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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not to refund this buyer?

59 replies

Fedupofplaystation · 04/06/2015 21:32

I am in the process of selling a load of baby stuff as quite strapped for cash.

I had an old style, large Graco swing that had been stored on our mezzanine for a year so was a bit dusty. Knew it wouldn't be worth much so didn't want to put a lot of effort into selling it, but as my DD had enjoyed it and it was still in working order (I inserted batteries and checked this prior to listing) I listed it with one picture, a starting price of 99p and a brief description that stated it was used and from a smoke-free, pet-free home.

It was won for £8.50. On the first night the buyer asked if they could collect that night. I messaged back immediately saying yes (I have the email trail) and we waited up for them. Two hours later I messaged to ask if they were still coming. They said that they were not as they had not heard from me.

Benefit of the doubt, they may have missed my message so we rearranged for the next evening. They arrived 1.5 hours after the agreed pick up time, but paid cash and took the swing.

Today I have received an arsey email stating that the buyer is gobsmacked at the state the swing is in and would never put their baby in it. They're unhappy as they paid for the item to be collected by her sister and for batteries that they will now not use. They want me to collect the item and refund them.

My main arguments against refunding are that the item is as described. Although I probably should have cleaned it more prior to selling, it is in working order. Also, the buyer could have viewed and checked it was working prior to paying cash. I would have been fine if, when turning up they decided it wasn't what they were after. Being a low priced item it's not worth my effort to go pick it up to resell.

AIBU or should I just chalk it all up to experience and refund?

OP posts:
Onedayinthesun · 04/06/2015 22:59

I wouldn't give stuff to charity for free that was dusty or dirty! Why has the price of the item or the return the seller is likely to get got anything to do with handing over a grubby, u cleaned item. I don't get it?

ReginaBlitz · 04/06/2015 23:01

you should have cleaned it. I give stuff away for free and still spend my time and energy cleaning it why? Because I don't want people thinking I live like a tramp!!

MissMuesli · 04/06/2015 23:17

For 8.50 I wouldn't have expected a swing in perfect condition, a few scratches/ stains that haven't washed out maybe. But I wouldn't expect something actually dirty, so I think YABU. Although they are also BU because they shouldn't have taken the item if they weren't happy with it.

What kind of dirt are we talking about?

MadameJulienBaptiste · 04/06/2015 23:19

I wouldn't refund unless they bring it back.
I recently sold something cash on collection that the buyer - who had inspected it on collection - rang me to rant about after he got home.
I calmly stated that I would of course refund in full if he brought it back. Never heard from him again he was just trying it on.

blink1552 · 04/06/2015 23:24

I'd say you will issue a refund once THEY have returned it to you in the condition you sold it in, and you've inspected it, in line with ebay guidelines.

Then cross your fingers and hope she doesn't bother to return it,

Don't offer to refund without getting the item back, it encourages buyers to try it on. And don't collect it from her, that's ridiculous and she doesn't have a leg to stand on there.

MagicMojito · 04/06/2015 23:35

Yep, you should have cleaned it first

Original poster
Fedupofplaystation · 05/06/2015 07:22

Thanks for the replies.

The swing was not dirty as had been cleaned prior to being stored, however had gathered dust on the mezzanine. I accept that I should have wiped it down prior to selling.

I have messaged the buyer explaining that it was as described and just a little dusty and they had chance to view before buying, but that I am sorry they are not happy with the purchase and that if they give their PayPal email address, I will refund. It's not worth the hassle.

OP posts:
Psipssina · 05/06/2015 07:32

Don't do that. Tell them that if they return it in the same condition it was sold, you will refund them.

It's always up to the buyer to return an item. Not you to pick it up.

They sound like demanding, lazy sods who are persistently late and can't even be arsed to send it back.

In short they are taking the piss and it's only going to encourage them if you refund. They will also probably leave you negative feedback whatever you do.

Tell them to return it and I bet they won't bother, but if they do at least you can give it to someone more deserving.

People like this make me stabby.

sanfairyanne · 05/06/2015 07:40

dont refund unless they bring it back!i wouldnt refund at all. they are only taking the piss. dont encourage dickheads

redfairy · 05/06/2015 07:46

I would insist they return the item before I refunded. If they were unhappy about buying the item they should never have taken it away. I would class that as an acceptance of sale. They're chancing their arm.

DisappointedOne · 05/06/2015 08:16

They paid by paypal on a collected item? That was foolish - they could do an item not received claim and get their money back and keep the item regardless. If you're going to use ebay please make sure you understand how it works!

Fudgeface123 · 05/06/2015 08:26

If it was that dirty why did they buy it, surely they saw the condition it was in? Seriously, tell them to get bent

DisappointedOne · 05/06/2015 08:28

They'd already paid by paypal before the sister saw it.

DragonWithAGirlTattoo · 05/06/2015 09:21

Make sure they return it before you refund!!! otherwise they are trying to pull a fast one

DragonWithAGirlTattoo · 05/06/2015 09:21

was there a picture up with it?

DisappointedOne · 05/06/2015 09:23

They can get their money back without returning the item anyway! They just need to raise an INR with paypal, which the OP can't defend, and paypal will refund their money.

DisappointedOne · 05/06/2015 09:24

As this was a money making exercise understanding ebay and PayPal might have been an idea!

19lottie82 · 05/06/2015 09:31

they have no "seller protection" as they paid in cash and collected.

you can ignore and ebay can't enforce a refund, however they will be able to leave you negative feedback. if they do you can leave a response, something along the lines of "seller paid £8.50 and inspected / accepted goods in person without complaints at the time".

19lottie82 · 05/06/2015 09:32

BUT if you want you can refund. I agree with the others though, that they should return it to you, not vice versa

sanfairyanne · 05/06/2015 09:55

think they paid cash not paypal

dont indulge their ridiculous behaviour

morelikeguidelines · 05/06/2015 16:29

I might say I'd refund if they brought it over as it's their fault they didn't come and check it first.

Loletta · 05/06/2015 17:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ReginaBlitz · 05/06/2015 22:35

And all this they only paid 8.50 what did they expect! It was chance it sold for 8.50 it could have sold for 99p or £20, if it had sold for £20 would you have cleaned it then?

FlabulousChix · 05/06/2015 22:36

If they paid cash then it's buyer beware. eBay do not guarantee any refunds for items that are collected.

FlabulousChix · 05/06/2015 22:37

Oh and selling something dirty is plain nasty. I always clean everything before I sell it I'm not a dirty scumbag