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.

[luckythewinner]

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@thescarletpimpernel wrote:

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

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Telling a buyer to "pound sand" when the OP offers 30 day returns is probably not the best approach. 

[sea*dreams]

Negative or neutral feedback no longer affects your seller rating with eBay.  It's a red blot on your copybook, but you have plenty of characters available now to respond in a way that your potential buyers shouldn't (in my opinion) be deterred from buying from you.  I know I wouldn't be.

If he opens a case, for not as described,  you can report him for abuse of the Money Back Guarantee system, as his email shows that he is complaining prior to receipt of the item, and complaining about the price he paid.

I understand that responding to buyers is generally considered prudent and part of good customer service, but there are certain types of buyers that I put on ignore. This is one of those types.

[inhawaii]

If you and the buyer can agree on a partial refund amount, then great.

If not, then ... please return for a full refund.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

The buyer is at fault for not doing their own research. They bought your item. Now they claim another listing at a cheaper price. Too bad buyer!!

Review your listing date and compare to what the buyer is claiming they found selling for cheaper. Not that it matters at all!

eBay cannot allow buyers to claim that they bought an item at $200 (example) and a week, two weeks, or even 2 months, and claim they paid too much for your item. 

The buyer states this: 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.

Seems like they are bullying you and trying to make you feel guilty! This is the type of buyer that needs blocked / removed from eBay. 

[asset_liquidators]

You are not talking about the one that already SOLD in December are you?

[monica-sells]

If condition of the item is a 'factor' in the pricing....

(as in an individual grading a comic .vs a recognized authority such as CGC grading)

and it is the evaluation of the seller (you) that your item is in (as an example) excellent condition, and the buyer is comparing your price to a used comic that has water damage then there is no comparison.

If it is "apples to apples" (a sealed toy for example) that has fluctuating values between sellers, then I would probably do the full "return it for a full refund"

I probably didn't make a lot of sense here.....but each situation is different, and sometimes, you just need to go with your instincts...

All that being said....I do like to say that.."I have one for sale and if you want it, you gotta pay me fair market for it"

[chapeau-noir]

I would have them simply return it rather than giving them a partial refund - that's not a great road to go down. 

[nickelsanddimes2015]

Nope no partial refunds. He agreed to pay what he paid. I would tell him to open a return with the reason being changed mind that way he has to pay for the return shipping and if he opens a return any other way you can contact ebay for return abuse. 

[dolcetreasures]

Return for refund:

When you receive the item please open a return, you’ll see the return option “found better price.”

[ozarkjoe]

No, this was sold just a few days ago and shipped on Tuesday.

[bamorris]

Offer him 15 back or politely have him return it.

It really depends. Can you sell it again easily? How do you value your time? Is it worth the hassle to you? Is there enough profit on your item to do this or are you going to eat a loss?

I'd offer him 15 back and call it good. Sounds like buyers remorse. but you can usually tell if this person is just working an angle they know pays on eBay by closing a deal then negotiating.

Only on eBay can you negotiate after agreeing upon and closing a transaction. It is what it is.

[dhbookds]

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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.

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.

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Is it a one off?  If so, I'd buy it and tell your buyer to return for refund............lol..........

[na_833338]

Can you make a profit from buying the item he is pointing you at?  Unless the other seller has a bunch of it, I would buy the one before he can, and then let him know that he can return the one he bought from you.

He might be less willing to part with it, but even if he does, you can still resell it in the future.

[asset_liquidators]

No I realize yours was just sold. I am questioning if the item he found at a better price was the one sold back in December.

[gloryglorygifts]

I did a price match once and I will never do it again. Turns out that the site she was comparing it to 1) had the wrong price on their website and 2) offered her a coupon on the wrong price.  Customer came back to me again a second time and said well you did it before so basically I expect for you to do it again.....  and again....

P.S. The other retailer fixed their price.