Newbie question

[leeleeavellino]

I'm a new seller to ebay.  It's been fun and haven't had any big issues until today.  I received a message from a seller that an item I shipped was damaged.  It was a VERY sturdy mid-century metal pineapple ice bucket.  Though I'm new to ebay, I'm not new to shipping goods so it was packed with care.  He sent me photos showing an enormous crack (its 1/4" thick metal) and a 3" dent ( again, it's 1/4" thick metal)...but absolutely no damage to the box.  It's not adding up to me.  Does anyone have any advice? I have put in a claim with Fedex on his behalf and he is going to request a full refund from ebay.  Not how I wanted to start my week.  Thank you for any insight/suggestions.

[leeleeavellino]

I’ve reached out to eBay for business on FB - thank you so much for the link and guidance. 

[bonjourami]

most welcome..sorry you ran into this numpty.

[leeleeavellino]

😂numpty. 

[leeleeavellino]

He’s just now asked me to consider giving him a discount. Seem like he wants to avoid dealing with eBay or sending it back. What do I do with this?

[bonjourami]

just personally I wouldnt cave in to a partial..you are sure the pictures he sent were your ice bucket with real damage?if thats the case..I guess I would consider a partial..up to you of course.

[bearswatching]

Over the years eBay has made it quite clear they will not accept photos or videos of the packing or unpacking process. Those can be faked so rather than try to determine what is real and what is not they have a blanket policy to deny all of them. Can’t really blame them since some really amazing changes can be made to alter them. Very creative people out there. Lol

[justafemster]

There's NO WAY I'd offer this guy a partial.  

Standard reply:  Return for a refund.  

That's it.  That's all you need to say.  Ebay will not require you to send postage from 'Denmark' when you shipped it domestic.

So he wants to keep a cracked and dented bucket, IF you give him a discount.  Sounds right (sarcasm)

Repeat:  Return for a refund 

(He's scamming you). 

Return for a refund. 

[leeleeavellino]

Thank you for this response. Needed to hear it like that. It’s how I’m leaning so I feel better about being blunt hearing it from a more experienced seller. 

[bonjourami]

Are you sure thats really your ice bucket with damages in the photos he sent you?

[aprilmoviebuf2000]

---

@leeleeavellino wrote:

Is this correct? I can don't have to do anything until he files a claim? I told him to file a claim and now he is saying he’s leaving the country on Friday and would have to take it with him so I would incur the shipping and tariffs, etc. does he think I’m just going to give him money without going through the proper eBay process? I’m so confused. 

---

In a nutshell, this buyer is absolutely pulling your leg.  It's Tuesday.  If he files the return claim, eBay will send him the return shipping label right away.  So he's saying he can't use the label and return it Wed or Thurs?.  Yeah right.  
No you would not have to incur the charges for return shipping from another country.  He's trying to get you to cave.  You have already told him to file the claim, leave it at that.   He will figure out soon enough that you are not going to just give in to this ridiculousness.  

[leeleeavellino]

In as few words as possible I told him to file a claim and return for a refund. I’m so done with it. 

[r_lresale]

It sounds like the item was sent to an FF company and that's why he is suddenly leaving the country 🙄. He probably bought it with the intention of returning it anyhow and thought that since you were a new seller you wouldn't know that ebay won't send an international shipping label and he could get you to send it outside of an ebay case and he simply wouldn't have never used it and kept the item. When you called **bleep** on that he asked for the partial instead. 

[leeleeavellino]

So interesting. I guess part of eBay business is figuring out how devious people can be. 🤷🏻‍♀️  I’m done answering his pleas to steal my money. 

[leeleeavellino]

Thank you to everyone that chimed in here. It was all really helpful information and guidance. My buyer requested a refund so I’m making him send it back before I will issue a refund. He has stated that my packing was terrible (it wasn’t) and stated again that if I don’t respond timely he will take it to Denmark and make me pay for international shipping. I’ve sent him a return label and I’m sure he will throw it in the box with no packing. I’m sad about the pineapple - such a great piece - it deserved better. 

[r_lresale]

I hope you didn't send him an international label. Did he open an actual case? Just cease communication as its not necessary. The return process is automated and as said before he is trying to get something for free by not opening an actual case.