Have shipped item after buyer paid but now a week later they do not want it anymore

[dosagushi]

Hello,

I recently sold an item (auction style) about a week and a half ago and with the timing they paid right before I went to the post office.

It shipped out immediately.

I then get a request to not send the item yet.

I have already shipped the item.

I send them a message stating that i have shipped already.

A week and a bit go by and I now hear from them again saying that they have found a cheaper deal and no longer want to honor their bid and will not accept the item when it arrives ( this week most likely), and are asking what I can do about it for them ( I am confused as to whether they are requesting a partial refund or just to return it).

What can I do about this?

it was a Christmas related item and at the time was the only one on Ebay, I had my other identical items on BIN and they sold out quite quickly.

Even if they do return it, it will be long past Christmas at that point.

I offered to accept a return if they pay for the return shipping and that I will refund them the total amount minus associated Ebay/Paypal fees and my origianl shipping cost. I thought this was more thatn fair.

Any other suggestions?

I see this ending badly for me possibly out the 44$ usd and incurring a negative feedback due to what I see as be an upstanding seller

and shipping quickly at holiday time.

help..

oh here is their message: "
Hello I have already read the answer could only respond today.

that's too bad I got a better offer and if the item comes I will certainly not accept.

I think another better solution, there is not it?

I paid too fast .. "

The buyer is in Germany, hence the broken english...

Thanks in advance,

[mr.elmwood · Accepted solution]

You are over thinking this to the extreme. I ahve been through this. Simply have them refuse delivery and it will come back to you. There should be no charges, you refund, everyone is happy.

[pjcdn2005]

Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot that you can do. I would have probably just told them to mark it return to sender and then refunded them the item cost less any postage costs once you get the item back.  I don't know if I would have told them that ahead of time or not because if there is no tracking on the item and they are dishonest, they can just file an item not received claim and get all of their money back and keep the item.

You could ask them what their 'better solution' is although I'm sure they will come out ahead with whatever that solution is. It really is ridiculous that they expect a seller to pay for any type of postage costs in a situation like this but they obviously don't see it that way.

How did you send the package...is there delivery confirmation?

[dosagushi]

I have just sent them a second message saying that I will give a full refund once it is returned, and wash my hands of the whole thing...

[femmefan1946]

Given the stress this toggle-snouted dropknot has caused you , I don't think I would refund my fees or the original postage.