First Negative Feedback- What Would You Do?
Summary: gr8deal_z is a relatively new eBay seller who received negative feedback after selling a sealed but expired printer cartridge, which the buyer claimed was empty. They are seeking advice on whether to reach out to the buyer, offer a refund, or contact eBay to have the feedback removed. marnotom! advises that although the listing states 'no returns,' the return policy doesn't cover items not as described. They suggest responding positively to the buyer's feedback and offering a refund without requesting the cartridge back, emphasizing the importance of showing good customer service to future buyers. mrdutch1001 adds that selling expired ink is risky and advises reaching out to the buyer but notes that feedback removal might not be possible. gr8deal_z acknowledges the feedback received.
Fairly new seller here, sold a new, sealed (but expired) printer cartridge, low value. Buyer received it and says the ink evaporated in the cartridge. Obviously I was not able to test but stated that it was expired in the listing.
Buyer did not reach out to me and left a negative feedback. Not sure how important negative feedback is anymore but should I reach out to the buyer? Offer a refund? Contact eBay to try and get the negative feedback removed?
Want to do the right thing but not sure how to proceed.
Thanks in advance
mrdutch1001
·2 years agoUnfortunately, listing/selling a sealed but expired ink cartridge is risky at the best of times as ink cartridges can and do dry up, even in a sealed package.
Even though the buyer was also taking risk in making the purchase of an expired ink cartridge, the seller is ultimately responsible for buyer satisfaction.
No returns does not mean No refunds...so there is that to consider.
You may want to reach out to the buyer...
as to requesting eBay remove the negative...may not qualify for removable due to the circumstances.
gr8deal_z
OP2 years agomarnotom!
·2 years agoI see your listing states "no returns accepted." Your buyer was probably unaware that this statement only applies to remorse returns (e.g. change of mind, realization that the cartridge doesn't fit the printer) and not returns based on the item not matching the listing description.
The fact is, the buyer could have--and still can--file a claim for a "not as described" item through eBay's Money Back Guarantee process and you would have no choice but to accept the return and pay for the return shipping if you want the cartridge back.
If this were my sale, I would presume the buyer is being honest about this (after all, this is a sale worth less than twenty bucks, not $200) and respond to their feedback with something along the lines of, "I'm sorry the expired ink cartridge did not work out for you. Please contact me for a refund." I'd also send them a message along the same lines. If the buyer does respond, offer them a refund and don't bother trying to get the cartridge back.
Whether or not the feedback gets removed is immaterial, although it does hit your percentage pretty hard. It's how you respond to it that matters. Potential buyers will look at this exchange between you and this buyer and likely make their decision to buy from you based on that. The better you look in this exchange, the more likely they'll ignore the feedback and buy from you.