Before anything else, a quick disclosure that I'm not a full-time or even a frequent seller. I'm just a guy who declutters every rare once in a while.
Two-ish of weeks ago I listed a nice (MSRP is $890ish, although nobody ever buys it for that) dive watch. I posted a dozen clear, detailed HD pictures. In the "item description" (the part of drop down menu) I listed the characteristics of the watchband (leather/color/clasp style, so on) and in the pictures I also showed an aftermarket bracelet. Then I EXPLICITLY stated in the listing "...and if you do the Buy It Now thing, I'll even throw in the bracelet..."
This auction ended successfully, but without the Buy It Now. (Guess what is about to happen.) The winning bidder (who has 100%/1200+ feedback) makes an immediate payment. I promptly package it (a hassle because the box is a weird size/shape) message him, send a tracking and a HD image of the box just prior to USPS pickup.
He receives the watch and, then without contacting me (!) opens a return request, stating the item was not as described. (I am not sure why eBay would kindly suggest a dissatisfied buyer contact the seller first...) This buyer indicated (IN ALL CAPS! WITH EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!) that, since the bracelet was included in the photos of the auction, he was entitled to receive it.
Less than 10 (!) minutes later, I messaged him back and explained that in spite of the auction very explicitly indicating this was only for whoever used BIN to win the watch, I'd ship it Priority on my dime. (The Buyer never argued my point description, just how it was in the photos and so he was entitIed. The buyer (through eBay Resolution Center messaging) explicitly stated this would satisfy the situation. Besides the unfathomable jumping to a Request for return, his responses are amicable/timely. (It seemed useful to respond quickly, although eBay stated I had from May 23rd until May 29th to "take action" .)
Once more, I get the box and label together, send photos of the package, send the buyer another tkg. # (buyer politely responded he had received it) then it gets picked up . Through eBay Resolution Center messaging I advise it was taken by USPS, but don't receive a reply.Through eBay Resolution Center messaging I inform the USPS website (w. image) indicates "it's out for deIivery" but again there wasn't a reply. Finally this morning, through eBay Resolution Center messaging I advise it had been deIivered by USPS (w. image of the confirmation from the day before) and to confirm that everything was satisfactory, in order to close the request, but again...don't receive a reply. Granted, my message to him was at four in the a.m. LA time, where he lives.
I'd hoped he would contact me right away to confirm). It's stiII early over there, I'm getting a weird gut feeling about this.
The preferred outcome if for my PayPaI $$ to be reIeased (it wasn't the retail amount, but still $$). Worst case, I would happily absorb all the fees to at least get my watch returned in saleable shape.
I probably shouId've kissed off the extra shipping, received the watch, reIisted, I know, I know.
So...what options do I have at this point?
eBay isn't making it clear or simple for me to ask them to "step in an heIp." Even so, I have no idea if that's my best alternative. I repeat, it's (too?) early in LA, so the buyer might not have yet seen my last message. However, if things go past _____ amount of time (and how much time?) do I report this buyer as abusive? Does that accomplish anything?
Clearly eBay would have a (virtuaI) paper traiI of:
1- The text of the auction listing explicitIy stating what the winner was entitIed to receive, and under what circumstances.
2- The buyer asking for something he clearly (as per the above) wasn't entitled to
3a- My explaining all of this to him and even so
3b- Shipping it to him anyway
3c- with photographs of the whole packaging, USPS label of the bracelet, and a new tracking number (all through eBay Resolution Center messaging)
4- The buyer explicitly stating that getting the bracelet would satisfy him.
5- Tracking (with images) showing the bracelet was shipped in a timely manner and received well before the "you must take action" deadline.
So what should I do?
If you have read this far I'm grateful in advance.
