Sold a book to this buyer 2 weeks ago. No incident as of now.

SELLERS BEWARE DONT SELL ANYTHING TO INSTAGOOD OR BRENT ALEXANDER. HE IS A SCAM ARTIST.

I recently sold a textbook to Brent Alexander (Instagood). I received a prompt payment but 3 weeks after he received the book he claimed it was counterfeit and wanted a refund. I fought the case and posted evidence disproving his claim but eBay still sided with him. He did have to return my book (which would've been illegal if it was actually counterfeit, further proving my case). I lost $1.50 on the transaction (I'm not sure why the return was more than he paid honestly), plus my book is now slightly damaged. Not worth my effort to make a damage claim as I already know how eBay will side. I'm just glad I got my book back and that he didn't try to keep my book because it is illegal to send a counterfeit item via USPS.

Update from above post: Instagood filed that it cost $12.91 to send the book back to me. Original shipping was $4.71. eBay policy states that buyers must work out a shipment/price before sending an item back if they choose not to use eBay's labels (he broke policy). The book was also damaged. After being on the phone with multiple different eBay representatives for an hour I spoke with a gentlemen who looked at the case and essentially said, "why the heck was this ever ruled against you in the first place?" I was forwarded to a case manager and the case was eventually overturned in my favor after an appeal because of the documented damage on the book when I received it back.

At one point during the process a representative mentioned that it was difficult to find my transaction with Instagood because they had cancelled and returned so many items recently. He is scamming lots of people. Stay away.

Thank you for the above comments. I work for the company with the eBay account Instagood. I am sorry you had a less than desirable selling experience.

Selling counterfeit books is against the law and a growing problem on eBay. Our employees are trained to identify counterfeit books and file return claims against eBay sellers who sell them. Yes, it may be unfortunate you purchased a counterfeit book from someone else and had trouble selling it, but by us stopping the sell chain it helps combat the global problem. If you would like to learn more about counterfeit books you can visit the website StopCounterfeitBooks.com put together by a coalition of publishers and retailers.

Our company is proud of our 100% feedback rating on eBay and over 100,000 positive feedbacks with the account Instagood. We also use four other accounts in purchasing eBay items and they have similar ratings. Hopefully you can see the greater good for the eBay marketplace by us returning the book.

The textbook that I sold you was received at a conference from the publisher. I know that it is illegal to buy or sell counterfeit textbooks, but it is also illegal to send counterfeit books in the mail via USPS. Your company had no problem sending the book back and quoting me 4 times the actual shipping cost.

I think that your employees need some more training, as your reason for identifying my book as counterfeit was totally false and I sent messages proving otherwise. Your eBay account never responded to any messages. Perhaps you should start training your employees in customer service.

Again, eBay told me that Instagood had so many cancelled orders that it was difficult to locate mine. Warning signs everyone. Stay away.

I can confirm that instagood did the same thing to me recently - claimed that a book I bought from Amazon and resold was counterfeit. His reasons were less than credible. He is definitely not a reliable or trustworthy. I wish I had taken note of the warnings on this website and canceled the order. Definitely avoid any business with instagood.

bismillahi
https://goo.gl/yzEKfW

I have also just received a claim from this buyer claiming that a book I sold was counterfeit. The book was received at a conference directly from the publisher. Avoid business from this buyer.

Unfortunately, counterfeit books are becoming a large problem in the United States. In accordance with the rules of eBay and the law, our company doesn't tolerate the buying or selling of unauthorized books. We are one of the leaders in the industry of combating the problem. If you are not in the business of selling counterfeit books and someone has sold you one, you might be able to contact the marketplace where you purchased it for recourse.

I was forwarded to a case manager and the case was eventually overturned in my favor after an appeal because of the documented damage on the book when I received it back. http://123bowlinggames.com/bowling-games-app.html

He is definitely not a reliable or trustworthy. I wish I had taken note of the warnings on this website and canceled the order. Definitely avoid any business with instagood. http://123cookinggames.net/all-cooking-games.html

wow. I totally got sucked into this, but in a more bizarre way.

I put a book up for sale but then when it didn't sell, I ignored it. In June, 2018, Brent Alexander paid for the book and asked me about it but by this time I'd already pulled it down so I told him, and that was that (or so I thought). He'd paid me on Paypal but I wrongly assumed that the $24.36 was going to be recouped.

IN 2019 I received a 1099 tax form showing $21,012 of income through a paypal account. The only accurate information was my name and address. The Taxpayer Identification Number last 4 digits were 4703. The paypal account number was 2019870730536404421. When I asked them when the account was created they said June, 2018. They couldn't tell me anything else because I couldn't verify the email and/or phone number. I'm now fighting with the IRS to have this corrected. Paypal out-of-country call centers are no help.

Wow. This really is bizarre. We certainly don't have any knowledge of why it would have happened. Your Paypal account might have been hacked and someone else was laundering money through it. I know Paypal is tough to deal with on the phone, but you might want to try to ask them. You can also go into the Paypal desktop version and pull your annual report to see if that much money actually ran through your account or if it was just a reporting error on Paypal's end.

Just now received a return request from "instagood" with a complaint of ripped package and nothing inside.

Make sure you get on the phone with eBay right away and stop this scam artist.

Medical resident who fights COVID 7 days a week, sold my books to make some extra money - "instagood" scammed my out of more than they even paid for the books by asking for a shipping "reimbursement" up front. They then claimed they never received the book and got the full refund plus shipping plus the additional I had reimbursed them for! This is a sad world - my faith in humanity declines every time I run into people like this.

I wondered why some supposed "book stores" in south FL would be interested in advanced medical textbooks (lol). Should have seen that coming. Good luck with the new reading materials, Brent and Barb

I sold a book to this instagood and money is missing from my account also. I contacted paypal and they have canceled the alleged subscription

I also received a refund request from them saying the package was ripped and the book was missing. That seems to happen a lot to them. Smells fishy?

We purchase thousands of book each month. 99.8% of all transactions go off without a hitch. Unfortunately, a few of them do not make it through the postal system, especially when sellers use less than desirable packing materials. Wrapping a heavy book in paper and sending it is a recipe for disaster. When sending us books please use a box or bubble envelope. Also, don't forget to press hard on the bubble envelope because once in a while we get envelopes which have come open in transit.

Just received a negative feedback claiming a school book was “counterfeit” as well. I purchased the book on campus so their claim is a lie and now I wait to see what happens as this should be stopped or find their other account because they are scamming sellers and defamation of character which is illegal by eBay rules and how I tend to go after them.

I sold a book that cost me four times as much as he bidded on the book (Total cost all together including shipping is 9.99. H egave me this address: 3449 Technology Drive unit 203 in N. Venice FLA. I looked it up. Its a commerce center. After shipping it, I received it back from Amazon I spent another $4 to ship again and he still claimed he did not receive it. He even opened a case against me.

I blocked them after readung this thread. Shame on INSTAGOOD

goes by Barbara / instagood also Bran new book not even opened! Months later says it was “counterfeit” I I let eBay handle it The person replied and told me I was “such a good eBayer” I always thought eBay would have my back see the dates &our communications and rule in my favor. they took my money and I don’t have the book I called customer service to dispute but basically told it’s a loophole. This is beyond scary I don’t feel supported seller DEFINITELY BEWARE!

Wish I would have seen these comments before. I've sold 5 books to them now. 3 of them they have opened cases saying they are counterfeit. The latest ones they waited till day 29 to ask for a refund. eBay sides with the buyers Everytime when they mark it not as described. eBay is a joke, I wish there was a different platform to sell on instead

They just purchased 9 of my items. They messaged me 2 days ago to ask and question and said I was a “good ebayer. “
I googled them because they were buying so much and not paying. I found this site. I contacted eBay and asked how I can be protected from them. eBay kept reassuring that they don’t let people scam. I blocked them from my future auctions but they’ve purchased several hundred dollars worth of books. If I cancel the order I still have to pay fees. eBay won’t help me.

Don't send them anything. Take it as a loss and tell ebay about your refusal. You will save yourself the return shipping when they file a not as describes case and you want return shipping.

I have the same situation. I sold instagood three of my sister’s textbooks. They messaged, asking if I could bundle them and ship media Mail. Then they sent a return request stating the package was opened and empty in transit. I fought them on it but still ended up refunding their money. We lost my sister in a car accident so it stings even more. What a terrible, terrible person. They are still trying to buy books from me!

This person messaged me asking me to add them to my safe buyer list so they could bid because they were getting an error message saying they have 2 or more unpaid item strikes. They even provided a link to do it. Does that sound like a safe buyer to you?

You can choose to not sell to individuals with unpaid item strikes. They are a mega seller/buyer and they scam a lot. It isn't surprising they are trying to get through to your auctions that have that restriction. Don't sell to them. Simple as that.

The Media Monkey LLC in Florida is their company. Beware!

So glad I found this page. I just had Instagood buy two text books from me and they messaged me to ask to have both books shipped together to save money. Makes sense. Until I realized they said they paid more in shipping than the total shipping adds up to and then asked to refund most of the shipping and said “put the cash on the inside cover which might be easier” than trying to refund through eBay. That’s the point I became quite skeptical. Everything else checks out with all your other comments so far.

They keep bidding on a book I'm trying to sell and after reading this I keep cancelling the order saying "Buyer cancelled", dont know why they wont get the hint that I'm not shipping it to them.

SCAM!!!!!!!!!! Block them some of the worst people they have no shame taking your books or money the worst type of people

Same experience here, bought a textbook Then alleged it was counterfeit. While disputing that they purchased a second copy. They forced a return, I haven’t seen my book. STAY AWAY FROM INSTAGOOD!

I sold a book for a pretty specialized discipline and decided to google the name to see if it was someone I knew of and found this. Canceled the order, no way this "business" is actually interested in this book.

I googled the username after they purchased three textbooks from me. No problems yet, but I am adding them to the blocked list because I feel like the jig will be up eventually.

I believe I got scammed by Barbara Alexander. I have warned Ebay about them since the book is still in transit. It was weird because the book got to their city, and then was oddly sent back and is now being delivered again. I am unsure what they have done, but I am afraid I will soon be scammed.

Instagood/Barbara Alexander bought 2 textbooks from me in the past month, no problems so far. Similar to the comment above, it was in their city but still says "awaiting delivery scan" but haven't heard anything from them. May have been the hurricane

Instagood: Barbara Alexander; AKA Brent Alexander bought 2 textbooks from me from two separate auctions. I sent them both media mail and did not charge him shipping. I provided him a tracking number. They show as delivered 27 days ago. Yesterday, he opened a case against me saying he did not recieve one of the textbooks and to provide him a tracking number. As along term member he can see that one was provided. I called eBay support who gasped and said this is a very bad situation and needs to be taken care of and can see that this buyer is a problem. She said more people need to call them and report him to remove his membership. Also calling them after he opens a case works in the favor of the seller. It shows history of the seller working with Ebay. So, if you are reading this and have a case opened against you, call the Ebay, do not wait for the three days for them to make a decision because they may automatically side with the scammer.

Here is Brent Alexander and Renee Ryckman's business license. Since Brent has mentioned he buys textbooks for his Media Monkey, LLC, you can make a consumer complaint against their business license:
https://web.sos.ky.gov/ftshow/(S(4xzboqwgwoal1xp4sxqqlyjb))/default.aspx?path=ftsearch&id=0728082&ct=06&cs=99999&ce=xm6ixVnYdZgpWG2Ic%2b3tdLC7xqy83wGJEwUdnVylN9l5fFpFHtzkjl5gLUQ%2b4ZGl

Barbara (Brent) Alexander (now "instagood" may also be "deepvein") AKA Renee Ryckman AKA Barbara Alexander- - the buyer name and the name attached to the handle and address didn't match so I looked here. THERE ARE A TON OF REPORTS ON THESE PEOPLE UNDER VARIOUS USER NAMES I have a suspicion they are now also operating under a new buyer name, "deepvein." Deepvein's buying history shows a lot of the same sellers as instagood's and many of instagood's previous usernames are based on nursing terms... so watch out for that one too.

omg! look at the feedback deepvein has been leaving sellers https://www.ebay.com/fdbk/feedback_profile/deepvein?user_context=BUYER and tell me this doesn't seem like the same scammer. Watch out!

Hello. I am in the processing of being scammed by Brent/Barbara Alexander. He is claiming that my book is “counterfeit.” I am sure Ebay will side with this con artist. Should have known better.

This buyer instagood has an open return case on me right now. They purchased a book from me last week that I purchased for my ex for one of her courses in college about 6 months ago. I made sure to compare it to other copies of the book when I listed it for sale. Now this scammer is claiming it is counterfeit, which it isn’t unless they sell counterfeit books in college book stores, and says the “glue on the binding makes it counterfeit.” I found this site by searching “instagood seller” and requested a document from them attached to the return request with company letterhead, photos and individual descriptions of each place on the book that makes it counterfeit, and signed by an employee that can be verified to have employment with the company. No response on that part yet. I’ve reported the buyer to eBay twice now, one of those times I copied the link to this site for them to see that the buyer is obviously scamming sellers.

This buyer bought a single book I had listed a few days ago and the payment message from ebay said the funds would be released on a date that was 10 days after my required ship date by ebay. Instagood also sent a very scammy message: "Hi. Could you ship the six books in one box via Media Mail (book rate) from the Post Office to save me money? Media Mail should only be $12.05 with the weight. If so, could you refund the overage from the $25.40 I paid in shipping ? You could either issue a shipping overage refund in the eBay SellerHub or just put the cash on the inside cover which might be easier. Thanks and I look forward to getting the package."

I have reported this user to ebay at this time.

Sold an educational work book to Instagood with missing pages which was disclosed explicitly the listing and in pictures. They Filed as Not as described claim and haven't responded to any messages. Now I will have spent more on shipping two ways than I would made on the book itself before ebay will even let me challenge the claim. Anyone know the other current user names they use to add all to block list? The ones they admitted to on here years ago are not active anymore.

Thank you, everybody, so so much. I ended up here for the same reason as everybody else. I was able to take corrective action to protect myself. From now on, I will always check into all buyers more thoroughly. You can block buyers on the desktop app and that’s exactly what I did.

Block them now before you have to deal with canceling an order from them. They leave punitive negative feedback about how a cancellation somehow negatively affected their business, and imply you are incompetent and dishonest... even though they haven't paid yet.

It's shameful that ebay lets someone leave feedback on a canceled order at the same time they give sellers the tool to cancel an order.
If you look up cbsnews here (one of instagoods many previous accounts), they say "If you don't want to sell to us, that's OK. Just refund our money, cancel the transaction and we will move on." Now they're leaving negatives left and right.

The link: https://badbuyerlist.org/buyer/585d784d93d3bd6639a3

As mentioned up thread and other threads, deepvein and instagood do seem to be working in concert. You can use feedback left by sellers to figure out books they purchased. From the sold item page you can see the bids. One puts in a big bid in the last seconds then the other (usually instagood) bids over that for the win. They do this in the very last 1 or 2 seconds of every auction. It appears to be a variation of shill bidding for each other. Maybe hedging their bets for a second offer? With so many books listed daily it seems improbable that they both just happen to bid on the same books of such a wide range of topics, with such regularity.

To find a user https://www.ebay.com/usr/
type in the username after usr/

So glad I saw this! Canceling his win and will take negative feedback. Easier than dealing with him

Dang, this is wild. This person totally purchased a book, received it and now 14 days later claiming that they want to return it because my listing "is showing the wrong item" I have never delt with this issue before, for all the books that I have sold. WILD that these types of buyers exist. Thanks for all the extra names to block, too bad ebay sucks and does not see this scam.