Buyer Threatening to Leave Neg. Feedback

[nee_nee27]

I’ve been fortunate to not have to deal with scammers or unreasonable buyers in the last two years. I recently made a sale of a men’s sweater that I took detailed pictures of and inspected before shipping. To my surprise, today I get this message. (Side note I offer 30 days returns).

“Why you would NOT describe the garments condition in full? On the left sleeve it has a 14" tare along the seam. Quite frankly this is dishonest and I shall be taking this further” , and then the buyer sends a separate message of a picture  of their eBay feedback page (where they’d be leaving feedback for me). Showing 1 star in each area, and a message saying “see below, this is what I’ll be leaving if I don’t get a refund”.

I replied saying that if they looked at my feedback I’m an honest seller, and I inspected the garnet meticulously before shipping, but if I overlooked something I apologize. I asked for the buyer to send me pictures of the garment. And haven’t gotten a reply.

Obviously the buyer can open a return, which I’d automatically accept. But I’m pretty sure I sent a 100% accurately described garment. No way I’d miss a 14” tear.

My question is, would anyone consider this feedback extortion? How would you handle this?

[lightlily_arts]

Thankfully this turned out well for you.  However, there will be times when buyers do misuse eBay's Money Back Guarantee to get a return label so they don't have to pay.  Recently I had a buyer who opened a  claim for Not As Described stating the item wasn't new.   I messaged the buyer and explained that the garment was not listed as new.   He acknowledged that he hadn't read that but still  proceeded with his claim.  Sellers just can't win SNAD's so I  accepted the return and reported the buyer for Misusing eBay's MBG.    Although I lost the original shipping eBay did refund me  $6.00 for the return shipping label.

[teddkayv]

I don't respond to the facts in this matter, but to the issue of threatening negative feedback.  IF a seller has done wrong by making a false description or by failing to do what the sales contract requires, I see nothing wrong with a buyer telling the seller that if he doesn't make it right, the buyer will leave him negative feedback.  I see no extortion in  such a case. But I don't know if Ebay considers the threat of negative feedback as somehow not allowed. When the seller makes a just demand, I think a threat of negative feedback is quite appropriate. I have been unable to find a recent clarification by Ebay on this, but in my memory years ago I saw an Ebay policy saying that such a threat or warning of negative feedback was proper.

[teddkayv]

No more conversations?  You mean that the buyer & seller should not discuss the validity of the buyer's complaint? A take or leave it with refusal to discuss, is very inappropriate for a seller.  Have an honest discussion, which should not be cut off until an impasse is obvious. We should try to see things from the other's perspective.  Some of the comments by sellers in this thread remind me of a surly mechanic.  Both sellers & buyers are Children of Adam; quite capable of depraved & selfish actions.

[downunder-61]

As to communication with buyer/seller - eBay has changed, once a buyer claims INAD seller's are bound to accept and refund - no room for argument or discussion and they have a limited time to do so. The seller can appeal later, but Buyer101 on eBay means keep them happy at all times.

With FB extortion, no body can equivically determine that an item was as described - ie: the picture of an item listed is not proof of what the seller sent, neither is a  picture from a buyer proof of what they  received.

For these reasons FB extortion covers any possibilty.

• Threaten to use feedback or detailed seller ratings (DSRs) in an attempt to force sellers into meeting their demands. 

Basically any mention of negative feedback made in a message to a seller can and most likely will be considered as extortion by eBay when the seller reports the buyer.

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@teddkayv wrote:

No more conversations?  You mean that the buyer & seller should not discuss the validity of the buyer's complaint? A take or leave it with refusal to discuss, is very inappropriate for a seller.  Have an honest discussion, which should not be cut off until an impasse is obvious. We should try to see things from the other's perspective.  Some of the comments by sellers in this thread remind me of a surly mechanic.  Both sellers & buyers are Children of Adam; quite capable of depraved & selfish actions.

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I offer free returns.  If there is an issue with the item, the buyer can return it on my dime. What else is there to discuss?   This is a business.  Honest buyer or scammer, the return is on me. Is there a reason why any discussion should take place?

People with honest intentions don't threaten sellers with bad feedback if they don't get their way.

[bearswatching]

What is a tare? Is this a European term? Google was no help. please clarify.

[chapeau-noir]

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@teddkayv wrote:

No more conversations?  You mean that the buyer & seller should not discuss the validity of the buyer's complaint? A take or leave it with refusal to discuss, is very inappropriate for a seller.  Have an honest discussion, which should not be cut off until an impasse is obvious. We should try to see things from the other's perspective.  Some of the comments by sellers in this thread remind me of a surly mechanic.  Both sellers & buyers are Children of Adam; quite capable of depraved & selfish actions.

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Did you even read the thread? 

[chapeau-noir]

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@bearswatching wrote:

What is a tare? Is this a European term? Google was no help. please clarify.

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It's when you calibrate the scale to weigh the sweater with and without the giant rip in it.