Not long afterward, I saw that I had a new message from them. My stomach immediately sank. I just stared at the notification for a while because I knew exactly what this was going to be. The item had arrived, they had found some “problem” with it, and now I was going to have to defend the listing, point them toward a return, or fight off another fishing expedition for a partial refund.
I was already tired, and I was not in the mood to deal with any of it. Even I get tired of fighting with people.
Eventually, I made myself open the message.
I read it once.
Then I read it again.
My concerns about this buyer were apparently justified, because the message was every bit as unhinged as I feared. I honestly sat there thinking, “What am I supposed to do with this?”
Here is what they said:
“got him in the mail I love him so much and I'm going to take good care of them 😄”
So, no refund demand. No complaint. No problem with the order.
They are simply emotionally attached to a FurReal plush, believe it requires ongoing care, and changed its pronouns halfway through the message.
I think the transaction is going to be okay—but I may have sent that plush into a hostage situation. 🙃🤣
They left positive feedback, too. Hopefully they don't come back in 29 days talking about the plush needs a surgery they can't afford. 😵💫
Fortunately, I don't think I've ever gotten that kind of warning before a buyer purchased.
Except for one Eastern European buyer who placed a bid on one of my auctions and then sent me a message asking me to end the auction early and sell the item to her because it was her birthday and she really really wanted That Thing. I told her eBay did not allow it and I would not do it because it was unfair to other bidders. I think she won the auction anyway.
I think my first Best Buddy earned his title after the sale, when he posted Neutral Feedback, citing a "problem" that was not possible. He purchased a 1975 US Mint Proof Set from me, and then seemed to suggest that it was not really, truly, a 1975 Mint Set because the quarter, half-dollar, and dollar coins all bore the dates "1776-1976." That I had somehow opened the sealed capsule around the proof set, without any cracks, removed three "1975" coins, replaced them with "1776-1976" coins, and then perfectly, professionally resealed the capsule. Right.
In actual true fact, the US Mint did not issue any quarters or half-dollar coins or dollar coins in 1975 with the date "1975" on them.
In 1975, the US Mint wanted to get a head start on Bicentennial observances and started issuing "1776-1976" coins (25c, 50c, and $1.00). During 1975.
christworks
OPAug 15, 2026 at 8:12 PMUpdate: Well, the package was delivered today.
Not long afterward, I saw that I had a new message from them. My stomach immediately sank. I just stared at the notification for a while because I knew exactly what this was going to be. The item had arrived, they had found some “problem” with it, and now I was going to have to defend the listing, point them toward a return, or fight off another fishing expedition for a partial refund.
I was already tired, and I was not in the mood to deal with any of it. Even I get tired of fighting with people.
Eventually, I made myself open the message.
I read it once.
Then I read it again.
My concerns about this buyer were apparently justified, because the message was every bit as unhinged as I feared. I honestly sat there thinking, “What am I supposed to do with this?”
Here is what they said:
“got him in the mail I love him so much and I'm going to take good care of them 😄”
So, no refund demand. No complaint. No problem with the order.
They are simply emotionally attached to a FurReal plush, believe it requires ongoing care, and changed its pronouns halfway through the message.
I think the transaction is going to be okay—but I may have sent that plush into a hostage situation. 🙃🤣
They left positive feedback, too. Hopefully they don't come back in 29 days talking about the plush needs a surgery they can't afford. 😵💫
dhbookds
·Aug 15, 2026 at 8:29 PMyou know what they say about assuming...
christworks
OPAug 15, 2026 at 8:33 PMTrue—but after enough years on eBay, “assuming” is really just seller PTSD with pattern recognition. 😂
monroe67
·1 month agoYes, that is a red flag for a problem buyer.
Did they never learn that Patience is a Virtue?
Fortunately, I don't think I've ever gotten that kind of warning before a buyer purchased.
Except for one Eastern European buyer who placed a bid on one of my auctions and then sent me a message asking me to end the auction early and sell the item to her because it was her birthday and she really really wanted That Thing. I told her eBay did not allow it and I would not do it because it was unfair to other bidders. I think she won the auction anyway.
I think my first Best Buddy earned his title after the sale, when he posted Neutral Feedback, citing a "problem" that was not possible. He purchased a 1975 US Mint Proof Set from me, and then seemed to suggest that it was not really, truly, a 1975 Mint Set because the quarter, half-dollar, and dollar coins all bore the dates "1776-1976." That I had somehow opened the sealed capsule around the proof set, without any cracks, removed three "1975" coins, replaced them with "1776-1976" coins, and then perfectly, professionally resealed the capsule. Right.
In actual true fact, the US Mint did not issue any quarters or half-dollar coins or dollar coins in 1975 with the date "1975" on them.
In 1975, the US Mint wanted to get a head start on Bicentennial observances and started issuing "1776-1976" coins (25c, 50c, and $1.00). During 1975.
christworks
OP1 month agoUnfortunately I sent her an offer and she accepted. How I wish we could see who we are sending offers to.
fabrics24
·1 month agoI don't usually like to read into positive FB too much, but I mean...they're spelling it out for us 💀
Best of luck, Christworks.
biggymoe
·1 month agoSay what??