Hi, uhh I just ordered a phone from tropicalmobile and it arrived yesterday. It had many issues so I asked them to exchange it today and they said that they would do it. But I just checked these posts right now and I am kinda scared. So what do you guys advise me to do. Like can you tell me some precautions.
Ordered from tropical_mobile on eBay? Here's what you can expect inside
- Thread starter AhsanU
- Start date
Take pictures of everything, record a video of you packing it, make sure you ship it with a tracking number. I am going to post my experience right after this post, which is a complete disaster.
---------- Post added at 09:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:57 PM ----------
Hey everyone,
I just signed up for this forum after lurking for a while (for my software problems on my Moto G), but I really have to add on to this thread.
A couple months ago, April 17 to be exact, I bought a Samsung Galaxy S6 phone, #261851223704 on eBay.
As seen before, the "$65 FREE GIFTS" were just plastic junk, I can buy all of those for $5.
http://imgur.com/GoZbQ7n
Everything else was fine though, except the home button was very loose. Apparently it is a common problem, but my friend has one that is a lot less loose (only rattles when shaken, but does not wiggle or make a tapping sound). I uploaded a video of it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXrN7T4Pd70
First of all, this "Emily" is obviously a fake. His name is Tan Chwee Leong.
I asked Samsung Canada customer service chat and I found out that the "international warranty" is not valid in Canada, so I asked him about it, and you can go ahead and read the chat messages.
At first I thought about doing an exchange but since there was no warranty, I decided to do a full refund. However, I lack experience for shipping items and my money-saving impulse blurred my common sense to send with a tracking number, so I sent it without a tracking number. (The eBay return claim only said mark as shipped, only that I found out I had to provide a tracking number after I clicked the button).
Here are the eBay messages, it goes from bottom to top. Note how after I sent the item, all he replies with are one sentence or one word answers. Obviously he knew he got the money and free phone.
http://imgur.com/sPmoEuJ
http://imgur.com/8Q1k3mk
http://imgur.com/8Q1k3mk
http://imgur.com/RzSDQNc
I must admit the last statement about my life being ruined is an overstatement, but then again, if you lose your job and you lost $600 CAD and a hard-earned phone, I am sure you will feel that way too. I even thought I was getting a depression relapse, fortunately I feel better now.
I have the photo of the shipping label and receipt, and sent that to eBay support, but they did not even bother checking it. I did a dispute on PayPal but all they are asking for is a tracking number, the PayPal representative on messages will not add the files into the dispute claim, even the one I called said "I see your pictures but I don't see a tracking number" and she did not add the files into the dispute. The bank will not do a chargeback, again, asking for the tracking number.
I also emailed the Canada Border Services Agency and they said they do not even check the packages, so I cannot find out if it even left the country.
It is possible that the package was stolen by shipping employees or customs or a stranger, but to be realistic, that is very unlikely.
From now on, I will not buy anything expensive online, I have seen many people have issues with that and now I have experienced it myself.
As said before, we should all tell eBay about this seller because this is unacceptable.
I forgot to talk about more issues after reading galaxys6_007's post.
eBay has a stupid system of positive or neutral feedback only, so after I left the seller perfect feedback (because the item came fine), there was no way I can change it, even if I could, it would not be negative and show up on the seller's profile.
They also have 2 addresses, they say it is sent from the U.S warehouse but they send from a Singapore address as they mentioned somewhere "whichever one is cheaper".
The eBay return address is the one in the U.S, which I originally sent the return to, but the PayPal address is the one in Singapore, so you can only dispute once because he would have the argument that you sent it to the wrong address. If you had an eBay dispute and sent it to the U.S address, you cannot do a PayPal dispute because it is the wrong address and vice versa, so that minimizes the risk of losing a dispute.
They also wrote down on their messages that "Our Standard email response time is 24 business hours. (Monday - Friday) US Time. Saturday and Sunday and Public Holidays is not counted as a business day." which they use to delay their messages. As galaxys6_007 said, they have quite a few playing tactics to steal your money.
In fact, I noticed with what I just said about my understanding, they organized such a perfect legal scam. They have found every single loophole with the eBay/PayPal system. I am sure they are scamming lots of people everyday. If he doesn't get taken down, he will continue scamming people and making loads of profit.
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nexus 6P exchange
Hi, They actually told me not to use the ebay return policy and said that by that way I would have to pay for the return shipping and pay some restocking fees about which I have no idea. So they said that they would send me a prepaid label and then I can ship it back to them. So i did as they said and did not open an ebay return request. They said they would send me the label day after tomorrow. As I am new to ebay and online shopping, Can anyone you guys tell me whether what I am doing is right.
No, eBay will not protect you if you return it on your own, another playing tactic that tropical_mobile is using to scam.
Think about it, after you sent it back, how do you know the seller will refund you your money? Probably not.
If you click on a return request, it will say if you agree to their terms, and you can say that you do not. You will pay for the shipping but no restocking fees.
I also doubt that these guys are selling the phones legitimately. The screen protector is IN THE BOX. Not an official screen protector from Samsung or anything, a crappy dollar store fingerprint-magnet screen protector. The "sealed" stickers are probably fake. I think they purposely buy defective phones, resell them, they'll give you a positive review, then you will give them a positive review, realize the item is crap, and make you suck it up or make you return it improperly and steal your money.
nexus 6P return
I just checked the ebay returns policy and it clearly states that if the item is faulty or not as described it is the seller's responsibility to pay for the return shipping. So after they send me the label I can open an eBay return request. can i do that? Because the seller told me that he would send me the return shipping label on my email(not through ebay).
Let him send it, I will bet you the email is sketchy. You can do it after, just do not send the item without an eBay process. That way, you can also make the seller pay for return shipping.
Oh **** **** ****.... I just found out I messed up. 5 days ago I had opened a return policy, later that day I was able to call that guy and he told me to close the return and told me that I could open it again and gave me stupid reasons. I believed him because I did not check this forum and it was my first time online shopping. Now I realise I cannot opens return shipping request again. Any other options left for me?
You done goofed. Call eBay, I think they can open it back up. Otherwise, if you can't get a return claim, hang on to the phone. Try a PayPal dispute, although that is a lot harder since the address will be incorrect. See if you can get it repaired (since you want to return it, it's probably something wrong) and sell it back, or just suck it up.
The eBay and PayPal claims are closed, and Tan Chwee Leong or whoever the seller is just called me today pretending to be "eBay customer service". He said he saw my post of the XDA forum and wondered if he could help with the return. Also asked if I have a tracking number and any proof, probably to confirm that I don't have the tracking number. Wouldn't give a name and most of the call was silence. I am going to talk to a lawyer about this case, this whole business is obviously a scam.
Hassle is the beginning...
I'm glad that I saw this thread. Purchased two S6 from these people, had problem with one, so I emailed them to return it. It would take them weeks to reply and finally they told me to return the phone (without any other info). I asked them for a return label and they stopped answering me. I went to open a case on ebay, but 30 day was passed. I ended up leaving two Negative feedback but they were removed since I mentioned the name "Emily" in the feedback:cyclops:. I wish I could get back at them
I'm glad that I saw this thread. Purchased two S6 from these people, had problem with one, so I emailed them to return it. It would take them weeks to reply and finally they told me to return the phone (without any other info). I asked them for a return label and they stopped answering me. I went to open a case on ebay, but 30 day was passed. I ended up leaving two Negative feedback but they were removed since I mentioned the name "Emily" in the feedback:cyclops:. I wish I could get back at them
Call eBay and tell them to edit it or allow you to edit it. It probably won't help though, since I noticed somehow a few of their negative feedback disappeared too. They might have ties with eBay for all I know.I'm glad that I saw this thread. Purchased two S6 from these people, had problem with one, so I emailed them to return it. It would take them weeks to reply and finally they told me to return the phone (without any other info). I asked them for a return label and they stopped answering me. I went to open a case on ebay, but 30 day was passed. I ended up leaving two Negative feedback but they were removed since I mentioned the name "Emily" in the feedback:cyclops:. I wish I could get back at them
Has anyone gotten their refund from this seller? I'm going through the same thing.
S7 Galaxy Edge . cheating by ebay tropical mobile
I too had same experience where in i bought s7 edge for 689 usd ( it was mentioned that shipping is free) its mentioned as shipping from TN-USA. somehow they shipped from Singapore and i got invoice from fedex for duty of 110 USD. When i asked ebay they said i cm completely protected from any charges . when i asked tropical mobile they also told me the same . but no one initiated the ownership to resolve the issue with fedex . now i am paying the amount its clear case of cheating . when i reached them they somehow managed me not to leave -ve feedback until the feedback period get completed.
[email protected]
I too had same experience where in i bought s7 edge for 689 usd ( it was mentioned that shipping is free) its mentioned as shipping from TN-USA. somehow they shipped from Singapore and i got invoice from fedex for duty of 110 USD. When i asked ebay they said i cm completely protected from any charges . when i asked tropical mobile they also told me the same . but no one initiated the ownership to resolve the issue with fedex . now i am paying the amount its clear case of cheating . when i reached them they somehow managed me not to leave -ve feedback until the feedback period get completed.
[email protected]
everything you read here is true
ATTN: Melissa
Dear Melissa,
As we discussed yesterday, I opened a case with eBay to assist me with an issue with the user tropical-mobile. With eBay’s help, I finally received a return pre-paid shipping label and a refund. We also discussed all of the fraudulent type activity and my fear of reversed FedEx charges that many other users have reported online when dealing with tropical_mobile through eBay and their losses, after which you reported the user to your trust and safety team.
I followed up after our phone call and reported the user as well for fraud in their listing an item that was not located in Memphis, TN, (none of their items sold are located in the USA as stated) and that did not have Samsung Pay and wasn’t even a phone for US in the States or with a valid warranty through Samsung within the United States. EBay is ok with this? Seller is based and ships from Singapore but eBay continues to let their ad say “Memphis Tenn. USA”.
ALL of their ads are fraudulent. All their ads should clearly state “NO US warranty” and “international phone”. They sell NON-US phones with NO US warranty even though the ad clearly lies and states they do. They do have a warranty but it is only good in Singapore not USA. They state they have the NEW Samsung Pay with the copyright logo right there in the ad and only available in the US and they do NOT. Not only is Samsung Pay NOT on the phone you cannot install it on the phone either. It is not US phone. Not allowed. Tropical_moble gives eBay a bad taste in my mouth.
Almost IMMEDIATELY after reporting the user, I started receiving retaliation. The user tropical-mobile requested my personal information from eBay and started calling my house repeatedly about five times in a row around 2:00 in the morning. After the first two calls, the caller id then began to indicate “Ebay inc”. And again at 3:30 or so in the morning. No message was left and I felt uncomfortable answering the phone. I am confident it was them because they called earlier in the day with the same caller id and spoke with my wife apologizing for the transaction difficulties. How does Tropical_mobile show up as eBay inc? Even his personal Hotmail email comes across as legitimate eBay correspondence with “eBay tropical mobile” in the senders column. SCAM SCAM SCAM.
Additionally, they sent me the attached e-mail at 2:53 a.m. with a threat of shipping charges reversal. You will see it near the bottom. It is important to note that this is just as we discussed happens with other users some time after the eBay case is closed. I fear that you will close this case and three months from now I will get a bill for FedEx shipping charges and will be forced to pay the seller’s initial and return shipping charges while they continue this same behavior with other unsuspecting buyers on eBay. Just as documented all over the net with this seller. There is even a Facebook page devoted to DO NOT BUY TROPICAL MOBILE ON EBAY!
I have contacted FedEx. Their Fraud office is closed and I will be contacting them again Monday morning to inform them of this behavior.
I feel this entire situation is unreasonable. I have never experienced anything like it in all my years of buying on eBay and quite frankly it scares me that they have my home address and phone number.
A simple google search for tropical_mobile and click the very first link. It happens over and over.
Why does eBay facilitate this scam?
As an eBay member, buyer and seller, for almost 15 years now, I will think twice before buying off of eBay anytime soon, as this should not be happening.
Thank you,
WOW right? goodluck folks
---------- Post added at 05:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:39 PM ----------
You paid these charges?
Thanks
---------- Post added at 05:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:46 PM ----------
You paid these charges?
Thanks
ATTN: Melissa
Dear Melissa,
As we discussed yesterday, I opened a case with eBay to assist me with an issue with the user tropical-mobile. With eBay’s help, I finally received a return pre-paid shipping label and a refund. We also discussed all of the fraudulent type activity and my fear of reversed FedEx charges that many other users have reported online when dealing with tropical_mobile through eBay and their losses, after which you reported the user to your trust and safety team.
I followed up after our phone call and reported the user as well for fraud in their listing an item that was not located in Memphis, TN, (none of their items sold are located in the USA as stated) and that did not have Samsung Pay and wasn’t even a phone for US in the States or with a valid warranty through Samsung within the United States. EBay is ok with this? Seller is based and ships from Singapore but eBay continues to let their ad say “Memphis Tenn. USA”.
ALL of their ads are fraudulent. All their ads should clearly state “NO US warranty” and “international phone”. They sell NON-US phones with NO US warranty even though the ad clearly lies and states they do. They do have a warranty but it is only good in Singapore not USA. They state they have the NEW Samsung Pay with the copyright logo right there in the ad and only available in the US and they do NOT. Not only is Samsung Pay NOT on the phone you cannot install it on the phone either. It is not US phone. Not allowed. Tropical_moble gives eBay a bad taste in my mouth.
Almost IMMEDIATELY after reporting the user, I started receiving retaliation. The user tropical-mobile requested my personal information from eBay and started calling my house repeatedly about five times in a row around 2:00 in the morning. After the first two calls, the caller id then began to indicate “Ebay inc”. And again at 3:30 or so in the morning. No message was left and I felt uncomfortable answering the phone. I am confident it was them because they called earlier in the day with the same caller id and spoke with my wife apologizing for the transaction difficulties. How does Tropical_mobile show up as eBay inc? Even his personal Hotmail email comes across as legitimate eBay correspondence with “eBay tropical mobile” in the senders column. SCAM SCAM SCAM.
Additionally, they sent me the attached e-mail at 2:53 a.m. with a threat of shipping charges reversal. You will see it near the bottom. It is important to note that this is just as we discussed happens with other users some time after the eBay case is closed. I fear that you will close this case and three months from now I will get a bill for FedEx shipping charges and will be forced to pay the seller’s initial and return shipping charges while they continue this same behavior with other unsuspecting buyers on eBay. Just as documented all over the net with this seller. There is even a Facebook page devoted to DO NOT BUY TROPICAL MOBILE ON EBAY!
I have contacted FedEx. Their Fraud office is closed and I will be contacting them again Monday morning to inform them of this behavior.
I feel this entire situation is unreasonable. I have never experienced anything like it in all my years of buying on eBay and quite frankly it scares me that they have my home address and phone number.
A simple google search for tropical_mobile and click the very first link. It happens over and over.
Why does eBay facilitate this scam?
As an eBay member, buyer and seller, for almost 15 years now, I will think twice before buying off of eBay anytime soon, as this should not be happening.
Thank you,
WOW right? goodluck folks
---------- Post added at 05:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:39 PM ----------
So...you actually got billed for duties and taxes on the international shipping?
You paid these charges?
Thanks
---------- Post added at 05:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:46 PM ----------
So...you actually got billed for duties and taxes on the international shipping through fedex?
You paid these charges?
Thanks
I need to report for fraud too, is there a website link that you can give me for more info?
I have reported them through eBay but our next step is the FBI internet crime web page.
I can not post web links due to forum design but it would be good to document what happened and post, not only here but on the facebook page and file with ebay and also file with the FBI internet fraud website.
For the followings unfortunate buyers, I going to make things quick.
People who not yet past 30days, don't waste your time contacting the seller, they will keep ask you to wait a day and a day until it past 30days, open a case on eBay or contact eBay immediately, google it how.
---
People who already pass 30days, eBay will not do anything to help you, not even if you have all the evidence showing the seller cheat/cone/trap you. NO, stop dreaming.
---
People who using PayPal and still within 180days, contact PayPal directly or open dispute case on PayPal account, google it how.
It usually going to take more than a month to solve a case, keep bugging PayPal and follow up if you want your money back.
---
Additional tips:
- The seller will call you using a different number and pretend they are PayPal and try to cone you again, whatever they asked you to do, do not close the dispute case on PayPal. (They try to offer me repair fees, and continue using the defected phone, REMEMBER if you accept it, and PayPal will not protect you again if your phone detected again within a year.)
- Paypal has PayPal Refunded Returns service, ask Paypal for more info or google it, if they ask you to return the item to the seller.
People who not yet past 30days, don't waste your time contacting the seller, they will keep ask you to wait a day and a day until it past 30days, open a case on eBay or contact eBay immediately, google it how.
---
People who already pass 30days, eBay will not do anything to help you, not even if you have all the evidence showing the seller cheat/cone/trap you. NO, stop dreaming.
---
People who using PayPal and still within 180days, contact PayPal directly or open dispute case on PayPal account, google it how.
It usually going to take more than a month to solve a case, keep bugging PayPal and follow up if you want your money back.
---
Additional tips:
- The seller will call you using a different number and pretend they are PayPal and try to cone you again, whatever they asked you to do, do not close the dispute case on PayPal. (They try to offer me repair fees, and continue using the defected phone, REMEMBER if you accept it, and PayPal will not protect you again if your phone detected again within a year.)
- Paypal has PayPal Refunded Returns service, ask Paypal for more info or google it, if they ask you to return the item to the seller.
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+1(0000000)
What he said.
Like I posted before, they pretended to be eBay (for me, they can be PayPal or any other company) to check if you have disputes or etc., to make sure they are clean with your transaction.
Fight for your money back, good luck.
It's ALL true about TROPICAL_MOBILE
Updates...
I have in fact contacted FedEx and sure enough, the seller list items from Tennessee but ships from Singapore and charges YOU with the "Duties and Taxes" for the overseas shipment. What a nice thing to do right?
According to FedEx, I have called in so early that they do not even know what the amount of the duties and taxes as of yet, only that they are to be billed to ME. An unsuspecting buyer that just wanted a working phone with everything that was advertised.
I DID file a dispute with eBay within the time frame allotted. I did FINALLY receive a refund. I DID get harassing phone calls in all hours of the night trying to persuade me to cancel dispute. Caller ID did show number as "ebay inc".
I have spent HOURS ON END with different support members from eBay. They are like a machine that is so big one side has NO idea what the other side is doing at all.
I have opened a dispute case with FedEx concerning the item that was shipped that was supposed to be coming from Memphis Tennessee but came from singapore instead and I AM NOT PAYING FOR DUTIES AND TAXES!!!
FedEx stated the seller must call in and move the shipping charges to his FedEx account and eBay, and I, have messaged the seller the same. FedEx did stated that because I have inquired so quickly and explained the ENTIRE story. They doubt I will be required to pay.
eBay suggested a three way call, me/FedEx/eBay, to resolve the matter possibly and this will take place on Monday as FedEx Fraud Dept. was closed at the time of the conversation.
I feel sorry for the people that got scammed by these jokers and I feel sorry for their future customers that will get scammed.
Their phones DO have a warranty, but it is only good in Singapore and you are not allowed to mail it there, you have to walk it in the front door. LOL
Take it from someone who knows....
AVOID TROPICAL_MOBILE like the plague!!!
Good luck folks
Updates...
I have in fact contacted FedEx and sure enough, the seller list items from Tennessee but ships from Singapore and charges YOU with the "Duties and Taxes" for the overseas shipment. What a nice thing to do right?
According to FedEx, I have called in so early that they do not even know what the amount of the duties and taxes as of yet, only that they are to be billed to ME. An unsuspecting buyer that just wanted a working phone with everything that was advertised.
I DID file a dispute with eBay within the time frame allotted. I did FINALLY receive a refund. I DID get harassing phone calls in all hours of the night trying to persuade me to cancel dispute. Caller ID did show number as "ebay inc".
I have spent HOURS ON END with different support members from eBay. They are like a machine that is so big one side has NO idea what the other side is doing at all.
I have opened a dispute case with FedEx concerning the item that was shipped that was supposed to be coming from Memphis Tennessee but came from singapore instead and I AM NOT PAYING FOR DUTIES AND TAXES!!!
FedEx stated the seller must call in and move the shipping charges to his FedEx account and eBay, and I, have messaged the seller the same. FedEx did stated that because I have inquired so quickly and explained the ENTIRE story. They doubt I will be required to pay.
eBay suggested a three way call, me/FedEx/eBay, to resolve the matter possibly and this will take place on Monday as FedEx Fraud Dept. was closed at the time of the conversation.
I feel sorry for the people that got scammed by these jokers and I feel sorry for their future customers that will get scammed.
Their phones DO have a warranty, but it is only good in Singapore and you are not allowed to mail it there, you have to walk it in the front door. LOL
Take it from someone who knows....
AVOID TROPICAL_MOBILE like the plague!!!
Good luck folks
Except the US doesn't charge import taxes and duties for mobile phones. I got a $0 balance invoice from FedEx a few days after I received my phone. I think you went to all this trouble for nothing.
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