Buyer trying to force a return - what will she try next - PayPal?

[TheoTheopolis23]

I have made the mistake of informing a buyer who left neutral feedback - thus breaking my long record of only positive feedback - that eBay had removed the feedback (as it was unreasonable), that I had blocked her as a buyer, and added that I hoped she didn't treat other sellers the same.

(Her feedback related to the delivery time. I checked and saw that I had sent the item on day 2 of my 3 day dispatch period, and that the carrier (Yodel) - when I looked at their tracking website - listed 3 attempts to deliver (with cards left) until the 3rd was successful).

I highlighted this in my message. In retrospect I wish I had not bothered messaging her and just been glad eBay removed the feedback and write her off as a bit of a dick.

Since receiving the message she had tried to force a return of the item - which she appears to have had for 6 days. On the basis that it is t "to small".
There was not a word about it being too small before now and the only feedback left was re delivery time.
The item is also a one size, loose, open poncho/cape (new with tags) and was listed as such.

eBay advised I could decline the return (since I have a no except if not as described policy) but that she could try to leave negative feedback. They said they didn't know if they could remove feedback twice. I asked why not, if it's clear it's malicious and dudbtgeealkt get a definite answer.

I have a feeling Ive not heard the last of her. She sent me an email I haven't fully read declaring what I said about the attempted deliveries to be untrue etc etc. I've double checked her dispatch label reference against at my receipt for posting and tracked it on the Yodel site. I even looked up the local depot mentioned in their tracking "report" and it's in her city

Is PayPal the only other thing she can go for now? Can she try to do a cashback/demand a refund?

*no return except not as described policy

This sounds like a load of stress, is it worth it? I would probably just accept the return and move on.

If you want to fight it. Do you get the GPS reference when they mark the unsuccessful delivery? Does it match the actual delivery address?

I can’t tell if her neutral feedback was unreasonable or not because you haven’t said what the dispatch or delivery terms were vs when she received the item. Usually neutral feedback isn’t unreasonable, but unfounded negative feedback?

I can say that a one size poncho item can indeed be too big or too small depending on body type, and 6 days is not an unreasonable time frame in which to request a return of an item of clothing. Most shops have a 14-30day time frame in which an item of clothing is eligible for return.

There is no evidence she is being malicious as you said her feedback was neutral and she’s now requested a return within a reasonable timeframe for a plausible reason.

On the other hand, your reactions in response seem overly defensive and not very customer oriented.

Oh she's not saying she didn't receive it.

She received it and left me neutral feedback essentially blaming me for the delivery time. Even though I sent it on day 2 of the 3 working days, and Yodel list trying to deliver and leaving cards for her twice over several days before delivering on the third attempt.

After being challenged about the feedback, she's now claiming it's too small.

It's a one size item. And it wasn't too small/she didn't want to return it until I challenged her about the feedback.

Serves you right really for sending her a "haha they removed your feedback" message. Just let it go. Let her return it. Is it worth the stress?

I can’t tell if her neutral feedback was unreasonable or not because you haven’t said what the dispatch or delivery terms were vs when she received the item

I dispatched the item well within my dispatch period. I am not responsible for the courier not meeting their delivery aim after that point - only an idiot would think a seller has any control or responsibility over the delivery after they dispatch the item in good time.

You also appear to have totally ignored the fact that I stated that the courier tried to deliver her item twice, leaving cards, and only managed the third time ... Over several days; which contributed to her delivery time.
If she is unavailable to receive items, then she needs to factor that in; not blame couriers (or totally illogically) sellers.

Yep. Dont poke the bear.

I can say that a one size poncho item can indeed be too big or too small depending on body type

Then she should have clarified dimensions before she bought it .... If she thinks her body size of type may not fit a typical one size item. She had every opportunity to do so before purchase and even before dispatch. Every other buyer can drop me a message to clarify dimensions if I have not listed them.
I didn't list them because it's a loose, one size item. She's the person buying the item, without having the opportunity to try it on, so the onus is on her to take the initiative to ask. I naturally assumed if she didn't then she thought a one size item of that type from that well known brand would be ok for her.

Anyway this is BS and you know it .. .. her "request" to retire only came after her feedback was removed.
Also buyers try on items son after deliver, usually immediately and would contact you equally quickly if they wanted to return. That's my experience of decades of selling.

They also don't leave feedback for items they intend to return and haven't tried on/decided to keep.

So .. pull the other one.
Is aibu slow tonight lol.

I agree.

I've fucked up, I should have had more sense.

eBay said if I have a no returns policy and she wants to return because she's (suddenly) decided its "too small' .... Which is not "not as described" because it was described as one size/free size as per the manufacturer label ...then she'd probably have to pay the return postage. I would still be left paying the outgoing postage and having to resell the item . Why should I, because she's returning out of spite - be sure I called her out on her unfaur feedback.

Also she's had the item for nearly a week, I have no guarantee it's in the condition I sent it to her, and when I get it back there is no real recourse for compensation if it's not.

We've all read stories on here of sellers receiving back items not in the condition they sent or different items .... And that they got no recompense out of eBay.

Ffs just accept the return!

You seem incredibly defensive OP. The sort of seller that makes eBay unpleasant, to be honest.

Just accept the return and move on.

I think some people on ebay seem to think they are doing you a favour selling to you! I looked at one item and then read a whole spiel about the seller not accepting any returns and if anyone annoyed her or messed her around she would ban them etc etc. It totally put me off. Honestly I would have just allowed her to return it. I get fed up of all the feedback nonsense. Surely neutral feedback is just that neutral. It is also possible that the delivery company provided the kind of shit deliveries where they say they have attempted delivery but you were there all day and never received it.

I've had 100% positive feedback for a very long time and hundreds of pleasant interactions with nice buyers

This buyer is a dick.

Surely neutral feedback is just that neutral. It is also possible that the delivery company provided the kind of shit deliveries where they say they have attempted delivery but you were there all day and never received it.

The delivery time is not my responsibility..... If I dispatched within good time and I did; and my dispatch date would have been marked for her.

As I said only an idiot would think the seller should be left neutral or bad feedback for that.
How is it within our control??

Oh and you're the type of poster who makes MN unpleasant, just to return the compliment.

I'm not paying for outgoing postage and having the hassle if reselling an item that I may not even get back in its original condition because a buyer who's too stupid (best case scenario) to understand what feedback is for and that a seller can't control delivery by couriers ..... Esp when they're apparently out all day and keep missing deliveries .... And who returns items out of spite when called out on it.

Items they didn't want to return before being called out. She's have asked for a return before leaving feedback then if she wanted to. She asked for it within minutes of receiving that mail .... Which says it all.

So, feel free to ignore the thread unless you'd like to discuss any experiences of a buyer trying to force a return through PayPal etc. Is it possible?

We’ve just seen how you ensure it stays 100%.

According to to the Consumer Rights Act, the delivery provider is your responsibility as the seller.

Do bore off

First time I've ever had to request feedback removal.

Nice try though.

And I don't give a fk if you believe me or not.

Are you a business? It sounds like it if you've had hundreds of good feedback

And how do they propose a seller controls the behaviour of Yodel, Evri and Royal Mail?

Or the behaviour of buyers who are never at home and gi not specify a safe place?

No, private seller, since early days.

(I've seen plenty other private sellers with hundreds of feedbacks too incidentally).