possible scam?

[mer0524]

Hello. I wanted to run my latest ebay experience by some other ebayers to see if my suspicion of being scammed is valid.  I sold an antique sterling silver coffee/tea pitcher. The winning bidder paid $780.00 for it.  I am not naive and know that a large number of buyers buying silver are buying it for the melt value.  The pitcher weighed almost 4 pounds. After some research, I found that the melt value for sterling weighing that much is over $850.00.

So yesterday, 3 full weeks after the package was delivered from UPS, I got an email from the buyer saying "damaged, packaging not good." It also included a picture of my piece with a perfectly round dent in the side, about the size of a nickel.  It was in excellent condition when I sent it, and I thought I packaged it very well, with lots of padding. Anyway, I wrote back saying I was sorry to see that, and asked if he could send pictures of the damaged packaging as well... I also asked why he waited 3 weeks to let me know about this, then asked how he wanted to proceed.  He wrote back and all he said was "I want partial refund- $180"

I know the melt value remains the same-- dent or no dent.  And if he wanted to use it for its intended purpose, wouldn't he want to send it back for a full refund since it's now damaged?!  It just seems a little suspicious to me. I use ebay causally, and do not have thousands of transactions. I can't help but think this person sees me as inexperienced and wants to keep the item and get money back.  Let me know what you guys think. Are scams like this with silver or gold common? Should I just send him the $180, and move on?

[a_c_green]

Don't get into the partial-haggling game, especially now that you know its melt value.

Tell him (nicely) to return it for a full refund. Then if it's truly damaged beyond repair, you can melt it and profit from the proceeds.

[al-sutt]

Interesting situation, melt value though has nothing to do in solving this concearn...

[tunicaslot]

This buyer bid at the last minute and seems to purchase a lot here on Ebay from his bid history. Whether a collector or a reseller with a shop - he's not a newbie and if he is scamming - knows the score.

Does his feedback left for sellers give you any indication that he's done this before - ex. Great to work with, Makes things right ect...

Wait until he sends pics of the packaging - no matter how well we sometimes pack things - items get damaged. It's up to you on if you want to pay to have the item shipped back to you before issuing full refund. If the scarp value is worth more than he paid - I would have him return it and scrap it myself.

[starroute-us]

The best thing to do I think is select return for refund issue label.

Nothing more nothing less, no partials and I would not even respond to that suggestion.

If he is using it for melt he will indeed smash it and claim damage. That is a common scam.

Try to recover it and if damaged, sell it for melt yourself to recover your money.

You could file insurance , although doubtful if your buyer will assist in any way. It needs to be picked up and the claim will probably be denied.

[computerwarehouse01]

NO...have him return it. Refuse a partial refund.

[webwanna]

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@mer0524 wrote:

Let me know what you guys think. Are scams like this with silver or gold common? Should I just send him the $180, and move on?

______________________________

If you are talking about the Gorham Sterling Kettle you sold,  you offered a 14 day return policy.  It should be past the 14 days.  

Some scrap metal buyers will attempt to ask for partial refunds.  I assume that some percentage of sellers are still agreeing to partial refunds and that is why they still ask.   I don't consider it a scam unless you don't get back what you sent....  I just think its bad business.

My suggestion is to let them know it is past your return window and you don't do partial refunds.  They may then open an item not described case under the MBG.  If so, tell them to return for refund.  

If they pull this frequently, they are probably on Ebay's and Paypal's radar and will not risk opening a questionable case. That is probably why they sent an email with the request rather than opening a MBG case for item not as described.

I don't think you should send the $180.  You would be better off scrapping it yourself.   Hope it helps.

[a_c_green]

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@webwanna wrote:

I don't think you should send the $180.  You would be better off scrapping it yourself.

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Oh, heck, yeah. Basically, he's going to scrap it anyway, but he has nothing to lose by trying to hit you up for a partial refund as well, since of course that boosts his profits by whatever you will agree to. $180 is not such a big percentage of the total that you would wonder why he doesn't just return it, and thus you would consider forking it over just to get him to go away. Call his bluff and (politely) say that you will refund upon return. Leave it at that; no haggling and no extended discussion.

[starroute-us]

Web,
Since the buyer is claiming SNAD the sellers return window does not matter.

Buyer can claim SNAD for 30 days after delivery via ebay and 180 days via PP.

Ebays MBG takes over when not as described or damage is claimed.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/money-back-guarantee.html

[gopetersen]

Silver is soft.

It can be fixed by a silversmith. That dent can be perfectly hammered out and polished, but it would cost some money to have it done.

Maybe your buyer loves the pitcher and never considered the melt value and only wants the pitcher fixed. I have quite a few sterling items that I would never melt because they are old and beautiful. Was it the kettle? It would be a shame to melt that.

As for whether the dent happened during shipping, I don't know. Maybe the buyer dropped it, maybe the carrier dropped it. You have to go with your gut on that one. Did you ask your buyer for a picture of the packing materials and ask whether there was damage to the box?

[tippyalways]

He could have dented it himself , since it has been 3 weeks.

Pitcher/teapot,coffee pot are nice to have, unless it is in very poor condition, most people would not scrap them.

It sounds like you sold it cheap.

He got a good deal and now with the dent, he wants a better deal.

[jimbodvc]

Never give a partial refund.  On any complaint of this nature always tell the buyer to return for full refund.  Most times than not you will never hear from them again. 

[tarpedge]

@jimbodvc, do you have a calendar?

[castlemagicmemories]

It may be that the buyer is contacting his seller first as Ebay advises buyers to do.

But you can ask him to open a not as described case and return for refund.

You can ask Ebay to send him a mailing label; if he doesn't not use it, you can be reimbursed.  You will be refunding the buyer original shipping and item cost.  You will pay for the return shipping.

Buyer may not return, though.  

If he opens a case, respond promptly and do not let the case be escalated by the buyer to Ebay as you will get a case not resolved by seller defect.

Good Luck.

[sandmansales]

Dear buyer,
I'm sorry about the damage. Honestly, I was hoping something like this would happen. As I'm sure you are aware, the melt value is more than it sold it for and I will gladly accept a return.

Please return it to the address below and I'll issue you a full refund.

Then watch this scumbag crawl back into the hole from whence he came.