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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

A Facebook selling one

19 replies

Glitterandmud · 26/04/2021 15:51

I have been having a clear out and listing stuff on marketplace for free. One of the things was a model kit, I was clear in the description that the model kit had been passed on to us, I had opened the box and couldn't tell if all the pieces were there. Someone replied asking if I could post it and they would send me €20 for my trouble, said fine, you arrange the courier etc, they paid me via PayPal goods and services.

They have just messaged to say there are too many pieces missing to build the model and are claiming the money back. I'm quite shocked as I was clear in the advert and it was free so a gamble on their part really... and the money was for me spending time packing up and securing the box etc..

I want to reply saying, that's a shame, it was a gamble but it took me an hour faffing about with that box, adding my own packaging to it, printing courier labels etc so tough! AIBU?

OP posts:

Batteriisincluded · 26/04/2021 16:06

I would refund minus the price of the actual carriage. Lesson learned, you should have checked it if anyone was going to shell out any money.

Original poster

Glitterandmud · 26/04/2021 16:39

I made it clear I wouldn't check if all pieces were there (model too complex for that), the model itself was still free, the money was for my time in dealing with the p&p...

OP posts:

gobbynorthernbird · 26/04/2021 16:40

Are you sure this isn't a scam? I know that there are warnings about similar scenarios on gumtree etc.

AdobeWanKenobi · 26/04/2021 16:40

Nope, wouldn't refund a penny. The gambled and lost.

Block them and move on.

Sugarplumfairy65 · 26/04/2021 16:48

You won't have a choice. They paid goods and services so will get a refund

AdobeWanKenobi · 26/04/2021 16:54

@Sugarplumfairy65

You won't have a choice. They paid goods and services so will get a refund

In which case OP needs to absolutely insist the item is returned at their expense before refunding.

JediGnot · 26/04/2021 16:55

@Glitterandmud

I made it clear I wouldn't check if all pieces were there (model too complex for that), the model itself was still free, the money was for my time in dealing with the p&p...

They paid £20 for something - it doesn't matter how you divide that £20, they were happy to get that model and they were happy to hand over £20.

You have learnt a lesson or two -

(1) Collection only - check it before you hand over cash if you have any doubts about the item your selling (or giving away).

(2) You should have insisted on paypal gift. Obviously I would never advise someone to pay by paypal gift, but you weren't selling you were giving away... if they wanted a favour (postage) then you have every right to demand a favour in return (paypal gift so there's no silly arguments if it turns out not to be perfect).

(3) Trust your instincts. You knew the appropriate place to list is was locally and for nil price - that is how the transaction should have happened.

Chicchicchicchiclana · 26/04/2021 16:56

I think it's a bit rich to charge for your time.

AdobeWanKenobi · 26/04/2021 16:58

@Chicchicchicchiclana

I think it's a bit rich to charge for your time.

Personally I don't work for free. Nor can I park for free at the post office, nor does my car run on fresh air.

OP's buyers wanted it posted, they could have collected without incurring a charge but as they chose to have it delivered then they pay the expenses associated with that.

OneCalamerra · 26/04/2021 16:59

They’ll ask for a refund stating that the pieces aren’t there.

You reply with a copy of the advert saying you had no idea which pieces were there and weren’t guaranteeing.

I actually think in those circs PayPal may side with you.

Russell19 · 26/04/2021 17:04

I'd try and agree on a £10 refund or they're going to go through PayPal and get a full refund anyway.

Original poster

Glitterandmud · 26/04/2021 17:26

Yes absolutely lesson learned and in future I won't be doing anybody favours in the future.

So annoying... I am wondering if it's a scam too... I offered £10 and she came back saying she would send me £5! Can I insist the model is returned before I refund?

I do have the messages and advert saved.

I was just trying to do a nice thing and pass on something that was of no use to me to someone who would use it!

OP posts:

OldEvilOwl · 26/04/2021 17:35

Why is she offering to send £5?

Chicchicchicchiclana · 26/04/2021 17:43

It's not work though is it?

Original poster

Glitterandmud · 26/04/2021 17:50

@oldevilowl that's what she has now decided my time and effort in packing the box is worth

@Chicchicchicchiclana well some people do buy and sell on these sites for money so for them it is work, I don't, I was giving this item away for free and she offered me £20 for my trouble in finding appropriate packing materials, dealing with the courier etc.

She has already opened a refund on paypal, think I am just going to suck this up and learn a lesson for the future... From what I understand on paypal if I dispute it and they side with her I end up out of pocket... I can't see if I can make her return the model at her own expense before refunding.

OP posts:

Russell19 · 26/04/2021 19:47

You would have to pay for the return shipping but you are entitled to it back but at your cost.

Original poster

Glitterandmud · 26/04/2021 20:17

Thanks @Russell19, I have just refunded, and taken on the points on this for the future.

OP posts:

JediGnot · 26/04/2021 20:22

@OneCalamerra

They’ll ask for a refund stating that the pieces aren’t there.

You reply with a copy of the advert saying you had no idea which pieces were there and weren’t guaranteeing.

I actually think in those circs PayPal may side with you.

I saw a video once. Someone sold a brand new car part on ebay. The person left positive feedback saying it arrived perfeectly. Got it fitted, then sent it back used and damaged and paypal sided with the buyer WHO HAD LEFT POSITIVE FEEDBACK BEFORE USING AND DECIDING HE DIDN'T WANT IT.

I have been lucky wih ebay and paypal so far, but I fear that the day will soon come where one or other of those corporations will annoy me massively by being completely ludicrous.

Paypal is for the benefit of paypal. Paypal win when people spend. People spend when they have ridiculous levels of protection.

Buttybach · 10/05/2021 16:38

There seem to be lots of scams involving couriers at the moment going on with FB and gumtree

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