I have a feeling this buyer is trying to scam me...

KittyKate

Hi all. I have an ebay shop, mainly selling new nail products, but 2 weeks ago I sold a size 10-12 t-shirt. It only went for £1 with £2 postage but that was fine by me as it was only £5 new! Now, it was in excellent condition and I sent it out very quickly and heard no more.

A week on and the seller emails me 'this top was advertised as size 12 and it's acually s-m it doesnt fit I want my money back'. Now, the listing said 'no returns' but as a gesture of goodwill (and as it could technically be 'not as described') I agreed that they could send it back and I'd refund.

Just to say, S-M in my opinion is size 10-12. I am a generous size 12 and it fitted me fine. Also, this was a boy buying it. I get the feeling he bought it for his g/f who didn't like it?

Anyway well over a week on (11 days) and I haven't recieved the top back. Buyer emailed me 5 days ago saying I should have it as he sent it 1st class. I have never had a problem with the post in my area before, and since I emailed him back 5 days ago he hasn't contaced me. What do I do? I have 100% positive feedback I'd hate for it to be scuppered for a £1 t-shirt and a buyer messing me about.

frivolous_fay

He can't expect you to refund if you haven't yet had it back.

How did he pay?

KittyKate

He paid via PayPal. I am worried he'll try and get a refund through PayPal - isn't it my word against his?

frivolous_fay

Yes it it - but if he can't prove you received the item back, he won't get a refund.

Just in case he tries to play nasty... when you sent it to him, was it trackable? (Silly for such a cheap item, but he could still pretend he never got it, even if his emails say otherwise.)

KittyKate

I sent it at the post office and have a reciept but it isn't trackable - all the emails they've sent me were via ebay where they admitted they had it and it was 'the wrong size'. And the last message either way was mine saying I would be happy to refund if I'd recieved it, but I haven't, have they a tracking reciept? Which makes me think they are telling fibs.

bleugh

erm...................if you haven't a tracking number for the original transaction (i.e. when you posted the item in the first place), they can claim non delivery............

paypal needs a tracking number to prove the buyer has the item.

frivolous_fay

With a bit of luck he won't try that one. Sit tight until the item appears.

KittyKate

bleugh wrote:

erm...................if you haven't a tracking number for the original transaction (i.e. when you posted the item in the first place), they can claim non delivery............

paypal needs a tracking number to prove the buyer has the item.

But how can they, when they have sent four messages through ebay itself admitting they have the item, referring to it, etc? That's hardly fair and it doesn't make sense.

Does this mean I have to get a tracking number for every single item I post? This will seriously affect whether I carry on selling on ebay - I work 40 hours a week and most of the things I sell I simply pop into the post box at my local train station (which has a 7pm collection time). My buyers praise me on ultrafast delivery - if I have to go to the post office it could take days and days. Such a shame bad sports and con artists waste others' time.

KittyKate

frivolous_fay wrote:

With a bit of luck he won't try that one. Sit tight until the item appears.

I did - but it's been 11 days since he reckons he posted it and 5 days since he last emailed me with the old 'oh it should be with you by now' - if it was me, and I'd posted it, I'd email the seller again, surely?

Gah, I'm never selling clothes on ebay again, too much hassle, or maybe once bitten....I'll stick to my nail products the buyers are always so nice!

frivolous_fay

It depends on how strongly you feel about people who might be lying to you.

If you get tracking information for everything, you should win any non-delivery disputes.

If you don't have tracking info, you will automatically lose.

BUT

If you get proof of posting for all deliveries, you can claim your money back if something really does go astray in the post. You're covered up to £32 - so it's up to you whether tracking numbers work out worth your while.

And no, as I hinted above, emails and feedback count for nothing in paypal disputes. The only admissable evidence is a tracking number.

KittyKate

Well, I suppose in hindsight it's easy to spot the mistake, but I'm still a bit stumped as to what to do other than contact ebay.