Yep...every eBay/PayPal seller's worst nightmare has happened to me:

Zero feedback buyer (registered same day) buys a laptop and I go to print the shipping label. UPS address checker says no such address exists. I then try the FedEx address checker, again, no such address. Same for Google Maps, Anywho, and Intellius. Mind you that this his address is confirmed (and his account verified) in PayPal. I go to call the buyer and his eBay phone number is invalid. I emailed the buyer asking what's up with the address and that I can't ship until they advise on whether its correct or not. While awaiting his reply, I contact the Cincinnati, OH police department to inquire if they've ever heard of the address (assuming that if anyone would know, they would) and three police departments all confirm no such address exists. Two days later the buyer replies back that the address in indeed correct and it's a brand new street not on the maps yet and if UPS cannot locate the address he will call them and give them directions. I ship the laptop that day UPS Ground with signature required and insured for its full $500 value.

Fast forward two days and UPS tracking reports they cannot find the address. A few "exceptions" on tracking regarding their attempt to locate his address, then *boom* the most recent was that a delivery change request has been inputted for the shipment. Next day, attempted delivery at the new address, but no one is available to sign. The day after that it is successfully delivered and signed for by him at the changed address.

All is fine for a few days then today I get a PayPal claim that the buyer claims the payment is unauthorized and initiated a credit card chargeback. I uploaded the tracking details and plan to call PayPal anyway, however, I'm concerned about this as it is likely a grey area since the buyer re-routed the package. The original address and new address are both in the same city, state and zip - which shows on the tracking page - however the details still show it was rerouted.

Any ideas on how this will pan out? I'm guessing either:

a) His credit card company will see that it was delivered to him and he signed for it (his full name is signed in the online signature image) and close the chargeback.
b) If not, PayPal will rule in my favor since I did originally ship to his PayPal confirmed address and it was delivered to him in the same city, state, zip and signed by him.
c) If not, then open a UPS claim since UPS allowed a $500 insured signature required shipment to be re-routed without my consent.
d) If denied, then what? Take UPS to court? Have the Cincinnati police show up at the address the shipment was re-routed to (I do have that address provided to me by UPS)?

I'll update after this is done but wondering if anyone have any thought/past experiences/etc. they can share?

I should also add that just two days ago, he bought another laptop - this time a $1300 one - from another seller. Something tells me that the same is going to happen to that seller.

Update: PayPal ruled in my favor today and they absorbed the chargeback. Thanks everyone for their help and advice.

My real question is, why after seeing almost every possible red flag did you still send the laptop. Fake phone number fake address, new account, 0 feedback. If he had over paid you and asked him to send you the difference with a western union money order would you have done that as well?

IIRC, Paypal only cares that you ship to the same zip code.

rocker86 said:Yep...every eBay/PayPal seller's worst nightmare has happened to me:

 

All is fine for a few days then today I get a PayPal claim that the buyer claims the payment is unauthorized and initiated a credit card chargeback.

It sounds like the buyer is using a stolen credit card and the real cc owner is disputing the charge. I'd definately call Paypal. I thought sellers were protected against unauthorized CC purchases like this but it might be subject to a max. amount.

rocker86 said:... The phone number was concerning, however, I figured that maybe it was a simple "hit a wrong key" when signing up kind of thing....
then email him asking for his real phone number (see if he "hit the wrong key")

... do you have any more laptops for sale ?

rocker86 said:I should also add that just two days ago, he bought another laptop - this time a $1300 one - from another seller. Something tells me that the same is going to happen to that seller.
In these types of situations, I do what you did and look at the buyer's bidding history. I contact the other sellers to warn them and see how their transaction is going.

BradMajors said:CrazierRus said:BradMajors said:UPS does not allow the receiver to reroute a package. However, if for some reason (and sometimes for no reason) UPS has a problem delivering at the destination address, UPS will reroute to a different address on their own. UPS will allow anyone to sign for a package.

Not true. UPS is very easy to get to re-rout a package, been discussed a million times. If you want buyer not to be able to re-rout use FedEx
Not true. UPS will not allow re-routing a package, I have tried a million times and I have been turned down every time. If the initial delivery fails, UPS will deliver anywhere.

Well not exactly.

Like you said, "if the initial delivery fails" they'll delivery it to anywhere.
You can just call them and refuse to accept the item.
That technically put it as a delivery fail, then you can ship it to another place.
Generally UPS CSRs have no idea why it had failed, so they will allow you to reroute.

Or there's another way

You can ask CSR to connect you to Local delivery center and ask to arrange a meeting with the driver.
They'll let you snag it at the delivery route.

henny said:rocker86 said:Yep...every eBay/PayPal seller's worst nightmare has happened to me:

 

All is fine for a few days then today I get a PayPal claim that the buyer claims the payment is unauthorized and initiated a credit card chargeback.

It sounds like the buyer is using a stolen credit card and the real cc owner is disputing the charge. I'd definately call Paypal. I thought sellers were protected against unauthorized CC purchases like this but it might be subject to a max. amount.
That's what I was thinking too. However, if that's the case, then how can the (non-existent) address be confirmed in PP?

rocker86 said:
That's what I was thinking too. However, if that's the case, then how can the (non-existent) address be confirmed in PP?

Easy, the scammer has complete account information - IE phishing a citibank account - then they can change the CC address, then use paypal to confirm that address, and do whatever they want..

Isn't there away to find out from USPS to see if that address exists even if its new. If anyone would know it would be them.