Packaging

[retromedia2]

Last week I sold this item to a guy in Fairview CAFront on

Where it's been for 17 yearsThe broken piece top left

Completely new and except for that triangular piece of plastic that was broken off either by the shippers or someone else - I have no idea. However it WAS shown (and explained) via that last image above in the listing. I mention that in case it becomes an issue later.

This morning I received FOUR successive emails from the buyer simply saying "look at these photos" nothing else.......yet!  The pictures did show damage to the outer box not drastic but not good either from USPS's viewpoint.  Funnily enough this was the ONLY package I didn't photograph of everything sold this year. The box was new - unmarked, the EBay label similarly pristine. In twenty years on eBay I have never had a shipping complaint - quite the reverse if you check my Feedback. So at this point - No threats, no demand for a refund NO images of any damage to the Blade Runner box or any of its contents. As I said to him in a return email.  "What is it you're saying?  the box is damaged, opened or broken somehow?  Just these four emails with images to slight damage to the box and its corners......don't tell me anything."  I also pointed out that the contents were packed in that box tightly....plenty of heavy paper packing to prevent movement......and the box itself further cushioned by a double layer of bubble-wrap. That box could have been tossed off the Empire State Building and sustain no damage to the contents. (He hasn't yet said there WAS any). I mentioned that I had witnesses to the condition of the box when shipped including the girl at the USPS office who usually takes my stuff.  

What I'm asking the forum is IF he starts making demands and showing pictures of damage to the contents

or even theft,  is eBay going to just turn around (as they did once when I sold a rare Underground train set

to a guy in London and it never got there "Well you sold it.....the guy didn't get it - it's YOUR problem. Refund the money - $500 as I recall plus postage plus LOSING a $500 item.  USPS was never held responsible even though tracking showed it arrived in the UK (It then disappeared off the radar). It was held to be my fault!  Case closed. Now, this guy may or may not be a scammer......someone within USPS could easily have opened it, causing the damage I see in the images he sent me. I assume Ebay could always check and see if he has a history of claims on sellers.

Any suggestions would be helpful. Obviously I must await his next move.

[ccomic]

[EDIT: I reread your description and you do discuss the damage. I've changed my mind now and think you are in the right. I guess all I can suggest is that you lead off with the damage? I had to read the the listing 3 times to see it. Admittedly, if I were buying it myself, I would have read it more closely.]

I agree with another comment I read here that the seller's job is to accurately setup buyer expectations, not be a "salesman".  You obviously have alot of experience and I feel for sellers who sell to unreasonable buyers, but I would be disappointed in this case as well if I were the buyer. And I would do just as they did. Tell you why I am disappointed and see how you react without making any demands.

Your best response is "Sorry. I tried to specifically point out that damage. Please return it for a full refund." If they really want the item, that will be the end of it.

[ccomic]

As a buyer, partial refunds are great on used and collectible items because condition affects value primarily and desirability to a lesser extent.

On a new item, offers of partial refunds can be annoying. I feel like replying "if I wanted scratch and dent I would have bought scratch and dent", but obviously I never do. I try to be as emotionless and polite as possible in exchanges and say "this is acceptable" or "this is not acceptable".

I view this as a collectible item, but I can see why the seller would want to hold the line and not be "shaken down". On the other hand, I would hope that the seller could see how the buyer could have been legitimately disappointed with this item.

[inhawaii]

---

@pickapaper wrote:

@inhawaii wrote:  

"I don't know why so many sellers flat out refuse to give a partial refund.

I will offer a partial refund if it meets these two criteria...

#1) Both the buyer and seller can agree on a amount.

#2) Giving a partial refund SAVES me money vs. a return.

We're in business to make money. If I can save money buy giving a partial refund, I will."

I agree with these but I also have a third criteria in my list:  the buyer's attitude.  If they just explain the problem without getting nasty or making accusations, I will be a lot more willing to work with them however they want to work it out.  Rude or nasty doesn't go very far with me.  

---

"Sorry, I screwed up" goes along way.

[baydealz]

It also tells me they are full of it (if they get nasty).  I admit I've gotten triggered by a couple concerned replies, thinking they were just attempting to exploit, but they were calm and just concerned, but everything worked out.  Turns out they were just older and concerned at their end as well, so now I don't assume.  Establish that process and just follow it, relieves the angst (on both sides) and simplifies, which saves time/cost.