Is this acceptable/ethical?

Padstow

Customer didn't like item

Very abusive, told him I'd sue for libel as he said I'd given fake address as he couldn't find it on Google maps. Private road so not accessible, duh! Could have checked paypal. Now being very nice. Too nice.:eek:

Returned item.

Gone missing with tracking number, marked as "held" whatever that means. Sorting office have no idea.

I now want this buyer from Hell out of my life. I don't give a toss as to him or the item. £130.

So, I have no idea where the item is, although it does seem he posted it back to me.

Is this ethical or not? I refund him, although I have no item. In exchange, he leaves me no feedback at all, so not asking for lies. I've already left him glowing feedback. I want rid of him, or might be a her.

Now this might be akin to Aunt Mary promising you'll be in her will and have you running ragged for her, only to find she'd left her money to the cat's home all along.

If this isn't the solution to get rid, what would you do?

drussmonkey

'Held' may imply that insufficient postage was put on the item, meaning that if it reaches you, you could have to pay a surcharge to receive it.

You haven't got much of a case for libel by the way. They would need to be publically stating that you were a liar in some way that you could argue damages your reputation. I don't think eBay feedback would count as they have a seperate resolution/removal process on the site for that.

Fingers crossed your item reaches you. All you know is *something* is in the post. I hope it's your item.

perfect10

If buyer raises a dispute then buyer will be told they have to send item back recorded delivery as have to prove they have sent it back - they have already admitted receiving it - so at the end of the day they are currently at fault - you have offered refund on return of the item so wait until it arrives. Know what it's like - I only sell a few items a week and this has happened recently to me - am still waiting for the item to be returned too!

theonlywayisup

Check the Post Office closest to your address, not the RM delivery office. HELD is a status used by Parcelforce and usually means they leave the shipment with the local postmaster.

A buyer with this status added to the dispute will win. The seller runs the risk of losing both money and item if they fail to collect as the item will be returned to sender eventually.

Padstow

I don't think I explained myself well.
I was willing to let go of the item, wherever it might be and also give a refund in exchange for no feedback. So losing £130 quid whatever to be free.

However, I have found what "Held" means, sad that neither the sorting office or post office didn't, but none of us can know everything.` It means they couldn't deliver, in my case they couldn't find me??
No matter, have located the parcel and it will be here tomorrow. Filled with trepidation as to what state it's in.

Thanks all, as I've indicated.

Pity the buyers are so reluctant to say thankyou these days, aren't they just. Due I suppose to sellers being tied.

I'm selling luxury items at cost, (kitchen item was a one off)posted within a day, most free recorded p+p. An acknowledgement would be great.

If any postage is less than my estimate, I refund the difference. Don't charge mor than the stamps. PO lady thinks I'm mad. She's a keen ebayer, rubs her hands in glee when similar happens, but I couldn't live comfortably with that.

Of nine orders, received two feedbacks.

lovinituk

You were willing to throw £130 away for the sake of not getting bad feedback?! I can't believe its that important to you!

shannalicious

lovinituk wrote: »

You were willing to throw £130 away for the sake of not getting bad feedback?! I can't believe its that important to you!

Me too! :eek: I often buy things from ebay from sellers with less than 100%. If its like 92% i'll have a wee read through the feedback and can usually see that there's been a genine misunderstanding or that the seller has tried to resolve any issues. I wouldn't lose out on 130 quid for one negative feedback!

theonlywayisup

Padstow, if you are upset about buyers not thanking you, or for not leaving you feedback, then perhaps ebay or selling in general is not for you.

Are you selling items for cash or gratification?

Padstow

lovinituk wrote: »

You were willing to throw £130 away for the sake of not getting bad feedback?! I can't believe its that important to you!

£130 woldn't be thrown away as I already will refund him, and I can hardly re list the item now he's used it.
No, it wasn't about feedback as such, it's because I wish to upgrade to a business account. from reading elsewhere it appears that I have to have the star ratings before I can do so.

I'm selling my stock off at cost, from the days of when it was a business. I'm limited to 10 items per month and I have messages from those who've already purchased wanting more.
It doesnt help that I have the dispute hanging over me, but still haven't received the parcel back to refund the buyer.

Hope that makes it clearer.

lovinituk

Padstow wrote: »

£130 woldn't be thrown away as I already will refund him, and I can hardly re list the item now he's used it.

Your original post talked about giving up on the money and the item. If thats not throwing money away then I don't know what is!

Padstow

lovinituk wrote: »

Your original post talked about giving up on the money and the item. If thats not throwing money away then I don't know what is!

Yes, but the cash loss remains the same unless I relist the item. I don't intend selling it again, jinxed and I don't want it. Apart from postage I'm in exactly the same situation as before I sold it. All he would have gained was an item he apparently didn't like.