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Bad Attitude Buyer

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I sold an item which I had taken care of for years. The buyer contacted me and said the item was not as described. I knew it was exactly as I had posted so told the buyer who started to send quite abusive messages. I asked for the item to be posted back to me and I would refund, when I received the item back lo and behold it is the exact item I posted! The buyer did not realise that you needed to remove the lid of the item to reveal the contents inside, even though it was quite clear in the photo. I have now received a message to say that the buyer is not happy with the solution and they are going to contact ebay, but I have offered a refund and also offered to pay the postage it actually cost to return to me. What else can I do? Should I just wait and refund or refund the return postage cost at the same time? Thanks for advice.
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Comments

  • hermum
    hermum Posts: 7,123 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You are under no obligation to refund the return postage costs.
    If I sold something & made a mistake in the listing then I would always refund the return postage as well. Quite honestly your buyer is too daft to realise that you have to open a lid, (very intrigued as to what this item actually is) then I personally wouldn't refund the return postage.
    If they open a dispute you will have to refund the whole initial cost including the postage you paid.
  • Crowqueen
    Crowqueen Posts: 5,726 Forumite
    If you have the item back then yes, you should refund. You can resell it to recoup costs and you should not wait any length of time before doing so - buyer should get item cost and original postage in order to prevent a dispute. It's unfair on both of you to make the buyer go to a dispute.

    Hermum is right about the return postage though.

    Without seeing the item it's difficult to tell whether the buyer is daft or not or whether your listing is clear or not - that's one of the drawbacks of not being able to see your account.
    "Well, it's election year, Bill, we'd rather people didn't exercise common sense..." - Jed Bartlet, The West Wing, season 4

    Am now Crowqueen, MRes (Law) - on to the PhD!
  • film yourself taking the lid off and upload it to Youtube and add the link to the dispute; just so everybody and the buyer; can see how much of a tool they are
  • RHemmings
    RHemmings Posts: 4,893 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    It certainly sounds to me as if the OP has been more than reasonable. I wonder if the buyer realises that they've been stupid, and has a bruised ego.
  • marbella
    marbella Posts: 847 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    This gets more crazy by the minute. The buyer said they actually want the item now and had asked me to send it back. I have sent the item back and posted it 1st class recorded, but now the problem is that it is an open case saying I have agreed to a refund and need to take action. Should I ask the buyer to close the case when they have received the item as I don't think that I can do this from my side. I wish this was sorted as it is a mess. Thanks for the words of advice.
  • Was it an expensive item? you could be risking losing the money and the item.
  • marbella
    marbella Posts: 847 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    It wasn't expensive just about £7.00 so I hope all goes ok.
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,049 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    marbella wrote: »
    This gets more crazy by the minute. The buyer said they actually want the item now and had asked me to send it back. I have sent the item back and posted it 1st class recorded, but now the problem is that it is an open case saying I have agreed to a refund and need to take action. Should I ask the buyer to close the case when they have received the item as I don't think that I can do this from my side. I wish this was sorted as it is a mess. Thanks for the words of advice.

    You are braver than me, i would have just refunded , blocked them and ignored them. Potentially now you could end up refunding and sending them the item.
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  • marbella wrote: »
    This gets more crazy by the minute. The buyer said they actually want the item now and had asked me to send it back. I have sent the item back and posted it 1st class recorded, but now the problem is that it is an open case saying I have agreed to a refund and need to take action. Should I ask the buyer to close the case when they have received the item as I don't think that I can do this from my side. I wish this was sorted as it is a mess. Thanks for the words of advice.


    Whhaaattt?

    I'd have refunded, blocked em and re-listed.
    The Fields are Green, The sky is blue, the River Nene goes winding through, The market square is Cobblestoned, It shakes the old dears to their bones, A finer town you'll never see, A finer town they'll never be, Big city lights don't bother me, Northampton Town I'm proud to be!
  • hermum
    hermum Posts: 7,123 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Me three. I certainly wouldn't give them the chance to bu55er me around again or cost me more money.
    Hopefully they'll cancel the dispute but I wouldn't hold my breath as they sound as though they could be up for the most stupid ebay buyer of the month.
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