Another eBay Question....

[Laurajean1014]

I sell infrequently, but nevertheless, sold a cosmetic to someone through eBay. The person said it came to her, cracked (container) and dried out (the contents). She is now questioning everything about the item she purchased.

My auction states "as is" so bid accordingly. There is/was no misrepresentation on my part. I packed the item in a baggie with lots of air and then in a padded jiffy catalog envelope. It was fully intact when shipped.

The buyer will not give me details of the contents (to see if it broke in transit and spilled throughout the baggie, etc.) or answer if they paid for insurance (which they did not). They are sending me demanding emails that they want to be reimbursed for the entire amount.

Should I just give the buyer the money back or should I dispute. When on the disputed website of eBay, it does not show resolving this type of problem.

Can you give my your experiences and/or ideas of what to do?

Thank you.

 

[hiwaygal]

Just my two cents...but I would ask her to send the item BACK to you and when you have received it, you will gladly refund her the item cost (but not the postage).

Even a store won't issue a refund if the damaged item is not returned.

Unfortunately, if this person DOES return the item (which I doubt) then you are out the selling price and you can not sell the item again...

Do what you "have" to do with regard to ebay policies and hope for the best...there are some crazy people out there who will rant and rave to try to get something for nothing.

Good luck!!

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

She sounds like a scammer to me. I had someone do this to me recently, because I didn' want to mess up perfect feed back, I gave back most of the money, but not all of it. If you can get her to send you digital photographs of what's wrong, then you you can dtermine if what she's saying is right. Chances are it's not, she's just trying to get you to give her the money back.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

What type of feedback does she have? Does her history look like somebody who might be pulling a scam? If she has a good history, I would consider refunding the money just to keep a good feedback score. Personally, I don't fight around with people for smaller amounts of money -- say around $10 or whatever. However, if she has alot of negatives, I'd stand firm and tell her no way.

These days, I insist on delivery confirmation for everything and for anything valued over $30 or so -- I include insurance in my shipping quote. A couple of years ago, I heard of very few EBAY problems. These days, it seems like everybody is getting claims of "it never arrived -- it arrived broke..." etc etc

 

[anewvance]

If she didn't purchase insurance then it's probably the end of it. How did you ship it? Safe enough for traveling countrywide?

 

[Laurajean1014]

She has 38 positive and no negatives against her. She started her account in 02 but only bought recently within the past few months. So, she could have had the account for a long while and started buying. I believe she's an okay person, but I do think she has buyers' remorse or something.

But, what should I do. The item cost $15.50 and the ship/handling charge was $4.00 - so we are talking about less than $10.

What erks me is that she is very demanding. Not willing to answer any questions that I have. Only demanding her money back.

 

[Laurajean1014]

If she didn't purchase insurance then it's probably the end of it. How did you ship it? Safe enough for traveling countrywide?

I shipped it USPS - in an airfiled baggie and then in a jiffy or padded tyvek catalog envelope.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

when you shipped the item, was it sealed well? did you include a photo in your auction? etc? if she won't respond to your questions etc, sounds like she's being irrational.

 

[Laurajean1014]

This was my reply to her question:

Did you insure the item? Can you please explain what the contents of the package and item look like, now? I can assure you that the item was not cracked, sealed and then placed in an air filed baggie within a padded tyvek catalog envelope.

Also, why is it relevant what store I purchased this item?

Her answer:

Oh gee. I guess if you got it from a second hand store, No one with their right mind would use it, that is why I find it important!! And not to mention,m it is dyed out, hint of dirt, and cracked!! So if you want to sell it to some body who dosn't care than go ahead, cause I'm sending it back!! and you can refund my money!!!

She's not exactly the nicest person to do business with!

 

[Laurajean1014]

when you shipped the item, was it sealed well? did you include a photo in your auction? etc? if she won't respond to your questions etc, sounds like she's being irrational.

I did not include a photo. HOwever, the item is still viewable on eBay.

I'm thinking it's less of a hassle to get rid of her for $20 than it is to deal with her.

 

[chesirechik]

Frankly, I would just refund the $$ to be rid of her. Sounds like it will just escalate.

I

 

[Chicago526]

This was my reply to her question:

Did you insure the item? Can you please explain what the contents of the package and item look like, now? I can assure you that the item was not cracked, sealed and then placed in an air filed baggie within a padded tyvek catalog envelope.

Also, why is it relevant what store I purchased this item?

Her answer:

Oh gee. I guess if you got it from a second hand store, No one with their right mind would use it, that is why I find it important!! And not to mention,m it is dyed out, hint of dirt, and cracked!! So if you want to sell it to some body who dosn't care than go ahead, cause I'm sending it back!! and you can refund my money!!!

She's not exactly the nicest person to do business with!

Since she has offered to send it back, tell her you'll refund her money once you receive it, minus postage. She'll either send it back and you refund, or she doesn't, and you don't. As a buyer, if I see one or two negative feedbacks in a sea of good, I just discount it because there ARE so many nuts out there. If she does leave a negative, then you can reply to their coment and tell your side of the story "offered refund minus shiping upon return of defective item, buyer declined" is all the explanation I'd need as a buyer!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I've had issues with buyers a couple of times. I basically decided I will not be held hostage by the threat of having negative feedback. My two negatives were from wacko's. One was for a video game for a Nintendo 64. I tested all of the games prior to selling. They will sometimes get dirty and need to be cleaned. So this one individual never contacted me - just left negative feedback that the game didn't work. If I had known I would have instructed him on how to clean it. I commented on his feedback that he never contacted me or I would have offered a refund - I also left him negative feedback after that.

My other negative was on an older VHS video camera. Worked fine when I sent it - had 2 batteries with it. The buyer said that he had received it and the batteries didn't work. He didn't even contact me until 2 months after he received it. He stated he had been unable to use it at Christmas as planned and wanted a full refund. It had an AC adapter so he could have plugged it in. I offered to send a partial refund - the cost of a battery. (I think that it probably had gotten too cold during shipment which caused the batteries not to work) He didn't want the partial refund he wanted to keep the camera and get a full refund. No Chance!

Bottom line - I try to do what's right by people that purchase things from me. But I no longer leave feed back until after they leave it for me.

To the OP - I wouldn't worry if they give you a negative just put your side of the issue in the comments.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

I did not include a photo. HOwever, the item is still viewable on eBay.

I'm thinking it's less of a hassle to get rid of her for $20 than it is to deal with her.

She's a whack job hon. After reading your other responses, my thought is that she found the item for a lower price, and is having buyers remorse. Now she's going to say she returned it to you and you'll never get it back. When she returns it have her send it back return delivery confirmation or no refund. I'm sorry you're getting messed with. People like that Stink.

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

I agree with the response to not be held hostage worrying over negative feedback - because of this reason. You could refund her money and she could STILL leave you a negative and then where would you be? So, I would either stand by your auction of it being sold 'as-is' or offer the refund if she sends the item back.
We had someone do this to us with a $500 item. He wanted all the money back and would not send us pictures or send the item back to us. We knew it was a scam and still got the negative. There was nothing we could do about it. So, I too have two negatives from two wackos. I just had to tell myself that they're out there and not to stress about it too much. I hate ebay's policy that feedback can't be taken off if it is unfair or just plain crazy.