Does this count as feedback extortion?

[iamalwaysright]

Should I bring this up with ebay for when/if the buyer leaves a feedback?

The buyer messaged me claiming the item is defective and asked for me to send a replacement. I told him to just return it and I'll refund him. I'll also let him know if the item is confirmed as defective compared to the current stock we have. So he can choose whether or not to re-purchase it.

He replies "Its ok i dont have time for reship back to you guys. Ill just give a negative feed back for defective items and alot of hassle."

Does that count as extortion? I see 8 out of his last 17 feedbacks is a negative with the general comment "Bad customer service."

[iamalwaysright]

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@stainlessenginecovers wrote:

Again, just depends on what the item is and how much.

So, tell us what the item is and how much as we really don't know what we're talking about here. 

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It's the original Mona Lisa that I sold for $250. LOL jk.

I don't think it matters what the item is or how much it sold for. While I do agree that the type of item and dollar amount DOES affect a seller's willingness to bend or be lenient on an ebay policy or not, it doesn't affect the appropriateness of the buyer's actions or policy violation. Like jaywalking is still just as illegal no matter if it was for 1 foot or 30 feet. You can still get a ticket but the distance traveled can sway a cop to be lenient.

[iamalwaysright]

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@a_c_green wrote:

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@iamalwaysright wrote:

Does that count as extortion? I see 8 out of his last 17 feedbacks is a negative with the general comment "Bad customer service."

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There's enough of a gray area here to say that one CS might see it as extortion while another might now. (I assume that the Neg has not happened yet.) 

It would help if you could tell us what item we're talking about and how much money is at stake. In general, if I hear from a buyer to say that the item is defective, I'll say something to keep it simple along the lines of, "I'm sorry that there's a problem. Please send it back in the same box and we'll refund in full as soon it's received. If you would like another instead, we can send it out as soon as the first is received."

I would suggest (for next time, anyway) not challenging him by saying that you want to "confirm" it as defective first, because I think both you and he know that it isn't. If you have a No Returns policy, he's probably working with that strategy and simply wants to bully you into refunding without a return first.

I see what you said about that guy's reply to you where he's basically rejecting the whole thing, and his Feedback Left for Others suggests that he uses this strategy to get free stuff routinely, leaving Positives only if the seller capitulates and refunds. If you do get a Neg and call CS (the Facebook panel is recommended, not the basic Customer Service), see if you can persuade them to look at his messages to previous sellers, where I think they will probably find the same messages, showing him as trying to get close to the line of extortion without actually crossing it.

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I like your answer. And I'll take your suggestion next time about just being vague and not mention anything about confirming the defect. And I'll use your reply if you don't mind. Thanks.

So anyhoo, before I saw these replies I did one last hail mary to the buyer to keep things talking since the extortion was obviously not as black and white. I told the buyer that I was a little confused and if he can clarify. I said "So you don't want to return the item and will just leave a negative if I don't send a replacement, correct?"

And to my surprise he left a single word reply "Correct!"

Ha ha, so does that count as extortion since technically I said the words but he clearly confirmed it?

Later on he sent another reply "Up to u. Send the replacement and I won't make things worse."

[espresso_warehouse]

Since there is no threat it's not considered extortion. But let's be honest, the buyer has probably done this before.

My understanding is you are NOT required to replace anything. The option and remedy available to the buyer is to return the item for a refund. Failing that, they can probably still leave the neg but so what.

If there are other emails and this buyer has engaged in this behavior before it's possible you could have them investigated and change the outcome by engaging eBay CS. For sure report them and see if you can get an investigation started.

[albertabrightalberta]

@iamalwaysright 

You offered a return, he didn't want to return because he " have time for reship back to you guys" so instead he'll neg you.

IMO, that's extortion.

[espresso_warehouse]

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@albertabrightalberta wrote:

@iamalwaysright 

You offered a return, he didn't want to return because he " have time for reship back to you guys" so instead he'll neg you.

IMO, that's extortion.

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I kind of agree with you but eBay won't. It also doesn't fit the definition of the word since it isn't a threat.

[chapeau-noir]

There seems to be some kind of assumption that the OP is sending busted broken stuff.  There is no evidence of that at all - it is one buyer saying "it doesn't work - I don't want to send it back.  Give me a another or I'll neg you."  The OP is within their rights to say to send it back and I'll send you one that works (I don't agree with the 'repurchase' thing, though), but not just to give the dude his money based on some fairy dust that it doesn't work.

[downunder-61]

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@albertabrightalberta wrote:

@iamalwaysright 

You offered a return, he didn't want to return because he " have time for reship back to you guys" so instead he'll neg you.

IMO, that's extortion.

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He replies "Its ok i dont have time for reship back to you guys. Ill just give a negative feed back for defective items and alot of hassle."

It may not be the definition of ''extortion''  but the buyer has rejected the policy of eBay's MBG that as a seller you are requuired to and have adhered to - so you should have no trouble getting a neg removed, talk to them on Facebook, way smarter and able to actually make decisions.

[southernfriedbelle]

Ummm... No. But it does count as being a less than a nice person. IMO, the best thing you can do to avoid further hassle is just send a replacement without requiring him to return the original. Yes, it's distasteful, but I get the feeling from the bit you shared that he's not opposed to trying to make your life unpleasant.