What's the highest number of times do you send "broken record" replies?

[iamalwaysright]

I have a buyer who bought on Black Friday and complained that his package arrived late, insisting I give him back the shipping I charged him. I've been using the broken record technique to "if you are unhappy for any reason, return for refund" as a response. That response is coupled with the "BF week is the most chaotic for USPS every year so delays are common."

I've sent this reply 5 times thus far. Buyer comes back re-wording their same statement each time "ridiculous, worst ever, outrageous, etc." This most recent time they changed their reply to say they suspect I didn't drop off the package on time and that they are happy with the item but should get their shipping back.

Should I just keep going with the 6th broken record reply? Or change it up to address their last message? Or just block them because "5 is enough"?

[albertabrightalberta]

After multiple messages like that, I'd block the buyer FIRST. 

Then I'd respond with something to the effect of, "as you can see from the tracking, the item was shipped on (date). If you're concerned with any delays, it's the post office you'd need to speak to." 

If you have an "accepted" scan, you can add that to the reply showing that you shipped it on time. 

NO! I would just keep repeating the broken record suggestion of "return if unhappy."

[tobaccocardyahoo]

We know the buyer is a cheapskate. Are you one too?

Is your time worth less than the shipping charge? Are you going to lose more than the shipping charge if the buyer does a return?

I don't know what you sell, so I have no clue if that determines whether you get buyers like this one.

I do not engage in long exchanges with buyers when there is no progress in resolving the issue.

Your choices are continue to be a broken record, ignore or refund. I see no point in being a broken record.

[grand-and-glorious-purpose]

keep sending them.

every time you refund someone it makes it worse for the next seller

[12345jamesstamps]

I would do a pretend recording email : "Hello, I am currently out of the office until Jan. 6th. Happy Holidays."

Many businesses take off this period of time.

Best time for us to contest any credit card disputes as well with buyers...

[iamalwaysright]

---

@tobaccocardyahoo wrote:

We know the buyer is a cheapskate. Are you one too?

Yes

---

[iamalwaysright]

If I recall correctly, the ebay BBL system will not deliver your message to a buyer that is on your BBL. They;ll let you send it just fine, they just won't deliver it to the buyer and let it sit in limbo. You will not get notification of it. 

[iamalwaysright]

---

@grand-and-glorious-purpose wrote:

keep sending them.

every time you refund someone it makes it worse for the next seller

---

Yea but refund shipping was never an option for me. It was broken record, BBL and ignore, (and I guess change my reply to address the buyer's latest concerns). They also pulled the "Hey I shipped items before so I know you're full of it" statement.

[iamalwaysright]

---

@12345jamesstamps wrote:

I would do a pretend recording email : "Hello, I am currently out of the office until Jan. 6th. Happy Holidays."

Many businesses take off this period of time.

Best time for us to contest any credit card disputes as well with buyers...

---

Lol I like this tactic. I don't care if they see me listing new items. If they call me out I'll still tell them to leave a message after the beep.

[grand-and-glorious-purpose]

tis the season

Everyone is on ebay right now even if they shouldn't be.

[redlinear]

@iamalwaysright 

No need to block them. They won't be back. LOL
I like your reply.  
And I'm doing the same. Been doing for two weeks now

[stainlessenginecovers]

---

@iamalwaysright wrote:

If I recall correctly, the ebay BBL system will not deliver your message to a buyer that is on your BBL. They;ll let you send it just fine, they just won't deliver it to the buyer and let it sit in limbo. You will not get notification of it. 

---

@iamalwaysright we are just now testing that in another thread and so far, The BLOCKING SELLERS message WAS received by the Blocked Buyer; it's just the Blocked Buyers messages will go in limbo, and now they think the seller is ignoring them. That's why I am testing so I can send Blocked Buyers a message telling them they are 'blocked' 'why' and that 'messages FROM them will not be sent per ebay's system'

[stainlessenginecovers]

I would reply with- can you tell me what the last estimated delivery date shown to you was? 

Most won't reply and/or don't know. But, if they legitimately give you a 'past' date' you COULD refund the shipping cost (if it's reasonable and makes sense to do so, good customer service saving a possible returning customer...or not)

[vintage-camerastuff]

If they want a refund for shipping let them know you are no longer in possession of the money.   It is now in the hands of the USPS.  Please contact them as they would be more than happy to issue you a refund.

[iamalwaysright]

So after my latest broken record replies, they finally changed and said "I'll just have my credit card company handle it."

I'm guessing this guy knows the ins and outs. Didn't feedback extort, didn't bother to file SNAD or anything. I wonder what amount is he going to file for his chargeback, the shipping amount or the whole shabbang?