Ebay problems

Olza23

Hi all, I know you get these all the time but I would really appreciate some help!

I had an auction running on eBay, got a message from a guy saying he will buy it through paypal if I end the auction. Once I received the money (£155) I ended the auction, all was good.

I feel it's important to add that the buyer did not bid on the item, he paid me the money through directly through paypal.

When the auction was active, I gave 2 methods of postage, standard first class and Next day Recorded. All of our communication has been through eBay and I said to the buyer to to either add £5 for 1st class or £10 for Next day recorded.

He opted for the standard 1st class. Fast forward to friday 11/01, the buyer claims the item has not been received. I said I posted it on monday and have the receipt..

I got another message from him yesterday asking for a refund as the item has not been received - I keep trying to point out the buyer that he only paid for 1st class and there was no tracking information available..

I just need some help in regards to what buyer protection he has, whether I have done anything wrong and what happens next?

I do feel that I have done everything that I should of, offered different levels of postage, kept the receipt showing that I posted the item.

My only worry is that with 1st class the receipt only shows that a packet was sent on said date weighing x amount.

What do I do? What would you do? Have I done anything wrong? Do I have any protection?

Importantly, is it my sole responsibilty to ensure that the items gets to the buyer?

Okydoky25

You should have sent it tracked with enough insurance to cover the cost of the item. Standard 1st does neither of these. As you are now left with no proof of delivery I'm afraid paypal will likely see in your buyers favour and refund him the full amount. More than likely they also have the item but that's something you can't prove.

RainbowDrops

As Oky implies, the postage is your choice, not the buyers. Insurance is for your benefit.
You need to use a method that gives YOU the best coverage, as if something goes missing in the post it's your responsibility to claim for it.

Did you invoice the buyer, or did they pay you as a gift payment? That might affect their claim.

Also, selling outside of ebay but still discussing postage through the ebay messaging was a bit silly - the buyer could report you for breaking ebay rules & has evidence to back this up.

This might be an expensive lesson for you.

originaladidas

Some people might suggest other things, but for me basically youre stuffed.

Just one thing, how long has it been since you posted it that the buyer has said they havent received it? Bit too quick?

Personally I'd advocate that you always send it trackable because if they buyer says they havent received it you have no comeback in the eyes of ebay/paypal. You'll be out of pocket because they will side with the buyer, you'll be minus the item and minus the money.

Also did you ensure that the item was covered up to the value of it when you sent it? First class only covers you up to £41/£46? therefore if you start a search with the royal mail for a "missing" item you'll only be covered up to this amount when you finally get any refund from them.

Proof of postage isnt worth the paper its printed on as far as ebay / paypal are concerned, they always advocate using a trackable service for "protection".

You may get other advice or suggestions but if something was worth this amount I'd have used a trackable service whether is was first class with enhanced insurance or next day which covers up to £500 as standard (I think).

Seen too many of these postings to see that this seems the latest way buyers are getting something for nothing!

Olza23

Hi all, I didn't invoice the buyer, I assume he just sent me the money through our paypal address..

Does it make any difference that it wasn't bought directly through eBay? I mean, in theory, there was no transaction through eBay and a gift payment (I believe) through Paypal there is no item attatched to either of these items?

I feel silly! This receipt that I have means what then?

On what terms could he refund the money from Paypal? That the item wasn't recieved yet they know of no item that was sold?

soolin

If I was paranoid , which I don't believe I am, I would even consider the fact that a chancer of a buyer sees a rookie seller with an expensive item and the wrong postage- and decides to buy it outside ebay to stay under the radar if , for any reason, item did not arrive.

As above though, asusming this was a normal paypal payment then buyer has all normal protection. You have used completely the wrong postal service so will have to refund the buyer an dnot even be able to recover all your losses from Royal Mail.

Before you list a single thing more please check out the sticky postage thread that explains what you need for seller protection:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3146680

soolin

Olza23 wrote: »

Hi all, I didn't invoice the buyer, I assume he just sent me the money through our paypal address..

Does it make any difference that it wasn't bought directly through eBay? I mean, in theory, there was no transaction through eBay and a gift payment (I believe) through Paypal there is no item attatched to either of these items?

I feel silly! This receipt that I have means what then?

On what terms could he refund the money from Paypal? That the item wasn't recieved yet they know of no item that was sold?

They can claim Item not received as paypal, whilst owned by ebay, is used all over. There is therefore no requirement for the item to be sold on ebay, the same protection applies wherever it is used.

A simple way to check if this was a gift payment is to see if you paid fees on the payment.

Olza23

I beleive that I did pay fees on the payment, buyer paid £155, my paypay balance was closer to £152..

Meadows

Why would you send untracked and especially at that value? Unless you send tracked you have no proof it reached its destination, will be unprotected via PayPal and unable to claim from Royal Mail (insufficient insurance to cover expensive item).

If you were asked to end early (outside eBay) sounds to me like you may have been scammed.

mazza111

I think what's meant is that you've avoided ebay fees, paypal ones would have come off the balance. Sorry, but anything of that value shouldn't even be sent recorded, it should be sent special delivery or courier equivalent.

soolin

mazza111 wrote: »

I think what's meant is that you've avoided ebay fees, paypal ones would have come off the balance. Sorry, but anything of that value shouldn't even be sent recorded, it should be sent special delivery or courier equivalent.

Yes, one of the easiest ways to confirm a gift payment is to see if paypal fees were paid, if this had been received gross with no fees deducted then it would definitely have bebeen sent as a gift.