eBay

qxb779 · ‎07-13-2022

I’ve sold LP records on and off on eBay for the last few years. I’ve never had any problems besides an LP getting damaged in the mail, which I promptly refunded the buyer as he sent me a message with attached photos of the damage.

Roughly a month ago I held an auction for a rather collectible record that sold for $156.25. In my seller settings I set in my preferences to only ship in the US. The buyer who won the auction had an address in the US, but then promptly asked me to ship it to China. He then proceeded to purchase four more records from me so he could “balance out expensive shipping fees and take advantage of combined shipping”, his words not mine.

I scrambled to accommodate him as the order totaled $316.75+shipping. I had only shipped a single record internationally once and that was pre-COVID when shipping rates were much more reasonable. I found a reasonable shipping quote through eBay, but it wouldn’t let the shipping label be created, so I had to use USPS. I contacted eBay about the huge difference between shipping rates and they reimbursed me the difference in shipping, I only invoiced the buyer for the lower shipping rate. He then proceeded to ask me to lower the declared value on the total package so he could dodge import fees. I refused respectfully and he said he understood and the transaction proceeded.

The LPs he bought arrived two days ago and he sent me a message yesterday saying the record he truly wanted(the one for $156.25) was completely unplayable and not as described, though he said in the next sentence he never played it. He also sent photos of the LP that does have light surface marks which is fully acceptable with the grading I gave it. I replied that I’m sorry he’s unhappy with his order and how would he like me to rectify it? He replied that he wants a refund and return, he wants me to pay for the return shipping. He said he would drop it off at USPS and I would have to use my account from there to set up its return to the US.

This whole situation sucks all around and I’m asking what avenues I can take to solve this issue. I do not agree with the buyer that the LP is not as described. If anyone has ever sold records online they know record grading can be subjective. It seems the buyer was expecting a mint/near mint record when I clearly stated the record was in VG+ condition.

sorry for the super long post, I just wanted to cover every detail of the transaction.

1786davycrockett · ‎07-13-2022

Accept the return, and cross your fingers that you receive your record back safely.

The only other recourse that I can see, is to NOT accept the return -- in which case eBay will probably step in and refund the buyer from your account, plus allow the buyer to keep all the records. Plus you may also receive a defect on your selling account.

Cut your losses, and accept the return.

To paraphrase a famous Jack Nicholson film -- "It's China, Jake."

jahood1984 · ‎07-13-2022

I don't see how they could of bought it if you didn't have shipping on for his country unless he used a freight forwarder? If you shipped to an address other than what the buyer has on file he can simply say he never got any of it and you will be forced to refund in full. This predicament is why I never ship outside of the country, that and extra scam risk. Has the buyer opened an eBay case at all? How long ago was it delivered?

1tuna · ‎07-14-2022

if the buyer is able to drop it off with the USPS then you have dodged a bullet

if you had used a freight forwarder to China you would need to pay the buyer to have it shipped back to the USA with a SNAD claim

it seems this is a fair deal and he`s cutting you some slack

USA based returns are very simple

returns from China can get complicated

my advice is always the same..say YES to the return

that is what ebay wants you to do and its what the buyer wants

@qxb779

Germantown proud Germantown strong
up the whiskey hickon
moving right along
19144

mudshark61369 · ‎07-14-2022

@qxb779,

"In my seller settings I set in my preferences to only ship in the US. The buyer who won the auction had an address in the US, but then promptly asked me to ship it to China".

As an ebay seller you never ship an item to a different address that the one on the order receipt. You could have messaged the buyer asking them to request cancelling the order, then relisted it with the proper shipping to China as a private listing just for them. You also can get into big trouble falsifying the value on customs forms, so be glad you refused to do that.

If the buyer has not opened a not as described dispute, it is probably because they can claim Item Not Received and are keeping that in reserve. If they have opened a not as described dispute, you can reply to it saying you cannot provide a return shipping label from China and that they will have to buy the postage with tracking, and you will refund them for everything, once the item is delivered.

I would report the buyer using the Report a buyer button in the link below. At some point there will be a text box in which you can write that the buyer is claiming the record is not playable then admitting they have not played it. Also report the request to change the sale price on the customs form. Make sure to add "check my messages with the buyer" at the end.

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

"THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FOOLPROOF, BECAUSE FOOLS ARE SO DARNED INGENIOUS!" (unknown)

qxb779 · ‎07-14-2022

He was able to change his shipping address to the one in China somehow. If he didn’t I wouldn’t have been able to complete the transaction and print the shipping label on Ebay seller hub. No, he’s not opened a case he just contacted me directly. It was delivered two days ago. I have the full tracking history of the package on USPS.

qxb779 · ‎07-14-2022

I’m just confused as to if I have to pay return shipping to US or does he? In my seller preference returns are accepted, but the buyer pays. However, it seems that if a buyer claims the item is not as described it’s the seller’s responsibility to pay return shipping.