Buyer threatening to report me to HMRC because I wouldn't pay his return shipping fee

borgmanjayce · 30 April 2012 at 2:58AM

I have had a nightmare few days involving a buyer on eBay who bought a videogame off me threatening to report me to the HMRC because I sold him a game that supposedly wasn't in the condition that it was in and was listed in a certain condition as a genuine mistake.

I told him and I checked quite a few times with eBay Customer Services that he was responsible for paying the return shipping costs before I could give him a full refund.

After that, he kept threatening me with Trading Standards and the HMRC that I should pay him the return shipping costs otherwise he would cause trouble for me.

At the end of the day, I felt I had no choice, but to pay his return shipping costs even though he had bullied me constantly to do so.

He's now told me that he's still going to report me to the HMRC even though I did as he asked.

What can I do about this? The stress from this is causing me worry and grief and I'm scared that I'm going to get a seizure as a result, especially as I've been up for practically a full day with worry as a result. (I've been up practically since 7AM yesterday morning and I have to take the dog to the vets later today!)

hermum · 30 April 2012 at 3:03AM

Are you selling your own stuff or are you buying to sell on?

borgmanjayce · 30 April 2012 at 3:17AM

I'm selling my own stuff.

hermum · 30 April 2012 at 3:23AM

Then neither trading standards or HMRC will be at all interested.
He's just trying to bully you. I would try & ignore it, or send the messages through to ebay if they become really threatening.

TM6 · 30 April 2012 at 8:02AM

I agree with hermum, this is bullyboy tactics.

Sending you big hugs for what is a very stressful situation.

Remember to bar him from bidding on your items again and forward the threatening e-mails to ebay.

verityboo · 30 April 2012 at 8:20AM

borgmanjayce wrote: »

I sold him a game that supposedly wasn't in the condition that it was in and was listed in a certain condition as a genuine mistake.

I told him and I checked quite a few times with eBay Customer Services that he was responsible for paying the return shipping costs before I could give him a full refund.

If you made a mistake it is reasonable for you to pay the return postage costs - why should the buyer be out of pocket because of your mistake. Just because it is a genuine mistake is irrelevant

I think the buyer is silly to make threats but I can understand their annoyance because of your attitude

greatgimpo · 30 April 2012 at 8:23AM

Really, is it worth the principle of saving a couple of quid and having a full day/weekend of worrying? Ok, so the buyer is a nutcase... even if he's wrong, pay the couple of quid, call him loopy and get on. Is it really worth that much grief?

I've reread the original post and you've already paid it. Swallow the loss, I'm reasonably sure the taxman isn't going to storm your house from a helicopter... surely they've got bigger things to do?

RFW · 30 April 2012 at 8:47AM

As above really. Even if there were a reason for you to be investigated, which there isn't, they aren't going to act on someone who's annoyed that they were going to lose £2.50.

kaza · 30 April 2012 at 9:17AM

Dont worry about it. I am sure he won't report you and even if he does so what you haven't done anything wrong anyway!

PlutoinCapricorn · 30 April 2012 at 9:24AM

How is he to know whether or not you are registered with HMRC? This is an empty threat. As others have said, if you are selling your own things second hand you don't need to register.