Buyer claims INR when to refund?

poet123

For the first time I decided to use a non recorded service :(and posted the item last first class last Wednesday around 4.45pm so not sure if it met the post that night. It was a free post item (to help my stars)

Numerous messages from buyer asking when it was posted, and saying it had not arrived. Last one tonight saying it had still not arrived and that she wanted a refund as she had had to buy another item and was now short of funds for an upcoming trip.

Is it reasonable for her to expect a refund today? If not, when would it be considered reasonable for me to refund?

soolin

I'm fairly easy going with my buyers but I think less thana week is pushing it a bit. Even though it may annoy the buyer and possibly tempt them to open a case, I would still ask them to wait a bit longer , maybe ask them to get back in touch Thursday or thereabouts.

poet123

They are saying they are going away tomorrow....

porto_bello

poet123 wrote: »

Numerous messages from buyer asking when it was posted, and saying it had not arrived. Last one tonight saying it had still not arrived and that she wanted a refund as she had had to buy another item and was now short of funds for an upcoming trip.

I'm a small private seller, but all this sounds a bit like dramatic overkill to me.

The only reasonable explanation for a buyer genuinely chasing so quickly after the despatch of an item is if there was already a lengthy delay between the buyer's purchase and you despatching it.

It sounds like it's all about her getting a refund, rather than getting the package... so it would suit the buyer's needs if it were to be declared declared lost, even if it isn't.

Since you can't determine whether it's lost or the buyer's trying a fast one, if I was in the same situation, I think I would just refund straight away. This would be simply to minimise the potential damage to your eBay account - and put in a claim to Royal Mail, in slower time.

The alternative is to ask them to wait - then they'll pester you, ... and when she finally gets her refund, she may well decide to hit your feedback and DSRs.

Others may disagree.

poet123

porto_bello wrote: »

I'm a small private seller, but all this sounds a bit like dramatic overkill to me.

The only reasonable explanation for a buyer genuinely chasing so quickly after the despatch of an item is if there was already a lengthy delay between the buyer's purchase and you despatching it.

It sounds like it's all about her getting a refund, rather than getting the package... so it would suit the buyer's needs if it were to be declared declared lost, even if it isn't.

Since you can't determine whether it's lost or the buyer's trying a fast one, if I was in the same situation, I think I would just refund straight away. This would be simply to minimise the potential damage to your eBay account - and put in a claim to Royal Mail, in slower time.

The alternative is to ask them to wait - then they'll pester you, ... and when she finally gets her refund, she may well decide to hit your feedback and DSRs.

Others may disagree.

I know this has occurred to me as well, you know when you just get the "vibe"?

I have emailed and asked her to wait till Friday which is a week after the expected delivery date and then said I will refund. I really don't expect it to arrive now;) and if she comes back to me tonight I may well do as you suggest.

eta, she has come straight back to me saying she works at the PO!!etc.etc..... I have refunded her I cannot be bothered with the aggro, mightly peeved though.

porto_bello

poet123 wrote: »

you know when you just get the "vibe"?

Yep, I know that feeling - usually accompanied by a feedback 'left for others' history that shows previous purchases usually failed to arrive

Mindless_Clone

I would say to her to go ahead and order the other one, but if this one does turn up she can return it on arrival and you will refund her on return (maybe offer to pay her return costs as a sweetener? ). And, obviously, if it hasn't arrived by the time buyer gets back, you will refund anyway.

Gleeful

I once had an INR within a week of posting. Buyer claimed hubby worked for RM so it 'definitely wasn't at the depot'

It was recently returned to me as 'not called for'....hubby can't be too good at his job then!

lisa701

I've had buyers take over a week to pay, then claim INR the very next day!

I rarely sell anything now as its often not worth it as people want stuff so cheap the seller fees come to more than what you are selling. If I do list anything I request payment within 3 days and only send stuff by recorded delivery. If buyers don't like that fine but at least I dont end up refunding money for goods they say have not arrived but I have no way of proving that either way.

Strapped

I must be a troublesome buyer then because I contacted a seller today who had allegedly sent my item last Weds, 1st Class, but it's not here yet...:o Their reply didn't fill me with hope that it will actually turn up, and seemed to indicate that they will make me wait the full 15 working days.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Gleeful wrote: »

I once had an INR within a week of posting. Buyer claimed hubby worked for RM so it 'definitely wasn't at the depot'

It was recently returned to me as 'not called for'....hubby can't be too good at his job then!

So many eBayers seem to work for RM, the best I had was a buyer who guessed the postcode to send to a friend, claimed to know the ins and outs of RM but seemingly not that they could have got the postcode from the RM website...