Daily Dose of Return Fraud

I recieved a return request 7 days ago that was auto authorized for a camera I sold for $500

The buyer purchased this item on 4/11/2025 and opened a return request stating “Item defective or does not work” on 5/1/2025 (3 weeks later).

I received the return back today and the item camera was indeed broken. This was a new – open box unit that was sold in MINT condition. It arrived back to me covered in dirt, deep scratches on the body, and tons of dust and dirt in the lens glass. In other words, heavily heavily used and non-resellable.

My immediate reaction was “switcharoo” and I stared hunting for differences between the original unit we shipped and the unit returned.

Every crevice of the camera had light colored dirt in it, almost like it was dropped in desert sand, the lens had a large amount of dirt in the interior glass, 2 chips in the lens glass, and 2 large scuffs on the barrell of the lens.

I found screws that hold the camera body together are not aligned in the same way they were shipped in and clearly have some marks from a small screwdriver being used on them. I take photos before shipping items out.

The serial number sticker matches but has wear and tear that I cannot decide are from serial number sticker swapping or damage from a drop. I am leaned towards this not being swapped as I do not think you’d be able to get it back on cleanly, it does not seem misaligned either.

Research on the buyer shows they are a professional photographer. Do I charge a 50% restocking fee and eat the loss or go for a 100% restocking fee since the camera was clearly opened up and tampered with?