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Original poster

Buyer unhappy with 99p item

26 replies

GreenFirefly · 01/04/2016 13:31

I did add this to the end of a similar thread but thought I should start my own...
I sold some baby clothes for 99p (one item has slight stains as described and photographed). Buyer has sent me a message saying they're rubbish (another item barely used) and has asked for money back - on a 99p item (£3 postage). No case open as yet but I don't want to end up paying for a return when the original postage was 3 times the cost of the item...
Do I not respond and see if she opens a case?
Ask for more information and photos about what she's unhappy with?
Just refund and be glad I've only lost the original postage cost?

OP posts:
guerre · 01/04/2016 13:33

Just don't sell stuff that is stained! Even when it's pointed out, people aren't happy. Only sell perfect stuff, then you'll have fewer problems.

3boys3dogshelp · 01/04/2016 13:34

I think I would cut my losses, refund her and tell her not to bother posting back. It's annoying but I think you'll struggle to get EBay to see your side when you admit yourself the clothes were stained. Who would want stained clothes??

MyKingdomForBrie · 01/04/2016 13:35

Ask her what about them is different from the description. She's probably trying it on.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 01/04/2016 13:35

Personally I'd just Send the refund especially if one item was stained especially if you've got more to sell and need good feedback.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 01/04/2016 13:38

I would also refund and tell her to throw the stained item away she probably won't. I bet she'll use it anyway as that is a cheaper option than paying for return postage.

pinkcan · 01/04/2016 13:41

Just refund the 99p. It will cost you less in the longer term rather than risking damage to your feedback. It sounds like you're selling a bundle. Next time, don't include any stained items, even though you itemised it this time. Some people on EBay are just looking for any way they can to rip someone off and when you encounter them, it's best to just shut them up as quick as possible as they will cause you problems. Recently I sold a DVD Boxset me and dh had just bought new and watched once (careful handling). The buyer complained that every single disc had sound quality issues (utter bullshit) so we just ended up refunding to save our feedback score. I currently have a buyer who hasn't paid for something and I looked at her "100% positive" feedback to see that other sellers had left positive feedback (that's all they are allowed to) and written next to the green positive "avoid" or "didn't pay" etc. I hate eBay but I don't know how else to get money from stuff I've finished with.

lljkk · 01/04/2016 13:41

What 3boys3dogs said, refund without asking for return, and BLOCK buyer.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 01/04/2016 13:47

Try Gumtree next time. I've just listed loads of house/garden stuff. It's free to list, cash paid and buyer collects. I've sold a lot of items through eBay but I find their fees extortionate. If you sell for 99p plus 2.80 postage (ie no mark up to cover costs), you make 50p. Its hardly worth it and their greed will kill it off eventually rant over!!

TeaPleaseLouise · 01/04/2016 13:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

4Smalls · 01/04/2016 17:17

TeaPleaseLouise's idea is a good one.

But I would just refund and block and be done with it.

By the way, I've bought stained items on ebay - no problem so long as the seller pointed it out in advance!

4Smalls · 01/04/2016 17:19

Oh, did you already reply pointing out that your ad had clearly stated that the item was stained?

Madbengalmum · 01/04/2016 17:26

I always get trouble from the cheapest sales on ebay, never on expensive stuff always on cheap things, never ceases to amaze me what people expect when they pay very little. Refund and block buyer.

snorepatrol · 01/04/2016 17:40

Oh I feel your rage! I sold a bundle of baby clothes once some still had labels on as dd was huge when born and didn't fit into the 0-3 month clothes id bought

Someone bought the bundle for 99p there were about 18 items and when she got the bundle I'd accidentally forgot one item (a hat) my mistake but it was a complete accident. The buyer notified me and I posted the hat out within an hour and she signed for it the next morning. She then left me shitty feedback saying I'd sold a bundle and some items were missing Angry It was one fucking hat and she already had it by the time she gave feedback

I also had a guy who bought a baby mobile off me for 99p insisted collecting in person even though he was about 2 hours away from me and then threw a strop in my living room in front of my toddler and newborn baby about how I was trying to rip him off when he gave me a pound and I said oh I don't have any change on me do you have the change.
His responsibility to make sure he had the right money surely I'm not a bloody bank. In the end I told him I was cancelling the sale and he should go, because I'd have rather thrown it in the bin at that point when he insisted as a 'matter of goodwill he would pay the entra penny' I wanted to throw it at him

eBay is rife with odd sorts and as someone else has said the cheaper the item the worse they are!
I'm pretty sure you don't have to cover the cost of postage back so tell her that the item is as described but if she is not happy to send it back to you and you will refund the initial postage and 99p

Original poster
GreenFirefly · 01/04/2016 17:45

Thanks everyone. On looking through ebay help I've seen that even if she does open a case I could refund, or even partially refund without it being returned. I've checked my photos and description and I feel it was properly described and shown. I've asked for more information and photos for now...

OP posts:
4Smalls · 01/04/2016 17:48

Snorepatrol -
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Strange how ebay brings out the crazies.

43percentburnt · 01/04/2016 17:51

I am sure there people who shop on eBay, buying low cost goods, just to complain and get a refund plus to keep the item. It's a pretty clever trick as most sellers will refund the £3-4 to save the hassle. If they do this 4/5 times a week they receive lots of free goods.

If the item was as described and you didn't mislead her at all, ask her to follow eBay policy - she returns the item at her own expense and you issue a refund (not including the return postage - as per policy). I

thenewaveragebear1983 · 01/04/2016 18:49

Just a thought- when you issue a refund through PayPal you can only refund the purchase price. So, she posts back to you. Tell her to obtain proof of postage. Refund what she paid you including postage. The cost of the return as its her choice to return/goodwill from you is covered by her. EBay can't enforce you pay her postage because its an agreement outside of eBay and they aren't interested. You might find she's happy to keep the items after all. I would email her and explain that as a goodwill gesture as she's unhappy with her purchase you will refund provided you receive the items back first.

freshprincess · 01/04/2016 18:55

Usually when you tell them to post the stuff back for a refund you never hear about it again. Who'd be bothered for 99p?

Technoremix · 01/04/2016 19:05

I would tell her to return them and when you receive them back you'll refund her. I bet you won't hear anything from her after that-she sounds like she's chancing her luck! This is also what ebay will tell her.

caker · 01/04/2016 19:14

Can't help with the issue but just wanted to say that I buy things with marks on, sometimes it's the only way I'd afford something I want and clothes would soon become marked anyway so it doesn't bother me. So don't stop passing these things on, some people really appreciate it!

Original poster
GreenFirefly · 01/04/2016 20:24

I'm constantly surprised on eBay by what sells and what doesn't - I have things in great condition including brand new that I've put on repeatedly (at 99p) and failed to sell, but other things that I think I'll be charity shopping in the end seem to have a bidding war!
I've found 3-6 month baby clothes seem to be hardest to sell, and coats of all sizes.

Caker, I'm glad some people appreciate second hand clothes. I don't expect to make my fortune this way but it's getting a bit of cash in, I'm glad to get it out of the house and my two year old loves a trip to the post office now.

OP posts:
thenewaveragebear1983 · 02/04/2016 07:34

green I am absolutely the same! I very carefully package my bundles so that they get the maximum amount if stuff for one postage charge (eg measure size and weight up to 2kg) and have charity shopped or recycled anything that isn't immaculate. Things still haven't sold! I bundle all the highs from one shop together eg. All next or all debenhams and then throw a few extras in and that seems to help as I guess people search for 'baby clothes next' for example. But, and someone will probably tell me I'm wrong, I am absolutely convinced that relisted items get fewer views, until they've been relisted so many time ^no one^ views them. AFAIK there is nothing in the eBay agreement that guarantees that your item will show if someone searches for it, and I'm also convinced that 'free listing' or special deals (I had 100 free listings last month) don't get as many views. I've no way to prove this but I'm convinced its true!

00100001 · 02/04/2016 07:46

I had someone claim their account was hacked after bidding for and winning something that cost £40. They complained after receiving it. They wanted a refund. told them to raise it through eBay .... Never heard anything after that!

sephineee · 06/04/2016 11:28

Ebay has gone crackers. I haven't used it for a year, having a declutter and the moans/lies Ive had.!

One person just emailed me about a red cardigan being pink. It is the reddest cardigan I have seen. Tomato red!

When did bay start being like this? 99p is a bit of a lottery, aprt of the ebay fun no?

SquinkiesRule · 07/05/2016 13:09

I'm sick to death of it all. I've made my last ebay sales last week. Today I get an email on a pair of very nice cargo capris, only cost 99p also.
The button is off, I can't sew well they are no good to me.
really how useless is she
I messaged back, sorry you aren't happy/can't sew if you want, send them back to me, and I'll refund once I receive them.

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