Buyer left + fb and now wants refund

Hopelesswithmoney

I sold an item (a ladies suit) a couple of weeks ago and shipped it to Israel and the buyer left positive feedback about a week later.

I have now received an email from them stating:

"To whom this may concern;
I recently received this item from you. I opened it in anticipation as the auction pictures were simply stunning. When I opened the suit I noticed many small holes on the skirt, I have yet to view the top sweater part. I can not wear this item nor would i resell such an item since there are holes on the skirt, they are small holes and several of them noticable to the eye. How can we resolve this without making a paypal claim. Let me know."

The suit was second hand and advertised as such. As far as I'm aware, there weren't any holes in it and it's my gut feeling that this person is trying it on.

FWIW the buyer has a feedback rating of 97.4% and I have 100%.

Any ideas out there as to how I should deal with this?

TIA

Hopeless

jasons_2

Unfortunately as they paid with Paypal you stand a very good chance of losing your money inthe event of a claim.

*What you could do* Is ask them to return the item (at their expense) and hope they dont send it by a trackable method- In the event of a Paypal claim they won't be able to prove they sent the item back and so you get to keep the money.

I've seen more and more sellers having the same problems with oversea's buyers pulling exactly the same stunt.

Thats why I dont accept Paypal for items I sell- unfortunately there are too many people abusing the system. I got stiffed by Paypal for a non delivered item where the seller had the cheeck to let paypal have a tracking number for someone elses parcel-Paypal found in their favour and I got nothing!!

dougk_2

Ask them to send you via email some pictures of the "damage". Again as jasons said if they are not happy say they clan return it to you using a traceable service for a refund.

Hintza

dougk wrote:

Ask them to send you via email some pictures of the "damage". Again as jasons said if they are not happy say they clan return it to you using a traceable service for a refund.

Pointless...mainly because there will be damage by the time the photos are taken.

If you are 100% sure that they didn't have holes I woulds say tough. PayPal might find in their favour but they will have to return the item by recordable means to ensure any refund via that route.

dougk_2

It wouldn't be a scam worth doing if ended up with faulty goods would it?

Hopelesswithmoney

What exactly happens with these PayPal claims? (I have never come across this before).

Is the buyer also refunded the postage?

Hintza

They would be refunded everything they paid to you (ie item + P&P). They will not be refunded the cost of the return postage.

sarahlouise210

What was the feedback they left ? Seems strange they say hey noticed the holes when they opened the package but then left positive feedback? My gut feeling is 1....suit was ok..worn once to a function and now want a refund 2..they damaged it at the function themselves 3... they did not notice the holes when they opened the package(in which case they lied in their email) .. whatever ...they will make sure that there are holes by the time they return it to you. I would ask them to return it and refund-they could claim it anyway from PAYPAL ..but at least this way it will cost them in postage. Bummer