Ebay/PayPal dispute advice needed!

NineSevens

Hi,

I've recently started selling on Ebay, I've sold a few things and all went smoothly. As you may know, PayPal hold back funds from Sellers until the item they sold has been recieved by the Buyer (with positive feedback).

I sold an item about 2 weeks ago for £40. I let the buyer know that I would have to delay postage as I wasn't at home. By delay, I mean a week and some days. He didn't respond to my message so I just thought he was fine with it. He emails me the day that I sent it out and I told him that the item is on it's way. All good then.

The item by the way was posted (2nd class) last saturday and would have gone out on the monday. That's 4 days ago. This is a package item (not huge, fits through letterbox). So today, 4 days after the item was sent, he puts in a claim/dispute. He wants a refund and is implying that I am a scammer. Not only that but he lied and said I haven't had contact with him. I messaged him and explained the situation with PayPal holding funds etc. I realized this is a massive risk as he has the chance to rip me off by saying it never arrived again (even if it does) but I felt like I was cornered anyway. (its a risk because I never sent it recorded delivery, doh..)

So anyway... This guy has been kept updated with messages throughout the week.

He does have 100% feedback so I'm hoping he's honest and won't stick the knife in with another "It never arrived" as he knows I can't get the money unless he says it arrived.

Anyway, any advice to go with here? I understand I'm very very stupid for not getting recorded delivery but that's my mistake. Yes, the delay in postage must be frustrating for him but he has been kept well up-to-date about it all.

hermum

Oh dear, I'm trying to say this as nicely as possible.
Why on earth did you sell something when you couldn't post it for over a week? Then only post it 2nd class? Then from the sounds of it only tell the buyer that it was posted on Saturday, after he contacted you?
2nd class probably wouldn't have to him today if it only went out on Monday.
I would message him, apologise for the huge delay & say that if it isn't with him by Monday or Tuesday next week you will give a full refund, including the postage.
Recorded is virtually useless, often no signature is required & when it is the tracking doesn't update to delivered online.

macfly

No advice needed mate. You've had a cracking start.

techspec

If your late posting - you post it 1st class - not 2nd. Thats nuts.

Also - its not the buyers problem that paypal hold funds.

pinkshoes

What delivery time did you state on your auction?

mumof2luvvlies

Very difficult, hope you get it resolved ok

NineSevens

Yeah, I agree, 2nd class was foolish but it was the weekend... Most 2nd class packages i've sent would have usually arrived on the Wednesday or Thursday anyway. 1st class would be about a day or so earlier. It makes no difference.

The real problem is that I contacted the guy and kept him in the loop... He knew the item was posted late and he also knew when it was posted. Why he starts up a case I don't know... He knew exactly what was happening. If anything, slam me in the feedback for slow delivery, fine.

But then he put in the details of the claim that I made no contact with him which is a lie... That's what I don't get.

I never said Paypal holding funds is his problem - I was just trying to give him a bit of comfort so that he knows I haven't just ran off with the money and scammed him.... If you get what I mean.

Anyway, the item WILL arrive... And hopefully he'll let Ebay know that too.

hermum

NineSevens wrote: »

Yeah, I agree, 2nd class was foolish but it was the weekend... Most 2nd class packages i've sent would have usually arrived on the Wednesday or Thursday anyway. 1st class would be about a day or so earlier. It makes no difference.

The real problem is that I contacted the guy and kept him in the loop... He knew the item was posted late and he also knew when it was posted. Why he starts up a case I don't know... He knew exactly what was happening. If anything, slam me in the feedback for slow delivery, fine.

But then he put in the details of the claim that I made no contact with him which is a lie... That's what I don't get.

I never said Paypal holding funds is his problem - I was just trying to give him a bit of comfort so that he knows I haven't just ran off with the money and scammed him.... If you get what I mean.

Anyway, the item WILL arrive... And hopefully he'll let Ebay know that too.

The 1st foolish bit was selling something that you couldn't post for a week & some days, I'm surprised that the buyer's waited until now to open a dispute,
The 2nd foolish thing was then posting it on Saturday, 2nd class, presumable to save a few pence.
The 3rd foolish thing was letting the buyer know that you'd posted, after he contacted you .
I expect he'll slam you in all the feedback, stars & a negative. I'm not sure then if paypal will release the funds or hold them for 180 days.
Unfortunately you don't know for sure that the item will arrive.
I think that if this doesn't stop you from selling on ebay then you should really read the top of this board and learn everything possible about ebay.

Some people it seems do have problems getting their ebay messages, I've personally not experienced it but there has been mention if it on here before.

If your buyer, only buys he can only have 100% + FB as sellers can't leave negs for buyers.

soolin

As above, if you cannot ship in a few days then don't list. You lose any seller protection after 7 days anyway so it is just too risky.

However assuming items arrives and buyer withdraws claim it may still just about go OK, although a poor star rating on one of your first transactions might just mean it is all over for you.

enya_ntfc

LOL- 2nd class? Even if I'm delayed by a day I post 1st class.

Did you state on the listing you'd be away? I have bidded on things that state when the seller is able to post - we all have lives outside ebay, but you do need to let the buyers know BEFORE they bid/buy.

Paypal holds your funds till you get positive feedback before you get to 100 feedback, so you will have to put with that. (That's what they did with me).