Input request on item

[byto253]

I would appreciate your input and to check if my understanding is correct.   I sold an item that was delivered on September 30.  Today I got an email from the buyer indicating it required a repair that cost $40, and requested I reimburse $40.

On a policy basis, my understanding is that with 60 days elapsed it is to late from the buyer to request a return or refund.   So this is at my discrection.   Appreciate your feedback on that.

If there was a problem, I don't have an issue with kicking some funds back - the reqested amount is about half the sale value.  Though it is electronic, and when it is in someone's hands for 2 months and they just get to me know, I am leery about the claim as I do not know what was done with it.  If this is in my discretion, I would request a copy of the repair reciept and check the dates that the work was done.  If legit, I would likely meet him half way.    It may just dissapear if I do request it. 

[pjcdn2005]

Since it is past 30 days after delivery it is up to you whether you want to offer them a return or partial refund  if an eBay case was opened.  But it is probably not too late for them to open a claim with their payment provider.  If they did that, it's possible that you would have to refund without a return.

I would be wary about giving any type of compensation on an electronic item after 60 days so I do think that your solution is very reasonable and hopefully the buyer will agree or just go away.   

[reallynicestamps]

With any request for a partial refund, I would personally ask for a return before refunding.

In this case the return shipping would likely be less than the cost of repair.

If the buyer requests a refund through Paypal, he has to pay for return.

If he tries a chargeback, it's unclear, but you can ALWAYS request a return before the refund, although the card company may not honour your request.

[byto253]

Good tip about his having to pay return shipping if a paypal return is requested.  It is a bulky item from the US, so the cost of a return is not likely going to be very appealling.  

[pjcdn2005]

Any claim opened outside of eBay is considered a payment dispute. 

With Managed Payments, a Paypal dispute is handled exactly the same as a credit card dispute so the buyer may or may not be required to send an item back with a PP dispute.     When PP handled the sellers funds, we were covered by Paypal seller protection which is why the buyer was required to send the item back.  Now that MP handles our funds, there is no PP seller protection.

[byto253]

Ahh, that is to bad.  I have requested a copy of the repair receipt, so we shall see.  

[msau4301]

If someone has had something for over 90 days then is asking for a partial refund for repairs that seems crazy to me. I'm assuming you were not selling the item with an extended warranty!! You don't know what they may have done to cause the problem in the last 90+ days! It is up to you but this just sounds wrong to me. (Surely we don't have to ask if someone wants to buy the extended warranty! arrgh I hate when the stores try that!)

Though not the same thing, I once had a buyer complain about an item they had received 2 months prior having a big scratch. I knew this same buyer had bid on two other of my items a month after she had received mine (the one she claimed to be damaged). I asked her if she was so unhappy with her purchase why did she wait so long to tell me and even more importantly choose to bid on more of my items long after the fact. I guess she didn't think I noticed her bids?! Since she didn't win the other items my calling her out on it made her suddenly disappear. Just shows sometimes people try and pull a fast one....until they are caught in the act. Why can't we just have more honest people!! Good luck with your decision!

[recped]

99% of the time the only situation when a partial should be done is when it is proposed by the SELLER. when a buyer says they have an issue that a partial will fix it's highly suspicious. If something dosen't work a legit person would want to return for a refund, they would not get something fixed and then try to hit up the original seller.

[byto253]

Bit of a follow up.  I requested a receipt 10 days ago and it has been crickets since with no reply.