eBay

jcarman00 · ‎02-13-2019

So I woke up this morning to a message from a user who purchased an item from me, claiming that the item had a defect and that it was not as described, and that he wants a partial refund (1/4 of the selling price), or he wants to "go ahead" with a return.

I know that the item was without defects when I shipped it, and it would have been impossible for it to obtain such a defect during shipping unless the package was mangled beyond recognition. I didn't detect any shenanigans from his feedback rating alone, until I read the actual feedback comments - apparently, he's tried this exact same thing with at least one other seller (claiming he "overpaid" in that case). I'm sensing a case of buyer's remorse, and he's trying recoup some of his money.

My instinct was to just tell him to return it, but I can't guarantee that it'll be in any condition to be resold when it gets back to me - if there wasn't a defect before, there certainly would be afterwards. Honestly, given the shipping costs and seller fees, a partial refund would probably be the best-case scenario for me. He hasn't opened anything in the resolution center and I haven't replied to him yet. How would I issue a partial refund, and would that resolve the issue as far as eBay is concerned?

frazlan_ch4oikm · ‎02-13-2019

If you just issue a partial refund through PayPal I am not sure if the matter will be permanently closed. But, if he opens a return request and then you reply with a partial refund offer and he accepts through the eBay return request, the matter will be permanently closed after that.

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terrycanarsky · ‎02-13-2019

Report it to eBay. Now.

~M

designforyou · ‎02-13-2019

If you agree to a partial refund, you will not recoup your FVF fees. Calling ebay will do nothing in this case. I would make the buyer return the item. Yes you will be out some money, but the buyer has to put in some effort to send the item back. If the item is returned without defect, then I would file a buyer abuse of MBG report, and appeal to ebay for the return shipping to be refunded.

Only you can decide what the best course of action is. I don't know the value of your original sale, however it sounds like this buyer might enjoy the game of getting sellers to cave to partial refunds.

jcarman00 · ‎02-13-2019

@designforyou wrote:
If you agree to a partial refund, you will not recoup your FVF fees. Calling ebay will do nothing in this case. I would make the buyer return the item. Yes you will be out some money, but the buyer has to put in some effort to send the item back. If the item is returned without defect, then I would file a buyer abuse of MBG report, and appeal to ebay for the return shipping to be refunded.

Only you can decide what the best course of action is. I don't know the value of your original sale, however it sounds like this buyer might enjoy the game of getting sellers to cave to partial refunds.

Since I constantly hear that eBay sides with the buyers nearly 100% of the time, I doubt they can/will do anything in my favor. The sale was for $120 - he wants a refund of $30. Honestly, when weighing that choice against losing the full amount and having a likely unsellable item returned to me, I’d choose the former. Are there any other options here?

I don’t see this as anything other than blackmail, but again, what can I do without taking a massive hit? I guess my main question is - if I issue this guy a partial refund, will the matter be permanently closed? Like, he can’t just up and decide in another week that it wasn’t good enough and demand more?

frazlan_ch4oikm · ‎02-13-2019

If you just issue a partial refund through PayPal I am not sure if the matter will be permanently closed. But, if he opens a return request and then you reply with a partial refund offer and he accepts through the eBay return request, the matter will be permanently closed after that.

juststuffisell · ‎02-13-2019

Well,

I read the entire thread. It sounds like you need the money and having the risk of the item being returned damaged and taking that loss doesn't work for you.

I understand completely. No one should judge you for doing it. I would follow the advise given on how to do a partial refund that will "close out" the issue. I would still recommend reporting the buyer to eBay. Put the buyer on the eBays radar because that buyer is going to try that same tactic with another seller here soon.

Take care!

a*river*runs*through*it · ‎02-13-2019

@jcarman00

Was this about the Randy Savage T-shirt or the Game Boy?

If it's good enough to keep, it's good enough to pay for.

Tell the buyer: "Return for Refund."

Keep repeating that if he still wants a partial. Chances are fairly good that he won't return it.

jcarman00 · ‎02-13-2019

@juststuffisell wrote:
Well,

I read the entire thread. It sounds like you need the money and having the risk of the item being returned damaged and taking that loss doesn't work for you.

I understand completely. No one should judge you for doing it. I would follow the advise given on how to do a partial refund that will "close out" the issue. I would still recommend reporting the buyer to eBay. Put the buyer on the eBays radar because that buyer is going to try that same tactic with another seller here soon.

Take care!

That's exactly it - I need the money, at least more than I need the aggravation caused by scheming buyers. I thank you all for the guidance.

jcarman00 · ‎02-13-2019

@a*river*runs*through*it wrote:
@jcarman00

Was this about the Randy Savage T-shirt or the Game Boy?

If it's good enough to keep, it's good enough to pay for.

Tell the buyer: "Return for Refund."

Keep repeating that if he still wants a partial. Chances are fairly good that he won't return it.

It was the t-shirt - he claimed the graphic in the middle was "cracking," and as you can see in the photos, it looks brand new. It went into the shipping box immediately afterwards, wrapped in Kraft paper. Cracking? I don't think so, buddy.

My inclination is to call his bluff, just as you said, but if he's feeling bold enough to ask for some of his money back when I'm 99.9% certain he's lying about the damage, he's probably bold enough to deliberately inflict the damage himself and send it back, leaving me out $120 and holding an unwanted and unsellable item. Then again, he might just drop the issue completely. It's a calculated risk for me, and I think he knows that, since he's tried this scam on at least one other seller. Issuing a partial refund is probably the least-**bleep** scenario, but either way, he's being reported to eBay.

vintagecraze50 · ‎02-13-2019

Giving in to peoples partial refund requests feeds these people's confidence and then they may do it to other sellers. RETURN FOR REFUND. Not saying here that this buyer may have a legitimate complaint, but if the item is bad enough defective, it is bad enough to return. Perhaps, it is not that bad and they may keep it.