Another lying, difficult ebay buyer.
Summary: bgt_masters_of_tiki_d shares a frustrating interaction with a buyer on an online marketplace. The buyer initially expressed interest in purchasing an item but later complained about shipping costs, claiming they were unexpected and high. Despite the shipping fee being clearly stated, the buyer decided to initiate a return, alleging the item was faulty. Other participants in the discussion advise bgt_masters_of_tiki_d to handle the situation by offering a return and blocking the buyer, while some suggest avoiding further engagement to prevent escalating conflicts.
I'll just post the message correspondence as it happened with them messaging me first.
July 13th
Buyer: I'm going to buy this item sir I'm live in New York also I'm just wondering if you could send it down out as soon as possible I will be buying it shortly here if you could please get back to me I will give you five stars all the way around for your assistance
EDIT: They purchased the item, shortly after this message above without me ever reading it prior.
July 14th
Buyer: And you're posting 1199 for shipping I thought it was free shipping it doesn't cost $11.99 to ship this item by no means I clicked on it cuz every other one is price point between 1499 and 1699 with free shipping
Buyer: I guess I got played
Buyer: USPS if it fits it ships for 499
July 14th
Me: I am sorry you're upset with me but I had nothing to do with you not reading the listing or see the shipping charge when paying. USPS has no such thing as if it fits it ships for $4.99. USPS rates have skyrocketed recently and you cannot ship any package for that price. They had a bubble mailer if it fits it ships (which I would never ship this item in as it would get damaged) and I believe that is around $10 now. I cannot remember it ever being $4.99 or at least not in the last decade. It sounds like you haven't shipped anything in awhile. When you get the package (which I was nice enough to get out that same day per your request even though you purchased it an hour before the PO closed) go to your post office and have them give you a price on how much it would cost to ship that to my location. You'd be surprised.
July 19th:
Buyer: I did read the listing but on the original listing it wasn't underneath the price dummy
Buyer: You know what just start a return on it your device isn't working anyways and I'm going to have you babe return it to you I know you said no returns but that's not how eBay works the item doesn't work I get my money back
Buyer: You live in the same state I do
Buyer: I just bought a motor shipped to me totally $27 free shipping
I have not bothered responding yet. Item is 100% working and fully tested, zero issues. Item was flat shipping costs no matter where I shipped for $11.99 I cannot remember the exact weight but in the 2lb range. Medium sized item. Water valve/spout/harness assembly for a washer. I haven't responded yet but this is the type of crap I just get sick of dealing with. They are upset and taking it out on me for not offering free shipping and are butt hurt over a $11.99 shipping charge.
gurlcat
·3 weeks ago"$4.99 If it fits, it ships." 😆🤣
Yeah also delivered in 30 minutes or it's free. Avoid the Noid!
annadryl
·3 weeks agoYeah, that ad campaign was years ago and even then nothing was $4.99. A FRB was like eight bucks. I shipped a lot of jeans in those.
I just love it when a buyer tries to school a seller (one who ships a lot) on how to ship. Too bad this one just... bought it any way.
inhawaii
·3 weeks agoAh yes, I can remember shipping PM for $5.
Those were the days.
darn_yankee
·3 weeks ago · EditedAre we talking about Item #376917104467, GE General Electric Hotpoint Washer Water Inlet Valve WH13X26534 WH08X29310 #1, which was sold on 7/13/2026 for $14.99 + $11.99 for shipping bring the sale in at $26.98?
Edit: Looking at comparable items, I think the total purchase price is in relevant range. I'd stop talking to the buyer.
gone.c-33
·3 weeks agoI would have blocked at the first message.
Asking to send items out as quickly as possible is often code for “I’m using a hacked account/stolen credIt card and I want you to ship before the actual account holder/cardholder realizes”.
mam98031
·3 weeks agoAssumptions is what can get sellers into trouble more quickly than anything else.
While I agree the situation the OP is in is a challenging one. One that many of us, unfortunately, have plenty of experience with. But you have no way of knowing that the buyer is using a stolen card.
Each transaction needs to be considered on a case by case bases and based solely on the information for that specific transaction. They are not all the same and people trying to take advantage of others are not all the same. The differences can be very important to how a seller best protects themselves. Assuming stuff will not serve anyone well.
gone.c-33
·3 weeks agoHow would blocking a buyer before a transaction takes place put a seller in trouble?
mam98031
·3 weeks agoI'm not sure what you mean. I never said anything about that. Nor do I know how anyone can block a buyer if they don't know what their User ID is.
gone.c-33
·3 weeks agoProspective buyer messages saying “I will buy this item.” They didn’t make an offer, they messaged the seller. I would have blocked then and then on the assumption that there was something off about the buyer.
Still not clear how assuming, rightly or not, that the buyer may not be legit, could become a problem.
mam98031
·3 weeks agoIt closes your mind or gives you tunnel vision where you may miss something important. When we assume facts not present it can cause us to miss things we shouldn't.
I am not saying the OP's buyer is above board. I absolutely don't think they are. But you nor anyone else knows if the STOLE A CREDIT CARD, there is NOTHING to suggest that is part of the OP's issues with this persona and FYI since you don't know that to be a fact, in reality that is form of libel. IMHO there is just too much of that going around, but that is just my opinion.
Also IMHO the original message from the OP's buyer is just fine. I've gotten many similar messages over the years and had successful transaction. I would never make assumptions based on that one email. Now the rest of them do show this buyer is up to no good for sure.
bgt_masters_of_tiki_d
OP3 weeks agoThey purchased the item shortly after their first message without me ever responding to them or having a chance to.
mam98031
·3 weeks agoYou have received great advice on this thread. I too recommend that you just have them return it for a refund. Keep it simple. Stay professional and polite. Tell them they need to return it for refund. Accept any return request they may file. After you get the item back, then come back and tell us what you got and in what condition so we can further help guide you for your best results.
I'm sorry this is happening to you. Unfortunately this is something we have to deal with regularly when selling on the internet. The positive thing is that most transactions go smoothly. But some are problematic than require a bit of work to get through.
Keep your messages short and on point. Don't elaborate. Simply tell them Return for Refund, stay away from saying anything more.
darn_yankee
·3 weeks agoThe buyers July 13th message appears to be ok.
The first on July 14th should have prompted you to block.
christworks
·3 weeks agoSeveral mistakes here.
When a buyer makes special requests, especially when they can't use proper grammar, block them. That's a red flag there will be a problem later on.
Multiple messages before you respond to their first? Block.
Then you did engage. That's another mistake.
Please, stop engagement with them. If they open a return, send them the label and move on.
The more you enagage, the more they will wear you down. That's what they want. Stop engagement, and next time learn to block these type of buyers before they make a purchase.
People will tell you I'm wrong. Ignore them. You don't see me ever post here moaning about idiot buyers. I will post their idiotic messages, but they don't get under my skin and I handle them like they deserve to be handled.
I guarantee you that, if your buyer has been on eBay for any length of time, there are red flags in the feedback they left other sellers.
bdmh-enterprises
·3 weeks ago"Please return for a full refund". And then block them. See if they can even figure out the return process.
If they do manage to get it back to you be sure to deduct if you're eligible.
Should probably report the message where they call you a dummy and maybe even the first one despite it being a long stretch to call it feedback extortion, in anticipation of what I suspect will be an easily removable negative.
grann-4629
·3 weeks agoDid your buyer actually purchase your item ... unclear due to first two messages from buyer. At any rate, you are much more patient and wordy than I would be if dealing with that idiot, non-educated buyer ... I would not have responded to his first message just after blocking him/her/it.
bgt_masters_of_tiki_d
OP3 weeks agoSorry should have specified. They purchased the item shortly after the first message before I ever got a change to read or reply to it. Its the second time I had to deal with something very similar. A few days ago someone purchased a dryer door. It did have scratched and a dent (which was clearly specified and close up pictured) buyer purchased it, shipped out same day.
Then next day messaged me saying they saw I had several other of the same door listed in better condition (for more money) and wanted one of those instead. I explained item was already shipped and they got the exact one in the listing. They got it then filed INAD immediately, stating in return "they refuse to pay shipping to send it back". I get this stuff a lot and its frustrating. I am a firm believer ebay encourages this behavior with their policies and doing absolutely nothing about it even in blatant cases.
gurlcat
·3 weeks agoMake sure to report the buyer for that false INAD, so it won't go on your Service Metrics. You can do it at any time but I think it makes sense to wait until the item is delivered back to you, so you can inspect it, in case there's anything more to report.
inhawaii
·3 weeks agoSimple.
"Sorry you are not happy with your item. Please return it for a full refund."
That's it.
eoma689485
·3 weeks agoEveryone gets that type of buyer every once in a while, so you are not alone - Your correspondence with them isn't deescalating the situation - so best to discontinue it at this time.
In the future I suggest you have a more sympathetic ear, and instead of stating "I had nothing to do with not reading the listing..." and instead state that you are sorry for the confusion and that the shipping was clearly stated in the listing, and that your other items are lighter and smaller, so free shipping is within your means to do so on those items.
Good luck with all of your eBay transactions.
dbmm-media
·3 weeks agothat's easy,,,,block the buyer...she is suck a pita now, she will probably get worse if she buys
bgt_masters_of_tiki_d
OP3 weeks agoShe already purchased the item July 13th and it was shipped out right after. Because I did not offer free shipping and she realized she paid more for the item than she could have. She now is playing the ebay INAD return fraud game so she can get a full refund without it costing her a dime.
dbmm-media
·3 weeks ago · Editedthat sucks
grann-4629
·3 weeks agoSo, after she bought it, she told you she was 'going to buy this item'? Was she standing on her head when she said that?
bgt_masters_of_tiki_d
OP3 weeks agoNo she messaged me her first message, then purchased basically immediately after before I had a chance to read a message or reply.
gurlcat
·3 weeks agoShe?? Sounds like a cranky old man to me.