Buyer wants to return

fedupwiththeworry · 9 February 2010 at 12:45PM

Hi Everyone,

For the 1st time ever a buyer wants to return an item they are not happy with. Personally I don't agree with what they are saying at all but from what I understand that's not going to make a lot of difference.

So what's the sequence of events i.e.

Do I refund once I've got the item back or straight away ?
Who pays for the return ?
What returns method should they use (I sent 1st class signed for) ?
What happens if the item I get back isn't the same as when I sent it ?

Thanks for any advice.

Jacks_xxx · 9 February 2010 at 1:59PM

I'd wait until you get the item back before refunding hon. Insist they send it Signed for if you actually want it back. Who pays for the return can depend on the circs - would need more info on that one.

If you get something different back - or something damaged - then you chalk it up to experience, block them, tell us all about them and trust in the universe to make sure they get their just desserts once way or another.

That's how I'd play it anyway.

Unless of course your FB can take the neg...if someone's really playing me for a fool I have been known to call their bluff.

GregtheHammer · 9 February 2010 at 2:08PM

Why are they not happy with it? Is it damaged or do they just not want it now?

PinheadSK · 9 February 2010 at 2:48PM

fedupwiththeworry wrote: »

Do I refund once I've got the item back or straight away ?

Don't refund until you have the item back... ever...

Who pays for the return ?

Usually the buyer pays, unless you're a generous seller or you have to pay because of legalities...

What returns method should they use (I sent 1st class signed for) ?

As far as eBay/Paypal are concerned, it needs to be sent via an online trackable method, so they can see proof of return....

What happens if the item I get back isn't the same as when I sent it ?

Then you're in for a fight! Start gathering the evidence to prove it now (just in case) as Paypal don't give you huge timescales to get your act together.

HTH!

Sean

fedupwiththeworry · 9 February 2010 at 3:10PM

Hi and thanks to everyone for your replies.
It was a football shirt in very good condition, the buyer is saying that it has rubbing on the shoulders and various brown stains.
I certainly don't want neg feedback if at all possible.
So if I reply stating for them to send the item back to me via a recorded method and I'll refund upon receipt ?

PinheadSK · 9 February 2010 at 3:12PM

Ask for photos of the damage first, then see where you go from there...

fedupwiththeworry · 9 February 2010 at 3:50PM

OK I've responded saying sorry they are not happy but I was completely satisfied with the item prior to sending and asked for photos of the damage/marking so I can see what the issues are.
So we'll see what happens.

fedupwiththeworry · 9 February 2010 at 4:10PM

Well they say that photo's won't show the problem, it needs to be inspected to see, so I've asked them to send it back via a tracked method and will contact them once I've had a look at it.

fedupwiththeworry · 9 February 2010 at 6:48PM

Being sent back to me today via 1st class recorded.

This has made me a bit wary now though. I've just had an email from a chap in Greece asking for postage costs, but when I've checked his feedback he's purchased exactly the same item elsewhere in Dec.
Now it could be that he wants 2 (it's possible) or has he broken the original and when mine arrives I'll get a message back saying it's bust and I'll get his broken one back.

Shame it's made me feel that way.

fedupwiththeworry · 10 February 2010 at 2:01PM

Right I got the shirt back today and I'm not convinced it's the one I sent at all. There are tiny little brown stains on it, but not so small that I wouldn't have noticed when first inspecting, doing pictures, description etc (I'm very critical of any faults with items I sell and like to list them all). It also "feels" more used than the shirt I sent.

Trouble is I've looked back at the photos I took originally and you just can't get enough detail in the zoom to prove for certain that the marks weren't originally there.

I suppose I'll just have to bite the bullet and refund and end up with a worse product than I had at the start.

fedupwiththeworry · 10 February 2010 at 7:00PM

Have refunded the buyer but definately feel I been scammed here. I think the Buyer had a sub-standard shirt, got mine and sent his back so gets a much better shirt for free !!
but the trouble is I've no way to prove it because it's got all the same logo's etc and my pictures don't have enough detail in zoom to show there were no marks to begin with. The one I've got back also feels well worn whereas mine was as new.
Don't think I'll be selling anymore things like this that can be so easily scammed.

Buyer wants to return

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free