posted on January 21, 2001 02:23:06 PM
My reason for posting this is to give an example of why sellers shouldn't refund before receiving the merchandise back and to get any ideas on what I can do to make sure that this person doesn't do this again.
I sold a widget collection for my nephew who was raising money for his last semester of college. Some I listed as singles, others in lots. This bidder won one of the lots. I returned home one evening and he had filed a case with Square Trade. No previous emails of displeasure and 7 days after receiving the merchandise. His complaint was that they were not as described and one piece in particular was "dirtier than an outhouse toilet". He wanted an immediate refund and upon receipt would return my merchandise. I knew these widgets were not in the condition he described but I had a momentary brain burp and finally agreed to refund 1/2 immediately through Paypal and the other 1/2 upon receipt of the return. The Paypal payment went to another email address...no big deal since I'm aware that many people have more than one account. 20 days later, no merchandise. I emailed, no response after 5 days so I began to check things out. He's been Naru'd on the ID that he used to buy from me and the other email address that he used is building up negs for non delivery. I email again and get a response of "Naru'd due to bid retraction abuse." He's had 36 since mid October. 30 more days pass and no merchandise. During this time I learn from my nephew that the piece he described as being toilet dirty wasn't something that we even had. Email again, no response. 45 days + have passed with no merchandise, and no response as to when or if he has shipped the items back. I can't leave feedback because he's been Naru'd. Any ideas?
posted on January 21, 2001 02:31:41 PM
Wow, sounds like a harsh life lesson, but I think others will benefit from your misfortune.
Ain't Life Grand...
[ edited by twelvepole on Jan 21, 2001 02:32 PM ]
posted on January 21, 2001 02:45:17 PM
"He wanted an immediate refund and upon receipt would return my merchandise"
Yup, you've been scammed by someone who was willing to use Square Trade as a weapon to intimidate you. They got a 50% reduction in price on that merchandise.
1. TAKE GOOD PICTURES and keep them as proof of condition when you ship. If it's a LOT, take pictures of the group.
2. Don't be easily buffaloed by the thought of a negative. It's NOT going to ruin your career! And if something is filed with Square Trade, you will get an OFFICIAL notice from them - participation in their process is voluntary, so feel free to ignore them and use your own procedures.
3. Follow a return BEFORE refund policy. Even WALMART make you hand over the merchandise before they hand over the refund.
Tell them "if it matches the photos I have here, I will of course refund"
4. Don't rush to pacify the complainer ... tell then that you need to check with your records and you will get in touch with them tomorrow. Then check the timing, the auction description, and your records. The nastier they are, the more likely they are trying to bluff you into a rebate or refund.
posted on January 21, 2001 07:26:12 PM
Abacaxi - you are absolutely correct in what I did. I did not take my time to look things up and verify anything at all. The Square Trade caught me completely off guard. I call ed it my big brain burp of the month. I don't worry about negs since they go with the territory and along the way you won't be able to please everyone. What I am concerned with is making sure that he can't do this to anyone else. I've written safeharbor and that didn't help. It's been more than 60 days so I can't file fraud against him. It's just frustrating knowing that he's probably out there doing this to others. I guess I should just say what goes around comes around.
posted on January 22, 2001 04:21:13 AM
"The Square Trade caught me completely off guard."
What ALL Sellers need to understand is that SQUARE TRADE HAS NO ENFORCEMENT POWER! They are an "arbitration service". On a scale of authority, they are down there with your pastor or marital counselor.
Participation in the Square Trade process is voluntary, so you can ignore them if you want to.
