posted on March 24, 2001 07:33:20 AM
I got a newbie with (0) rating did a buy it now on a item. I thought I never received the payment. I emailed him and few days later and he told me I send a western union money order and it's cashed. I checked my log book and no payment received. i emailed him and no respond. 2 week ago I filed a FVF refund to get my 5% back. Didn't put a negative rating on him.
I was doing my books for taxes and noticed the payment was received. My brother cashed it and mailed it out since he was going to the post office. he never logged it in for the buyer didn't mention what he bought (no letter) and he just figured out what the item he bidded on by the total amount on the check (it was a odd fee). Since it took him awhile to find out, he forgot to log it in the sales log book. I figured since he mailed it out, and the bidder never emailed it, I just let it be even thought I made a mistake of filing a FVF thing.
Today I received the item back, "return to sender, no one in this address " written on it. what do I do? I guess the kid didn't get the dvd, but he never emailed me again. I can email him and ask for his address, but I did "by mistake" filed FVF thing on him. My brother did deposit the check so I can be counted as a fraud, right?
I can re-send the item, I just need his address. what do I do? I talk to some sellers at another site and they all said keep the money, for if ebay finds out you got the payment but filed a FVF thingto get the credit back, even unintentional or accident, I can get suspended or in big trouble. (even though I didn't know he paid when I filed it).
Or the kid can report to ebay for getting a unjustified strike, especially since I am now admititng I did recive and cashed his payment, which earlier I didnt (for I wasnt aware my brohter did and send the merchandise) which can have Ebay realize I collected back the FVF, and even unintentional, they could get the wrong idea that i did this to rip them off, whcih I didnt.
Any suggestion will do. The amount of the item is $27.69 so I don't think I can get into trouble with any law, but I should do the right thing. But I don't want to be kicked out of ebay for this. please help.
[ edited by ultraman187 on Mar 24, 2001 07:40 AM ]
posted on March 24, 2001 07:44:29 AM
You need to pull the contact info on this user, make a phone call, beg for their forgiveness, get their correct shipping info, and pray they haven't already filed fraud charges against you.
posted on March 24, 2001 09:46:12 AM
Do NOT just keep the money and forget about it. You need to fix your mistake. $27.69 might not be very much to you, but it may have been to your bidder and you have no right to keep it without exhausting all efforts to send hime his item. (At this point, I would refund at least half his money AND send him the item).
In my humble opinion, you need to email this poor fellow, or call him, admit your mistake, and apologize profusely. Then you need to email eBay and tell them of your mistake. It seems to me that honesty is the best policy here. I don't think eBay is going to suspend you- they will probably just charge your account for that 5%- no big deal, because it is not rightfully yours. Thank goodness you didn't give him a negative feedback!
I know this was an honest mistake, and everyone makes them. It's all in the way you handle yourself after you realize you've made a mistake- you need to make things right with that poor bidder who put his trust in you.
posted on March 24, 2001 10:20:31 AM
I havbe found that if you will admit your mistake and try to make it right almost anyone will be really forgiving about it except the IRS.
You perhaps need to change your business relationship with your brother if he is frquently careless. Your reputation is on tthe line ever transaction.
posted on March 24, 2001 10:54:48 AM
You can cancel a FVF refund. Ebay will recharge the fees to your account and remove the complaint from the bidder's record.
From the NPB faqs:
How do I retract my Non-Paying Bidder Warning or credit request? Simply email us at [email protected]. Please be sure to include the phrase "Non-Paying Bidder Retraction" in the subject line of your email.
posted on March 24, 2001 01:35:43 PM
I would call a lawyer immediately. Put all your assets in your spouse's name and empty out your checking and savings accounts and just keep the cash somewhere safe in the house--basement, preferably. Good luck!
