Some poeople you just can't please!

[kays_place]

Sold a Swarovski figurine for $44.99 with free shipping (was a steal).  Buyer says item has a teensy flea bite (even though I checked it our before shipping).  No problem please return it for full refund.  Buyer goes to Post Office and is told shipping is going to cost $25.  I said please send it back First Class and I will pay for your return shipping (should be no more than $10.).  Buyer says Post Master says she would be foolish to send it that way so that isn't an option.  Have also offered a partial refund as item can be displayed without flea bite showing.  Buyer doesn't like that option either.  Other than telling Buyer to keep and refunding which goes against my grain I am out op options.  I threw the ball back into Buyer's court asking what they suggest.

Venting over - thank you.

[inuk_the_polar_bear]

I won one like this, last fall. Buyer bought the complete wrong car part. Took it to a body shop for a cup holder: "clip-clip" it is in, to be installed. Blamed me saying "You obviously do not know what you are doing". I said to return for refund, the CHEAPEST way.

Courier from the USA to Canada. Luckily I was out of town for a month. UPS (FedEX?) tried twice and sent it back to her. I should pay $43 to get back a part I sold for $45? Nothing was my fault!

I got the obligatory invoice in the mail. Nice try. I wonder what the person on the other end got dinged for?

Took me the longest time to figure out exactly what happened. In the end, I am not sure, but, I think she bought the complete wrong part, looks completely different, and even if she wanted to, could not buy what she wanted as a sub-assembly anyway.

At the end of the day, she has the part and I have the money.

[pierrelebel]

Whatever you do, you will have an unhappy buyer on your hands.  It is unfortunate but it happens.

Suggest to your buyer to file a claim with PayPal and take instructions from them for the return of the item.  Advise that a full refund of the original payment will be provided upon receipt. I would refrain at this time to offer more than refund of the original payment (as per PayPal policy).

Then, the buyer has the choice: follow PayPal instructions and absorb higher shipping cost or follow your earlier suggestion and return the item by the most economical way. 

Whatever the outcome, the decision will be made by the buyer.  You have done the best you could.  To go further would be counter-productive. If the buyer decides to return the item economically, you can then offer a refund of the return shipping cost if you still feel like it at the time although, personally, I would wait for feedback and DSRs to be posted before making that decision.

And yes, you may end up with a negative feedback from that buyer despite your efforts to come to a fair arrangement.  There are a few buyers out there you simply cannot please.

And life does go on.

[inuk_the_polar_bear]

Exactly why I stopped worrying about FB. 100% is not attainable in my world. I get too much weirdo random stuff.

Whatever the outcome, the decision will be made by the buyer.  You have done the best you could. 

That is something everyone should be aware of. When you have done your best, let it go. Far too many sellers make it personal. Do not back down. Always leave the ball in the buyer's court. Do not make offers. Simply state eBay policy and refer to it as such.

Best tactic of all is to say "This is eBay policy. This is what they require you to do. What do you want to do, adhering to policy?"