eBay

sethandlorismama · ‎09-04-2018

I recently sold a nice blouse and the buyer messaged me to say that it had a bad smell when she received it. I asked for a description of the smell and she said it smelled musty and stale. I was confused by this as the item did not smell musty or stale when it was in my home. She said she had to have it professionally laundered to remove the smell. I went ahead and offered a partial refund of about 30% of the sold price as a courtesy and I guess that wasn’t good enough, because she has now informed me that she’s going to message eBay. What should I expect now? Is eBay going to take her side? I’ve heard a lot that eBay always takes the buyer’s side.

turquoisetulips · ‎09-07-2018

@sethandlorismama wrote:
I recently sold a nice blouse and the buyer messaged me to say that it had a bad smell when she received it. I asked for a description of the smell and she said it smelled musty and stale. I was confused by this as the item did not smell musty or stale when it was in my home. She said she had to have it professionally laundered to remove the smell. I went ahead and offered a partial refund of about 30% of the sold price as a courtesy and I guess that wasn’t good enough, because she has now informed me that she’s going to message eBay. What should I expect now? Is eBay going to take her side? I’ve heard a lot that eBay always takes the buyer’s side. ---------------- OP

Was the blouse machine washable ? I've never had an article of clothing that had a musty odor that couldn't be removed by a good washing . If the blouse was indeed machine washable then it would seem odd your buyer would take it directly to a dry cleaner first off . Dry cleaning costs money but in any case 30 % partial refund should have taken care of that . I think your buyer simply wants a bigger discount on the price . Just ask her to return it for a refund and don't delete any messages between you and her for future reference . Tulips

turquoisetulips · ‎09-07-2018

@sethandlorismama wrote:
Thanks for all the great answers. The buyer just sent a message to me saying she would like me to refund at least half the price. I actually laughed out loud when I read that. What should I say to her now?

Just say no,, please return for a refund - Chances are she won't . Tulips

couldabeenworse · ‎09-07-2018

@sethandlorismama wrote:
Thanks for all the great answers. The buyer just sent a message to me saying she would like me to refund at least half the price. I actually laughed out loud when I read that. What should I say to her now?

It really is your call.

Some people would be getting weary of the drama by now, and would do whatever it takes to possibly make the buyer happy, or at least go away. Other might be having second thoughts that maybe there was an odor they missed, and again would be willing to take a loss just to hopefully be done with this.

On the other hand, if you believe the item was as described and are willing to deal with this for a little while longer, asking the buyer to return for refund is certainly the better course. IF she actually spent money on having the garnment cleaned, that's on her - assuming you ddn't ask her to do so.

If you are concerned about feedback, you are of course more likely to get a negative if you play hardball, but there's no guarantee that you won't get a neg no matter what you do.

Good luck....

dtexley3 · ‎09-07-2018

@sethandlorismama wrote:
Thanks for all the great answers. The buyer just sent a message to me saying she would like me to refund at least half the price. I actually laughed out loud when I read that. What should I say to her now?

"Please return for a full refund." Repeat as necessary.

If they leave neg. feedback make a polite, professional response "Full refund upon return offered, buyer declined"

Member of the Grumpy Old Man crew

turquoisetulips · ‎09-07-2018

I have never had a buyer nitpick anything. yuzuha - unquote ---

I don't either except just recently I sold one of those 7 day 7 night pill organizers . It was a brand new good size , good quality one and had never even been removed from the box - skrink wrap and all still intact . Yesterday I got a message from the buyer saying it was junk and they threw it in the trash . I found it strange why the buyer simply didn't just begin a return . It says on all of my listings that I offer 30 day returns with me paying the shipping which I have since reminded them. We will see . Tulips

getitright1234 · ‎09-13-2018

OP, give us an up-date as to what happened. Thanks!

Anonymous · ‎09-13-2018

@robot-hands wrote:
...and that is better than some posters here giving advice with literally no experience

Are you referring to posters with 0 selling FB? Those are posting IDs people use to protect their selling accounts from others who try to mess with their selling accounts. Some people have disproportionate reactions when they disagree with a poster's comments.

sethandlorismama · ‎09-13-2018

I have not heard from the buyer since I told her I wouldn’t be giving her a refund. Haven’t heard from eBay either, so 🤷🏻‍♀️

softersilk · ‎09-13-2018

@sethandlorismama wrote:
I recently sold a nice blouse and the buyer messaged me to say that it had a bad smell when she received it. I asked for a description of the smell and she said it smelled musty and stale. I was confused by this as the item did not smell musty or stale when it was in my home. She said she had to have it professionally laundered to remove the smell. I went ahead and offered a partial refund of about 30% of the sold price as a courtesy and I guess that wasn’t good enough, because she has now informed me that she’s going to message eBay. What should I expect now? Is eBay going to take her side? I’ve heard a lot that eBay always takes the buyer’s side.

You have just experienced "Liar Buyer Fraud". Buyer sends a vague "I am not happy" message. Newer seller gets scared and sends off some free money.

In the future, write, "If you are not happy with your purchase, please return for a refund". Don't ask about the smell or anything.

getitright1234 · ‎09-13-2018

Put this "person" on your block list.

sethandlorismama · ‎09-13-2018

I did, thanks.

carlmarxx · ‎09-13-2018

carlmarxx · ‎09-13-2018

@sethandlorismama wrote:
I have not heard from the buyer since I told her I wouldn’t be giving her a refund. Haven’t heard from eBay either, so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Don't use from smoke or pet home anymore ,that way buyer can't use it for snad .

robot-hands · ‎09-14-2018

@Anonymous wrote:
@robot-hands wrote:
...and that is better than some posters here giving advice with literally no experience
Are you referring to posters with 0 selling FB? Those are posting IDs people use to protect their selling accounts from others who try to mess with their selling accounts. Some people have disproportionate reactions when they disagree with a poster's comments.

Nope.

I'm talking about regulars.

vintagecraze50 · ‎09-14-2018

Buyer might not trust you will send them a partial so that may be why they are calling Ebay. Maybe they are new and not sure how the process works. Leave it alone at this point. Do not respond unless the buyer has responded back to you. You already offered a solution to the problem. The ball is in their court now. Do not partial refund yet, till you get a reply or the buyer opens a case aainst you and then just honor the return request and tell them to send the item back.