Need advice on request to copy pattern from magazine.

[snicar8]

Happy Holidays,

I had a person ask me to come down on a cross stitch magazine which was $5.95 plus shipping.  I lowered the price to $4.00 plus shipping.  I did put her on my blocked list the she purchased it and then wrote this.  She is offering to pay $4.00 if I just copy 2 pages for her as she doesn't want the magazine.  I of course will not copy the pages as it is copyright but how do I handle this.  Now I don't want to sell it to her because I believe she will receive the magazine and copy the pages then say there is something wrong with the magazine just to get her money back.  How do I handle this?  Can I cancel the auction without repercussion from Ebay.

Thanks!

[farmalljr]

You can't rightfully cancel her purchase without taking a ding for "out of stock". You're right, they may do just what you suspect. 

This is on of those situations that you either send it and deal with whatever happens after (including reporting the buyer IF they do a return), or you take a ding that affects your account and visibility. 

Yes, this sucks, but this is what you must be prepare to deal with, selling online. 

[albertabrightalberta · Accepted solution]

@snicar8 

I assume you added her to your BBL after she purchased the item, otherwise, she wouldn't (or shouldn't) have been able to buy it.

If you only sent copies of the 2 pages, in addition to the copyright infringement, you're also opening yourself up to a NAD claim because you aren't sending the magazine as listed! 

At this point, if she paid, you're obligated to ship but send a message along the lines of the following and sent it through ebay. I suspect it would put a wrench in any plans she may have for a claim and if she were to make a claim, you could report her, citing her request to make a photocopy: 

"Dear buyer,

I'm sending this message through ebay as I want it on record for this sale.

Although you've requested that I copy and just send 2 pages, that would be a violation of copyright and it can't be done legally. Additionally, since I listed the whole magazine, I need to send it as it was described. 

As such, I will send out your package on (date). 

Sincerely, 

Seller" 

[the-hook-and-the-loop]

Isn't it great to be a seller and be penalized no matter what? 

[snicar8]

Thanks for everyone's help - very much appreciated!  Will take your advice!

Blessings to all!