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eBay

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Original poster

Ebay buyer and seller - seller bought but now wants refund what to do?

26 replies

SuperFlyHigh · 13/07/2015 09:29

I have a conundrum here.

I bought about a month ago with not knowing that Converse you have to size up or try on a pair of Converse trainers... at Office in their sale. They say that if you want to return in sale you can't do this... online you can but in person at shop as I did no.

So I put them on Ebay with a fairly clear story why I was selling, that you had to size up and no returns. A month went by they weren't sold then a buyer buys them and pays for them. 2 days later she emails me saying she didn't think she'd get anywhere but she realises like I did that they will be too small and can she have a refund? Her feedback as a buyer is about 99% so good.

I'm not sure what to do... she seems nice but it really isn't my problem. What would Ebayers here do? I just want rid of the trainers and it's nigh on impossible selling them anywhere else.

OP posts:
wobblywindows · 13/07/2015 09:38

Did you despatch the trainers already ? If you haven't sent the trainers out, then just do the "agreed to cancel" transaction. If you sent them already make it clear to her she'll have to pay return postage, and let that sink in. It will be cheaper or her to try selling them than to send them back to you.

Original poster
SuperFlyHigh · 13/07/2015 09:41

well she was lucky as I didn't post them this morning but I'm annoyed that she's cancelled after paying!

what do I do about feedback give negative or neutral?

to be honest if I have ever done this I always pay up and suck it up... so I'm sort of tempted to say if you read the advert properly you wouldn't be stuck.... oh what to do! Confused

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 13/07/2015 09:47

what do I do about feedback give negative or neutral?

You can only give positive as a seller can't you?

SoupDragon · 13/07/2015 09:48

Anyway, she made a mistake, just like you did. Mutually agree to cancel the transaction, get your fees back and refund her.

wobblywindows · 13/07/2015 09:49

I'd be disapointed not to have made the sale, but relieved to have averted further angst. You still have the trainers and can relist. Maybe put at the top " please read description carefully, owing to different sizing!" I wouldn't bother giving feedback (she made the same mistake as you). Nowadays I only leave feedback saying "fast payment, good ebayer" so everyone knows what I want. If they don't measure up- no feedback.

bodenbiscuit · 13/07/2015 09:50

I think you should cancel the transaction, particularly as you haven't posted them. I wouldn't want to post anything to someone knowing they didn't want it tbh. Also, presumably you will want to protect your feedback.

TinyManticore · 13/07/2015 09:57

Cancel, refund, re-list.
Put in large capitals at the top 'please read carefully - size labelled as 'X' but is more like a 'Y' or whatever.

nauticant · 13/07/2015 10:34

I'm with the other posters. I'd use the ebay messaging system to offer cancellation if they confirm they'll go along with it. I wouldn't leave any feedback.

These are three outcomes on ebay:

  1. trouble-free sale;
  2. trouble-free mutual cancellation; and
  3. anything else.

If you avoid 3) all's well.

WeAreEternal · 13/07/2015 10:58

You have two options.

Agree to cancel the sale, get your fees back and relist leaving a happy buyer who will leave positive feedback.

Or

Refuse, send anyway, wait for the buyer to request to return them and have to refund anyway but end up with a pissed off buyer who will probably leave you negative feedback.

19lottie82 · 13/07/2015 13:38

It's up to you. As long as you are a private seller, then you are under no obligation to accept a no fault return. personally I'd say no, sorry, but say she is welcome to use your photos from the original listing, if she want's to re sell on eBay.

Just to point out, you say her feedback as a buyer is 99%? You can't leave feedback for a buyer, so it MUST be 100%?

19lottie82 · 13/07/2015 13:40

wait for the buyer to request to return them and have to refund anyway

the OP is under no obligation to accept the return if she is a private seller, as long as the shoes are not faulty or mis sold.

at this stage, IF the buyer claimed the above, the OP has proof in the form of the eBay messages that she want's to exchange them simply because they're the wrong size.

19lottie82 · 13/07/2015 13:42

ah ok, just RTWT and saw that the OP hasn't posted them.

so, yes, just cancel the sale, easier all round.

why not list them as an auction, rather than a BIN? then they are guaranteed to sell. you might have to take a hit, but at least you will get some of you £ back.

Original poster
SuperFlyHigh · 13/07/2015 16:00

just to let you know... i won't post them...

she is lucky really i didn't post them as I specifically state no returns and in this case its way too much hassle as they're in their box.

but yes, will look at other options. just such a pain. maybe will make it even more crystal clear on listing that they do not fit a size 4 and that you have to size up with Converse. trust me if they fit I'd keep them!

OP posts:
butterflygirl15 · 13/07/2015 18:03

you stating no returns is pretty worthless and means nothing really.

TheFutureMrsB · 13/07/2015 18:12

You don't have to size up with converse, I'm a size 5 in any shoes ... Also a size 5 in converse, I also have a pair in a 4.5 that fit so I wouldn't bother mentioning it in the listing. I would just list them as the size they are and leave it as that.

If you both agree to cancel the transaction now you'll get your fees back too.

SoupDragon · 13/07/2015 18:28

I would just list them as the size they are and leave it as that.

If they do not fit that size, I think you would be stupid not to mention it.

OP, one thing, are you sure you're looking at the UK size and not the U.S. One? I've been caught by that before.

butterflygirl15 · 13/07/2015 18:38

I would state what size they actually fit, but I have never had to size up with Converse either and wonder if they are a different size to what you think they are.

Original poster
SuperFlyHigh · 13/07/2015 19:26

I'm technically a 4.5 but fit 4 in most shoes. The converse I have for sale are a UK 4 and I have 2 canvas one trainer style all star one high top all star and one leather all size 5.

I should've known that as last year I got a cute pair of leopard print converse all trainer style (Low rise) they were a 4 too but I just gave them to charity! These ones are way too tight and won't stretch. Strangely enough the New Balance ones I am also listing are a 4 and won't fit even with laces loosened all the way!

They all are definitely listed as UK 5 or 4 inside the tongue. Can't recall with the NBs.

OP posts:
Original poster
SuperFlyHigh · 13/07/2015 19:29

Also thefuture if you check forums on converse they do say you sometimes have to size up or down... I recall after buying these and them not fitting I double checked on forums just to see if I wasn't going mad, but like I say I'm a half size that fits generally UK 4 non fashion trainer sizes.

OP posts:
nauticant · 13/07/2015 20:41

Quite simply, having a case opened against you as a seller is such a ball-ache that I always accommodate a cancellation request from anyone who sounds remotely sensible.

YeOldTrout · 13/07/2015 21:40

If buyer misread it once I don't think I'd risk listing on Ebay again, next buyer might not realise before you sent out.

Try Facebook selling pages instead, and no fees to pay.

WeAreEternal · 13/07/2015 22:30

I'm dealing with this problem now.
Unfortunately for me I had already posted by the time the buyer contacted me asking to cancel, which she was not at all happy about.

Soon after she emailed me to say that the parcel hadn't turned up, was really annoyed when I asked her to wait a little longer and she is now threatening to opening a case and leaving negative feedback if I don't refund her.

afterthought2 · 14/07/2015 20:52

I always size down a whole size with converse so probably wouldn't mention it in the listing

Original poster
SuperFlyHigh · 15/07/2015 09:30

after that's the thing... some forums say to size up some say to size down...

as the buyer I think looked on forums I asked her politely to go to a shop to try on some Converse just to check, she told me she went to Schuh yesterday and the 4 was too small. I think I believe her. So will sort out refund and am about to relist them on Facebook Selling Pages after Ebay has ended. I won't mention it in the listing.

Anyone know the rules re Facebook returns?!

OP posts:
nauticant · 15/07/2015 17:13

Would it not be better to mention things that will reduce the risk of a buyer being disappointed?

I don't think selling them something that isn't any use to them but them having no come-back is a reasonable solution.