I’ve learned two things:
Document absolutely everything including how you unpackage something. I take lots of photos and even ask if the buyer wants specific photos ahead of time.
If the value of the item is $500 or more, I refuse to play games and only accept wire transfer - I eat the fee. It scares away the scam artists because theirs no mommy to cry to and forced all questions to be asked up front - as it should be for a private transaction not involving a business. It also eliminates buyers remorse returns or theft attempts like items returned with missing components.
I require shipping companies to package items and require they be insured. I don’t play the self package item and insurance coverage dance anymore. Buyers pay that fee as is.
I’ve done a lot of business over the 15 years of playing and I’ve been scammed every which way you can imagine. I even had a buyer in Canada threaten to return an ADA MP1 only to find out it was user error from not reading the users manual. I never got a thank you or anything after what he put me through.
Communication is key - and I don’t give a review sold or received until well after the return period on reverb or the likes.
I do agree with the above - a restocking fee of 20% should exist for reverb to bank charged return items.
