Back to the unpaid case dispute....

[rio1953]

This buyer contacted me to ask for the lowest price I would accept on a item, then contacted me again to ask for shipping cost. I answered both question. To make the whole story short, she bought the item but now doesn't want to pay or as she suggested would like to renegotiate the cost, giving as a reason that being both in Canada she thought the transaction would be in Canadian dollars. Now all my prices are in US currency and nobody has ever been confused about that. I don't know if she is genuine..... But I would like to know your take on this and if there is anything that I should of could do. Thanks

[pierrelebel]

Simple - send her a PayPal invoice in Canadian dollars - using the current conversion rate from US$ to Cdn$ (for simplicity, use the equivalent value shown by eBay.ca on the listing)

[rio1953]

Hi Pierre. She wants to pay the same US figure just in Canadian dollars. Which would be instead of 190.00 US, $190.00 Cnd.

[ricarmic]

To my mind you have a problem already. If I were in this situation my primary goal would be to avoid the defect.

If you try to force her now to pay the US$ you probably will end up with a defect.

Other options that come to mind are:
-accept the $C equivalent and:
-block the buyer so they can't buy anything afterward
(Don't block until after they leave feedback)
OR
-advise them that its a one time thing; next time its US$
OR
-advise that you have to stick with US$ and offer to cancel it
(if you cancel you have to go the "buyer changed mind" option)

[ricarmic]

Sorry my indents were lost when I saved it, the last option is a separate option from the "accept $C equivalent" stuff.

When I had this last time I believe I went with they paid $C and I let them know next time it had to be US$. (One makes the assumption they didn't know they were bidding in US$, that's what they told me anyway)

[maggiebvintage2010]

Sounds like she's genuine - as in genuine trouble ahead.  Seems she's trying to push you to the limits for a "deal" and  may well leave negative feedback or make a claim of non-receipt.  s this an experienced buyer, and what kind of feedback has she left for previous purchases?  If it was me, I would explain that the listing and the offer process clearly showed the currency, she has made the purchase in US dollars, and the currency cannot be changed after the fact.  Offer to cancel the transaction, explain that she will be contacted by eBay to agree, and ask for a reply within a specified time limit.  Then cancel the sale, with the reason that the buyer changed her mind, put her on your blocked buyer list, and move on.  Unless you would like to take a big hit on the current exchange rate.

Perhaps others have alternative solutions to offer.  Good luck!

[pjcdn2005]

I would probably apologize for the misunderstanding and explain that when the price was being negotiated the seller was negotiating in U.S. since that was the listing currency and then offer to cancel. Also explain that even if the buyer paid the full price, they would have been paying in U.S. dollars...they may not realize that is how ebay works.

If a defect is received, it is very possible that it would be removed because the buyer is asking for something that is not part of the listing.  If that does happen, the OP should report the buyer through the link and then phone ebay and report the buyer that way as well plus ask for the defect to be removed. The ebay policy that you would quote is that the defect removal policy  states that a defect will be removed if the buyer violates the buying agreement policy. Then show them in that policy that the buyer is not allowed to change the payment method.

http://pages.ebay.ca/help/policies/defect-removal.html

http://pages.ebay.ca/help/policies/buying-practices.html

[recped]

---

@ricarmic wrote:
To my mind you have a problem already. If I were in this situation my primary goal would be to avoid the defect.

If you try to force her now to pay the US$ you probably will end up with a defect.

Other options that come to mind are:
-accept the $C equivalent and:
-block the buyer so they can't buy anything afterward
(Don't block until after they leave feedback)
OR
-advise them that its a one time thing; next time its US$
OR
-advise that you have to stick with US$ and offer to cancel it
(if you cancel you have to go the "buyer changed mind" option)

---

I put what I would do in bold (of course CA$ equivalent would be fine if the buyer was willing).

[rio1953]

I have already started an unpaid claim. I don't think I can offer to cancel now....probably the process has to go ahead and get resolved. In case she pays should I send the item with signature required? One more thing ....what is this defect that I hear everybody so concerned about? I have been away from Ebay for a while as you all may be aware. Thank you so very much for all the help that you can give me in this matter.

[recped]

---

@rio1953 wrote:
I have already started an unpaid claim. I don't think I can offer to cancel now....probably the process has to go ahead and get resolved. In case she pays should I send the item with signature required? One more thing ....what is this defect that I hear everybody so concerned about? I have been away from Ebay for a while as you all may be aware. Thank you so very much for all the help that you can give me in this matter.

---

Signature does nothing for you and has the potential to create an additional irritant if there is no one available to sign for the package thus requiring a trip to the post office.

Re: Defects

Click on Help and enter: What are defects?

Basically the defect system is a broader form of seller performance measurement that includes all the things that used to be looked at separately (claims, star dings, negs & nuets etc.). None of the previous systems were very effective at separating the good from the bad, the defect system isn't much better, it might even be worse.

[femmefan1946]

I have already started an unpaid claim. I don't think I can offer to cancel now..

Don't.

If she doesn't pay the billed amount in US dollars, you get your FVF, she gets a Strike, and neither of you can leave feedback.

Some sales are not worth having.

She is trying to bully you and you need to stand up for yourself. And for all the rest of us. That Strike she is going to get will make it difficult to bid and buy on eBay in future (if she has even one other already on her account, and I'll bet you a nickel she does).

Go to your Blocked Bidder list and add her name.

Go to your Seller Preferences and put an automatic Block on bidders with Unpaid Item Strikes.

[rose-dee]

I agree with 'femmefan's' comments above, except that if your troublesome buyer does end up paying, remember that she'll also be able to leave feedback and DSRs which could result in a defect if she's angry over not getting her way. 

So if she does pay, you'll want to treat her with kid gloves and the utmost courtesy until you can clear yourself of her and her potential problems (i.e. once you're past the point where she can leave FB/DSRs).  At that point, use the blocked bidder list to make sure she doesn't try it again. 

In the meantime, if she does pay, she might still create complaints that could cost you in terms of a defect through an INR or INAD (damage) claim, so I would personally opt to protect myself.  For the extra couple of dollars that signature confirmation costs, I'd use it, simply because if there is an INR claim you will win.  

You don't want this person to be able to claim, after all this, that the item was left on her doorstep and stolen, and that she now wants her money back.  I'd rather put her to the minor inconvenience of going to the Post Office and signing for her parcel than have her open an INR.  Normally I wouldn't use SC, but with such a problematic buyer, I think I would. 

Are breakables involved (is this an item of glass or china)?  I assume this is a fairly valuable item?  If so, I'd insure it to the full value.  Insurance won't erase a defect due to a damaged item case, but at least you won't be out the entire cost of the transaction if the buyer claims there has been damage in transit.

This buyer sounded like trouble from the beginning.  I agree with the others who said that it seems there was some bullying going on here on her part.  I actually hope for your sake she doesn't pay and you can block her and move on.  Best of luck!  

[pjcdn2005]

You don't want this person to be able to claim, after all this, that the item was left on her doorstep and stolen, and that she now wants her money back.  I'd rather put her to the minor inconvenience of going to the Post Office and signing for her parcel than have her open an INR.  Normally I wouldn't use SC, but with such a problematic buyer, I think I would. 

If a package is left on her doorstep and stolen, the seller is not responsible in eBay's eyes if there is delivery confirmation. 

For anyone who would like to answer......I know that in the U.S. the post office leaves packages on the doorstep. I don't remember that ever happening here but of course things aren't the same all over the country. Is it common in other areas for CP to leave the package on the door step rather than leaving a card for pick up?

[reallynicestamps]

Yes -- often between the screen door and the front door . (Downtown Ottawa, front porch, quiet street) Or just on the stoop (Downtown Victoria, well back from street, visibilty restricted by plantings.)

[pjcdn2005]

Ok...thanks for answering. That's the same thing that UPS does here.

[pjcdn2005]

Off topic - Other than the lousy weather how do you like living in Victoria?

[recped]

---

@pjcdn2005 wrote:

You don't want this person to be able to claim, after all this, that the item was left on her doorstep and stolen, and that she now wants her money back.  I'd rather put her to the minor inconvenience of going to the Post Office and signing for her parcel than have her open an INR.  Normally I wouldn't use SC, but with such a problematic buyer, I think I would. 

If a package is left on her doorstep and stolen, the seller is not responsible in eBay's eyes if there is delivery confirmation. 

For anyone who would like to answer......I know that in the U.S. the post office leaves packages on the doorstep. I don't remember that ever happening here but of course things aren't the same all over the country. Is it common in other areas for CP to leave the package on the door step rather than leaving a card for pick up?

---

Canada Post always leaves packages outside my door unless a Signature or payment of customs is required.

Unnecessary signature requirements are one thing I find REALLY annoying (and I really don't have any trouble getting to the local Post Office). Probably a hold over from the days when I was working during all post office hours including Saturdays.

[reallynicestamps]

Oh Victoria is just awful. Yesterday it was so cold I had to put on socks under my sandals and wear a long sleeved shirt.

And the blossoms on the rhododendrons have only lasted for about three weeks.

(rose-dee has told me that you guys won't like me anymore if I tell the truth.)

[pjcdn2005]

I don't think her problem was truth but that you were rubbing it in a bit lol

Actually, I don't mind if you rub it in because Alberta has had some great days this winter and spring. It was 26C here yesterday. But today the high is 11 so I have no idea what tomorrow will be like.

But no flowers here yet and it will be while before most people will plant as it still gets close to 0 at night.

[rose-dee]

---

@pjcdn2005 wrote:

You don't want this person to be able to claim, after all this, that the item was left on her doorstep and stolen, and that she now wants her money back.  I'd rather put her to the minor inconvenience of going to the Post Office and signing for her parcel than have her open an INR.  Normally I wouldn't use SC, but with such a problematic buyer, I think I would. 

If a package is left on her doorstep and stolen, the seller is not responsible in eBay's eyes if there is delivery confirmation. 

---

The point I was trying to make is that with a "red flag" sort of buyer, the likelihood of having her open an INR case (even if she ultimately lost) would be removed if she's had to sign for the parcel -- especially if this is a valuable item.  It's a deterrent aimed at the buyer, not a guarantee meant for the seller. 

With DC only, the buyer may still believe she can work the system by demanding her money back, opening an INR and otherwise making the seller's life a misery for a while (whether the INR is legitimate or fraudulent).  

I just don't think the seller would want any further grief over this sale.  It will be the seller who may have to waste time arguing with eBay to get the "open case" defect removed (I've seen reports of sellers getting a defect and having to deal at length with eBay over it even in cases where DC should have been enough to automatically remove the INR case and associated defect).  And in the end the buyer may still be able to lash out in her FB/DSRs if she feels her attempt at getting a refund (or perpetrating a fraudulent INR) has been thwarted. 

Sorry, but I still believe I'd use SC in this instance because if the buyer actually wants her parcel and signs for it, she'll be less likely to try to attempt a phony INR claim (and there is no possibility that the parcel would be stolen, obviating any dead-end but bothersome INR by the buyer).