So I have a question as I find this a difficult topic in which there can be grey areas that I feel lots of website and buyers have opinions on but not much is considered about the whole picture.
So a buyer purchases something - hoping to use it - but they don't read the listing and buy to use the item for a use it isn't intended for...let's say they wanted to use a double bed cover for a king bed. It doesn't fit. You sold it correctly. It was an item with no returns offered. They write to you and say it doesn't fit, and you say I am sorry but why - that is really strange? you learn they pulled out the brand new item and put a double on a king bed duvet. Of course it doesn't fit. You explain, I am sorry but I sold it correctly, you've used it, it was white and in full packaging. I am sorry but I cannot accept it. They say, I'll return it tomorrow and let ebay sort it out.
So you explain that - after speaking to ebay - that buyers cannot just send items back without a resolution to the issue. That they purchased an incorrect item, opened it and used it. They bought a double thinking it would be less expensive, which it is, and you've had to sell your item for less than retail already because its ebay and no one wants to pay the full amount - what am I going to do with it now? It's white and you've used it, torn it open for something it wasn't meant to be used on.
They write and say - thanks again for your long message. I want to return the item. I said, ok I'll keep it brief. No. I only made it long to explain, again and again, that they used the item for something else...I didn't missell it to them. They put a claim against me in paypal with SNAD, I won it because I did sell it correctly and it was without returns.
So feedback is given - negative of couse - saying unreasonable, unprofessional, unhelpful. I read information about feedback removal and so many say, customer is always right! Do what you need to do to make the customer happy! customer, customer, customer. Ok but is there no room for seller? I mean - is it that sellers must do what the buyer wants - because obviously there was only one answer in the buyer's book as to what was acceptable. If there is only one answer and if not received, bad feedback is given...is that not feedback extortion? You can only supply one answer? The one they want.
There is too much out there about beleagured buyers who can't get justice - but at some point isn't there something that says, someone has the right to say no...politely? And I did. It isn't the answer they want...
There is no answer for the partial refund with a return...if a buyer affects the item, and returns it a seller cannot refund partial. That only happens if the item was damaged by the seller. A customer can have the item and money...the seller cannot. So what choices are made available to a seller who doesn't want their expensive but sold cheaply item returned - used and crumpled?
So at what point does seeking customer service end and extortion begin? At what point does a seller have to provide good service but not when it hemorages themselves? At what point does buyer's rights begin to encroach on a seller? Or is there no story for the seller - only that they MUST provide service to all ends?
It seems that way to me....
and yes, I am anonymously writing. Sorry but I don't want to get into a deabte with my actual account in the midst as this is being reviewed by ebay and whilst you may not want to believe me, I've had no bad feedback, no revisions - only good and excellent in anything I've bought and/or sold. This was awful to receive but I won't allow a buyer to arntwist me into something I didn't do wrong in selling, nor in saying no thank you and explaining.
