Advice Please - Nightmare Ebayer

Moglex

Contains_Mild_Peril wrote:

If an item were misdescribed but a refund given willingly, surely feedback should be neutral at worst? I think it is a flaw in the system that a buyer who is trying it on (e.g. damaging an item to claim a refund when the real problem was that it just didn't fit) can spoil an honest seller's reputation even when the seller has been very reasonable.
In the case ALWAYS POOR describes, I would make sure that the feedback warns others of the buyer's behaviour, but in a calm and factual manner, perhaps pointing out her feedback score as compared with the seller's.

Let's do a hypothetical.

X wants to buy a size 12 widget with gold trimmings for his girlfriend's birthday.

Y is selling a widget described as size 12 with gold trimmings.

X buys the item, but when he gets it it is a size 10 with zinc trimmings, and he's missed anothe widget in the interim and also the deadline for his g/f's birthday.

Now, I think the buyer would certainly deserve a neg, whether they refunded or not.

Of course, ebays feedback system is crap, but there's no way you could do a perfect one.

Sellers need to be a bit more laid back about the odd neg. It's not going to ruin their reputation.

If you have feedback of 100 and a couple of people have said something was damaged, do you really think everyone will think you're a crap seller?

Aiadi

Moglex wrote:

Let's do a hypothetical.

X wants to buy a size 12 widget with gold trimmings for his girlfriend's birthday.

Y is selling a widget described as size 12 with gold trimmings.

X buys the item, but when he gets it it is a size 10 with zinc trimmings, and he's missed anothe widget in the interim and also the deadline for his g/f's birthday.

Now, I think the buyer would certainly deserve a neg, whether they refunded or not.

Of course, ebays feedback system is crap, but there's no way you could do a perfect one.

Sellers need to be a bit more laid back about the odd neg. It's not going to ruin their reputation.

If you have feedback of 100 and a couple of people have said something was damaged, do you really think everyone will think you're a crap seller?

I have to say that I always find it difficult to buy from someone with less than something like a 99% positive feeback. I know this may not be very sensible but if the same item is available from someone with a better feedback then I tend to go for the latter. May be it is just me.............

Moglex

Aiadi wrote:

I have to say that I always find it difficult to buy from someone with less than something like a 99% positive feeback. I know this may not be very sensible but if the same item is available from someone with a better feedback then I tend to go for the latter. May be it is just me.............

I suppose we all have our magic figures.

For me, I know I'd be wary of someone with less than 98% and less than 97% would be a definite no-no, but those are entirely arbitrary figures, just as anyone else's 'comfort' figures are.

Contains_Mild_Peril

I tend to look at the f/back comments if the seller has less than 99% positive. If it's clear that they've been fair and reasonable about any problems, I'd probably still buy from them. Less than 98% would set alarm bells ringing unless it was just one negative, in which case I'd check it out.

hjb123

How much was the item worth?

Are you selling or buying anything else via paypal/ebay at the moment? If not empty your paypal account - I dont think paypal will refund them if you havent the money?!

ALWAYS_POOR

UPDATE:

The dress has been returned by recorded delivery but it is awaiting collection at the post office so I haven't seen it. I am reconciled to writing it off if it is too damaged.

But, I am constantly being harrassed by the buyer by email. She has now accused me of selling pirate DVDs:

"I'm going to issue a complaint about you as have heard that you are selling pirate DVD's which I may add is illegal"

I sell a lot of DVDs but they are all completely genuine and nearly all of them are shrinkwrapped by the manufacturer.

I have had a total of 12 emails from the buyer. I only replied to one and replied to the negative feedback she has given me. I haven't left any feedback for her yet.

How can I stop her harrassing me? Is there some way that I can complain to Ebay?

Thanks hjb123 for advice about emptying my Paypal account, but I have a feeling that they can still take the money and put you in 'overdraft' situation or something similar. Can anyone else advise me on this point?

soolin

ALWAYS_POOR wrote:

UPDATE:

IThanks hjb123 for advice about emptying my Paypal account, but I have a feeling that they can still take the money and put you in 'overdraft' situation or something similar. Can anyone else advise me on this point?

Paypal will just freeze your account and harrass you for the money to put funds back into it. If you sell regularly on ebay you don't really want the hassle of having no paypal account especially as if anyone does pay you accidentally by paypal their money will just go to settle the debt.

In the Daily Mail one day last week paypal came in for critiscm for sending in 'heavy' debt collectors even while a dispute was still going on. They have apparently been warned that the use of private debt collection firms should only be used as a last resort and certainly not while the matter is still under investigation. Until I read that article I had always assumed the use of debt collectors was a step that paypal only threatened but never used.

Soo

nelly05

@ Alwayspoor:- This all sounds a bit suss to me.

Aside from the issue with the dress, why does she keep harassing you??

Can you contact the previous person who gave her neg feedback and see if they had the same problems.

Also - where has she "heard" you are selling pirate dvds!!

Unfortunately you have met the nightmare from hell, but be strong.
As far as i understood if there is no funds in the acount paypal cannot refund, or thats what they told me when i file a complaint about an item that was never sent.

I would keep all the emails for reference and if they continue, tell her you will be passing them to the relevant authorities when you make a complaint regarding harrasment and threatening behaviour.

Regards

jaydog_2

I dropped ebay sometime ago it very poor value for money.
Think adout putting a sale up you mess around with all the detailing take a picture upload it, place an auction you get charged.

Next you the item you put up has to be a low or ok price to start otherwise no one bothers anymore, if you do sell it 99% of people only want to use PP, they charge you to take money from others, another cost. You take money from PP account to your current account another charge.

Its not good value in my opinion.

Also I was shocked to learn PP are not controled or governed by banking laws !.

I have since used free-ads / local papers and in the south west a 3 times a week paper called Trade It...I have sold everything for the price I want and no postage, no ebay and PP hassle.

Also carboot sales are big now with the sunner almost here that is far better, outside healthy and a bit or haggling all good fun.

Beats the stress of Ebay and PP hands down.

ALWAYS_POOR

I have now emailed a complaint to ebay. I won't take any further action until I hear from them.

I am resigned to Paypal taking the money I don't want to fall foul of them. I've no idea where she got the idea that I am selling pirate DVDs but I thought it best not to take any further action until ebay get back to me.

Thank you all very much, I will update you when I hear more.

:beer: