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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

CF eBay chancer: AIBU/WWYD?

356 replies

ZazuMoon · 04/06/2019 13:05

First time poster.

I sold a Dyson airwrap last week as unused (which it is, it was an unneeded gift). Buyer messaged the day after purchase asking when it was arriving despite me providing delivery information. I paid almost £30 for delivery to cover its insurance. The package was lost over the weekend due to an admitted fault by Parcel force. Buyer emailing all weekend chasing despite me reassuring that I'd spent 2-3 hours on the phone/going to the post office to chase. It arrived today, one day after the estimated delivery time. She is now claiming the item is used. I asked for photos and they are not of my hair and not the condition the item was sent in. I know this but I can't prove it to eBay. She wants £100 refund and has sent a string of nasty messages all morning. I have acknowledged to her that I accept that she is unhappy with the whole experience but that I felt this was too high. Privately, I feel that she is seeking compensation for the late delivery or trying her luck but I have no way of demonstrating this to eBay. I am heavily pregnant and whilst I would Ordinarily be disputing this, I am considering relenting. AIBU/WWYD?

OP posts:
Xmas2020 · 05/06/2019 10:58

She is wanting to recoup the money spent on the item, as well as keep the item, and she is trying every trick in the book to do it. Sounds like this is not her first rodeo but perhaps the first time she has been challenged.

TheInebriati · 05/06/2019 10:58

You can report her for misusing the returns system, I cant remember how to do it but I think the link is under the one where you print off the address.

Hairyheadphones · 05/06/2019 11:06

I can’t believe how cheeky she’s being. I really hope PayPal allow you to give her a part refund as she has devalued it by using it.

Justamemory · 05/06/2019 11:08

if its any consolation at all, if the item isn't returned in the same condition in which it was sent you are able to deduct a percentage depending on the condition it's returned in.

www.ebay.com/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/handle-return-request-seller?id=4115#section1

She needs to return it.

I had a case a few months back (long story short and simplified) the buyer returned the item and it was damaged. Ebay automatically refunded her, but I appealed and won my money back. I no longer sell on ebay.

MegaClutterSlut · 05/06/2019 11:10

Wow I hope to god eBay sides with you op. She sounds bloody crazy

I don't bother selling on there anymore its just full of scammers and definitely not worth the hassle

MyNewBearTotoro · 05/06/2019 11:12

Gosh she sounds awful.

Good luck getting it sorted, I hope eBay take your side in this.

TheHighgateEnquirer · 05/06/2019 11:36

I think you are right to step back. Let eBay handle it. It's still a worry and a lot of money at risk, but still best dealt with through a mediator.
I once was in a similar situation with a man accusing me of crashing into his car while I was in the supermarket. I let my insurance company handle it. Every time we spoke they said he is incredibly rude but shouting at us won't strengthen his case.

Winterfellwonderland · 05/06/2019 11:57

Don’t know if this helps but.......
I sold a pair of brand new genuine Dior sunglasses on eBay. Two weeks after the buyer received the item she emails to say they were used not new and wanted a refund. I argued that NO they were brand new as per photos but eBay took the buyer side. When they were returned to me they were scratched and one of the arms had been bent. I think the buyer took them on holiday, used them then wanted her money back at my expense. I raised a issue with eBay/PayPal and sent photos about the condition when sent back to me and they actually gave me my money back!

cupoftea84 · 05/06/2019 12:09

I had someone brake something I sold on eBay I'm sure so they could say it was damaged and get a refund. They wanted to keep the unbroken 1/3 even though they said they didn't want itHmm. Maybe they really only wanted 1/3 maybe they just didn't think to break it all. I'm sure they changed their mind though and knew they'd get a refund if it was broken.

Definitely put me off eBay.

Original poster
ZazuMoon · 05/06/2019 12:46

Thanks everyone. Going to try to speak to eBay on the phone again at lunchtime. It's just been so much time and stress dealing with her. Does she not have anything better to do?

OP posts:
4legsandawaggytail · 05/06/2019 13:44

Ask her to return the item in the same condition you sent it to her in. Tell her you will check the number on the machine to make sure it matches and then you will refund her. I absolutely hate ebay scammers. Ebay is full of them these days so I don't eBay any more. Go to My Hermes, Parcel2go and get a better price for your courier. There's no way it should cost £30 (who did you use and what were the measurements?) Then using her location in the Parcel2go website find a drop off shop close to their postcode (so they can't use post office opening hours as an excuse), and book and pay for the parcel to be dropped off at a specific shop that has early to late opening hours. I often use Londis for this reason as you can drop off or collect 7am to 11pm. Send her/him the pre paid parcel label. You can add the option with the courier to alert you when the item has been dropped off. Word of warning when dealing with a con artist. Protect yourself by having 'evidence'. It would be a good idea when the parcel arrives to ask the courier driver to wait a few minutes while you open the parcel in front of him. Offer him a fiver for taking up a few extra minutes of his time. Ask him, with your phone to video opening the box to inspect the contents and thye condition it comes back to you in. MAKE SURE IT'S RECORDING BEFORE YOU START, NOT AFTER. Some morons will send you an empty box or will send you some rubbish in the box. As long as you receive the box you don't have a leg to stand on no matter what's in it. Don't tell the buyer what you're going to do. Don't get into negotiations. Just tell them to return it you have another buyer waiting. If you have any other problems let us know. In future consider selling on Shpock for a local collection. I NEVER send things of value anymore as it's just not worth the hassle. That's after 30 years of Ebaying.

JonSlow · 05/06/2019 15:10

30 years of eBaying? The site has only been alive 23!!

FabulouslyGlamourosFerret · 05/06/2019 15:12

I wonder whether you could tell her you are so sure that it was unused that you are prepared to DNA the hair on it - offer to send the DNA kit to her!! .... I think I would actually go to all that trouble and expense just to prove a point! In fact I think I'd go to court over it, I hate injustice.

Original poster
ZazuMoon · 05/06/2019 15:13

@4legs it was parcel force special delivery as the buyer was nagging the day after purchase about where it was. The package was large and weighed over 4kg and I insured it for £450 so that's why it was costly. At my own cost!

I have spoken to PayPal but they have just told me to upload the evidence to the resolution centre. They are not going to close the case although they indicated the buyer will not get over 50% of what she paid for the item as well as keeping it.

OP posts:
FabulouslyGlamourosFerret · 05/06/2019 15:22

I've just found your original listing (don't worry there is nothing identifiable on there) ... she has put in your feedback that it was 'covered in hair' your photos clearly show a product NOT covered in hair!

AdaShelby · 05/06/2019 15:26

Speak to eBay not PayPal.

I would drop into the conversation that your family lawyer has recommended seeing it all way to court if necessary with DNA tests for the hair strands.

Actually if the scammer messages again as her to keep the hair for DNA matches under your lawyer's advice for fraud.

FabulouslyGlamourosFerret · 05/06/2019 15:32

They are selling for £400 plus p&p even when 'used' so asking for £100 partial refund is a total piss take

Stompythedinosaur · 05/06/2019 15:35

What a changer, I hope eBay sides with you!

Stompythedinosaur · 05/06/2019 15:36

*chancer

GreenTulips · 05/06/2019 15:42

I think you have a good chance of winning this one

DontCallMeShitley · 05/06/2019 16:44

It used to be that feedback was removed if a case was mentioned in it.

You might want to check that too.

DontCallMeShitley · 05/06/2019 16:46

(Have also found the listing, don't worry, just trying to help).

PhrixPhrox · 05/06/2019 17:37

Be careful here - a friend had a similar experience with some car parts that he sold. When they were returned eventually, the buyer who had been forced to return the items had actually damaged them deliberately. When this was raised as an issue, the buyer just claimed that they must have been dropped in the post. As they were returned in the same packaging which was polystyrene shaped to the items, this would not have been ;possible.

Can you insist upon the item being returned well packaged as delivered originally?
Some people have no honesty or decency and are just thieving rogues.
Good luck Flowers

windysocks · 05/06/2019 17:38

She could have already owned the product, broken it and has swapped it for your new one and claiming her old one is the one you sent! Sounds conplicated but it happened ro me selling a phone - never again! Good luck with it all 

Rownenen1 · 05/06/2019 17:43

Iv had this sort of thing. I rang ebay, they were so understanding and put my mind at rest. You don't need to reply to this person. Other than one message, stating to please follow the eBay procedures for returning an unwanted item. Let them figure it out.also the pre paid postage that is only used once the post office uses it, showed as a minus on my PayPal account so you can balance it when your ready. But don't press the refund until you have it back. Just chill and ignore them Wink