Post sale request from buyer to waive shipping and local sales tax.

[j_tiberius_kirk]

Greetings!

I recently listed an item for $450, with the option for the prospective buyers to make an offer.

One prospective buyer made me an offer of $350, I countered with $400, the buyer then accepted that counter offer of $400.

Once the deal was agreed upon, the buyer then contacted me, asking me to either

a) adjust the final sales price so the total cost to them was $400, including shipping and local sales tax, or

b) Refund them the $57 for the shipping and local sales tax

The buyer included a note with their $400 acceptance, asking me if I was willing to adjust the cost as described above.  I did not see this note, nor did I agree to this.  

In my view, this buyer is trying to "game the system" or outright scam me - and this proposal from them would be at my expense.  I did of course refuse to do any of this, and let them know that if they want the item, they must pay the amount that eBay has designated for this transaction.

I let them know I would honor the transaction if they simply pay the final, complete charges, including shipping and local sales tax.  I also urged them to contact eBay Customer Service, and present their (specious) case to them.  Last of all, I requested that they cancel the transaction.

I want to cancel this transaction myself, but can't get ahold of a live person at eBay right now.  I want to report this buyer as well, as I believe this is an ongoing scam they are pulling.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[shipscript]

When a buyer accepts an offer, it is accepted as it stands.  Adding a note can not alter what you offered and they accepted.  The buyer could only have countered with new instructions.

Because you have an offer, you are in a transaction and can, thus, report the buyer here:

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/resolving-buyer-issues/report-issue-buyer?id=4084

The buyer is either going to pay and you then ship, or the buyer can request a cancellation through eBay that you can accept.  If the buyer fails to pay, you can cancel, but that will go through the unpaid item flow, and the buyer may still pay.

You can also cancel the sale on your side, with ramifications:

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/getting-paid/sellers-can-cancel-order?id=4136

I assume you may be concerned that the disgruntled buyer may leave negative feedback, but if they do, you can write a rather lengthy response to the feedback, such as "Buyer negotiated and  accepted a discount price. After acceptance, the buyer then tried to renegotiate the price to include further shipping and tax discounts. The eBay system does not work that way."  This essentially neutralizes the situation, should someone bother to read the feedback.

[j_tiberius_kirk]

Thank you, this is extremely helpful!  Prior to your observations, I have communicated the transaction acceptance detail as you describe to the prospective buyer.  

It looks like they are not going to pay.  I'll likely wait until the 4 calendar payment period expires, then cancel the transaction with no ramifications.  I will then report the buyer, as I am confident this is a technique they try to use to get a better deal with unwitting sellers.

I really appreciate the link for reporting a buyer issue, that's also very helpful.

[lady_madonna]

@j_tiberius_kirk 

In addition to the other (excellent) response, if the buyer does not pay, you can cancel the transaction after 4 days have passed since they accepted your offer, making sure you specify non-payment.  There will be no ramifications, and the non-paying buyer will not be able to leave feedback.

Good luck!