posted on March 4, 2003 09:34:56 PM new
A buyer wants a partial refund on item he doesn't want to return for full refund. Dissatisfied with my description of item. What's your policy on refunds?
posted on March 4, 2003 09:41:45 PM new
NOrmally, I'd just do a partial refund if I had a photo of the item, which I assume would have been damaged or misrepresented in the auction. I"ve only done this once, and it was a collectible magazine which took twice as long as it should have to get to the buyer at CBSTV in New York and arrived (this was Christmas season--never again!) with a hole punched through it. He'd paid $30 and I refunded $15 sight unseen. I suppose it could have been a scam but I trusted him. If it happened a lot, I'd get leery, though.
Well, and there's a P.S. here. He's never cashed my refund check! Odd, huh.
posted on March 4, 2003 09:51:47 PM new
First you need to tells us was their damage to the item or did you miss something in your description. With a little bit more knowledge we might help.
I refund fully. When I sell my items and someone writes and tells me what is wrong with my product and I feel his/her email is sincere I will refund without returning the item. I refund both for item and postage. I cannot use the item again and sometimes postage is higher than I paid for my item so I tell them to keep it.
posted on March 4, 2003 10:18:42 PM new
The buyer thinks my description was inadequate on the item,(vintage tin toy), I had 6 pics in the auction and described to the best of my ability. The toy was not in great condition and was described as having rust and a broken spring. Selling price was less than half of one in good condition. Buyer wants partial refund. I offered full refund (less shipping).
posted on March 4, 2003 11:06:12 PM new
I handle each case like this on an individual basis. If it's under about $20.00 and I felt I'd possibly misrepresented the item, I would refund 100% and tell him to keep it. If he offered to let me off the hook for 50% refund I would jump at the offer. When you start getting into the big bucks, I would offer a full refund minus shipping when it's returned. One factor that might influence your decision is whether you have already left feedback for him. If so, I guess you realize that puts him in the drivers seat unless you're willing to take a neg.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
What you didn't make clear here is if you feel that you misrepresented the item in any way. Do you feel that your description was inadequate or inaccurate?
Maybe the buyer is having buyer's remorse or didn't read the description well. If you fully described the item accurately and thoroughly, you are under no obligation to refund.
If he paid with Paypal, though, he can complain and likely get his money back whether you agree or not. In any case, as sparkz said, you might take a neg if you don't refund. But I would do whatever you feel is "right" in each individual case.
Hey, I've bought stuff that I didn't like after I received it. But the listing was accurate and had plenty of pictures. Did I ask for my money back? NOPE! Anyone who buys a lot on Ebay will eventually run into that.
One just lives with it or resells it.
I figure the reason you asked us at all is because you probably feel you did your job correctly in listing it, and now this buyer comes along and doesn't like what he bought. Am I right?
Now, I will add I buy fabric nearly every week on Ebay and over the course of a year, I have received pieces 3 or more times that were noticeably stained or torn well before they were shipped. One had old masking tape glue in spots that would not wash out, one had been stapled to something, then pulled off and had holes, one recent one had coffee or tea spilled all over it.
In each case, the seller was sincerely unaware of the problem. When I email about substandard goods received, I always attach detailed digital pictures of what's wrong with the item. Invariably, I have received an immediate and full refund, even when I've asked for a partial one.
So it's in a seller's best interest to really take a very close look at what they are selling, although I know many are in a hurry to type up as many listings as quickly as possible. And "as is" just doesn't cut it in a lot of instances, unless you have thoroughly described every flaw. "As is" is as lame as "my dog ate my homework" unless one is using it on a mechanical device already stated known not to work.
posted on March 5, 2003 01:34:06 AM new
If you feel you described the condition correctly and if the pictures show all of the problem areas, then offer full refund or no refund. You will probably never hear from them again.
I have had this happen a couple of times on very collectible items. The buyer just bid a little more than they wanted to and wants a partial refund so they can feel they got a bargain.
Once you offer a full refund or nothing, they back off because they still want the item for their collection. This has been my experience because my descriptions tend to be very picky as far as problem areas go and I always try to make sure there are close up pictures of those areas.
posted on March 5, 2003 10:33:12 AM newSo it's in a seller's best interest to really take a very close look at what they are selling, although I know many are in a hurry to type up as many listings as quickly as possible. And "as is" just doesn't cut it in a lot of instances, unless you have thoroughly described every flaw. "As is" is as lame as "my dog ate my homework" unless one is using it on a mechanical device already stated known not to work.
I agree with that wholeheartedly. To many sellers are in a hurry and some never leave descriptions at all. I will never bid on anything like that. Good Pictures and an accurate description is the best, or only way to sell on eBay
[ edited by Libra63 on Mar 5, 2003 10:34 AM ]
posted on March 5, 2003 12:42:28 PM new
I never give a partial refund, even if they claimed I described the item inaccurately. I will offer a full refund upon the return of the item. Giving partial refunds basically devolves sooner or later into haggling for a price reduction after purchase and shipment.
posted on March 5, 2003 12:49:16 PM new
Thanks to all for the opinions. I feel I did a good job on the description and am sticking by my offer of full refund less shipping. Alas, I posted positive feedback at the time I shipped. Guess I better get ready for my nice new shiny neg.
