Refund of 2nd hand goods

Tlc11

Hello, I'm not sure if this is posted in the correct forum, please feel free to correct me and move if not.
I sold an item via a public selling site. I listed it in the best way I could. The buyer came to my home and collected the item. She checked it over (didn't ask for it to be turned on or demonstrated) and paid in cash £60. She happily took it away with no issues.
The next day she contacted me saying the item wasn't what she thought it was and wanted a full refund. I pointed out that she had collected it from me, had taken it and paid for it, took it home and used it and then decided it wasn't for her. Unless I had sold it faulty I wasn't prepared to accept a refund as she had changed her mind.
She then sent me a few abusive messages which I subsequently ignored and did not go back on the site. The next day, I was alone at home with my 3 young children. This person turned up at my home with her boyfriend and mother and started shouting and swearing at my door demanding a refund. I put my children in the back garden to try and prevent them hearing her. My husband arrived home at exactly this time and tried to calm the situation by explaining we sold it in good faith, sold as seen and that she happily took it away when she wasn't forced to. She started to threaten us with violence and that this wasn't the end of this etc. Now, refunding wasn't the issue, it was the pure intimidation and harassment that is. She now claims the item wasn't listed correctly and I made her buy the wrong thing?! I can't understand this as she came and seen it? Then agreed to purchase it?
I have logged back onto the site and she has sent messages threatening court action. She also knows where I stay which is making me very uncomfortable.
Can anyone point me in the direction of the 'right' thing to do. I am genuinely not out to rip anyone off or upset anyone, but this whole ordeal has really shaken me up! Coming to my home and shouting abuse is not the way to reach a mature agreement in my opinion! Thank you.

maninthestreet

If she has threatened violence, she has committed a criminal offence and that is a matter for the police. Do not communicate any further with this person. If she (or her boyfriend/mother) turn up at your door, call the police.

visidigi

maninthestreet wrote: »

If she has threatened violence, she has committed a criminal offence and that is a matter for the police. Do not communicate any further with this person. If she (or her boyfriend/mother) turn up at your door, call the police.

They don't come across as the sort of buyer who would back down.

Now whilst they have zero right to a refund...

OP ask yourself this, is this really worth it over £60?

Take it back, check it still works and give a refund and find a different buyer.

Valli

If you still have access to the abusive messages save a copy, they will add weight to your report to the police.

I would be informing the police now, not waiting for her to show again.

And report her to the group admin of the selling site, too.

It was a private sale, she inspected the goods before purchase to her own satisfaction. She has no right to a refund which is why she turned up mob handed. A bully, pure and simple, is what she is.

Tlc11

Thank you all for your replies. She has said I listed the item incorrectly - now where we agreed it could be misinterpreted, I stated that when she came to collect it she could have said at this point that she wasn't happy to purchase as it 'wasn't as described'. There was also a picture of it in the selling site. This is where she has said she is taking me to the small claims court as I have falsely Listed the item.

We have never sold anything before, but we were clearing out and rather than bin things we thought we could raise some money as we are pretty broke at the moment. I always send everything to the charity shop which is what we will be doing from now on!

I have the 60 I could give back, but I don't want to go near her after the way she has treated us. If she had been civil I probably would have just returned it for the sake of 60, it really isn't worth the hassle. My suggestion to my husband was that I report her to the police and ask them to take the money back and fetch the goods as I am genuinely frightened of her! I also don't know where she stays, but she knows where I stay, so unless she was to offer this information up (which I doubt) I would have to ask her to come here....?

Alice_Walker

The police will not act as a delivery service for you. They'll address the abuse issue but the exchange of goods/ money is for you to deal with. Could you arrange to meet at a neutral venue?

(Note that I'd only suggest meeting these people if you are not involving the police. They're definitely not going to react well if you do!)

marliepanda

'We agree it could be misinterpreted'

What exactly was wrong with it, what did she misinterpret.

If you were misleading (accidentally) I'd refund her. Over £60 I'd probably have refunded and resold anyway.

sjbrun

I would report her to the police, and if she comes near you or your house again just call the police straight away as a breach of the peace is likely to happen. They can warn her not to go near your house.

I wouldn't refund as it will just show her that being a bully works.

Tlc11

This is what I'm meaning, refunding her would show that bullying, harassing and intimidating people gets her what she wants, when she is in the wrong.

The misinterpretation came from the description in the listing. I didn't list it wrongly at all. Her interpretation of the item wasn't what she thought it was and I said I could see how she could have gotten confused over what the item actually was, but she came and collected it from me so surely she would have realised then it wasn't what she thought it was? And said at that point it wasn't what she was looking for?

I think it's more she has taken it home and not liked it so is looking for a get out clause rather than admit she has bought something she didn't want.

Sorry if I'm being a bit reserved with information but I'm scared she identifies me!!!

sjbrun

If I were you contact the police ASAP they can tell you what they can do to help your situation. Just phone your local station to discuss it however if she comes again and you feel like she will be violent or threatening then call the emergancy number.

hollydays

Why don't you just tell us how exactly you described it.
I don't understand why you need to be so vague.