eBay

emerald1328 · ‎10-21-2017

I sold a paperback book to a buyer and when shipping it, I wrapped it up in bubble wrap, put it in a bubble mailer and 2 pieces of cardboard on the side to prevent bending. The buyer received it & opened a return request stating the packaging and book were wet. I approved the return and then they messaged me stating they can’t ship it back in the envelope as it got wet and would like me to pay for their shipping supplies. Conveniently, they do not have a camera that can take pictures of the damage to send to me.

Does eBay’s return policy require seller to purchase the return packaging as well? If so, how would I do that?

Also, now that I’ve approved the return, can she escalate the case to eBay for this issue before she sends it?

Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s not a lot of money were talking about here, but I want to not only do right by the buyer and do right by myself as well. Thanks!

1786davycrockett · ‎10-21-2017

This sounds like a scam to get more money from you, so don't fall for it.

The buyer has a certain number of days in which to make the return, after the seller has sent them a return label. Sounds like you have already electronically sent them the return label, so the clock is counting down the number of days that the buyer has left to ship the book back.

But I have a funny feeling that there was NO damage to the book, and that the buyer is just trying to pull a scam on you -- you send the buyer some money, and the buyer decides to keep the book, anyway -- and your money as well! Don't buy into it -- there is NO need for you to reply to the buyer, and do not allow the buyer to blackmail you into send the buyer money for "mailing supplies."

If the buyer does not ship the return within the eBay time period, contact eBay to close the case -- the information can be found under "Help & Contact" at the top of the screen.

emerald1328 · ‎10-22-2017

Thank you! Those were my thoughts about the situation as well. I will proceed as you suggested and we will see what happens 🙂

southern*sweet*tea · ‎10-22-2017

Did you put the book in a plastic bag, wrap it in plastic wrap or otherwise waterproof it? If so, then YES it could have been wet when received. I've received a few items wrapped in bubble wrap, in a kraft bubble mailer, that were wet. (Rain tends to do that to paper) Unless the book is worth more than a few dollars I'd refund and be done.

When I mail books I either sandwich between heavy cardboard and wrap all with plastic wrap, or use a bookfold and wrap with plastic wrap, and then I put it all in a poly mailer. If I box, I bag the item in a zip bag, or first wrap in acid free paper, then wrap the whole thing in plastic wrap.

The easier you are to offend the easier you are to control.

We seem to be getting closer and closer to a situation where nobody is responsible for what they did but we are all responsible for what somebody else did. - Thomas Sowell

emerald1328 · ‎10-22-2017

Thanks for the response! I really appreciate the tips on packaging - I haven’t had a problem before this mailing books but I think it’s a good idea to use your method in the future.

emerald1328 · ‎10-23-2017

New message with update - buyer opened a PayPal case?! (Which automatically closes their eBay one.)

1786davycrockett · ‎10-23-2017

What reason did the buyer give for opening the PayPal case, and does it conflict with what the buyer had previously said to you in the buyer's emails? If it conflicts, contact PayPal to have them read the buyer's emails -- PayPal may close the case in your favor, if they can see conflicting reasons.

mr_lincoln · ‎10-23-2017

@emerald1328 I would message to please send pictures of the damage for your records and then go silent and let the return runs its course. The Buyer is obviously trying to pull a fast one. For most things we sell here the first thing we do is wrap them in stretch film, then bubble wrap then a box. The stretch film, while not fool proof, acts as a mositure and dust barrier.

Anyway, sounds like a scam to me.

Regards,
Mr. Lincoln - Community Mentor

emerald1328 · ‎10-23-2017

The reason selected in the PayPal dispute was “Item Not As Described” and his comment to PayPal is “The item arrived wet - and the package was wet. For some reason, the seller has not responded to my message on eBay. I need compensation for shipping - it isn't fair to ask me to pay for shipping a damaged item back to the seller but I definitely do not want to keep a wet and ruined paperback.”

As far as not responding to messages, I didn’t respond to his last one from Saturday. The eBay case was opened on Friday stating all was wet - I approved the return and sent an eBay shipping label (not having any communication with the buyer during this) As soon as I approved it, he emailed me basically saying I need to give him money for a new envelope to ship it back. I replied asking if he could send pictures of the damaged items. He then replied that he didn’t have a camera and reiterated that I should understand it wouldn’t be fair to him to buy a new envelope. All of that was Saturday and I didn’t reply to that message. Not that I really needed to, I had already approved the return and sent the shipping label...

emerald1328 · ‎10-23-2017

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping-Returns/Approved-return-but-buyer-wanted-for-return-packaging...

1786davycrockett · ‎10-23-2017

Contact PayPal (you can find the phone number by clicking on "Help & Contact" at the top of this page), and speak to a PayPal rep, requesting that they read the buyer's previous emails to you.

You did what eBay would expect you to have done -- sending a return label as the buyer had requested. It is NOT necessary for the buyer to have to purchase a brand new mailing envelope -- the buyer can return the book in the original shipping package, or manufacture one from a paper bag, or wrap it in scrap newspaper, or anything else that may be sitting around the house -- USPS is really not that fussy about the container, just as long as the package has a shipping label with the correct address. The buyer is attempting to con you out of money -- very clearly.

And, if the buyer is claiming that the book was received with moisture damage, the buyer SHOULD have opened a claim under "Defective" -- not "Item Not As Described." Point that out to the PayPal rep, as well. This buyer is a con artist -- but not a very good one!

Keep us posted.

green-night · ‎10-23-2017

@emerald1328 wrote:
New message with update - buyer opened a PayPal case?! (Which automatically closes their eBay one.)

That's good. Now buyer needs to pay return postage.

southern*sweet*tea · ‎10-23-2017

@green-night wrote:
@emerald1328 wrote:
New message with update - buyer opened a PayPal case?! (Which automatically closes their eBay one.)

That's good. Now buyer needs to pay return postage.

Yep. They just shot themself in the foot.

The easier you are to offend the easier you are to control.

We seem to be getting closer and closer to a situation where nobody is responsible for what they did but we are all responsible for what somebody else did. - Thomas Sowell