening that he will leave negative feedback if the seller doesn't replace the goods or refund the money.

Most of the time the seller will agree to the scammer's demands (to avoid negative feedback) and the seller sends the buyer either a refund or another undamaged product.
The seller is now left with a damaged, unsellable item and is without his money, (or was forced to send a second undamaged item). While the scammer has gotten both his money back and has switched his damaged item for an undamaged item, (or the scammer has received two brand new undamaged items).