Need Advise about Bad Buyer

[mundial_treasures]

I sold one our higher priced bags to a customer, and as expected, he really liked the bag. Unfortunately one the rivets came loose on the bag, and the buyer messaged me about it. Instead of the buyer having to go to the trouble of returning the bag, I offered him a $20 partial refund for the inconvenience. The actual repair cost would be $5 or less. The buyer was happy for the offer and graciously accepted. When sending the partial refund I accidently refunded him the full $264. I didn't realise the mistake until a few days later when I saw my bank account balance was in the minus from the refund. I made numerous attempts to reach the buyer to ask him to return the accidental refund. I called the two phone numbers he has that are associated with his eBay account, I emailed him, I messaged him through eBay, I got eBay to send him a message, and I even got his wife on the phone. His wife kind of gave me the run around, telling me that they have been too busy to return the refund, and they would try to get around to it within the next couple of weeks. I of course told her that two weeks was unacceptable, and that the money must be returned sooner. I informed her that I would like the money returned within 5 days. She went on to say that getting on the computer would be difficult because they had a death in the family. I sympathized with her, but still requested that the money be returned soon. Several more days had passed and still no response. After checking the buyers recent feedback score I noticed that he made another purchase just two days ago. This means that he is likely just avoiding returning the money. What do I do now? The buyer likely thinks that we are some big corporation that does not care about losing this kind of money, but that is NOT the case. This is so frustrating.  I am from Ontario Canada and the buyer is from Pennsylvania.  Any advice???

[dipmicro]

Call the sheriff office in buyer's town and ask if they can help you perhaps by calling this person buyer. 99% of opportunistic thieves crack when confronted by the possibility of police involvement.

[dipmicro]

I meant a phone call or officer stop-by will most likely push your buyer in right direction. I think no formal charges need to be pressed. Police hate that for small amounts, lot of paperwork.

[mundial_treasures]

EBay is actually being a big help.  They informed that the buyer will face serious consequences of he does not return the money.  The buyer has two days to send the money back before their account is suspended.  If this does not work I will definitely call the local the local police/ sheriff’s office.

Thanks for the good advice.

[brandeentertainment]

Not sure if the law will help so hopefully ebay will ..

Not to sure what in that is against the law .. Don't get me wrong I'm on your side and If I was them I would of returned it right away but the fact of the matter is you made the mistake the buyer to not steal anything so theft is out of the questions and even if it did come about a tracking number would not be a sustainable amount of evidence to have charges stick.. Hopefully it just scares them into refunding because if it goes to court they will win wheter it is theft or small claims and small claims well you being in a different country would cost yuo alot in time and gas money which would make it more of a moral thing then to end up with money in the bank ...

Good luck and hope everything works out because I would guess they are giving you the run around ... boooooooo to them ..

[femmefan1946]

I agree that because you refunded the entire amount, that there is probably no legal claim to the cash and that the buyer's failure to return a refund is probably not theft.

There may be a fraud claim available.

If eBay does not budge him, and let's face it, unless you live in Kasheshewan, there are lots of places to shop, if you can't shop here, then perhaps filing a Small Claim might help. The last time I did that, it cost me $25 and the judge was more of a mediator. (I got paid, and my unhappy customer got an explanation of how here woodstove worked in her own language) (My guys were fixing a poor installation by another company.)

[mundial_treasures]

Thanks for your help. When I sent the PayPal refund I also sent a note in the comment box indicating that I was sending a $20 partial refund. The buyer must have known immediately that I made a mistake. eBay informed me that the buyer will face consequences if they do not return the money. I will continue trying to get my money back.

Thanks again for the help.