posted on May 25, 2001 07:59:32 PM new
I am furious & looking to all of you for some suggestions. I recently sold a nice pottery pitcher with a BIN for $49.50. We described the item as excellent condition with no chips, cracks or repairs. The item as paid for & shipped. The buyer claims that when looking at the pitcher under 10x magnification, there are cracks in it. I replied, that even though we try to be accurate that mistakes sometimes happen & his money less 1 way shipping would be refunded upon receipt of the item. This is what we have done in the past. He wrote back that since the items was not as described to charge him shipping is fraud & that I should check ebay rules regarding fraud! Furthermore, he will return the item as soon as he receives full compensation plus return shipping + the cost of his stamp. My questions to all of you: What is your return policy? Do you refund the amount including shipping both ways? Do you include postage? Do you return the money before you receive the item back?
I have had a few returns before with no problems. This guy is not a newbie either & he also sells. I checked his ads & didn't see any refund policy.
Any thoughts or ideas will be appreciated.
Thanks.
posted on May 25, 2001 08:10:18 PM new
This person is trying to intimidate you. Never issue any kind of refund until you are in reciept of the item. Whether or not you refund shipping is completely your choice and quite frankly from the attitude of your buyer, I would tell him to go take a flying leap, but then thats just me
Also inform him that you will be quite happy to issue the refund as stated BY YOU, when he returns the item to you in its original condition and you have verified it contains your mark (many sellers use black light markers now, even if you didn't the buyer does not know this). If he refuses then quite frankly thats his problem not yours. You didn't describe the item as mint condition, you described it as excellent which is at best subjective, if he wanted 10x magnification, maybe he should have emailed you prior to his bidding, I'm assuming from your post that you meant no cracks visble to the naked eye. You have offered a refund upon reciept of the item and therefore you have fulfilled your obligation to this buyer. Sounds to me like a case of buyers remorse and a bully.
posted on May 25, 2001 09:46:06 PM new
I would never refund on an item without having it to inspect.
Also, I'd like to say that describing an item as in "excellent" condition is not enough considering most antiques and collectibles are pre-owned. One needs to explain why an item is in excellent condition. Terminology is subjective at best...
MTown
[ edited by morgantown on May 25, 2001 09:50 PM ]
