Buyer sent me stamps instead of money for postage!

kimmoss88

I sold an item for 99p plus £3 p&p. Buyer decided to pay by cheque. Recieved cheque today in the post (addressed as number 8 not 6 so it ended up next door :rolleyes:) and he has sent me a cheque for £1.11 and 8 1st class stamps (£2.88). Amused me greatly.

Do you reckon I'm entitled to keep any stamps if I don't use them all up? Or is this rude and would he expect them back? Only that means that the packaging costs and 10 minute walk to the post office (and 10 back) has got me 12p! Hardly seems worth it for £1.11 (minus fees)

I can just tell that if he's the sort of person to send me stamps, he's definately gonna check how much the postage cost when it gets there.

Any suggestions?

kbl

Seriously!!!!! Would just send an email thanking him for the thought, and assuring him that, should he buy from you again, you won't ever charge extra for the bus fare to post office as you value his custom soooo much! I repeat again, SERIOUSLY??? Was debating whether to try selling on ebay, that kinda made up my mind.

soolin

I have been paid in full in stamps before now and for smaller amounts I can't say I was actually that bothered.

I just sent as usual using a post office label and kept the stamps for my own use.If you prefer not to take stamps then just tell the buyer that you will return them in the package once he pays you in full using one of your stated payment methods. getting paid in stamps is still a lot cheaper than being paid by paypal. Also I don't understand this bit:

Only that means that the packaging costs and 10 minute walk to the post office (and 10 back) has got me 12p

You charged him £3.99 in total and that is what you got?

Was debating whether to try selling on ebay, that kinda made up my mind.

Why? Seller saved around 30p by gettig paid in stamps as opposed to paypal. If you prefer to be paypal only then there is nothing to stop you actually setting up your auctions that way. Personally I do prefer paypal even with their fees, but I certainly wouldn't turn down this emthod of payment for a small amount due to the savings on fees.

Road_Hog

kimmoss88 wrote: »

I sold an item for 99p plus £3 p&p. Buyer decided to pay by cheque. Recieved cheque today in the post (addressed as number 8 not 6 so it ended up next door :rolleyes:) and he has sent me a cheque for £1.11 and 8 1st class stamps (£2.88). Amused me greatly.
Any suggestions?

I think you'll find that that is the buyer's way of telling you he thinks you're overcharging on the postage.

What he has basically done is pay you 99p in cash (alright cheque) and the £3 in postage. It would have been too much effort to muck around to get it spot on buying low vallue stamps, but it is near enough to make a point.

So, he is saying, there's your money for the item but you're not going to make any extra on the postage as I've sent you stamps. Unfortunately this sort of stupidity is encouraged by ebay.

I would email them and say please send a new cheque for the full amount, and that you have binned (ripped up) the old cheque, also you'll return the stamps back when you send the item. That way if they don't send you a proper cheque then you'll keep the stamps.

Don't put up with this and just accept it, it is quite rude to do this sort of thing and I'm sure you'd never dream of pulling this stunt on another seller.

wigglebeena

It's quite funny, but OTOH he is saying that he expects to get all packaging materials free (honestly, buyers! Do they think we pull the stuff off 'jiffy bag fruit trees' or something?) and busfare/petrol too for that matter (a round trip to town from my village costs £4!!!). Either they're not thinking it through, or it's just cheek. I know you walk, but how is he to know that?

For a small amount I wouldn't argue - not worth antagonising someone who might buy again. If it was more I'd stand on principle.

anonymousie

Actually it wouldn't bother me TBH. Stamps we can all use up easily enough, even if you save 'em for the Xmas cards.

I'd Post with PO label as usual and though I might:mad: a bit,I'd feel just a little:D because at least paypal haven't taken their cut of the total due!

kimmoss88

kimmoss88 wrote: »

Only that means that the packaging costs and 10 minute walk to the post office (and 10 back) has got me 12p!

Sorry for the confusion soolin. I got 99p for the item (minus 7p fees I think) and I should use nearly all the stamps I think (its to send 76 coins so it's pretty heavy!). The 12p has to cover my packaging, packaging time and the 20 minutes to the PO and back.

charlottevwa

IF i was you, i would weigh the parcel, then print your postage off the royal mail site, then he wont know how much it cost as you can choose for the label to not state the postage price. That will shut him up

MRS_TO_BE_2

I've recently started buying on ebay and hopefully tonight will be listing some items. I think what he has done is really cheeky, After all postage and Packing is just that and no allowance has been made for packaging!

FloFlo

Well I have about 4 items left to sell and then I'm packing in ebay, I think the new rukes stink abd can't be bothered anymore. Personally the way I feel now I would send his payment back, report him as a non paying bidder and block him from biding on further items.

frivolous_fay

Think outside the box

You don't need to use the stamps he's sent - but he's sent you the exact value of the item cost inc. postage. Think of it as currency, rather than something to use for postage.

You've saved on paypal fees, and the stamps will even appreciate next time the stamp prices go up :rolleyes: