Deadbeat Ebay buyers

[norcaltransplant]

I recently had a buyer make a large purchase via Ebay (approximately $450). The buyer received the goods, and protested that the retail pricing on the box didnt match the advertised MSRP in the auction. Seeing that the piece was purchased at significant discount, I explained that the stamped price, retail price, and auction price were all different. The buyer requested a $50 refund, which, not surprisingly was the difference between the BIN and list price.

The kicker was that the buyer had private feedback. Basically, Im pretty screwed and have negative $466 sitting in my PP account. Any advice on this type of situation from the Ebay vets? I knew this was a possibility considering the stupid lack of feedback. How prompt is Paypal about resolving such matters?

thanks,
NCT

 

[j]

Can you make him return the item and refund his money? That is what I would offer.

 

[amirrorcrackd]

I don't understand. He paid via paypal, then renegged on the payment? Can you do that?

People suck. I like J's suggestion.

Dan

 

[norcaltransplant]

Yep, Paypal deposits the entirety of the sum in escrow. It then allows the buyer and seller communicate via a public forum. I cut and pasted the email exchanges between the two of us... delineating the reasons for the price discrepancies (on the freaking sticker attached to the box) between items due to their closeout status. If a private resolution isnt met, the dispute is raised to another level and paypal intervenes.

I called paypal describing the situation, and they informed me that the dispute will be probably decided in my favor since the greivance wasnt concerned with the receipt of the goods or their condition. I just better hold onto my tracking information.

 

[auto90403]

i hope you prevail, norcal.

these "strategic" moves by buyers to strong-arm sellers into price concessions are terrible. don't sweat it that he'll give you negative feedback -- you sell enough for us to regard you as reputatble.

i'd hold out for his paying you the winning bid or he returns the merch. nothing less.

 

[Vintage Gent]

I'm no professional law-talking guy, but I have to believe something like this--which boils down to "give me $50 or I leave a black mark on your feedback record"--constitutes blackmail. Yet one more reason to avoid eBay like the plague.

 

[discostu004]

i'd offer a refund and get the item(s) back. i've done a TON of biz on paypal and had someone from canada claim they never received the item (which i truly feel he DID receive), so he just lodged a protest, got his money back, then i was screwed. i had no recourse, and paypal was less than helpful b/c i couldn't "prove" i'd shipped it to the correct address

 

[eddievddr10]

paypal will hold the money for 30 days and then return it to you.Iv'e dealt with these pathetic bidders numerous times and been in many situations like you are in currently and unless there is proof that you did not ship the item youre in the clear. the annoying part is paypal holds the money for the full 30 days.dont pay the guy a dime. you the seller are more valuable to ebay then the buyer, for obvious easons. dont worry you'll get your money back. it just might take awhile.

 

[norcaltransplant]

Thankfully, the buyer doesnt dispute that he received the goods, plus USPS EMS tracking confirms receipt of the sale. The customer representative agreed that my case was pretty solid and that they are very reluctant to intervene in ANY transaction where the question is price rather than condition or receipt of product.

 

[Teacher]

That's pretty bad, man. Sure, it's not as bad as the Canadians who **** in their hottub in a effort to get my wife to comp their room, but it's still pretty bad. Just be firm but businesslike and it should definitely come out in your favor (says the guy who's never been though this).

 

[DGP]

Originally Posted by Teacher

That's pretty bad, man. Sure, it's not as bad as the Canadians who **** in their hottub in a effort to get my wife to comp their room, but it's still pretty bad. Just be firm but businesslike and it should definitely come out in your favor (says the guy who's never been though this).


I'd have ordered a DNA test to prove that it was actually them who deposited said **** in hottub before offering a comp room.

 

[Teacher]

Originally Posted by DGP

I'd have ordered a DNA test to prove that it was actually them who deposited said **** in hottub before offering a comp room.

Oh, she offered them nothing but a quick ejection from the place, with or without police escort (their choice). They admitted to having used the hot tub for an hour before noticing it...and it was actually just on the side of the hot tub, outside the water. My wife says it was still nice and fresh.

That's pretty much impossible, since not only is the cleaning staff not quite that blind or lazy, but the room had been vacant for two or three nights. Disgusting.

 

[eddievddr10]

no that was in the swimming pool

 

[Stu]

I can't decide which one of these statements will be my new sig. Both, read in context are hysterical. Out of context they would be a full-scale riot:

"I'd have ordered a DNA test to prove that it was actually them who deposited said **** in hottub before offering a comp room."

or
"Sure, it's not as bad as the Canadians who **** in their hottub in a effort to get my wife to comp their room, but it's still pretty bad."

 

[Teacher]

Originally Posted by Stu

I can't decide which one of these statements will be my new sig. Both, read in context are hysterical. Out of context they would be a full-scale riot:

"I'd have ordered a DNA test to prove that it was actually them who deposited said **** in hottub before offering a comp room."

or
"Sure, it's not as bad as the Canadians who **** in their hottub in a effort to get my wife to comp their room, but it's still pretty bad."

Never thought of it that way! I'm still laughing thinking of someone just stumbling across one of those!