posted on October 1, 2001 02:57:12 PM
A unhappy bidder has filed a fraud report against me. Now what do I do (besides twiddle my thumbs)? I responded many days ago and no answer from anybody. Is it more of a mediation service or will Ebay actually make a decision of some sort? Even with sales being down all over, this makes me feel even LESS like listing now. I DO NOT want to communicate with this person, so don't suggest that please. They have been hateful, harrassing and demanding from the get-go. I responded to the complaint, then later added onto it that I would gladly refund some money back (just to get them out of my life, although I didn't say so in the complaint). It's past the point of getting the item back, which I don't ever think the bidder ever wanted to give it back, because they never said they didn't want it, they've just always wanted money. Because IF they had contacted me and said "I am unhappy I want my money back" there would of never EVER been this problem. They just said "I got it, I'm using it, and I feel like I overpaid for it" (which is a very simplified version of it)
So, just twiddle my thumbs some more? Any GOOD advice? Thanks.
posted on October 1, 2001 03:29:58 PMThey just said "I got it, I'm using it, and I feel like I overpaid for it" (which is a very simplified version of it)
You're right, it does sound like a simplified version, but what ever the case is, if they don't return the merchandise, they don't get a refund. If it's simply a case of "I think I paid too much", well, eBay is an auction, and the buyers set the price, so if they really did pay too much, it's their own fault.
posted on October 1, 2001 04:21:00 PM
Just put them on ignore and move on.
Be sure to put them on bidders block so that they can not bother you in the future.
Make sure that you block them on your email.
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Well the only problem is if this bidder has aol, then he can create up to 7 alias, and will probably bid on more of your stuff. I dont know why ebays allow aol user to not be CC verified. I have seen so many abuse of aol like blocked deadbeats coming back under new id using aol, or sellers creating new id using aol and shill bid.
posted on October 1, 2001 04:43:39 PM
A fraud report with eBay is simply the first step for a buyer to file an insurance claim. An insurance claim can be paid if the item is different than described, but the buyer also has to provide an expert opinion on that expert's letterhead that the item was not as represented in the auction. I've been through the insurance process myself and I can tell you that I had to fight tooth and nail to get a refund, even AFTER I proved that the seller failed to disclose material damage and repair to the item.
So if the buyer "simply" thought s/he paid too much, I don't see this going anywhere. If on the other hand, the buyer can provide support for the item not being as described (and hence the reason for their dissatisfaction), that could be a problem for you.
Keep copies of all correspondence you've had with this buyer, if it's still available to you. You can respond to the mediation service without having to communicate directly with the buyer.
posted on October 1, 2001 05:26:07 PM new
Because I believed then and still do that the item was new/old but unused. Once he had used it and modified it, it was worthless to me in order to put it back up for bid. But, like I said, he never said he wanted to send it back, only wanted money. Yes he's saying it was not as described, ie, he's saying it was used. Only in his first three emails when he was demanding money, he never said how much. That just put me off. Then it's $55., now it's up to $90. He's blamed me for EVERYTHING he can blame me for. He only had 18 minutes to bid, no time to ask questions. He could only view 3 out of the 8 full screen photographs that I had in the auction, well, you get the picture. So, like I said, I just didn't want it back at that point, he didn't want to give it back, and I just want to know what to do once I've responded to the Fraud report. Is it a mediation service or is someone from ebay actually going to look at this? I forwarded all of his emails to safe harbor way back when he was demanding money for postive feedback.
[ edited by glassgrl on Oct 1, 2001 05:27 PM ]
posted on October 1, 2001 09:00:43 PM new
If you have an email from him demanding money for positive feedback, forward it with all the headers to safeharbor and charge him with feedback extortion. He won't be in a position to mediate anything if he's NARU.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on October 1, 2001 09:11:13 PM new
It's very doubtful that eBay would consider this an instance of "feedback extortion." A buyer can complain about a transaction, a buyer can threaten to leave negative feedback if he's not happy, a buyer can promise to leave favorable feedback if a complaint is remedied. What a buyer CANNOT do is demand something like "send me the item before I pay you or I will neg you" -- something really off the wall.
After the buyer files the fraud complaint, he must wait another 30 days I believe before filing an insurance claim. eBay does not attempt to mediate these complaints, they do not make decisions about the quality of your merchandise or the validity of the buyer's complaint. The buyer would have to go through the extra step of filing the insurance claim and submitting all appropriate paperwork. You don't even know at this point whether he will proceed with that step. But if he does, the insurance adjustors will make the determination on that, not eBay. And if you are willing to offer a partial refund and he accepts, end of story.
[ edited by Lisa_B on Oct 1, 2001 09:12 PM ]
