Buyer refuses to return item and threatened negative feedback if he does not get a full refund

[jjacckiie]

I have a buyer who's threatened me twice with negative feedback if I didn’t adhere to his wishes. He wants a refund without sending the item back. I have absolutely no problem refunding him if he completes a return request.

I’ve communicated with him 5 separate times via eBay messages. Buyer refuses to complete the return request. He tells me the “last few times” this has happened to him he’s had no problem getting a refund from the sellers without sending the items back. He then tells me that I’m “clinging” to a policy (aka return request) from which in his "experience" doesn’t apply. 

The last few times? This alarms me, as he is clearly an individual who is taking advantage of eBay and its sellers. 

He did follow through on his threat and left the negative feedback and I have commented/replied to it. I have also reported the buyer because he did threaten me with leaving the negative fb if i didn't refund him in full.  I’m hoping, after investigating this report, that eBay will assist me in getting the unwarranted negative feedback removed. 

Was curious if this has happened to anyone else? Is there anything else I can do? Any suggestions?

Thank you for your time. -JackieD

[12345jamesstamps]

Block the buyer. Because of what it was it actually could have been damaged unless it got mailed in a box. Could have suggested buyer to send you a photo of damage item. Was it in a box? or a bag? In a bag it might get broken. I have had a few items lost in never never land and just refund the buyer and block them. It depends on the amount of money.  Us sellers do expect items to get broken or lost in the mail now and then. Yes, I have refunded buyers who couldn't wait for the item to get to them. I had someone who said he had a duplicate so I refunded him. Never got the item back. I just move on and block them. I had someone who said they never got the item...I refunded him and he got mad...he wanted the item...and I mailed another free one  without telling him...never got an email back about the second one for free. That first negative feedback hurts. But leaving a response like you did...well...I would just say like sorry or something...other buyers can and will read them. 

[stainlessenginecovers]

I would reply with

"So, you're a serial returner, or threatener that enjoys threatening sellers with 'feedback' just to get a refund. Well, let me tell you- feedback doesn't mean a thing on ebay so go ahead and feedback away. Of course, you can return the item for a full refund, but doubt that's what you really want'. 

[sapphire_studio · Accepted solution]

Use this link to formally request the removal of the feedback due to it violating the Feedback Extortion Policy

https://www.ebay.com/sellerhelp

[ms.rodriguez*]

That feedback is removable.  Instead of contacting customer service, try the Ebay staff on Facebook. They are very knowledgeable and speak English.  Ask them to review the emails that this buyer has sent. Ask them to please remove the negative. Ask them to investigate this buyer to see if they have pulled this scam on others. I am thinking that if he does not want to open an item NOT as described case it's because he has done it so many other times that his buyer protection has been revoked.  DO NOT REFUND. DO NUT REFUND. Immediately block him from bidding and contact the folks at Facebook.

Your other choice is to contact Customer service and insist that they read the emails where the buyer threatens to leave you negative feedback. That alone is enough to get the negative removed. Ask them to review the buyer's history of making false claims and demanding refunds.  Do NOT get off the phone until that negative is removed. Have your computer or phone turned to your feedback page.

Let us know when this is resolved.  I know for sure that the negative is removable because you received the thread of a negative in an email.

[purlilly]

Not sure this will help but I can relate. I just received my first negative feedback, first time ever in many years of sales. The problem she had was how I described the item, a Necklace as minimalist. Never contacted me to see if I’d work with her or give a refund  just left negative feedback. I’m a small time seller. I went from 100% positive feedback to 96.7% with no way of fixing it.  Ebay doesn’t help the seller and seems to protect the buyer only. Unless I up my sales, Im stuck with crappy feedback. eBay needs to revamp things until they do sellers get the short end of the stick 

[josephb555]

You are right. A seller should never give a refund without the buyer sending back the item. It is against eBay rules for a buyer to threaten a seller with negative feedback.

[lakefor94]

@jjacckiie 

Your buyer could have possibly lost their return privileges and what you are experiencing is the only way they can get free items.

You should already have enough proof in your messages to get any type of neg feedback removed. Make sure to add them to your blocked buyers list.

[iamalwaysright]

"Dear Buyer,

All those other sellers also jumped off a bridge. I am still here."

[jjacckiie]

Wow! Thank you all so much for your informative responses. Everyone's insight and advice has been incredibly helpful. Good news, the negative feedback has been removed by eBay! I followed the link provided by sapphire_studio and the problem was resolved in just a matter of hours. I appreciate this community so much! 🤗

[sapphire_studio]

Congrats!!!! Got to love justice ⚖️ 

[monster-deals]

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@jjacckiie wrote:

I’ve communicated with him 5 separate times via eBay messages.

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Once was more than sufficient and you do not need to do anything more but BBL your buyer and call in when you get that negative.

[modernvin91]

Same. I’m a new ebayer and got my first bad rating that dropped me to a 90. The person said the item was not as described in the review. I refunded them including shipping. Let them keep the item too. Item was as described but I was so afraid of the negative feedback. It’s funny that this person also resales the same type of product.   eBay won’t remove it. Who goes to leave negative feedback without even contacting the person especially being a repeat buyer. 
eBay won’t show my reply to them either on the negative review that states I gave them a full refund. It has to do with their privacy settings. I’m over eBay and this world y’all can have it   Peace. 

[lakefor94]

If you decide to leave, don't forget to end those listings.

Best of luck moving on.

[vintagecraze50]

You should have NEVER EVER GIVEN in to a refund without a return. These scammers prey on people using this tactic and it is despicable.