eBay

avenueshopswapsell · ‎04-18-2016

I shipped an item last week, customer received it and states that it does not work. I responded to return for refund.

Now he says he lives far away from the post office and can't be bothered to pack it back up. He says that he would rather just receive a refund for the shipping he paid and he will throw away the item.

This sounds ok to me, but will I run into any issues down the road with eBay?

dmil8030 · ‎04-18-2016

Hello 'avenueshops...',

<< customer ...states that it does not work. I responded to return for refund.

Now he says he lives far away from the post office and can't be bothered to pack it back up. >>

He can't be bothered to pack it back up?? I think I'd have trouble resisting the urge to say I can't be bothered to

click the Refund button.

How much was his shipping? How much would it be for him to return it? Is it possible the item truly does not work?

<<He says that he would rather just receive a refund for the shipping he paid and he will throw away the item.>>

Forgive my saying, but this sounds like a load of tosh to me. When a buyer receives an item he cannot use, he is

very annoyed. He is never willing to pay for something to put in the trash.

After all, he could have simply clicked to buy, skipped the shipping, and asked you to throw it out directly.

No, this one simply wants a discount. How you handle it is your choice.

Has he opened a case? It sounds like he has not done so. If he opens a case and you respond with a refund, you

will not get a defect. He gets a mention of a 'refund' case on his record.

If he does not open a case and you respond with a refund he gets a refund and no mention on his record.

How do you feel about giving him a discount off a perfectly good item? . . . Because I believe that to be the crux of

the issue.

<<This sounds ok to me, but will I run into any issues down the road with eBay?>>

Nah, that only happens (usually) when ebay has to step in because the seller either does not respond to a claim

or does not know how to respond properly.

And of course, he can leave feedback. Is the shipping fee as a discount worth ensuring a happy buyer?

If you give him the discount, be sure to use the Refund link from the original purchase and not the Send Money

option. I don't trust this type of person to later try for a total clawback of the original sale at some later date.

Decide for yourself how you wish to proceed, but for future reference I am sure you are well familiar with this:

http://pages.ebay.ca/help/sell/manage_bidders_ov.html#block

Best of luck

avenueshopswapsell · ‎04-18-2016

The customer has not opened a refund case.

It is possible that it did not work, I mean, anything is possible and it was an item that I could not test. It did appear to me to be brand new and never used. It was a "make your own" soda pop machine, with a Co2 tank.

Shipping was $21.30 US, I assume that it would cost the same to ship it back. The cost of the item was $30 US, which was a "best offer" amount.

It does strike me as odd that he would prefer to throw the item away instead of getting a full refund, simply get the shipping refunded...but if he is forced to return it in order to receive a refund, he could wreck it and then I would be out the cash and the item, just to spite him? I am tempted...

I will have to think on this....any other thoughts?

dmil8030 · ‎04-18-2016

<< Shipping was $21.30 US, . . . The cost of the item was $30 US, >>

Whilst you are thinking about it all, think on this: No one, and I mean no one, will choose to put $30 in the garbage.

He will be getting the item for $8.70.

femmefan1946 · ‎04-18-2016

He's lying to you.

It works fine, so he wants to keep it.

Tell him again to return for a full refund.

If he demands a partial refund tell him to return for a full refund.

He can go to eBay with a Not As Described dispute.

If he is scamming he probably won't.

If he does this you could offer a partial discount, or go with Return for a full refund.

EBay will tell you to send him a Return Shipping Label.

If he is in Canada, you can do this through Canada Post

If he is not in Canada, you can't. It's impossible.*

But you can say in the Dispute that if he returns for a full refund, that refund will include $XX.xx for return postage. Be prepared.

If he does not return the item, he can't get a refund.

Nor can he leave feedback.

If he goes to Paypal instead of eBay, PP does not require you to pay for return shipping.

Whether or not you are asked to pay return shipping, if the item really does not work, ethically you should be refunding the return shipping, since it is your responsibilty to sell exactly what you describe.

But he's scamming.

*You can offer to send him postage stamps to the value of a USPS First Class International Parcel . This will carry up to 4 lbs/1.6kg and has Confirmation of Delivery. You can buy US stamps on eBay at a discount and at some Post Offices in tourist areas.

avenueshopswapsell · ‎04-18-2016

Well, I told him, again, to return for full refund.

Now he's **bleep**. Says that he is disabled and it would be weeks before he can get someone to bring it to the post, so forget it.

Says he will just take the loss, and that he is very disappointed, that I should have told him that the item was a piece of junk.

LOL

Describe your item: Piece of Junk NIB

Thanks everyone!

avenueshopswapsell · ‎04-18-2016

Nor can he leave feedback.

What if he does? Will eBay remove it?

avenueshopswapsell · ‎04-18-2016

Just checking his feedback left for others, all positive, but 5 state: Item was lost, but seller issued full refund...suspicious?!?

dmil8030 · ‎04-18-2016

<<Nor can he leave feedback.

What if he does? Will eBay remove it? >>

Only if you phone and nag them and bug them and point out that you did everything right as a seller by offering to

accept the item back and you were willing to refund his return postage upon receipt of the item, and you show ebay

the emails which clearly indicate the guy was trying to scam you, drawing their attention to his disinclination to open

a case.

<< feedback left for others, . . . 5 state: Item was lost, but seller issued full refund>>

There are a lot of factors to consider, information that others here do not have. How far apart are the sales?

What percentage of his total purchases? Where are the sellers located?

If he has thousands of green star feedback over 18 years of buying on ebay, 5 lost items is not huge.

If he has bought 8 items in 5 months and alleges they have all gone missing, well. . .

If the items are coming from China, chances are he is simply impatient and seeks refunds on late items, not lost ones.

<<...suspicious?>>

Yes or no, depending on the above. But in light of his behaviour toward you, I'd be tempted to vote 'yes'.

musicyouneed · ‎04-18-2016

I'll say, he put 5 that didn't arrive. I think that this is a buyer who constantly works the system to get items for free or reduced. I'd make sure I report this buyer, ebay needs to take a look at this person. Also make sure all communication is done through ebay messages.

hlmacdon · ‎04-18-2016

As otheres have noted, and as you suspect, this behavior is not typical of a legitimate buyer. Follow the Help & Contact work flow to the report a buyer section, then call in and report the buyer and get everything on record, and get a reference number. Makes it much easier when you need feedback removed later. While they won't be able to tell you anything about his previous refund history, point out the repeat refund behavior as evidenced by feedback left for others and suspicious nature of messages sent to you. Unfortunately depending on the nature of the feedback, it is possible negative feedback may not be removed. Keep your messages polite and professional but firm on procedure. Usually they'll sink themselves in their replies as they try to rachet up the pressure.

Google maps is a wonderful thing and will show you exactly how far they are from a post office.

jersey..authentix · ‎04-18-2016

I agree with everyone . The guy isn't being truthful. It may have an issue but the buyer is willing to live with it. I doubt he or she is throwing it away.

Personally I wouldn't just hand over the money. Get him to open a dispute where there you can offer him the partial refund, if that's what you want to do. This way it is recorded and the case is closed.

Oh, and I had that disabled excuse given to me before as well.