Cancelling a sale and dealing with the fallout

[coloradodude]

I have a finnicky buyer that’s absolutely spamming me about an item last night. I sent extra photos and he asked me to combine it with a similar item, then purchases it. I was watching a movie with my gf and it was late.

He messaged me for more pics after purchase of the combined listing I built for him to save on shipping. I told him I’d end up sending more pics tomorrow and I’d give him the chance to cancel if he was unhappy. Basically, I won’t ship it until you tell me go ahead. I wake up, he cancelled it. I go ahead and approve/refund obviously.

 I left the original listing up on accident for one of the two combined items because they don’t typically sell that fast and he purchased it. Now he’s spamming me about other items he wants me to combine and send more pics and giving me a deadline to send the pics by or he’s gonna buy from another seller, telling me I was lazy because I wanted to sleep (I have work in 2 hours). I don’t really mind not selling these things. 

He also mentioned (this is US state to US state) to not put a receipt in the box, for customs purposes. I told him I’m in the US and he says it’s going to the Bahamas later.

I’m confused and annoyed. I want to block him but he has an active sale and a cancelled sale with me, so I could potentially get 2 negative feedbacks off of this.

In my 500 or so sales, typically buyers like this leave bad feedback, pull a scam, return the item, etc. I’m trying to communicate with him but it’s throwing red flags.

what would you do? The items are kind of pricey games and I’m worried this will be a return scam or just cold feet and a waste of time. 

[myfrugalboutique]

@coloradodude 

I think I would cancel it. If someone is giving you a hard time, and you don’t feel comfortable about the sale , then cancel and block. I personally do not like to do that, but the “no invoice” is a red flat..at least to me. 

‘’Just my 2 cents”.  have a good day. 

[buyselljack2016]

Cancelled at "buyer request" will not hurt your account, and any feedback left for that sale should be removable.

Of course there are buyers that will leave bad feedback for another sale to get even for not being able to slap you about another sale.

@coloradodude 

ETA: any buyer that cancels for their own inane reasons is immediately inducted into my list of BBL participants.  Note that once on the BBL you will not get any messages from them. They will not know that the messages that they may send are not getting to you.

[coloradodude]

Thank you. I am aware of this but I’m worried because he purchased another item and may leave bad feedback if I cancel this as well without his request. I’m also worried if I refuse to send him 20 extra photos of the other 9 items he’s spamming me as I type this about, he may try something with the sale I currently have standing with him. 

[buyselljack2016]

Feedback or money.

Only you can decide what is best for you.

[cstpos]

@coloradodudeI would cancel if the $ amount is high enough. If you're getting bad vibes, you're better off just being done with this buyer. If they do leave negative feedback, you could reply that you were uncomfortable with his comment about your item going to a different country without proper paperwork.

I would also add in all of my listings that you monitor you ebay account from 9a.m. to 5 p.m. CST (for example) You can also add that if you're unable to respond on evenings, weekends, and holidays, you will get back to them the next business day. Or what ever works for you. Definitely block this buyer.

[dirk12955]

Sometimes a negative can be received by a seller with pride and little remorse.

The OP has already spent 1000%  of the time I would have spent on this 

time wasting, tire kicking,  sport bidding,    "Buyer"

ebay seller rule #1

         Anything out of the ordinary will come back to haunt you

ebay seller rule #2

      Listen to your inner voice,   It's rarely wrong

ebay rule #3

      Sellers that allow their thinking to be clouded worrying about 

      negative feedback make poor decisions.    Maybe not every time

      or in every situation,    But it does happen.  

[fbusoni]

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@coloradodude wrote:

I have a finnicky buyer that’s absolutely spamming me about an item last night. 

---

@coloradodude 

THIS is where I add the buyer to my block list.

Immediately and without hesitation.

Saves SO much trouble and makes the selling experience almost enjoyable!

[reallynicestamps]

Now he’s spamming me about other items he wants me to combine and send more pics and giving me a deadline to send the pics by or he’s gonna buy from another seller,

Shouldn't that come under "demanding something not in the listing" and can't the purchase be cancelled for that reason?

EBay does not use FB to assess member accounts. Future buyers may.

[bdmh-enterprises]

I would block them immediately. Cancel as 'problem with address'. And report the buyer for asking you to circumvent customs. If they leave a neg FB, again refer to their attempted customs avoidance in your removal request. Between that and the harassing messages you should be protected.

[fashunu4eeuh]

In 15+ years of selling here, i only have 4-5 folks on my block list, feeling I’m here to sell not to turn customers away. BUT, i would block this current buyer and not be held hostage by possible negative feedback. If he leaves it, come back here, if needed, for advice on how to best respond.

I would have blocked him after the first cancellation, or even after being called lazy. I would not use the reason “buyer requested” the cancellation—it could get you in trouble with eBay if/when the buyer gets possibly upset over getting blocked— and refusing to sell to him, and then reports you for making a false claim to cancel. Still, under these circumstances and him asking for no paperwork for whatever reason (might be so the item won’t get hit with customs fees), i would consider choosing “problem with address” but only you can decide how best to handle the cancellation.

Remember—you are the reasonable one here. That’s important. It was reasonable to inform him you would send pics the next day, btw. Remaining professional, collected and reasonable will always serve you well when dealing with problematic buyers. And if eBay looks at the messages between you and the buyer, you will come out on top.

Best of luck to you and let us know the outcome.

[jbbowers12012]

Hello My Friend ,  In these types of situations you really have to "go with your gut".  Try not to stress over this too badly - Make your decision & go with it - Then grab yourself some popcorn and watch that movie with your gf - Life is too short.  Good Luck!!  (J.B. From N.J.)

[ltldpr]

Have you checked to see if the address is a freight forwarder? The customs thing made me think he's going to use a freight forwarder.

Are we allowed to use that as a legitimate reason for "problem with buyer's address" and cancel? I don't know.

[mooncat_watches]

 I probably would have blocked him the 2nd time he messaged me

[reallynicestamps]

the address is a freight forwarder? .... Are we allowed to use that as a legitimate reason for "problem with buyer's address" and cancel? I don't know.

No.

Generally, freight forwarders are safer than domestic mail, since once the forwarder's clerk accepts the shipment, at the US address, it is considered delivered.

And there is no chance of the "customs hold" scam since most forwarders handle import fees for their clients.

And if there is a NAD dispute, eBay only requires that the Return Shipping Label be supplied to the forwarder's address, not the buyer's.