halloween

Should I Refund this Buyer? and Shipping International

September 22nd, 2006 |

Author: admin

Dear eBay Queen;

We sold a 1940’s Paper Mache Cat Jack-o-Lantern this past week. The buyer received it, and said it had a hole cut out of the bottom. In my research on e-bay, I saw others the same way. I didn’t realize I should have mentioned it. I disclosed the wear to the item, and I had 2 pictures of it front and back in the description.

The bidder says he wants me to refund his purchase price, shipping and insurance both ways. Based on his emails, he will no doubt give negative feedback whatever I decide to do. Our feedback is 100% since 1997. What should we do? Should I give him back his money? What will happen if I tell him I am not going to refund his money?

CLS; Lane, KS

Dear CLS;

I love old Halloween collectibles. I took a look at your auction. What a great piece of 1940’s Halloween décor! While looking at your listing, I noticed you do not have a refund policy. While a refund policy will not help you out now with this auction problem, it will definitely help you out the next time you get in a jam with a bidder. Browse some other seller’s listings; check out their return policy. When you find one you like, modify it to match your business practices.

Should you refund his money? I probably would, if only just to save myself the hassle of a negative and a possible Paypal “Not as Described” Complaint. I would apologize for the error, and require him to return it within 4 –5 business days; as long as it is in the condition it left your house in. I would bet you could re-list this item (with photos of the hole) on eBay in the first week of October and it will bring just as much or more than it brought the first time around.

If you don’t want to refund the money to him, the worst thing that could happen is a negative feedback from your buyer and a Paypal Dispute. If he files a Paypal “Not As Described” Dispute, be prepared for a 2-3 month period of waiting for Paypal to decide which side to take in the dispute. Paypal will take into account the buyers opinion about the item, and your listing, photos; refund policy, and your account of the transaction. If Paypal weighs in on the buyer’s side, they will be required to send the item back to you. If they find in your favor, nothing will be done. The buyer could still leave you a negative feedback, no matter what Paypal decides.

Dear eBay Queen;

I have in my listings that I sell only to the United States, but I get questions all the time if I will ship overseas. I had one this morning for my Franklin Mint Kings and Queens coin set. The buyer wants to know if I will ship to Singapore. I haven’t shipped anything overseas before. What do I need to look out for?

John

Dear John;

I don’t like to ship out of the USA either. I am always worried about the item getting to its destination in the time promised, and breakage.

Before you consider shipping an item to Singapore, or any other country, check out the mailing regulations. http://pe.usps.gov/text/Imm/Immctry.html Each country has different rules. When I looked up Singapore’s regulations, I found that that countries postal system only allows, “Coins for purposes of ornament”. Your Franklin Mint Coins would be ok to send, but if you were to send money or coins that could be put into circulation, you would be in violation of Singapore’s mailing rules.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 120026471951 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page) How much are 3 old guitars worth? 1967 Mosrite Guitars Vintage Strawberry Alarm Clock SOLD $ 52,099.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120026471951

Do you want to learn more about selling and buying on eBay? Come to an eBay Class given by the eBay Queen. Saturday October 7 from 9-11AM at the Ottawa Community Arts Council. Cost is 20.00. For more information call 242-8478.

Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained Education Specialist. She lives in Rantoul. Do you have a question for the eBay Queen? E-mail: questions@asktheebayqueen.com .