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Buyer asking me to donate item to them. Thoughts on how to reply?

Buyer made a low-ball (but profitable offer) that I accepted on a pair of women's jeans.  Asking was $19.xx with shipping.  Buyer came in at $12.49- good enough.  Paid promptly.  The buyer then messaged me asking if they were shipping today, an hour after they paid- roughly 4pm EST.  I replied that the mail had already come and that they would go out first thing tomorrow.  The buyer then replied asking me to donate them to her and that she was short on cash and having surgery.

 

This situation is so ridiculous that I'm actually questioning how to handle it.  Just to be clear, I'm not considering her request.  My concern is that she is trying to scam and that there will be a "problem" later either with delivery or SNAD/ fake/ return scam/etc.  Her feedback is 100% positive and her feedback left is nearly 100% as well on 50 transactions or so.  I would love to just cancel the transaction and dodge this one but I don't want to take the strike either.  I have one-day handling so they're going out tomorrow.  I'm afraid any explanation of why business and free don't go together will set her off and result in undeserved negative feedback.

 

At best, this may be an unusual buyer remorse request.  Or a scam designed to make me keep guessing on how I'm going to get screwed either by the buyer or my account stats if I don't play along.

 

Thoughts?

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44 REPLIES 44

Re: Buyer asking me to donate item to them. Thoughts on how to reply?

I get sob stories at the FLEA MARKET! "If I pay that much (usually around $10) I wont have enough money for the bus to get home!"  Well then maybe you should put back about half that stack of stuff you have collected there to buy!  "I have kids!" Uh yeah so maybe stop buying JEWELRY if you are really that broke?

Message 31 of 45
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Re: Buyer asking me to donate item to them. Thoughts on how to reply?

Let me just say this:

 

I live in the Washington DC area.  I know DOZENS of government workers who are not getting paid just now with the shut down.  I guaran-dang-tee you they are NOT on Ebay shopping or begging for frivolous nonsense items.  And I do know quite a few who are LISTING AND SELLING like crazy but not buying.  So keep that in mind too.  You don't know what the seller is going through (so don't ask) and if those who legitimately have NOTHING right now aren't asking for donations or freebies, neither should anyone else.

Message 32 of 45
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Re: Buyer asking me to donate item to them. Thoughts on how to reply?

I would respectfully decline.  If she then requested a cancellation of the order, I would accept.  If she just doesn't  pay, I'd file a UID.

 

I freely donate my time, merchandise and money to causes for which I believe.  

"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."
Message 33 of 45
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Re: Buyer asking me to donate item to them. Thoughts on how to reply?

The buyer has paid.

Message 34 of 45
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Re: Buyer asking me to donate item to them. Thoughts on how to reply?

This has happened to me once.

 

I didn't reply, I just issued a refund and cancelled at buyers request. Then blocked the buyer.

 

Message 35 of 45
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Re: Buyer asking me to donate item to them. Thoughts on how to reply?


Sorry Maddison. Never mind. I hadn't read what you were responding to, making my response irrelevant.

 


THIS SPACE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK
Message 36 of 45
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Re: Buyer asking me to donate item to them. Thoughts on how to reply?

I was talking to the poster who advised the op to file an unpaid item.

Message 37 of 45
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Re: Buyer asking me to donate item to them. Thoughts on how to reply?

isn't it against the rules for buyers to change the shipping rate after the fact, would that apply here?

Message 38 of 45
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Re: Buyer asking me to donate item to them. Thoughts on how to reply?

Don't even bother with walmart...that stunt won't even work at goodwill where the items are already donated (free to them anyway). I hope op uses the sample replies here as a guide to walk thru this landmind.

Message 39 of 45
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Re: Buyer asking me to donate item to them. Thoughts on how to reply?

Since since when are jeans a “need?” I still chuckle at the buyer of about 18 or 19 years ago who wanted me to “donate” a wedding veil. Oh so very poor. Incredible sob story with medical issues, roommate theft, on and on. I then sent her the link to her active bids. Designer shoes and purses, high-end china, silver, art glass...you name it. Stopped counting at over $500. She responded with a rant of how she was going to report me for hacking into eBay as that information was private and personal. Might have to involve the local police and FBI. Snort...

Message 40 of 45
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Re: Buyer asking me to donate item to them. Thoughts on how to reply?


@sharingtheland wrote:

a couple who wanted to "borrow" some vintage jewelry just for their 1920s theme wedding promising to return after but they couldnt really afford to PAY for them upfront even if they would return them later and could I help them out with their dream wedding.

 

That's one I haven't heard before, rix. 

 

SMH

 

laughing


I had somebody try that on me with hats. nerd

 

IAC, I'd just tell them that they have until XYZ to cancel or I would ship the jeans to them. I would NOT go into any formal emails or acknowledgement, I doubt they'd read wordy emails, just 'do you want to cancel - yes or no?' If yes, I would do the cancellation for them at buyer's request and they'd be let out of the deal. If no, I'd send the jeans for whatever they paid for them. 

 

 


“The illegal we do immediately, the unconstitutional takes a little longer.” - Henry Kissinger

"Do not obey in advance." Timothy Snyder "On Tyranny"
Message 41 of 45
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Re: Buyer asking me to donate item to them. Thoughts on how to reply?

I would call CS and give them heads up to control this type of buyers. 

 

I am no longer relying on a made up story.

 

5 times I told this:

 

This lady tells me her kids need the things in my lot, I accommodate the price to $130 out of $200. I paid PM to ship it. After she got it, I sent her a message asking if her kids were happy about the items. 

 

4+ months later, I am still waiting for that thank you expression from a down to earth person knowing somebody gave them something so cheap. Smiley Very Happy

 

_________________________________________________________
If you haven't paid for your item, you're a winning bidder, not a buyer!
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Message 42 of 45
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Re: Buyer asking me to donate item to them. Thoughts on how to reply?

(i'm assuming they paid)My attitude on charity is it's not my responsibility to decide if it's a genuine need of the person asking me for money or what they might spend it on if it's cash or if they are conning me,it's purely my decision to give or not to give (i don't want to be a judge of anyone's character in a brief communication like that),It would be nice to wish them well on the surgery maybe something like," hope it's not to serious PLEASE be sure to let me know how it goes and wish them the best"sometimes when people are sick or nervous they do and say strange things and maybe just want to talk,they may not really expect an answer on the donation but a little concern and a kind word can go a long way.You never know the person begging could be a millionaire or if you have religious beliefs many cultures similar type beliefs "Some have entertained Angels unawares"if you don't want to give, to commiserate can be kind maybe say"it's been hard times for yourself and understand" i wouldn't give smart alack answer like iv'e seen on some suggestions or offer to cancel (you've already told them when you were shipping) i think sometimes it rubbs people the wrong way because it reminds people how poor they are them self,well it's (3 in the morning it's a good time for this rant) Good Luck!! it doesn't cost anything to be nice.

Message 43 of 45
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Re: Buyer asking me to donate item to them. Thoughts on how to reply?


@bearswatching wrote:

Since since when are jeans a “need?” I still chuckle at the buyer of about 18 or 19 years ago who wanted me to “donate” a wedding veil. Oh so very poor. Incredible sob story with medical issues, roommate theft, on and on. I then sent her the link to her active bids. Designer shoes and purses, high-end china, silver, art glass...you name it. Stopped counting at over $500. She responded with a rant of how she was going to report me for hacking into eBay as that information was private and personal. Might have to involve the local police and FBI. Snort...


Funny I got the same response and accusation of being a hacker because I looked at a buyer's HORRIBLE feedback and declined her offer.  Is it really "hacking" if all you have to do is go look at the feedback next to their name?

Message 44 of 45
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Re: Buyer asking me to donate item to them. Thoughts on how to reply?

I’ll donate the item to you if you donate the money to me... 

Message 45 of 45
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