Sales Dispute - What should I do?

[srelliott2000]

I sold and shipped on time an item. The shipping label was purchased via eBay. USPS shows item was delivered today. Today I got an email from the buyer stating this: "Sed me my money back the mail lady came today and she told me she had nothing".

Of course I assume "Sed" means "Send"

How would you respond? Do I need to do anything?

[chapeau-noir]

They need to open an Item Not Received claim. When they do so, enter the tracking number showing the delivery - you have done your job. The case will then close in your favour.

Reasons the package might not have been received (other than the buyer lying) are misdelivery (to a neighbour, for instance) or the carrier scanning in the delivery prematurely.

[femmefan1946]

Definitely include the shipping number showing delivery.

Suggest they enquire at the Post Office about where the carrier actually left their purchase.

[monica-sells]

---

@srelliott2000 wrote:

Today I got an email from the buyer stating this: "Sed me my money back the mail lady came today and she told me she had nothing".

---

I eliminated all the superfluous stuff.....

Reply to them once. In that reply do as @chapeau-noir suggests:

Tell them to file a claim of item not received through ebay channels.

When you get that message (from ebay) reply with the tracking number to show delivery. Ignore the other options....If buyer sends more message keep insisting on them to file a claim through ebay.

[annadryl]

Be sure and block them as well.

[mam98031]

First you need to know that if the tracking shows it was delivered, YOU are covered under Seller Protection.  So don't let any buyer bully you into sending them any money.  You do not have to do that.

When I get a buyer saying this I write them a polite and professional note.

I'm sorry to hear this.  Sometimes the carrier scans it as deliver but then it doesn't really get delivered until the next day.  So fingers crossed it arrives Thursday.  If that is not the case, contact you local post office and ask for the manager / postmaster.  Have them look into the issue.  Also USPS does take pics of the package as it moves through their system.  Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Other than that you really don't need to do anything.  If at some point your buyer opens an INR, don't get too worried about it.  Upload the tracking number to it and just wait.  It will close in your favor in time.

[mam98031]

---

@annadryl wrote:

Be sure and block them as well.

---

NO that really isn't necessary.  Why upset the buyer further.  It just isn't necessary.  They are just looking for an item they paid for.  I would not suggest putting them on the BBL at this time.  Allow them to email you.  Unless you really want to upset them even further and likely get a negative feedback is what would likely happen.

[soh.maryl]

Tell the buyer that tracking #xxx shows the item to have been delivered.  If the buyer opens an INR case, post that # to the case.  

[roncraw-42]

I have had this happen to me a few times...scammer likely.  If it is less than $20, I just refund it, not worth my time.  Higher ticket items, I will check it out with the post office and try to work with the customer.  Unfortunately, they always win.....mostly.  Good luck.

[soh.maryl]

Why? If/when a buyer opens an item not received case, and there is tracking showing delivery, the case should be shut down by eBay if the tracking # proves delivery.

PS: And now that I know your policy on INR cases, maybe I will buy some under $20 item, claim I did not receive it and get a refund.  (No--not really.)  

[pickapaper]

@roncraw-42 wrote: 

I have had this happen to me a few times...scammer likely.  If it is less than $20, I just refund it, not worth my time.  Higher ticket items, I will check it out with the post office and try to work with the customer.  Unfortunately, they always win.....mostly.  Good luck.

If you are refunding without checking on anything because it "isn't worth your time", you are not only hurting yourself, you are encouraging these alleged scammers to keep pulling these stunts to get free merchandise.  There are a lot of scammers who go after electronics and big ticket items but there are also a lot of little scammers who go after the "less than $20" freebies because they know a lot of sellers are scared of bad feedback and will just refund without question and probably won't report them for being a bad buyer.  

[fern*wood]

---

@roncraw-42 wrote:

I have had this happen to me a few times...scammer likely.  If it is less than $20, I just refund it, not worth my time.  Higher ticket items, I will check it out with the post office and try to work with the customer.  Unfortunately, they always win.....mostly.  Good luck.

---

Do you not use shipping with tracking?  Why refund without entering the tracking# and why would they always win?  Only if it was actually lost should they win and that doesn't happen all that often really.

[jerseyboymusic]

@roncraw-42 

The "scammers" won't ever with if they open an INR and the item shows delivered. You have to upload tracking to the INR showing delivery and you're covered

[chapeau-noir]

Agree not to put this buyer on your BBL straight off. They sent a really lame message, but have a right to resolution, even if not in their favor.

[albertabrightalberta]

---

@roncraw-42 wrote:

I have had this happen to me a few times...scammer likely.  If it is less than $20, I just refund it, not worth my time.  Higher ticket items, I will check it out with the post office and try to work with the customer.  Unfortunately, they always win.....mostly.  Good luck.

---

If tracking shows delivery, the seller ALWAYS wins. It's never necessary for a seller to issue a refund when there's tracking showing delivery (and if >$750, signature confirmation).