Feedback question

[lovechloe1970]

I had a brand new account make an offer on a $250 makeup kit for $180. I accepted it not realizing they were brand new. When I got the label information, it was going to a hotel in Chicago even though they lived out of the country. The label didn't even have a street number so I wrote to them about it.

She told me she is a flight attendant and was going to be at the Chicago Hotel that coming saturday, 4 days from the day it was sold. She told me that the package had to be there in 4 days or she would not get it. I went outside of eBay and paid an extra $19 to correct her label and overnight it to her. I was just going to take the $20 out of my proceeds.

On the day it was to be delivered she wrote to me asking if I can cancel LOL or accept a return because she found it cheaper elsewhere. I looked it up on eBay and the price I gave her was the cheapest for this particular kit on the whole of eBay.

It arrived to the hotel before she arrived so I called the hotel and explained the situation. The hotel manager said that he personally wrote Return to Sender and gave it to USPS before this buyer even arrived at the hotel.

Tomorrow will be a week since they sent it back to me and I still don't have it.

My question is, should I go ahead and just cancel the order and refund this person or should I just do a refund taking off the $20 shipping fee? I can prove that's what it cost and that was to accommodate her specific requirements. That package would have never made it there on time if I hadn't done that.

Also, I still don't have the package but should I just go ahead and give their money back to get that part over with? I can imagine that even if the package doesn't ever get delivered back to me, she's still going to be do a refund because she didn't get the package. I am asking this because I really want to leave feedback for her but I don't want to risk getting a negative feedback from this jerk. Any suggestions on when I should refund and if I should do a cancellation or a refund minus the $20?

[fbusoni]

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@lovechloe1970 wrote:

Also, I still don't have the package but should I just go ahead and give their money back to get that part over with? I can imagine that even if the package doesn't ever get delivered back to me, she's still going to be do a refund because she didn't get the package. I am asking this because I really want to leave feedback for her but I don't want to risk getting a negative feedback from this jerk. Any suggestions on when I should refund and if I should do a cancellation or a refund minus the $20?

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I'd suggest writing to her explaining that the item is on its way back to you and ask that she request a cancellation of the order.  Then you can go through the process as eBay intended and she will get a full refund.  

Or better yet, just process the refund and select buyer requested cancellation.  She will be notified quickly of the refund and you will done.

Then block this dimwit immediately.

If I read correctly what you wrote above, your objective here is to avoid negative feedback from this jerk.  I would eat the $20 and let it go.  Surely you have done well enough here to take a small hit.  And you've learned a lesson about going out of your way for flaky buyers.

Why risk retaliation over chump change?   That's how I view it.

PS: Maybe I'm missing something, but why do you "really want to leave her feedback"?

[mam98031]

What does the tracking say?  Does it show it is in transit?  If it doesn't say what you would expect it to say, then put a trace on the package.  

https://usps.my.site.com/emailus/s/package-inquiry

Do NOT refund your buyer until you have your package in hand.  Also when you do get the item back, do NOT use the Cancellation process.  That process is NOT EVERY appropriate for something that has shipped.

IMHO when you get the item back, refund the buyer less the entire fee you paid for shipping, not just the bump on upgrading the shipping.  And withhold the non recoverable fees.  Which would be the FVF on the amount you are withholding from the refund PLUS 40 cents.  This wasn't your fault and you should not be made to be out of pocket on any expense on this transaction.

[mam98031]

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@fbusoni wrote:

I'd suggest writing to her explaining that the item is on its way back to you and ask that she request a cancellation of the order.  Then you can go through the process as eBay intended and she will get a full refund.  

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Once an item is actually shipped, the Cancellation process is not appropriate.

The buyer should NOT get a full refund.  The seller should not be made to have the transaction cost them money as I explained in my other posts.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@lovechloe1970 wrote: .... On the day it was to be delivered she wrote to me asking if I can cancel LOL or accept a return because she found it cheaper elsewhere. I looked it up on eBay and the price I gave her was the cheapest for this particular kit on the whole of eBay.

It arrived to the hotel before she arrived so I called the hotel and explained the situation. The hotel manager said that he personally wrote Return to Sender and gave it to USPS before this buyer even arrived at the hotel....?

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Sheesh, IMHO you owe this buyer nothing.  Refusing a package voids their buyer protection. Here's a link to eBay's buyer protection  policy, which they call the "Money Back Guarantee". Despite the name, it has its limits.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy...

I cannot fathom why you spent $20 out of your own pocket to accommodate this buyer's unreasonable delivery date demand.  I would have just canceled immediately based on "Problem with buyer's address."

Regardless of how you decide to handle this situation, be sure to put her on your blocked-bidder list.

 https://www.ebay.com/bmgt/BuyerBlock

[mam98031]

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

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@lovechloe1970 wrote: .... On the day it was to be delivered she wrote to me asking if I can cancel LOL or accept a return because she found it cheaper elsewhere. I looked it up on eBay and the price I gave her was the cheapest for this particular kit on the whole of eBay.

It arrived to the hotel before she arrived so I called the hotel and explained the situation. The hotel manager said that he personally wrote Return to Sender and gave it to USPS before this buyer even arrived at the hotel....?

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Sheesh, IMHO you owe this buyer nothing.  Refusing a package voids their buyer protection. Here's a link to eBay's buyer protection  policy, which they call the "Money Back Guarantee". Despite the name, it has its limits.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy...

I cannot fathom why you spent $20 out of your own pocket to accommodate this buyer's unreasonable delivery date demand.  I would have just canceled immediately based on "Problem with buyer's address."

Regardless of how you decide to handle this situation, be sure to put her on your blocked-bidder list.

 https://www.ebay.com/bmgt/BuyerBlock

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Well Said.

I would just add that after you get the package back, the OP should make sure they report the buyer.   As the buyer is being unreasonable.  The seller is being too kind.    I am all about great customer service, but this particular situation the seller needs to look out for themselves.  There is no good reason for the seller to be out a single penny.  The buyer should be made to pay for their own mistake.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/resolving-buyer-issues/reporting-issue-buyer?id=4084

[fbusoni]

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@mam98031 wrote:

What does the tracking say?  Does it show it is in transit?  If it doesn't say what you would expect it to say, then put a trace on the package.  

https://usps.my.site.com/emailus/s/package-inquiry

Do NOT refund your buyer until you have your package in hand.  Also when you do get the item back, do NOT use the Cancellation process.  That process is NOT EVERY appropriate for something that has shipped.

IMHO when you get the item back, refund the buyer less the entire fee you paid for shipping, not just the bump on upgrading the shipping.  And withhold the non recoverable fees.  Which would be the FVF on the amount you are withholding from the refund PLUS 40 cents.  This wasn't your fault and you should not be made to be out of pocket on any expense on this transaction.

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Thank heavens I do well enough on eBay that I do not have to worry about "PLUS 40 cents."   

Really, this is too much.  😂

USPS is pretty reliable and there is little doubt you will get back your merchandise. 

@lovechloe1970  :  The title of your post is "feedback question."   Of course you are free to take the advice of others here and risk the negative feedback that you say you want to avoid.  All for some chump change.  

If it were me, I'd not give it a second thought. 

[meekamaye]

Anytime it is a 'rush' order with a specific time and/or odd address. I refund and tell them it isn't possible to guarantee a delivery within the specified time as I have no control over the USPS  or  other shippers. There are too many variables that will delay the targeted date. I tell them I don't want them disappointed if it doesn't arrive in time. 

I know everyone is anxious to make a sale but I have learned another seller will come along. 

[mam98031]

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@fbusoni wrote:

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@mam98031 wrote:

What does the tracking say?  Does it show it is in transit?  If it doesn't say what you would expect it to say, then put a trace on the package.  

https://usps.my.site.com/emailus/s/package-inquiry

Do NOT refund your buyer until you have your package in hand.  Also when you do get the item back, do NOT use the Cancellation process.  That process is NOT EVERY appropriate for something that has shipped.

IMHO when you get the item back, refund the buyer less the entire fee you paid for shipping, not just the bump on upgrading the shipping.  And withhold the non recoverable fees.  Which would be the FVF on the amount you are withholding from the refund PLUS 40 cents.  This wasn't your fault and you should not be made to be out of pocket on any expense on this transaction.

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Thank heavens I do well enough on eBay that I do not have to worry about "PLUS 40 cents."   

Really, this is too much.  😂

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That was your take away from my post.  How sad!

[lovechloe1970]

Thank you so much for putting that in perspective. You are so right about that small hit. I also didn't know I had an option of her requesting the cancellation. Thank you for that info. Well I wanted to leave feedback about what happened but I guess it really doesn't matter.

[mam98031]

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@lovechloe1970 wrote:

Thank you so much for putting that in perspective. You are so right about that small hit. I also didn't know I had an option of her requesting the cancellation. Thank you for that info. Well I wanted to leave feedback about what happened but I guess it really doesn't matter.

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@lovechloe1970 

You need to read my post over more closely.  If you think it was about 40 cents, then you didn't actually read it, just making assumptions as @fbusoni did.

But of course you have every right to do it your way.  If you don't mind wasting your money, then you have the right to do that.  If you don't mind using a process not meant for an item that has been shipped, then do that.  You will likely get a Defect for it, but again, your choice.

[fbusoni]

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@lovechloe1970 wrote:

Thank you so much for putting that in perspective. You are so right about that small hit. I also didn't know I had an option of her requesting the cancellation. Thank you for that info. Well I wanted to leave feedback about what happened but I guess it really doesn't matter.

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You may want to initiate the cancellation so you do not burden her with a request to cancel --  she is new to eBay and has no clue what she is doing here. 

I would suggest not leaving her feedback of any kind.   Pretend like this never happened.  😊  People make mistakes, and you are entitled to not have to ever deal with her again.

In any event you can only leave positive feedback for a buyer.  

If you try to leave a negative you will be penalized.

regards

[fbusoni]

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@mam98031 wrote:

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@lovechloe1970 wrote:

Thank you so much for putting that in perspective. You are so right about that small hit. I also didn't know I had an option of her requesting the cancellation. Thank you for that info. Well I wanted to leave feedback about what happened but I guess it really doesn't matter.

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@lovechloe1970 

You need to read my post over more closely.  If you think it was about 40 cents, then you didn't actually read it, just making assumptions as @fbusoni did.

But of course you have every right to do it your way.  If you don't mind wasting your money, then you have the right to do that.  If you don't mind using a process not meant for an item that has been shipped, then do that.  You will likely get a Defect for it, but again, your choice.

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Oh my, here we go again.  

I assure you I did not make any assumptions.

Rather, I read the OP's post closely and concluded that her objective was NOT to avoid losing some pocket change; not to follow the "rules," and not to do what was "appropriate,"  but to avoid negative feedback.  

Hint: that was the title of her post.   

(Good thing you suddenly remembered a possible defect!  😂)

Don't fret @lovechloe1970.   If you have good metrics a single defect will not make an impact.   And since there is a record of the buyer asking for a cancellation, you probably will not even get a ding on your account.  The magic of AI!!  Sometimes it actually helps.  

Sometimes extricating yourself quickly from a sticky situation takes precedence over saving a few measly dollars.

You will be just fine.  Good luck!

[mam98031]

@lovechloe1970  and @fbusoni 

I'm not trying to create any conflict with anyone.  I gave information that is supported by Ebay policies.  You can choose to follow the rules or not.  Completely up to you.  All I did was provide you with the information.  It is your right to choose to dismiss the info I provided or consider it.  Either way I wish you the best.

Canceling an order

Purchases on eBay can be canceled by the seller or by eBay. Buyers can request a cancellation, but it's up to the seller to accept or decline the request. If multiple items were purchased as part of the same order, then all items in the order will be canceled.

An order cannot be canceled if:

• The seller has shipped the item or the item has been collected in person
• The buyer has reported that the item hasn't arrived
• The buyer has opened a return request
• It's more than 30 days since the order was placed

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behavior-policies/order-cancellation-policy?id=5298