Buyer won and paid via paypal, didn't read t&c's

Alleycat

Hi,

I recently sold an item on Ebay and it was won by the first and only bidder. They paid immediately via paypal, but I had requested in my t&c's that only cleared paypal funds as account not upgraded.

I refused payment and emailed to explain and request alternative method of payment but have received an email today saying to relist as they only pay via debit card. The item only sold for 99p, but there are the listing fees, gallery picture etc to pay as well.

I don't want to file an NPB as they have been a good ebayer making immediate payment etc (just didn't read t&c's properly), but obviously don't want to be out of pocket for listing fees and FVF's. Can someone suggest how I sort this out? Should I just email asking them to pay the fees and if so, how should I word it?

Thanks,

Alley

Mark7799

Have you thought of asking them to send a cheque or postal order (or even a book of stamps if the amount is small)? What about direct payment into your bank account?

If as you say they have a good record on ebay then a compromise may get the breakthrough.

skylight

You can ask for a mutual end for the FVF fee.

Do a normal dispute and select that you have both mutually decided not to complete the transaction.

HOWEVER - the other party must agree to this (so email and ask first - Ebay will email them to ask too!) or you will not be granted a FVF credit nor will you be permitted to do it again selecting another reason.

And I only ever pay PayPal too, regardless of the amount. Easier and more protection than just handing money over.
Incorporate your fees (within reason) into your P&P which you are allowed to do.

bargainaholic

There is an option on E-Bay for mutually agreeing not to complete the sale, which refunds your fees. E-Bay will send an e-mail to the buyer asking them to confirm that the sale is not going through, & they'll refund you when it's confirmed by them. This doesn't have a negative impact on anyone, or register an NPB strike.

Alleycat

When I responded regarding returning the paypal payment, I explained that I could accept cheque, postal order, bank transfer, cleared paypal funds but they replied that when buying on Ebay they only do their paying by debit card.

Thanks for the suggestion though, I guess they may pay via another method for a small amount to cover costs?

Edit: Sorry, posted at the same time as the previous two posters, not ignoring you honest!

Alleycat

By mutually agreeing not to complete the sale, will I get my listing fees refunded as well as the FVF?

Sorry, never had this problem before, so unsure what to do for the best.

masonic

Alleycat wrote:

I recently sold an item on Ebay and it was won by the first and only bidder. They paid immediately via paypal, but I had requested in my t&c's that only cleared paypal funds as account not upgraded.

I trust that you now realise that this is not the way to go about what you are trying to do. By listing paypal as a payment option, you are tacitly agreeing to accept all paypal payments. A buyer could legitimately start a NPS complaint and easily dispense with a NPB by paying again by card through paypal after you return the original payment.* I'm sure your buyer will be reasonable about this and cooperate, in which case you will get your fees back (I'm pretty sure that includes listing fees, btw**).

In future, if you want to avoid this scenario, do not tick the paypal box. Just use your T&Cs to let people know they can send non-card payments at your discretion.

Edit:
* In fact, this is now specifically dealt with here.
** It does, see this page.

nk2005

Alleycat wrote:

By mutually agreeing not to complete the sale, will I get my listing fees refunded as well as the FVF?

Sorry, never had this problem before, so unsure what to do for the best.

Which ever way you do it, by mutual agreement of NPB alert you will only get the FVF back and not any listing fees, if you resell you do get though your relisting fees back if the item sells but not for gallery or other enharncements, but only if you relist after the FVF is granted, hope that makes sense?

soolin

like masonic says the buyer has paid by a means outlined in the auction and is therefore not at fault. Since the seller made an error in listing paypal as an acceptable method of payment, then refusing it, he is at fault and cannot expect the buyer to either stump up any fees or use a different method of payment. Terms in the auction text cannot outweigh paypal terms and conditions.

If the seller goes for an NPB the buyer can respond by complaining that he paid and the seller altered their auction terms, so the FVF would be unlikely to be repaid. If the seller goes for a mutual FVF, the buyer still has to respond, and if the buyer chooses the option that he still wants the items and is willing to pay, again the FVFs will not be repaid.

I think all that can be done here is to write this off to experience.

Soo

Alleycat

Hi,

Just to update and thank you for your advice. I remember reading somewhere something about the whole paypal thing, but forgot what it was actually about. I searched everywhere on Ebay and couldn't find anything that said about using paypal and having to accept credit/debit cards. Thanks Masonic for pointing me in the right direction!

I upgraded my account to accept credit/debit cards, sent a very apologetic email to the buyer and things are sorted out, fortunately they were very understanding! One hand virtually slapped!!

Alley

larmy16

Alleycat wrote:

Hi,

I recently sold an item on Ebay and it was won by the first and only bidder. They paid immediately via paypal, but I had requested in my t&c's that only cleared paypal funds as account not upgraded.

I refused payment and emailed to explain and request alternative method of payment but have received an email today saying to relist as they only pay via debit card. The item only sold for 99p, but there are the listing fees, gallery picture etc to pay as well.

I don't want to file an NPB as they have been a good ebayer making immediate payment etc (just didn't read t&c's properly), but obviously don't want to be out of pocket for listing fees and FVF's. Can someone suggest how I sort this out? Should I just email asking them to pay the fees and if so, how should I word it?

Thanks,

Alley

I wonder if you would be good enough to explain to me as a complete newbie why this is a problem?? I have just started selling and have put paypal as a form of payment. Can you explain the bit about only cleared paypal funds as account not upgraded in your terms and conditions?

I have bought stuff through my paypal, no problems (yet!!), but I am a little perplexed as to the workings of it as a seller.

TIA.