eBay - who is BU??

[Onomatopoeic]

I moved house recently over the boundary into another postcode. But in real distance my new address and old address are only 10 mins' drive apart from each other.

I put some furniture on eBay using the app and annoyingly it defaulted my location to my old address and therefore the old postcode.

Now the buyer is demanding a refund because I don't live in old postcode. Even though my address in new postcode is only 10 mins away. They're saying it's too far but if they were coming to my address in the old, acceptable postcode, they were always going to have to come that far if you see what I mean.

The postcode they were searching in is a huge area. Turns out they live a considerable distance away. But when bidding on my item they never checked where we were in relation to them.

I think now they've realised that I live in the postcode boundary at the furthest possible point away from them they just can't be arsed. And because the postcode was wrong on my listing, are using it as an excuse to back out of the purchase.

I'm really annoyed because if travel distance was such a big deal I think they should've checked first.

Now I'll have to resist and incur fees, etc. AIBU to say I'll keep a bit back from the refund for admin fee?

[MrsHathaway]

I agree with you about the buyer's motives, but eBay will find in their favour.

[Etymology23]

Can you offer to bring it to the correct post code? Then they would have no legs on which their complaint could stand, I assume?

[NeedMoreSleepOrSugar]

You'd be unreasonable to expect the buyer to pay for your mistake.
Why not offer to meet them with the item inside your old postcode area (which is what you advertised)? If they don't want to do that, then they're bu a you'll have offered what you advertised.

[wowfudge]

Yes - agree to meet them at the old location. It would be interesting to see what they had to say then.

[Onomatopoeic]

Etymology that's actually not a bad idea. My old neighbour is a good friend and I could leave it with her.

Why did I not think of that?!

[londonrach]

Meet them at old location. Love to see what they say to this.

[Onomatopoeic]

Have suggested pick up from neighbour, so address will still be as advertised. Wonder what they'll say...

[amammabear]

They are probably just using it as an excuse, but at the end of the day, you did make the error. Hope you get it resolved.

[Happyandhungry]

Good idea to resolve the issue but they will still have a right to say no and ask for a refund i think coz they'll feel you messed them around..you can relist and do something on ebay to say why the item did not sell first time but only incur 1 lot of fees i believe i did this once before.

[charlestonchaplin]

If the customer wants to back out from the transaction it is best to cancel the transaction and you will then get your fees back from eBay. It's better to do that than force a sale and have an unhappy customer give bad feedback.

[malmi]

Has the buyer already paid using Paypal?
In that case, I suggest you REFUND them in any case to avoid falling victim to the Paypal + Collection scam/vulnerability. The buyer could collect the items in person and then raise an 'Item not delivered' claim with Paypal, who will then refund them because you can't supply a tracking code proving delivery with a recognised courier. So you don't have the money or the item. The risk level is proportionate to the value of the item.

Besides, it's no fun dealing with a buyer who has already decided they don't really want the item.

My suggested plan:

1. Refund Paypal payment
   
2. Message buyer saying that if they want the item you can meet them at the original location and they can pay cash on collection
   
3. If they don't take you up on that offer, update your location and relist. You can't not accept Paypal but you can try to push for 'cash on collection' if you're not posting the item out.

[Onomatopoeic]

Ahh didn't realise that was a thing Malmi. Thanks.