I received a return where the buyer left this on the packing of the product.
I guess she tried to sell it in her garage sale first? I’ve sold on eBay 22 years. I’ve never had anything quite so crazy. If you are new to eBay, you should know this is the exception, not the norm.
I sold an item that I listed as damaged. It was in the the title, description, and item specifics. I even had a photo of the damage. The item retailed for 72.00, and I had it listed for 13.00 with free shipping because of the damage. The damage was to the side seam of the item. It needed to be repaired or re-sewn. The buyer messaged me right after they purchased and asked if I would send their item immediately because they wanted to repair it for a gift. (We did)
I received this message below from the customer after they received it.
The buyer wants me to give them a partial refund or discount because of the repair. I immediately saw they had 47K feedback and went to see what they sell and checkout their feedback.
I thought it was pretty funny that one of their negatives was “shirt was torn, the seller did not want to pay damages”.
If you are wondering what I said to the buyer? “I am so sorry this was not what you expected. We do have 30 day free returns if you’d like to return this item.”
Have you experienced anything like this?
We had a buyer that did not read the return policy on evening gowns. She left a negative and in order for us to try to get the negative removed we allowed her to return it. I made sure to ask if the item had been worn, and if it still was new with tags. She assured me it was in perfect condition.
Here’s how I received it back.
Do you think it was worn?
I messaged the buyer and asked her the following:
“I received the dress yesterday. I have attached photos of the dress. It appears you have worn the dress. There is hair and dry skin ALL over the inside and outside of this dress.
The tags have been removed and put on by a safety pin.”
She responds:
“I DID NOT WEAR THIS DRESS. IF THERE WAS ANY HAIR ON IT, THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOME FROM MY DOG, BUT THE TAGS WERE N E V E R REMOVED. I am going to start an action against you. You just asked me to send this back so that you have the dress, I have nothing, and now you are FABRICATING LIES to try and get out of a refund. THESE TAGS WERE NEVER REMOVED!!!!! IF THEY WERE PUT ON BY A XXXX SAFETY PIN, IT’S YOU WHO DID IT!!!!!! YOU ARE COMMITTING FRAUD AND YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET AWAY WITH THIS!! I HAVE BEEN A 100% EBAYER FOR MANY YEARS AND YOU ARE THE ABSOLUTE WORST SELLER I HAVE EVER HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF DEALING WITH!!! YOU ARE CROOKS!!!!!!”
eBay closed the case in our favor an removed the negative because she altered the dress by her own omission, saying “it might have been some from my dog”
I messaged the buyer back:
“We are not out to take your money and the product. We just want the item (that we said no returns accepted) to be returned in the condition that we sent it to you in. Did you view the photos? There is hair all over this, and it looks like the dog laid on it. To accept this return I would have to take an even bigger loss because I can’t sell it as new AND pay to have it dry cleaned. It was new with tags and no pet hair/human hair when we sent it.
Here are the options I an give you.
1. Do you want me to send the item back to you and you can sell it.
2 Do you want us to keep the item and give you a partial refund for the item (15% less). to cover dry cleaning.
I am very sorry about this Please let me know which you’d like for me to do: send the item back to you or give you a partial refund.”
I’d love to share with you her message back to me, but as you can imagine it was not pleasant.
Dear eBay Queen:
I’ve sold off and on for a few years. This year, because I needed a bit more money, I sold through the Christmas Holiday Season. My goodness – it’s like the crazy people have come out of the wood work!
Do you think people are more difficult in January than they are the rest of the year? I sold products this year from March to December. Do you know how many questions I received in that time period? I had four, and one return. I have -0- items listed in January and I wake up every morning with a problem or two!
The two issues I have that are making me nuts right now are:
I also have two people that want to return the item because it doesn’t fit. I want to yell “I DON’T ACCEPT RETURNS!” Do you think that people are figuring out that they overspent for Christmas? And now they need their money back?
Monica
Dear Monica:
I know I have more issues in January than I do any other time of year. They actually have a term for this called “Blue January”. Every third Monday in January is now considered Blue Monday. It’s the day most people start getting their credit card bills from all that overspending they did in December. I like to think of it as Regretful January instead of Blue January.
I completely understand saying you do not accept returns. The issue with that is that eBay doesn’t care. They will force you to accept them, so you might as well accept them on your terms with a smile on your face. Here’s how I would handle those issues you have mentioned above:
If you are going to sell on eBay I think it would be a good idea for you to re-think your return policy.
Dear eBay Queen:
I sold a bracelet, and shipped it out within 24 hours. The buyer gave me a negative feedback for slow shipping time. The item was purchased on the 2nd, I shipped it on the 3rd and they received it on the 5th. Is that really show shipping time?
Is there anything I can do about the negative?
Katie
Dear Katie:
I would call customer support and ask if this qualifies for removal. I have seen them remove feedback like this before, and since you followed the rules and the shipping provider backed you up, it should be removed.
Good Luck!
Strange eBay item of the Week: Item #152330968599. This is an unusual piece. If you were a fan of D&D and happen to have one of these lying around, it could be worth some money! TSR Dungeons and Dragons Solid Brass or Solid Bronze Belt Buckle Very Rare SOLD: $600.00.