eBay

doheee · ‎08-29-2017

I sold a watch to a buyer in France. It sold for $3900 USD. He claims he had to pay over 400 euros to get it out of customs. He then says that the serial number on the paperwork doesn't match with the watch, which is probably true since I foolishly didn't check this information beforehand. Normally I would ask him to return it for a full refund since the price it sold for is the minimum I wanted to accept for it. Further, the price it sold for is fair even if the paperwork doesn't match. Similar watches without any paperwork at all have sold for the same price. But he refuses to return it due to the customs fees he had to pay which can't be refunded. Instead it seems he wants a partial refund. I would really prefer not to give a partial refund and would rather find a new buyer. What are my options?

retrose1 · ‎08-30-2017

Tell the buyer that for $4000, you will fly over and pick the watch up.

Years and years ago - pre Donahoe, I sold valuable watches for a friend on ebay. I sold a high dollar Rolex to someone that was 3 states over and when he got it claimed all kinds of stuff was wrong. The more I messaged back, the more he, and he claimed his jeweler, found wrong. I finally told him that it sounded like it was damaged in shipping and that me and the ex-owner would drive over to pick it up and have a talk with their post office, and that we would bring the watch history as the owner had his Rolex dealer service it regularly and all the serial numbers were on all the paperwork. I asked him what would be a good day and time to show up and I would bring a laptop and refund him once I got it in my hands.

You would not believe how fast this potential scammer back tracked, that it was all a mistake, the watch I sent was perfect and the problem is another watch he bought. Uh-huh.

You might want to check the buyers feedback and see if they have bought more than a couple of items - if so, then they know that there are customs fees that they have to pay, and all their complaining is a load of bull.

But return for refund is the way to go.

(*Bleep*)

dakotasmoke · ‎08-30-2017

OMG that is beyond priceless! I wish Id thought of that!

emerald40 · ‎08-30-2017

Custom fees are the responsibility of the buyer and anyone who has bought Internationally before should know that.

And anyone who is going to needs to figure that out before making a purchase.

If you do not want to pay VAT, then buy within your country only.

emerald40 · ‎08-30-2017

I finally told him that it sounded like it was damaged in shipping and that me and the ex-owner would drive over to pick it up and have a talk with their post office, and that we would bring the watch history as the owner had his Rolex dealer service it regularly and all the serial numbers were on all the paperwork. I asked him what would be a good day and time to show up and I would bring a laptop and refund him once I got it in my hands.

___________________________________________________________

Fortunately you got a novice scammer. But for the hardened ones, they can tell you that if you show up unannounced they will have you arrested or sick the dogs on you.

With ebay you do not have to send pictures or cooperate in any way to get your money back.

The woman the OP is dealing with on another thread seems like a pro where she knows just to file and ignore everything else.

With this one return for refund only and vat is his responsibility.

*madison · ‎08-30-2017

It may have been the seller's fault for inaccurate paperwork, however, how is it this Seller's responsibility for the buyer's customs fees? The seller will incur customs fees upon return for the watch due to the "sold" value, so what everyone is saying that the Seller should refund the custom fees

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I haven't advised the op to refund custom fees, so, not everyone is saying it.

I have advised the op to work with the buyer to try and make the buyer happy, that is what I would do.

A return might not end well for the op.

However, if the buyers demands are totally unreasonable, then the op will have to make a decision.

Let's not forget the item is not as described. The op has not said the buyer is lying.

postingid2017 · ‎08-30-2017

The buyer is attempting to get the Seller to pay his VAT/Customs fees paid, there will be no "working with the buyer" because the complaints vary. I am not a true gambler, but I would bet the farm that in a few days or when the return is opened, there will be additional reasons as to why he wants to return it. Returning it would get his/her fees back and the buyer is attempting to "guilt" the seller into paying the additional fees. Been there done that and returned the t-shirt which is why I will no longer offer international shipping, especially here.

And if the item is not as described, the buyer should return it period.