Buyer Request Refund for Promo Codes

[nee_nee27]

I sold $210 worth of promo codes (you can use them for any of these brands: Athleta, GAP, Old Navy, Banana Republic) to a buyer. In the listing it states “Please read the expiration date of each reward. There are different expiration dates. To use the rewards you must use a Banana Republic, Gap , Old Navy , or Athleta associated account. Reward codes will be sent to you electronically after payment, AS WELL AS SHIPPED. Please ask questions if you are unsure prior to purchasing”.

After the buyer received the codes she emailed me saying she can’t use the codes unless she has an Athleta account. I told her it was mentioned in the listing. She then said “I thought that meant I just had to log in with my email and password”.....

I don’t accept refunds for reward codes or gift cards, but I want to get feedback from other sellers. Was this a fair sale, or was my description not clear?

[releasethekraken_1]

You listed them in the "Gift Certificate" category, so I don't think you're going to get much sympathy from eBay.

[nee_nee27]

It’s listed under “Gift Cards and Coupons” , eBay doesn’t have any other option.

When you select “Gift Cards and Coupons”, Gift Cards is automatically selected when under Gift Cards and Coupons” .... there isn’t a coupon category.

[mtgraves7984]

She then said “I thought that meant I just had to log in with my email and password”.....

@nee_nee27 

I'd think that if your buyer shops those sites using an email and password to log in, it is  an "associated account".

Must the buyer pay (those vendors) with store charge accounts  to use the coupons? Your listing doesn't say that.

[nee_nee27]

I could have listed it under gift certificates. But the buyer isn’t complaining about that, they knew they were getting codes as mentioned in the description.

[nee_nee27]

Yes, buyers must use a associated card account with those stores (which are a variety of different card accounts). If that makes sense....

I copy and pasted a section out of their terms and conditions for use, so I thought it was clear. I would have never thought someone would think that just means you have to log in and add your email.

[coastaltechsolution]

You have to think on the buyers perceptive of the sale, code coupon = instant savings 

I can't really blame a buyer as coupon savings mean just that

I'm not saying you did not try and explain the rules, I understand you did 

[nee_nee27]

Yeah. I can see that. In your opinion what would you do? I don’t want to refund their money because she already has the codes, and could very well use them after refunding. I’d hate to think someone would do that, but this is eBay. It happens all the time.

She asked if I could purchase the items for her and ship them out, but that violates eBay policy and I wouldn’t do it.

[bonjourami]

Well Ebay is not going to offer her any mbg if she opens a case, they dont cover digital items..but PP certainly does if she opens a case there..truthfully, it sounds like she just misunderstood your description on what was necessary to use the codes.

[mtgraves7984]

@nee_nee27 

I have a Kohl's account (for example), but don't always pay with a Kohl's charge card . Maybe the buyer doesn't have one of those cards, and to question that  never entered the buyer's mind. Heck... be the bigger and cancel. Dang it. LOL

[stephenmorgan]

There is a policy on Electronically Delivered Items.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/electronically-delivered-items-policy...

 Look for the part Terms and conditions for eBay approved sellers and open it.

Let you Conscience be Your Guide.

[coastaltechsolution]

@nee_nee27 

well tough one but seeing how the buyer states they cannot use them, well tough pickle

I would refund and move on and probably just just not list the coupons again as it sounds like a hassle waiting to happen again 

[iart]

IF your only concern is that the buyer is dishonest and will use the codes after the return, I'd consider taking the return. It might be a gamble but most buyers are very honest.

[katzrul15]

Was this a fair sale, or was my description not clear?

Understand there is no MBG on these, but in your first pix, in Blue and Underlined, it says "View Rewards Terms";  Does this mean this was sent to you electronically?  Are those exact "terms" in the listing?  Only ask as the potential "buyer" cannot click on that to read what those terms are.

I "understand" from your listing "what" you were selling and "understand" I would need to use a credit card associated with the GAP family of stores.  But it doesn't "say" that in the listing.  It says 'associated' account, not credit card.  I really do think you need to cancel and refund your buyer.  If they file with their CC company, I think this could be a whole different dilemma.  

I guess I would answer your question with a question - if the roles were reversed and you were the Buyer and mis-understood the listing, what would you want the Seller to do?  

[luckythewinner]

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@nee_nee27 wrote:

Yes, buyers must use a associated card account with those stores (which are a variety of different card accounts). If that makes sense....

I copy and pasted a section out of their terms and conditions for use, so I thought it was clear. I would have never thought someone would think that just means you have to log in and add your email.

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Is there anything in the rest of those terms and conditions that grants you the right to re-sell them? 

If anyone with an account at those stores can use them, are these just free codes available to anyone - and you are re-selling them?