How best to handle this new and unusual return request

[ozarkjoe]

Sir,

You had many good reviews, so I'm surprised to discover this product you sold me is very over-priced. I thought it was $80 because it was so hard to find, but I finally tracked it down from a reliable source for $35.

I will be pursuant of a return of this product to you and would like a refund, but and willing to work out an agreement. Will you refund me $30.00 and call it a even? You still come out ahead $15.

I can send you the link to where it is being sold for $30 for you to restock your inventory or simply see what I am referring to.

Is this agreeable to you?

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The item was shipped on Tuesday and he did not get it yet.  Do I let him shake me down for a partial refund or just tell him to send it back to me?  The item in question frequently goes out of print and the market price goes north of $100 or is just simply unavailable.

[thescarletpimpernel]

I'd tell him to throw another quarter in the wishing well.  If that doesn't work for him go pound sand.

[stainlessenginecovers]

I would 

a.) get the link and check it (is he talking there is 1, or many?)

b.) See what 'others' have 'sold' for on ebay

c.) going in/out of print and selling for over $100 means nothing- it's all about A & B.

If A is accurate and plentiful, then 'price matching' is not a horrible idea, especially since they are offering you to get more $$ than 'readily available' as shown in 'A'.

I would do the above as you are not locked into anything by simply asking them for this 'link'. Then you can decide- partial refund or tell them to 'return for full refund' when they get it. 

It's business. Not personal.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

This seems to be a new scam game! I hope eBay pays attention to this!

They are testing you for your response. Will you do a partial refund? Will you stand your ground? Will you entertain communication and ask for 'real' proof from the buyer? The last option is to wait and see if they open a case which you will have a communication thread recorded for eBay to review.

I recently had a potential buyer on a pair polo lounge pants. They asked if I could sell for a certain price because they bought a similar pair for 'blank' price and can provide proof with the receipt. They then followed up with a question of the color of item which was already detailed in listing. 

best wishes on this!

[aprilmoviebuf2000]

The time to comparison shop is prior to purchase, not after.  
Personally, I would not do a partial for this reason.
And, if the buyer attempts an INAD return, report them for misuse of returns.  

[lonebuck-books]

If he is willing to tell you where you can get it I would look at it to see if it is really available or just an old "list price" that isn't actually selling for that price.  If it is your most recent $75+shipping sale, that is what I am seeing when I look it up.  If it is unavailable anywhere let him return it and try to buy one cheaper elsewhere.  When he can't actually find it for $30, he will be back and of course..... he might just be in your BBL by that time.

If it really is available for $30, it might be worth doing the price match thing and buy more from the other source but that is your call.

[ozarkjoe]

He was right about the price.  It is hard to find but he successfully found it.   Throw in S/H and eBay fees, then the $45 is close to my break even point.   I've sold this item about 20 times with nobody else complaining about price.  It just seems strange that someone would shop for a lower price right after paying for something.

Sextons, that is interesting if this is in the style of a well established pattern or template for a new scam.   I was also intrigued by use of the word "pursuant" like some English barrister.  My biggest concern now is getting dinged on feedback.

[evry1nositswindy]

I have never and will never offer a partial refund.    I do not have a price match guarantee.

Return for refund once received would be my answer.  Then after I receive it back, I would refund and then I would block them.  

[krazzykats]

Return for a refund and don't be bullied by a buyer.

If he found it cheaper elsewhere, good for him.  Don't let it go on further, not worth it, and you don't want to make the buyer unhappy that you end up with a piece of junk.

[stainlessenginecovers]

Sometimes that happens; people 'price shop' after they've purchased because now they are invested.

Nothing nafarious about it; not a scam. 

Price Matching doesn't have to be a 'thing' for anyone, but when it's brought up- you can decide if you want to match or have a return and have to relist. 

I've had people come back to me on my product because 2 weeks after they've purchased, I put their 'thing' on sale. They call me out- I refund the difference. 

Just good business. 

[sea*dreams]

I would ignore him and not reply.

He shouldn't be able to send you a link via CONTACT SELLER.

Meanwhile, put him on your Blocked Bidder List

[asset_liquidators]

I have had people do this to me (before purchasing), telling me they can get this same item for xxx amount cheaper and send me a link of a long sold 'one off' item where someone didn't know it's value.

I always reply back and tell them "that's a good deal, you should buy it" (knowing full well that it has long since been sold). That's when their back pedaling begins and I quit responding to their pleas. Then I always add them to my best buddy list 😁 

[asset_liquidators]

Who is to say they didn't make the ad if it is somewhere else? Is their just one? If so, BUY IT! 😂

[1tuna]

found a better price is a real reason for a return

I am pretty sure its listed as a reason

I know for sure that just did not  like it is a reason

I have free returns so I have heard it all

I woud keep the original shipping if you can

I cant get bad feedback with my returns and probably you cant either

I woud just tell them to hit the return button

@ozarkjoe 

[itsjustasprain]

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@ozarkjoe wrote:

He was right about the price.  It is hard to find but he successfully found it.   Throw in S/H and eBay fees, then the $45 is close to my break even point.   I've sold this item about 20 times with nobody else complaining about price.  It just seems strange that someone would shop for a lower price right after paying for something.

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If that is true - from what you say here it sounds like you have verified it - then I would agree to sending him his partial refund (make sure it shows as a partial refund of the original payment to prevent future double-dipping) and promptly stock up on more from that discount source. Then continue to sell at your current price. Anyone looking at your past sales of that title will not see that you partially refunded it.

As for why he kept on shopping for a lower price - I would say its more likely that Ebay showed him a better price themselves. They have a bit of a history of sabotaging a sale by showing comparisons to other listings of the same thing while the buyer is paying for his purchase from you.