Buyer claims item was damaged

Becles

I sold a lampshade recently on ebay. It was packed in a sturdy cardboard box, with plenty of bubble wrap to protect it.

The buyer has claimed the item has arrived damaged due to insufficient packaging. I don't believe this. I send a lot of items by post/courier for work, and hubby works for RM, so it definitely was packaged well.

I asked the buyer to either send the item back or to send a photo showing the damage, but they are refusing to do so. He said he has binned the item as it was broken, but still wants a refund.

Where do I stand now?

The buyer sent cash in the post to pay for it, so I'm not at the mercy of PayPal!

suckmaster.burstingfoam

If you bin the item, you lose any right to ever get your money back. Common sense tells you that you may need to send a broken item back, or at least prove it's broken.

Politely tell the buyer to get lost. He's trying it on.

supermezzo

My sympathies - had a similar problem a week or so ago with buyer claiming item was broken (cassette in the machine which is a complete fabrication unless ParcelForce geezer has opened it and swapped the machine that is).
Seems its all too easy to bid and win and then demand the money back for unsubstantiated claims.

rose_sparky

Sadly it seems that these type of claims are on the increase. I wish I knew the answer.

Sugar_Coated_Owl

I would definately not give the buyer a refund. They should have returned the item to you not just thrown it away.

Blacksheep1979

If they paid by paypal and try it on they won't get anywhere as they can't prove return of the item - unless they send an empty box and get you to sign for it....

Agutka

I've had two of these claims and when I asked for proof, I never heard from the buyers again.
Trying it on definitely, don't worry about it, let them claim through PayPal, which they won't, unless seriously cheeky.

black-saturn

I've had loads of people do this and I've also had it happen to me. I have usually refunded if they can prove to me that the item was damaged. He might not want to send it back because of the postage costs. When it happened to me I just put it down to a loss because it would have cost so much to return that the refund wasn't worth it. Depends how much money it was I suppose.

aqueoushumour01

seems they want the lampshade for free. just tell them that unless they return the item they won't get a refund

Baby_J_2

Funniest thing I have heard all day. Either your buyer is incredibly stupid or is trying it on. I am going for the latter. Tell him as he has thrown it away, there is nothing you can do.

MrsTinks

As the others have said then tough... he paid by cash, he threw the item away... the worst he can do is Neg you - in which case remain factual in your response. "Buyer claimed item damaged, offered refund upon receipt of picture proof or return of item, buyer unwilling to provide so no refund" If you get negged people WILL read your comments before deciding on whether to worry about it or not Well I certainly do