[RelaxedSE]

You are not "fucked" at all. All you need to do is just not speak with the seller, only when needed and just talk with paypal. If the seller denies a refund which they probably will once they find the package is empty, all you need to do is call paypal and explain the situation

[buffsenpai]

Precisely.

The method must also be flawless.

The box was handmade, ugly with all sides connected with shipping tape. It could look like somebody opened it anytime.

where I had to box a random package as return.

The concept of boxing, Is sending the original box with nothing Inside. As such, when they receive It, It gives the Impression that the Item was stolen In transit.

How do you explain sending an ugly, handmade box that's completely unrelated to both their request and the Item In question? During transit, no one will go through the trouble of putting together a handmade box, and replacing the original. They'd just simply take the "Item".

Exactly where I think I messed up, I should have just had the ugly box and the random item, instead I had some styrofoam padding on the item which will raise the question you asked on who would spend their time during transit to do that. Makes it even more suspicious.

You are not "fucked" at all. All you need to do is just not speak with the seller, only when needed and just talk with paypal. If the seller denies a refund which they probably will once they find the package is empty, all you need to do is call paypal and explain the situation

The package isn't empty, it has an unrelated item in it. Which is where I messed up as I believe I should have done dry ice or something smarter like the rest do in here.

[thetaco]

Did a $2000+ PP dispute refund where I had to box a random package as return. I had no drop so it was on my real address.
It's a big USA computer company but they had me ship the return to Asia.

Had it been a lower value item they wouldn't go after me but I presume they're gonna take action.

Have you ever done something similar and what's gonna happen next/how fucked am I?

I admit the weak opsec was my mistake.

In my own opinion as a ex refunder. Boxing refunds only make refunds much more complicated. Some companies have cameras over their packing areas as extra security to cover their asses in situations like this. You have a high chance at failing since the packaging isnt original. They can fight this and make you get a police report. Its definitely not worth it with what you have going on. I highly recommend canceling it and returning it. Just say your son hid it because he was upset with you, and return that shit before it gets to a point of not being able to return and being stuck with a $2k laptop and possibly a limited paypal if paypal senses it may be fraudulent.

[mothered]

Exactly where I think I messed up, I should have just had the ugly box and the random item, instead I had some styrofoam padding on the item which will raise the question you asked on who would spend their time during transit to do that. Makes it even more suspicious.

Take the positive out of the negative.

Now you know what "shouldn't be done" the next time you perform an SE on the same principle.

[Defqon]

Only time will tell whenever you get a reply back from them, could always say that it got stolen in transit but I would've personally make the bottom of the box very easy breakable so during transit it would just fall out and the box is empty / gone wrong with shipping as the product isn't there.

[buffsenpai]

Exactly where I think I messed up

Take the positive out of the negative.

Now you know what "shouldn't be done" the next time you perform an SE on the same principle.

Good advice.

Only time will tell whenever you get a reply back from them, could always say that it got stolen in transit but I would've personally make the bottom of the box very easy breakable so during transit it would just fall out and the box is empty / gone wrong with shipping as the product isn't there.

Lessons learned here.

Now the real question, if they ever follow up and question, should I lie until the end and say it got swapped in transit, or admit it's the wrong item and use a wish-washy excuse like "I own a small shop and our employees tried to swap it so he could keep it to himself".? If I say the latter, there may be a chance I can do a normal return and plan better next time.

[Defeat]

Exactly where I think I messed up

Take the positive out of the negative.

Now you know what "shouldn't be done" the next time you perform an SE on the same principle.

Good advice.

Only time will tell whenever you get a reply back from them, could always say that it got stolen in transit but I would've personally make the bottom of the box very easy breakable so during transit it would just fall out and the box is empty / gone wrong with shipping as the product isn't there.

Lessons learned here.

Now the real question, if they ever follow up and question, should I lie until the end and say it got swapped in transit, or admit it's the wrong item and use a wish-washy excuse like "I own a small shop and our employees tried to swap it so he could keep it to himself".? If I say the latter, there may be a chance I  can do a normal return and plan better next time.

In your particular case, I would really try to not further BS the company. You may end up giving them a reason to pursue this. Keep us updated though.

[buffsenpai]

Take the positive out of the negative.

Now you know what "shouldn't be done" the next time you perform an SE on the same principle.

Good advice.

Only time will tell whenever you get a reply back from them, could always say that it got stolen in transit but I would've personally make the bottom of the box very easy breakable so during transit it would just fall out and the box is empty / gone wrong with shipping as the product isn't there.

Lessons learned here.

Now the real question, if they ever follow up and question, should I lie until the end and say it got swapped in transit, or admit it's the wrong item and use a wish-washy excuse like "I own a small shop and our employees tried to swap it so he could keep it to himself".? If I say the latter, there may be a chance I  can do a normal return and plan better next time.

In your particular case, I would really try to not further BS the company.  You may end up giving them a reason to pursue this.  Keep us updated though.

The package got stuck/rejected as far as the shipment tracking shows.
The company is trying to call me every few days and email me, which are always during times where I'm not available but they leave messages.

The refunder BS'ed more through pp, we never directly talked to the company.

it's high likely that the refund will happen, but I'm more concerned about the company's executive calling me with 50 different numbers all the time like a terminator.
I know I fucked up, but if you guys have any experience you would like to share it would be highly appreciated. The resolution of this care could benefit all of us in terms of collective experience next time. What can be done to stop the exec from calling, which he won't, so should we say since the package is stuck in transit for a long time it's been swapped by someone there or just go with the lame excuse of "I asked X person to package it and he did it"

[Botany]

Good advice.


Lessons learned here.

Now the real question, if they ever follow up and question, should I lie until the end and say it got swapped in transit, or admit it's the wrong item and use a wish-washy excuse like "I own a small shop and our employees tried to swap it so he could keep it to himself".? If I say the latter, there may be a chance I  can do a normal return and plan better next time.

In your particular case, I would really try to not further BS the company.  You may end up giving them a reason to pursue this.  Keep us updated though.

The package got stuck/rejected as far as the shipment tracking shows.
The company is trying to call me every few days and email me, which are always during times where I'm not available but they leave messages.

The refunder BS'ed more through pp, we never directly talked to the company.

it's high likely that the refund will happen, but I'm more concerned about the company's executive calling me with 50 different numbers all the time like a terminator.
I know I fucked up, but if you guys have any experience you would like to share it would be highly appreciated.  The resolution of this care could benefit all of us in terms of collective experience next time. What can be done to stop the exec from calling, which he won't, so should we say since the package is stuck in transit for a long time it's been swapped by someone there or just go with the lame excuse of "I asked X person to package it and he did it"

First off, STOP thinking you need to say something that there is no way you could know. How the heck would you or anyone for that matter know what is going on internally within the courier transit? Silence is golden Just be a stupid monkey, you don't know what going on, confused, who knows, your an idiot, get it? Honestly why I don't go to far with SE, I prefer getting things like free paint and floor tiles, home improvement items, free food/groceries, occasional discounted or free electronics. All done without the mail.