Advice, re: a buyer "returning" merchandise not purchased from me.

[kismet-toronto]

This happened once before, a LONG time ago. That account was dissolved with my relationship, and so far, in my new phase of life on Ebay, I've been lucky. Ebay/Paypal's advice last time was "call the police." This is not so easy or cheap between countries, and makes me wonder what seller protection is. I suppose I hardly need mention that feedback extortion was attempted first (for a rebate, and obviously off Ebay).

[femmefan1946]

I’m not sure what your question is since you have no actual current case going.

Seller protection is pretty minimal, but the buyer has to meet certain criteria to win a case.

Most people are honest and most cases involve real problems. Sellers must factor occasional losses into their pricing, just as retail shops post signs saying “shoplifting hurts everyone.”

The buyer must pay for return postage as standard practice. This discourages many “buyer remorse” returns.

The buyer must use Confirmation of Delivery shipping. This also discourages many sketchey returns .

In either case the seller is allowed to refund return shipping, although it has to be a separate payment, and if the buyer was right. This is a Best Practice since it protects your feedback and the more important DSRs.

Newer policies include giving automatic 5 Star DSRs for Free Shipping and allowing the removal of negative feedback that mentions customs or courier delivery fees, since these are out of the control of the seller.

In your original case, the negative feedback might have been removed by eBay if you could show “acceptable” proof that it was left as feedback extortion. Again,chancey.

[kismet-toronto]

I have approached Ebay with the issue, but because the messages were sent to my personal email address, they suggested I honour the refund anyway. I did so because I do not deserve my ratings trashed, and felt it was worth the money to protect them. I do not "factor in" losses, because my items are not very expensive. Considering the fear of duties, etc. (since I'm in Canada) no one would bid if I priced my stuff higher. To go into further detail on the ongoing negotiations between the buyer and I would possibly be to incur the buyer's retribution, if this were read. Suffice it to say I WILL reimburse the buyers their return shipping also, if I have made a mistake, but I did not, and have only done so twice since the beginning of time. In those cases I sent the buyer's packages to each other. There is perhaps no paper trail because my buyers did not have to open a case for me to deal with it.

[reallynicestamps · Accepted solution]

Considering the fear of duties, etc. (since I'm in Canada) no one would bid if I priced my stuff higher.

Most of our customers are in the USA. Americans can receive parcels worth up to $200 without being charged duty. (There is talk of raising this to $1000.)

Duty is the responsibility of the buyer not the seller. EBay provides a boilerplate statement that you can add to your listings.

Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying.

EBay will remove feedback referencing customs on the seller's request. 

Customers in the EU have import fees more similar to Canada. We pay if the item is over $20.

The customer who is complaining about your prices is a candidate for the Blocked Bidder List. Frankly, no matter how much you give in to him, he will never be happier.

Although I don't use Best Offer myself, I agree with those sellers who put an automatic refusal on BOs under a certain level.

Bottom feeders are the worst customers. Never satisfied.

[kismet-toronto]

Yeah, my block party is pretty happening right now. I had a guy want local pick up stalk me. I could tell more stories. They're really fun. I sometimes think a low price point attracts the terminally dissatisfied. Then I think fraud and extortion will more likely be attempted with high ticket items. In the end I decide Ebay, like the world, is full of people, so buyers of various descriptions. 99.9% of them are no problem. I could lock myself in the closet to avoid the rest, but then I'd miss the Zombie Walk.