Buyer won't stop messaging me

[jlr-6702]

On September 10, I sold a used rare book to a buyer who has since messaged me no less than 30 times expressing concern about shipping damage to the corner of the book.   They have not put in a return request and disposed of the shipping materials.  I offered to file an insurance claim since I purchased shipping insurance and they told me no several times, but they came back today stating that they want to be compensated for the book without offering to send it back or requesting a return.  I again offered insurance which they have now requested, although I am not optimistic since "damage" is so minimal and they disposed of the packaging materials.  I am skeptical of their intentions since they haven't requested a return and its now past 30 days that they have been in possession of the book, while sending me several messages about their feelings, the "damage" and other random topics.  I will file the insurance but also want to stop the contact going forward.  Is there a way to block the buyer from future messaging?  

[inhawaii]

This is an easy one.

I would send the buyer one last message then STOP communicating with them.

Keep the book -or- start a return through ebay for a refund.

No need for further discussion of any kind.

The end.

[kensgiftshop]

If they've had it longer the 30 days, the MBG has expired and there's nothing they can do through Ebay.

[ittybitnot]

they came back today stating that they want to be compensated for the book without offering to send it back or requesting a return.

@jlr-6702 

It doesn't work that way.  You likely have a "tree shaker",  an attempted shakedown for a partial refund just in case you might live in fear of a phony red-donut review, and don't know they don't count against your seller account anymore. It is still effective sometimes against newbie sellers who are willing to give up some bank with only the hope of avoiding a bad review.  Who knows, perhaps they have pulled a similar trick so many times they ARE NOT ALLOWED the return protections of the Money Back Guarantee. 

I agree with @inhawaii  with one last message. 

Dear Buyer, 

Sorry to hear you are not satisfied with your purchase.  Please return for a refund. 
Sincerely,
You

You are not required to tell them HOW to initiate the return process.  @inhawaii is nicer than I am..LOL. 

[fashunu4eeuh]

Was this the $300 book on aliens? How did you ship it? In a box (or tyvek envelope)? If the book was not adequately protected during transit, then the buyer has a point.

However, they are not handling it properly, which is odd, and their behavior has crossed a line. It could be they have lost their return privileges with eBay. How long have they been an eBay user?

[rugerskick]

Block the buyer. Set your settings to not allow blocked people to contact you.  Don't send anymore emails.  If you send another email they can keep messaging you for a period of time after the last message you sent despite being blocked.

[1786davycrockett]

@jlr-6702 

Since the book is no longer in your possession, I'm not sure that you will be able to open up an insurance claim, since how can YOU "prove" any damage.

Your "buyer" is looking for a hand-out -- don't fall for it.

Tell them again -- firmly -- to open up a return claim, if they so wish, for a full refund.

If they still refuse, don't coddle them anymore -- and do NOT offer them any money.

Your "buyer" is looking for a bribe.  Don't feed the thieves.

[cstpos]

@jlr-6702  As others have said - the buyer is probably hoping to extort a partial or full refund from you. I tell buyers that do this that I cannot send a refund if they don't open a return on ebay because it violates ebay policy for returns and refunds. If they don't open a return, don't respond any more. Since it's been more than 30 days, save your messages with this buyer in case they open a chargeback with their credit card. Add them to your Blocked Buyer List, too. Good Luck!

[m60driver]

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@inhawaii wrote:

This is an easy one.

I would send the buyer one last message then STOP communicating with them.

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I would keep it even simpler and not respond at all and let the buyer figure out the system for a return.

[tdl_collectibles]

Sounds like a nutjob.  Based on your feedback it seems you package these well for shipping so he probably is just seeing his credit card bill and figuring out how he can get some of the money back.

Follow the previous advice to send a final message, then block.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

I would entertain reporting them to eBay. Get a jump on the situation. eBay should be able to review the communication thread between you and the buyer.

Did they ever send you photos of the damage on the book? Wonder if they are trying to upgrade the book they own with the true damaged corner or they possibly dropped the book while unpacking. 

Some people will exhaust themselves to get someone free rather just enjoying life as much as possible. 

Good luck on this. 

[jlr-6702]

That’s an interesting theory.  He did send me a picture of a tiny bend on the corner which was not there upon shipping.  He also told me he had ordered another copy of the same book from someone else.  I use bubble wrap and only padded, water resistant material to package my books to avoid damage.  

[monster-deals]

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@jlr-6702 wrote:

 they want to be compensated for the book without offering to send it back or requesting a return.   

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Hard no.

Stop communicating with them. BBL and ignore forever.

[chapeau-noir]

I wouldn't even do 'one last email' - it's not going to do anything your previous 29 emails have not done.

ETA: You won't be able to do anything with insurance on this item without buyer cooperation, and I doubt the USPS would compensate for what's basically no damage.

[ittybitnot]

He also told me he had ordered another copy of the same book from someone else.  

@jlr-6702 

The "someone else" likely told this guy to (insert appropriate alternate phrase)  pound sand.   It was so much easier around here when we easily could see what the buyer purchased...LOL... Imagine if you will the buyer that purchased 15 Iphones in the last month and got feedback for ONE (from a seller that leaves a green donut upon receipt of payment). 

Dear buyer. 

Is it possible that you have me confused with another seller?  I see you purchased this book from another listing that clearly shows the same corner bend as the photo you sent to me.  I am sure this was just an honest mistake on your part, and will look forward to you closing this case, so you can open the appropriate one. 

Sincerely,

You