Need a bit of advice. Not sure if I should refund or not.

dontone

Hiya peeps.

Just need a little bit of help.
I sold an item yesterday - and the buyer has finally paid, but is wanting either a reduction on postage, or wants me to send it not signed for. I have refused both, pointing out that nothing leaves here with it going signed for, and I have also pointed out that it states it on my listing. No ifs or buts.
They are being rather rude, and I've offered a refund straightaway.
They want the item, but have accused me of charging too much. I'm not sure what to do.
Do I send the item anyway, and I have a feeling that something will happen, or refund him and risk a negative?
No-one has ever complained that I charge too much, and I think they are just trying it on.
Just want to put my mind at ease. Just wondering what some of you with a lot more ebay experience than me would do?
Thanks muchly in advance.

BargainJunky

Its a tricky one as it looks like you have a difficult buyer.

How much are we talking about?

dontone

BargainJunky wrote: »

Its a tricky one as it looks like you have a difficult buyer.

How much are we talking about?

Thanks for your reply.
It's £7.50 + p&p, so £12.50 altogether, but I always charge a fiver for p&p. As we all know, Ebay take 50p, and I always send items 2nd class signed for.
They won't accept the fact that I sent items that way. They have it in their head that I am going to pocket £2.10 as profit, even though they keep telling me about how they know about Ebay charges and stuff.
I have a really bad feeling about it. I know that it isn't massive amounts of money, and they have paid. But it's just the fact that they have come on being rather rude about the p&p. Like they are trying to bully me into doing it their way.
Part of me wants to post it due to the payment, but part of me wants to cancel because I can't help but feel that they will report me for something as soon as it arrives.
It's not sitting well IYSWIM?

Dox

If you are charging postage at no more than cost, say so. If you're charging more than cost, explain why (e.g. you needed to buy special packaging) - or reduce it to actual cost and indicate it is that or a refund.

Edit - just seen your latest post. Given that second class parcel post now has tracking, why worry about the signed for bit when you will have online proof of delivery - it's quite a low value item.

dontone

Dox wrote: »

If you are charging postage at no more than cost, say so. If you're charging more than cost, explain why (e.g. you needed to buy special packaging) - or reduce it to actual cost and indicate it is that or a refund.

Edit - just seen your latest post. Given that second class parcel post now has tracking, why worry about the signed for bit when you will have online proof of delivery - it's quite a low value item.

Thanks for replying
I always do it because I had a couple of people come on saying that they haven't received the parcel and I have been able to tell them the number and it shows the signature. It just gives me a bit of peace of mind.
It's just something I always do, and nobody has ever come on with an attitude like I have just had. I use quite bit of bubble wrap & peanuts as what I sell is a bit fragile sometimes, so anything left over from the p&p charge - which tbh, is usually 60p goes on all my packing material. I've explained that too, but they are adamant that I am charging too much. It really isn't sitting well, that's why i came on here for some opinions from you guys. I know that you are all quite helpful. Just a bit stuck.
EDIT - the lady who has bought the item is saying that they have been unable to find the item anywhere else, but I've just checked, and there are several of the same thing listed. It's getting a bit more 'hhhhhmmmmmm'

theonlywayisup

dontone wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.
It's £7.50 + p&p, so £12.50 altogether, but I always charge a fiver for p&p. As we all know, Ebay take 50p, and I always send items 2nd class signed for.
They won't accept the fact that I sent items that way. They have it in their head that I am going to pocket £2.10 as profit, even though they keep telling me about how they know about Ebay charges and stuff.
I have a really bad feeling about it. I know that it isn't massive amounts of money, and they have paid. But it's just the fact that they have come on being rather rude about the p&p. Like they are trying to bully me into doing it their way.
Part of me wants to post it due to the payment, but part of me wants to cancel because I can't help but feel that they will report me for something as soon as it arrives.
It's not sitting well IYSWIM?

£5 P&P, what is the weight/dimensions of the item? That sounds VERY steep for a £7.50 item to me.

theonlywayisup

Dox wrote: »

If you are charging postage at no more than cost, say so. If you're charging more than cost, explain why (e.g. you needed to buy special packaging) - or reduce it to actual cost and indicate it is that or a refund.

Edit - just seen your latest post. Given that second class parcel post now has tracking, why worry about the signed for bit when you will have online proof of delivery - it's quite a low value item.

Second class post does NOT have tracking. POD is not tracking, however POD is all a £7.50 item needs (at most), a POP is all is needed for a claim.

dontone

theonlywayisup wrote: »

£5 P&P, what is the weight/dimensions of the item? That sounds VERY steep for a £7.50 item to me.

It's a small parcel. Signed for 2nd class is £3.90.
I charge a fiver - 50p straightaway for Ebay. leaves £4.50. So, by the time the parcel is sent, 60p is left over - BUT, I use lots of packaging, and a brand new small box to post, because the items are fragile. What I sell are collectables, some are quite dainty. I don't shove things in a jiffy bag and hope for the best.
I have always quoted that price, never been an issue before, and I get lots of good feedback regarding my packaging.
I could understand it if I charged £10, but I have tried to keep it as low as possible.

dontone

theonlywayisup wrote: »

Second class post does NOT have tracking. POD is not tracking, however POD is all a £7.50 item needs (at most), a POP is all is needed for a claim.

Another reason why I send tracked, is that I seem to have folk who want items posted to colleges/Uni's and from what I understand, they go to a reception desk, and then to a locker. I get them wanting items posted to workplaces - same applies.
I have had a couple of people get in touch asking for whoever has signed for the parcel. So it just covers everything and they know who to ask.
For some reason, I never had any luck with standard postage when I first started selling, so I started with signed for (which I got the idea from here a while ago)

BargainJunky

Its a difficult one - the buyer knew you were charging £5 yet still bid so technically they accepted that cost and it is wrong of them to ask after the item was won for a discout. However if I were in their shoes I also would think £5 is a bit steep.

I do occasionally sell on Ebay but factor the fees/packaging in with my start price so the buyer is none the wiser they just see the actual stamp price. I rarely post signed for unless the item is worth more than £20 and then I will add the additional cost onto my start price.

soolin

To answer the actual question the buyer does sound like trouble, but if you cancel you are likely to end up with a defect.

However, I think you are a brave seller for charging so much postage in these new days where buyers are asked to leave stars for their opinion of the charge. It's been quite a while since I've seen any £5 postage charges for smaller items without accompanying poor stars.