posted on April 17, 2001 06:00:47 AM new
Have you ever had a bidder (or seller for that matter) that you know you just can't please no matter what? I just had a very unpleasant run-in with one. I sold her a camera strap, and as soon as she received it she demanded her money back for the auction AND s/h both ways. She claimed the strap didn't fit her camera. I have sold about 20 other identical straps to eBay customers, and have had many praises for them, and no complaints! After sending several e-mails trying to explain to her how to attach the strap to her camera, I gave up and offered her a refund for the price of the auction. (no way was I going to pay for the shipping costs on this one!) She sent back a nasty response calling me a penny-pincher, saying I have horrible customer service, and that I need to give her the full amount immediately. At this point... I realized that the entire transaction was a lost cause, as there was obviously nothing I could do to satisfy her. No matter what I did, I was probably going to get a negative comment from her. So, I sent her a final e-mail explaining to her my position, and saying that the offer of a refund was no longer available. If she's going to neg me anyhow, I might as well keep the profit I made on the sale! Some bidders you wish you never met! Ah, well.... it's great to vent! Anyone else have similiar experiences?!?
And you're right. When it's a case of buyers remorse... I have agreed to refund the winning bid amount but not the postage.
(I WILL refund FULL including postage both directions if it's anything BUT "buyers remorse"
And in both cases, the cranky buyer did not want to even return the item first before expecting a refund check. Not sure if they were trying to scam me or not... but I'm like you... won't give in to that kind of bully.
I'll risk a neg before I'll be dragged through the mud and THEN negged. *sigh*
GOOD FOR YOU! Glad to see other sellers NOT being intimidated into putting up with unreasonable demands & threats of negative feedback by NPB "avoiders".
posted on April 17, 2001 07:56:16 AM new
Feel your pain! Had one of my own this week.
Just keep a smile on your face waiting for the day when she runs into a seller who doesn't have ANY return policy. Then the light will come on how lucky she was to have someone who would allow her to return for buyers remorse.
What IS it these past few weeks? There suddenly seems to be an influx of bidders inflicted with hand & mouse disease!
Confrontational from the get go and itchy fingers on the neg button before you can even get your EOA out.
Oh well, this too shall pass, this too shall pass. Type with happy hand!
posted on April 17, 2001 10:59:53 AM new
So far these stories are from the seller's perspective. While I'm a buyer AND seller, this week has been hell for this buyer.
I received a bowl in my china pattern. Described as mint. However seller failed to disclose that the rim had a chip which had been colored over with green highlighter which washed off immediately.
Then I ordered several old magazines to be props for my parent's 50th anniversary party. All have been described as excellent condition. One arrived with the cover completely off. Another was missing pages from the center.
All 5 ebay payments I mailed on a certain day in March are missing. Never arrived at their destination. Not cashed either. Do the sellers believe me when I say the payment is lost in the mail? I doubt it, and I'm reissuing payments left and right.
Then last week I sent out 6 items to bidders which had been paid for. I know they have been received, but not one bidder has emailed to say the item arrived OR left FB.
Not my name on ebay.
posted on April 17, 2001 01:20:05 PM new
One of my book buyers emailed me upset that I had committed "injustice" against her because I sent her a book that was a book club edition. She never asked if it was or not. But I figure ok, I will just tell her to return the book and I'll refund her money. Suddenly she doesn't want to return the book, but wants a refund anyway. To me, that's a no no. I don't mind giving a refund, but I'm not going to give her a free gift.
posted on April 17, 2001 02:03:11 PM new
redskinfan
>she doesn't want to return the book, but wants a refund anyway.
I've taken 2 negs rather than do this with people (one was a $20 item, but the principle of the thing is importaint also.) No way is someone going to keep the merchandise, and get a refund too. What are buyers like this thinking? (theoretical question)
posted on April 17, 2001 03:23:23 PM new
I don't know...but technically she can get a refund and keep it anyway because as she pointed out she can just file a fraud complaint against me with paypal. She went on to say that she knew I got the book for free because it is a book club edition (the books are not free, they are fifty cents each plus s/h and then you have to buy a certain # of books in 2 years) and that I had no right to charge anyone money for the book since I didn't pay for it.
posted on April 17, 2001 03:28:43 PM new
yes, i have had a buyer i knew i couldn't please no matter what. luckily, so far, just one.
and i also think you're going to get a neg out of this no matter what you do, so yeah, may as well keep the $!
my experience in the past few weeks has been that most of the buyers have suddenly been either very slow paying, or not paying. or responding to my 2nd emails. usually people pay via paypal either the day the auction ends, or within a few days; or, send a money order within 7. but not for the past few weeks! dunno why. tax season?
Anyone else have similiar experiences?!?