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eBay

If you buy or sell items on eBay, you will find tips and advice on this forum.

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Original poster

Arsey, Aggressive Buyer making my blood boil - help!

25 replies

runawayquickly · 29/04/2009 16:56

Any advice appreciated - I have been selling on ebay for years but this is the first time I have had a problem.

I sold some shoes, not realising the template I used was from an old sale when I worked part time and could get to the PO more often. Stated items usually sent in 1-2 days.

On day three I got a message WHEN DID YOU POST MY SHOES?

I hadn't yet, so mailed to say I was unable to get to PO and sent them on the morning of day 5.

Although sent 1st class they have not arrived. I have proof of postage. Now getting series of over the top and aggressive emails basically accusing meof never sending them/trying to mislead/do you think I am an idiot kind of stuff. I have responded each time and kept it polite, saying I understand their 'obvious anger' and I will go to PO in the morning.

They're demanding a refund - should I? Get the feeling the shoes would arrive there and they'd just keep them.
Any chance the PO can help on items not registered?

It's really put me off ebay. Life's too short to get stupid emails from numpties like that.

Advice really appreciated. I'm off to make a cup of tea and hope the steam stops coming out my ears soon!!

OP posts:

poopscoop · 29/04/2009 16:58

How long since you posted them?

Original poster

runawayquickly · 29/04/2009 17:01

Sorry, should have said that. Last Friday morning first class to Scotland from London.

OP posts:

Geepers · 29/04/2009 17:02

Did you send recorded delivery? If not I'd refund.

FWIW I think waiting 5 days after payment is too long to post something out.

Original poster

runawayquickly · 29/04/2009 17:04

Hm, ok, but feedback fr the seven other items I posted on the same day often mentioned 'fast delivery'? Confused!

OP posts:

poopscoop · 29/04/2009 17:04

was it alot of money? I think if not then i would refund tbh

Original poster

runawayquickly · 29/04/2009 17:08

It was around £28. A ot of money to me at the moment, but that's the way it goes.

Ok, thanks for the advice everyone. Will have to bite the bullet on this one then - seems a bit unfair to me but I had no idea five days was seen as too long to post. Will definitely mention this is in future listings.

OP posts:

Haribosmummy · 29/04/2009 17:08

If he paid via paypal, then he'll be able to claim a full refund as Payapl won't accept proof of postage, only proof of delivery.

If he paid by cheque, then chances are he can stop it - even if it's coming up as cashed.

I'm guessing it was paypal, though, if he was expecting 2-3 day delivery.

So, yes, you might as well offer him a refund (though, yes, he probably has the shoes now too - it's a common trick that if buyers know that paypal will refund if you don't send items recorded, then they can get a refund too)

Not saying that always happens, but I know it does. I don't bother selling much on ebay now. But, I still buy stuff - the protection for buyers is much better.

Original poster

runawayquickly · 29/04/2009 17:14

It was Paypal. Thanks for pointing out the trick - will look out for it now.
I know what you mean, Haribosmummy. It really sticks in my throat since this buyer was so aggressive and horrible. And I loved those shoes - only wore them for a few hours at a christening then sold cos we're so skint. Bah!

OP posts:

Fimbo · 29/04/2009 17:15

I sent a parcel to my dad first class last Thursday, it turned up today!

123andaway · 29/04/2009 17:51

Have you asked your buyer to check at their sorting office. Lots of 'missing' parcels turn up there, when for whatever reason the buyer hasn't had the card postie leaves if you're not home. I agree it sounds like the buyer is trying it on. Its a common scam now.

Unfortunately if you haven't sent it recorded delivery you will have no choice but to refund. So long as you have a certificate of posting you will be able to claim the money back from royal mail, although it will take some weeks.

I would leave the buyer positive feedback that says something like 'Fast payment, sorry your item got lost in the post, I have refunded your payment', as this may serve as a warning to others. Be careful not to leave a 'negative' comment (ie saying they were rude/impatient etc) as positive, as ebay will remove the feedback if the buyer complains.

ilove · 29/04/2009 17:54

There hasn't been time for it to arrive yet...RM say 15 working days is "normal" for first class items to arrive...that is 3 full weeks including weekends. RM eon't even look at a claim before that time has expired.

Original poster

runawayquickly · 29/04/2009 18:01

Thanks everyone for your advice on this one. I am going to go into the PO in the morning and mail buyer to explain everything if it's a no show and offer a refund. Ooh, I amgetting reasonable in my old age.

OP posts:

southeastastra · 29/04/2009 18:04

tell them to wait at least 5 days more before you even think of refunding

sixlostmonkeys · 29/04/2009 19:46

Ask him to check at his local sorting office and say that you will be contacting his local sorting office too.
mention that you will use the online tracking and forward him the info - this just may prompt him to inform you that they didnt arrive by recorded delivery - bingo! you have him

Haribosmummy · 29/04/2009 20:52

123andaway - it's impossible for a seller to leave anything BUT positive feedback now.

Original poster

runawayquickly · 30/04/2009 22:29

As a PS to this pain-in-the-butt story... just got the most gushy email saying that the shoes were perfect, the postman left a note today as he could not deliver. Thanks so much, blah blah... What the....?! And then another note to say 'by the way, sorry if you were offended if I was rude.' (In a sidestepping an apology sort of way.)

When I asked at the PO today they said 'everyone' was complaining about delivery times this week but it was all because of a bank holiday backlog.
Hassle, hassle, hassle... at least it happened just before I refunded. Thanks for the advice everyone - will be sure to state delivery times a lot more clearly from now on.

OP posts:

Mspontipine · 30/04/2009 22:36

Just as some sellers are expecting a scammer round every corner I can imagine some buyers are too. They were wrong to be so arsey - but nice to get an apology.

Flibbertyjibbet · 30/04/2009 22:40

Glad to hear it all worked out. I sold some children's shoes on ebay last year, bids ended midnight sat, posted 2nd class (as stated in listing) monday morning, no email on tuesday night just a paypal dispute opened by the buyer because the things hadn't turned up!!

He got them on thurs and no email, just a paypal notification to say that the dispute had been resolved.

I car boot now. I make less money over all but you take the money, they inspect the things then WALK OUT OF YOUR LIFE!!!

expatinscotland · 30/04/2009 22:51

Like Flibberty I gave up on Ebay and now car boot.

Flibbertyjibbet · 30/04/2009 23:01

Yes at car boots that don't start till 10am

Am still catching up beauty sleep from 5am start two weeks ago.

expatinscotland · 30/04/2009 23:04

I'm doing another one in May.

Flibbertyjibbet · 30/04/2009 23:09

I could probably drive up to your car boot in scotland for 10am and STILL get up later than the 5am required round here!!

Original poster

runawayquickly · 01/05/2009 00:26

I just gave a neighbour some outgrown school uniform stuff and got a bottle of wine in return. This may be my new policy - old tat for alcohol only.

OP posts:

ilovesprouts · 11/05/2009 23:10

i have lots of stuff t0 sell but wont put them on ebay i only buy

hackneybird · 12/05/2009 20:34

I use ebay all the time. In over five years and 500+ transactions I've had two awful people. At the time it was really upsetting but thankfully it doesn't happen so often so hasn't put me off.

One woman sent me really arsey emails - 'Where's my skirt, I want to wear it' etc. etc. I pointed out she hadn't actually paid for the skirt yet and would that I would send it when she did so. She did and I did, but she left me negative feedback, complaining about slow delivery!

The woman was a nutter though, I looked up feedback she had left for other transactions, and in one she complained that she had hand delivered an item, but commented that the 'house looked common'

Thank god there are better controls on feedback now.

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