Buyer Offensive Harassing Lewd (Leud) Threats over Return

[avery_and_amber]

Received a return request: 'Not as described', Buyer submits photographs. No comments.

I message the buyer and ask what is wrong with the item.

They say "READ RETURN DETAILS", I express to them I have. I notice they sell vinyl records exclusively; and kindly ask them to elaborate. (bent sleeve, something wrong in shipping, anything?) Same Response: "READ RETURN DETAILS" There are no details. No comments. Just photographs of the same EXACT record I sent them. 

I find out through a negative feedback so leud and offensive, It was literally removed before I could refresh the page. (after submitting for removal) That the problem with the item was that 'It was not the item photographed". OK.... It is a sealed record for the 80's, with an intact original paper price tag, from the 80's. Multiple different seams of seal that are highly distinguishable, point of ring wear that are highly distinguishable, corner markers highly distinguishable. Point is, no one in their right mind could possibly say it was a different item.

Meanwhile, I receive a litany of other message from buyer that IF I were so idiotic as to share them here or send them to ANYONE on eBay. I would EXPECT my account to be closed. Offensive, Leud, Threatening, Every curse word in the book, disgusting. I block said buyer, to reduce the flood. But they resort to messaging in returns. ALL of this without me denying the return. Only thus far have asked what is wrong.....

I contacted ebay customer support for assistance. Only to be informed with 'accept the return' and Appeal AFTER I pay and provide the buyer a return label. 

In order to fully understand the gravity of this situation I do wish I could share the messages. 

A note and probably the most important, This 'buyer' is also a Seller, who sells vinyl records exclusively. Who provides virtually no description of their record conditions, but DOES INCLUDE a paragraph about how they abuse the return system, how they email and harass eBay, provide the email and encourage their 'customers' to do the same.  (REALLY NOT EXXAGERATING)

Thank you ebay for facilitating, and not offering seller protections when they should CLEARLY be in place; with what seems like a person that should be in jail or a mental institution. Then after this information has been made apparent readily available and shared. FORCE the buyer to continue with hands tied behind their back to resolve the situation. 

I suppose you can say it is my moral, principles, integrity, or stubbornness. That do not allow me to facilitate this behavior. But **bleep** would you do? How much abuse as a seller must we subject ourselves to? 

[klhmdg]

Im sorry you are dealing with this.

eBay has no seller protections that a buyer cannot override.

Once the buyer says "not as described" no matter what, you need to refund or send a label to return the item to you.

eBay will not look at anything.

The best thing to do is say "im sorry you are not happy with the item. Please return for refund"

Send a label to return then report the buyer for the messages. Every message has a drop down to report the person.

I would also add the buyer to my BBL.

[lakefor94]

@avery_and_amber 

Simple, accept the return, make sure a prepaid label is available for the return. Wait and see what the buyer sends back. Until then, no other communication is needed.

As a Top Rated Seller, if you accepted 30 day returns, you would be able to deduct up to 50% of the refund if the buyer sends something back in a different condition that what you sent.

This buyer, knows he/she has you by the (insert whatever).

Just wait and see what they send back. No communication needed after you make that return label available. 

Don't allow the fool to get under your skin.

[fbusoni]

@avery_and_amber 

Respectfully, your first mistake was to message the buyer to ask what was wrong. 

When I get a return request, I immediately approve it, and let eBay‘s computers handle everything else.

I actually believe that this is the optimal method of dealing with buyers. You simply do not know who is on the other end of the transaction and whether they have their wits about them. 

[tobaccocardyahoo]

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@avery_and_amber wrote:

 It is a sealed record for the 80's, with an intact original paper price tag, from the 80's. Multiple different seams of seal that are highly distinguishable, point of ring wear that are highly distinguishable, corner markers highly distinguishable. Point is, no one in their right mind could possibly say it was a different item.

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If this LP has ring wear this LP is not Brand New, even if sealed. This has one or more condition flaws.

Based on your post, whether this buyer is a pig or not, this item is not as described. Pictures are not a  substitute for proper grading and an accurate detailed condition statement. Send the buyer a prepaid return label, apologize and advise him you will refund.

[albertabrightalberta]

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@avery_and_amber wrote:

Received a return request: 'Not as described', Buyer submits photographs. No comments.

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The buyer isn't required to submit anything more to you than what ebay requires. They need not add comments and more important, shouldn't be questioned once a NAD claim is filed! 

If the item is indeed accurately described and photographed, you shouldn't have any problem relisting and reselling it again.

[reallynicestamps]

A return request or a Not As Described claim.

For the former-

"I regret you are unhappy with your purchase, please return it for a refund."

For the latter-

Send the Return Shipping Label* and refund on arrival.

When you get the item back, inspect, and relist.

Resell.

Not every transaction will go perfectly.

It's business, not personal.

* Did you notice that for the return request there was no mention of who paid for the return shipping?

[ltldpr]

". . . IF I were so idiotic as to share them here . . ."

So they're a person who posts or at least lurks here. Spicy! 

[conservitvs]

Sorry… I have too… it’s “lewd.”

[gurlcat]

Okay you definitely have to accept the return and provide the label, but as @lakefor94  said, if they pull some kind of switcheroo on you (which I actually do suspect they might) use your TRS privilege to deny them 50% of the refund (AND their original shipping). 

But most importantly, REPORT this potty-mouth bully!!   There is a link in the upper right corner of every message for you to do so.  Just me, I would do it for each vulgar message they sent you.   And don't just think it's a worthless effort.  You couldn't possibly be the first seller they have treated like this, and multiple reports is how they will get shut down.

[lakefor94]

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@gurlcat wrote:

Okay you definitely have to accept the return and provide the label, but as @lakefor94  said, if they pull some kind of switcheroo on you (which I actually do suspect they might) use your TRS privilege to deny them 50% of the refund (AND their original shipping). 

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 @gurlcat  the OP is TRS but does not accept returns on the couple of listings I checked, so the OP won't have the 50% deduction option.

[luckythewinner]

But **bleep** would you do?

I would accept the return, and make a note to myself that your buyer was foolish enough to buy and sell on the same account so you know what he is selling 🤔  

How much abuse as a seller must we subject ourselves to? 

Must? Selling on eBay is voluntary. 

[gurlcat]

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@lakefor94 wrote:

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@gurlcat wrote:

Okay you definitely have to accept the return and provide the label, but as @lakefor94  said, if they pull some kind of switcheroo on you (which I actually do suspect they might) use your TRS privilege to deny them 50% of the refund (AND their original shipping). 

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 @gurlcat  the OP is TRS but does not accept returns on the couple of listings I checked, so the OP won't have the 50% deduction option.

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Nor do they get the TRS discount on fees.   For the life of me I wish eBay would just eliminate 'no returns'.  It's nothing but an illusion anyway, and then sellers who think it's real only harm themselves by choosing it for their listings. 

[lakefor94]

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@gurlcat wrote:

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@lakefor94 wrote:

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@gurlcat wrote:

Okay you definitely have to accept the return and provide the label, but as @lakefor94  said, if they pull some kind of switcheroo on you (which I actually do suspect they might) use your TRS privilege to deny them 50% of the refund (AND their original shipping). 

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 @gurlcat  the OP is TRS but does not accept returns on the couple of listings I checked, so the OP won't have the 50% deduction option.

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Nor do they get the TRS discount on fees.   For the life of me I wish eBay would just eliminate 'no returns'.  It's nothing but an illusion anyway, and then sellers who think it's real only harm themselves by choosing it for their listings. 

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@gurlcat 

A lot of sellers don't put much weight in the TRS, FVF discount, but as an avid seller, I know it adds up for me big time over the course of the year. Easily pays all my return losses and the rest is gravy.

I think no returns might be OK for TRS sellers selling in the $10 to $25 range because they probably would not be exercising the 50% refund deduction for knucklehead buyers due to not getting FVF's refunded. 

I do free returns and would not want to be without the protections and 10% FVF kickback.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

@gurlcat  Totally disagree about no returns, some of us have been No Returns forever & use it all the time & have no issues.  Yes, we still have to accept SNAD's, but we are allowed to deny remorse returns, which is exceptionally useful as a clothing seller.  In fact almost every clothing seller I know still uses it.  We are at  a high risk of 'renters' & various remorse returns.  You'd be surprised how many people DO open a Return Request as a Remorse Return.   Every time I try an experiment where I allow returns, I am horribly sorry.  

@avery_and_amber  I am sorry you are experiencing this.  As @gurlcat mentioned, make sure you report the buyer & every single message.  You have to accept the return.  However, this sounds like it may very well be a malicious competitor.  There used to be a way to report them for that, but you may have to go with another choice, I'm not sure if that one is still there.  BUT, when all is said & done & you have the item back, call eBay & explain the situation & point out the language in their listings where they encourage people to be abusive & they may give you a courtesy refund.  They do that sometimes at their discretion.  Also, fwiw & I don't know if this is a change, but my Concierge C/S rep the other day also told me I would get the 50% discount off my refund if they send back an item damaged & I told him I didn't think I qualified & although he didn't address what I said directly,  he said I would get it.  Perhaps they're being more lenient with that. 

Lastly if you send me a private message through the boards, as a Mentor, I can get the info to someone at eBay who will take a closer look at whether they are breaking the rules. DO NOT post the ID on here, that's not allowed, just use the envelope icon at the top right to send me a private message.  I can not promise if anything will happen but if they publish that they abuse the return system, I'm sure eBay would like to have a look at that.