To tell eBay buyer to sod off?

[L0gLady]

I'll be brief.

Sold a new, unopened DVD in the cellophane.

Buyer messages me last night to saying as they've opened it the case is damaged and the disc won't play "in various players".

The clincher that makes me think they're trying it on is the final knowing phrase of the message - "any idea what we can do to resolve this?" - which is code for "I'm gonna try and get a refund for this and keep the low value item anyway".

I know the case wasn't rattling when posted, so if true it's happened in transit. But I know people do this with low-value DVDs, hoping that the faff of getting it returned etc will put off the seller and they'll just refund.

AIBU to say "sorry, sold as seen"?

They could be trying it on. On the other hand though, the delivery service once chucked my parcel over my fence so I can see how things can get damaged!

You cannot leave a neg statement for a buyer so ignore that advice.

I agree, ask them to return. But I really think it is unfair to say you don't believe the buyer. Brand new items can be damaged, either in the mail or before you get them.

You cannot leave a neg statement for a buyer so ignore that advice.

Since the new rules have come into effect, you'll see a lot of sellers leaving "positive" negative FB for buyers. I sold a table recently and cancelled the bid of a buyer having 100% FB that was actually far from.

Just in case you do decide to sell an item like this again I always cut a piece of bubble wrap to size and put it inside the box - and tell the buyer I've done that.
No need to buy bubble wrap either - I go to Asda and come away with armfuls of it from the fruit and veg boxes - they're happy to let me take it away for them.
I hope your buyer knows they have to return via tracked/signed for otherwise it might not arrive and then you wouldn't have to refund.

yes - and if a buyer reports a seller for that type of feedback eBay will remove it and issue the seller with a warning. The whole point of sellers not being able to neg is to ensure buyers can leave accurate FB without the fear of a retaliatory neg.

No reply from buyer as yet!

DH helpfully and not-at-all annoyingly pointed out that they may just damage it anyway.

He's right though. That's the beauty of being an eBay seller!