posted on December 23, 2000 01:26:32 PM
I haven't been selling on Ebay long, but I'm getting oh so discouraged! Recently, I had a package of four saucers arrive to a bidder - two of them were broken. The bidder was nice enough about it and I refunded her money letting her keep the two unbroken saucers. This even though my Auction Terms state that I am not responsible for things that are broken by the U.S. Postal Service! I wanted to keep good customer relations and didn't feel that $8 was worth risking it over. Today, I get an other email from a bidder that bought from me AFTER an auction had ended unsuccessfully. She got what I thought was a great deal. Now, she says that the safety catch on a pin I sold her wasn't there. I'm no jewelry expert, but it is quite possible. I did try the pin myself, though, and it seemed to work fine for me. I would never deliberately sell anything that was broken without disclosing that. This time, I told the buyer to send me the stuff back and I'd refund her money. She paid me originally with Paypal so any suggestions on refunding her money? Do I refund all of it or just what I rec'd after Paypal took their share? Do I refund postage, too? The thing is, most resale shops and such state that all sales are final. Maybe I'll start stating that in my auctions. If this keeps up, I'll be spending more than I am making.
I, too, have rec'd things that weren't as I thought they would be. But, I chalk that up to buying something sight unseen. What's a girl to do????
posted on December 23, 2000 01:46:40 PM
Frist thing is this.
You said you sent out 4 saucers person wrote you and said two were broken you didnt have any problems you refunded letting the buyer keep the two good saucers.
DID you ask for a picture sent to you of the broken goods with the package they arived in showing your shipping label the buyer could have been looking to get a discount on this auction with out showing evidence of damage I would never refund nothing.
I dont accept returns for good that were damaged and no matter if the item was insurered or not I might refund part or all there payment after I see proof in a picture they can email me most buyers are very good but some will try to pull a fast one every time it could be you refunded in full and they now have all four saucers and all there money back.
Second is the pin your buyer says the clip dont work on this is where checking all Item you put up for auction fully comes in since you your self dont know I would request the buyer return the item for there refund at least if you find all in working order you can recoup some of this refund.
Rather then a all sales are final TOS what you might want to put is that You Recommend buyer pay for Shipping Insurance and that you cant be Responcable for damage done in shipping.
in all the year I have been selling I have had two damage claims one was insured the other wasnt in both cases I asked for a picture with the package I shipped in and the damaged item showing so I could be assured it was the Item I shipped and not a dup the buyer already had even for the one that the buyer paid insurance on. Edited to add Most of my items are marked in both cases in the pictures my mark was seen on the damaged items in question neither buyer objected to sending a photo.
http://www.Dman-N-Company.com
[ edited by dman3 on Dec 23, 2000 02:01 PM ]
posted on December 23, 2000 01:47:45 PM
What I do is insure every package that leaves my house. If the buyer doesn't pay it then I pay it. I even insure Priority Mail. I feel I would rather be out 85 cents than what I sold. On the pin, if you are really not into jewelry then you wouldn't have noticed that. Did you have a back picture of the item? If you do you should be able to see the catch and see if it was broken. I guarantee everything that I sell, but they have to send it back to me. In my about me page I state they have to pay for the return postage but I have had second thoughts about that and I will pay for all of the item but I would like the piece or jewelry back. It is also how you feel about returns, there are a lot of different ways of doing the. I like to go into eBay and read TOS's and see what other people have to say. Have a return policy that feels right for you. Good Luck.
posted on December 23, 2000 01:51:38 PM
Thanks for the great advise! That's why I always turn to these threads! I offered to return the money to the buyer of the pin. She just emailed me to apologize for being crabby (holiday stress) and has decided to keep the pin anyway.
Your advise is definately appreciated and taken. Have a great holiday, everyone!
