Refund or not?

[godsey1]

Do I need to give this buyer a refund? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=3072178546 .

This is a e-mail that I got this morning from them: I am sorry but I was reviewing the auction and I was under the impression that there was a game included and I do not wish to buy the original case. I have already sent you a money order. I am just wondering if you can do anything for me.

I'm at a loss here, as I though that I made it clear that it is the box only.

Tony

[deathtrappomegranate]

The buyer is clearly at fault.

 

I might offer a refund minus eBay fees in a case like this. Once the money order had cleared.

[Spirantho]

Same here - goodwill is a good thing to keep going if possible. I imagine the buyer is lying as your auction was very clear - so cash the money order, and send back the total minus the eBay fees and a little for your time. Explain to him what you're doing and he should have no cause for complaint.

[RCmodeler]

NO GAME IS INCLUDED. NO GAME IS INCLUDED. Yes, it's clear. Your bidder is just a dumbasc. Leave negative feedback so the bidder will learn to read next time.

 

Actually, first I'd try to get the guy to pay you. It does not matter that he mis-read the auction... he's now under contractual obligation to pay you.

 

EDIT: I see he already paid you. In that case, I agree with the others... cash the check, pay yourself for Ebay fees, and then refund.

[Mindfield]

I have to admit, I've done something like that in the past -- but I considered it my fault. I didn't read the auction close enough (though it was worded slightly more vaguely). The buyer is certainly at fault here; it clearly states that there is no game, and that it is the box only. If they failed to read that part then that's on them. They should read the listing more carefully next time.

 

That said, being nice never hurt as long as you aren't out any money or significant effort. Were it me I'd offer a refund minus FVF and listing fees, then relist ... and color the "NO GAME INCLUDED" in red, 'cos obviously it just isn't bright enough for some people. Or some people aren't bright enough for it -- whatever.

[BTHOTU]

Hey you saqid clearly no games included and even bolded.

 

However, I need one of those so if you relist lett me know

[Artlover]

I agree the majority here. Your auction is pretty clear, and the buyer is at fault for not bothering to READ before he bid.

 

Maybe it was an honest mistake, but with the history ebay has, I'd be more inclined to assume it was a deliberate "lets f--k with someone" action.

 

Cash the money order, send him his box, and tell him to shove it if he don't like it.

 

In a simmilar news story, I bought a boxed NES Contra (with game) for .87 at goodwill last year. Not exactly mint, but not crushed or stained or faded either. Only gripe is a small yellow pricegun sticker on the front & no manual.

[povlok1]

man o man.. give a little.. geeze too much hate.. first off, no a single person here is perfect and Im sure that being we are human, we've all done a few 'dumbass' things in the past. It was obviously a mistake otherwise the guy would not of already sent you a M.O... I agree with charging him a few bucks to cover your hazzel, but its not worth trashing the dudes feedback, exspecially being that he is a newbie and honestly prob didn't know what he was doing,, offer to at least send him $5 back? that should cover your ebay fees and give ya a couple bucks just for the 'hazzel'.. win win that way, and you still have your box to sell,, seems like a better alternative than trashing this guy, he trashes your feedback, yadda yadaa.. Lets not always jump straight to hostile actions.. that just dosn't do anyone any good.. however,, when dealing with a hostile person.. fight fire with fire I say.. but always try to be civil at first is best for all

[godsey1]

I will refund his money, and BTHOTU, if you want the game, I'll sell it to you for the $10.00 winning bid plus $3.00 priority shipping(total $13.00). Does this sound good? I'm just trying to get rid of some stuff, as I'm getting into the GameCube and GameBoy systems now. Please let me know BTHOTU if you want it. How about we do it this way: send me your address and I'll send it to you and if you like it, you can then send me the money.

Tony

[RCmodeler]

man o man.. give a little.. geeze  too much hate.. .... It was obviously a mistake otherwise the guy would not of already sent you a M.O...

 

 

I don't mind mistakes unless they cost me money. This mistake cost the Seller ~$2 in Ebay fees + time wasted.

[godsey1]

Here's what I sent to them:

 

If you leave me feedback first, I'll do the refund when the money gets here. I'm not holding you payment "hostage" or anything, but this is a weird situation that I've never been in before. If you leave the feedback, then when the payment gets here, you have done your part in paying, then I'll leave you possitive feedback and refund the payment also. You can check my feedback out and see that I live up to my word.

Tony

Does this sound about right? I'll let you know when I get a reply.

[pitfallaimee]

Here's what I sent to them:

 

If you leave me feedback first, I'll do the refund when the money gets here. I'm not holding you payment "hostage" or anything, but this is a weird situation that I've never been in before. If you leave the feedback, then when the payment gets here, you have done your part in paying, then I'll leave you possitive feedback and refund the payment also. You can check my feedback out and see that I live up to my word.

                Tony

Does this sound about right? I'll let you know when I get a reply.

 

I think you're justified in doing this. You lost $2 in the deal, but you'll still have your integrity, and hopefully your feedback profile will be intact as well. To me, $2 is an acceptable loss as long as you keep your goodwill from buyers--I would do the same thing, which is why I have so much repeat business, even months and months later.

 

It's so easy to just go "YOU MESSED UP NEGATIVES FOR YOU" but there's no point when the problems can be rectified peacefully. I recently bought a game on eBay, paid for it, had it shipped here, only to find the seller shipped me the wrong game--so I told him, he apologized, offered to pay for the shipment back to him, AND is sending the correct game shipped free. He's certainly going to lose money on the deal, but I'm not going to leave him negative feedback because he has been pleasant and calm about it.

 

True, this situation is the fault of the buyer, but I'm sure if it was your mistake, you'd all want the buyer to be patient and understanding--its rational behavior that can yeild positive results from sour deals.

[godsey1]

I think that is how I have such good feedback, working things out with problem buyers. I've had a few in the last year, and it gets frustrating sometimes. Thanks for all the input from everyone,

Tony

[Artlover]

True, this situation is the fault of the buyer, but I'm sure if it was your mistake, you'd all want the buyer to be patient and understanding--its rational behavior that can yeild positive results from sour deals.

 

Except you can't be patient and understanding with everybody. How do you filter out legimiate mistakes from the flood of trouble-makers? You have to draw a line somewhere. Unfortunatly, yes, someone who might deserve "different" treatment will get caught up in this, but such is life. . But I wont go there here now.

[Esc]

I'm not sure if you already know this, but you can get a refund on your auction fees if the buyer wants a refund. All you do is file a NPB and in the explanation, choose the option that you mutually agreed to not complete the transaction, or choose the "refund" option. eBay will refund the fees and there is no negatives filed with eBay for either party.

[pitfallaimee]

True, this situation is the fault of the buyer, but I'm sure if it was your mistake, you'd all want the buyer to be patient and understanding--its rational behavior that can yeild positive results from sour deals.

 

Except you can't be patient and understanding with everybody. How do you filter out legimiate mistakes from the flood of trouble-makers? You have to draw a line somewhere. Unfortunatly, yes, someone who might deserve "different" treatment will get caught up in this, but such is life. . But I wont go there here now.

 

Even though you might take a hit for it once a year or so, you have to give people the benefit of the doubt. There are going to be bad seeds on eBay--but for the most part, you have to treat people as you'd treat yourself in the same situation unless THEY are the party that escalates the conflict. If the guy was screaming "THE AUCTION WAS UNFAIR GIMME MY MONEY BACK" then I'd be less sympathetic...but it's still important to be calm and TRY to resolve things peacefully before getting into a negative feedback situation.

[godsey1]

I'm going to relist this game and see what happens. Does any one know the HTML code BOLD and RED on the same words? I just had another NPB e-mail me: After biding on your game I did not realize that I already had the same one being shipped to me. I do apologize for the inconvience. If youahve any questions or soncerns please let me know. Thank you. Sorry again. Miss Mels . I guess that January is the month for NPB's on E-Bay.

Tony

[CPUWIZ]

I'm going to relist this game and see what happens. Does any one know the HTML code BOLD and RED on the same words?

 

http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/refere...tml_cheatsheet/

[video game addict]

I once goofed on some TG16 games I thought I was hitting some killer BINs $5 a pop, then after the third of fourth auction I realized I was only buying the empty box, no game was included, I think I was an I went ahead an paid never said anything to the seller, his auctions were not as clear as Tony's Contra box thou, I probably could have bitched but I held my lip and completed the transactions. Sometimes it's better to read the description on those newly listed auctions, before clicking the buy button. I was a bit pissed at myself for that. But in the above auction it is very clear and I can't see how someone could bid without knowing what he's just won.

 

So little difference between these two:

 

...Contra boxed...

...Contra box.....

 

Sometimes I think sellers try to make it confusing on the bidders, hope to get a few bids from ebayers who don't read it fully, or don't email to make sure first.

 

But I think it's cool that Tony is willing to work it out with the bidder, even thou it is clearly the buyer's mistake.

[godsey1]

Thanks for the link CPU for the web site, looks like that will help. video game addict, I feel much the same way as you do. I won some auctions back during Christmas for some DVD's. I got my invoice read it and the seller listed that the shipping would take almost 27 or 28 days to get them. I was made, but then I went to the auction page and in little bitty writing it was listed that it could take up to 27 or 28 days. I paid and bought another set of these DVD's from another E-Bayer, as they were presents. I love to work things out with my buyers or sellers, but this is starting to get to me . Thanks again,

Tony

[Albert]

The auction title and description were more than clear enough that this was an auction for only the box. As a buyer, I have made similar mistakes once or twice, but I just sucked it up and paid for the items, rather than cause grief for the seller. That's what the buyer in this auction should have done.

 

However, as a seller I would probably refund the guy's money, file to get the fees back and then relist the item. I think it's better to promote good will than be adversarial over something like this.

 

..Al

[godsey1]

I agree with you 100% Albert. here's the e-mail I got back from them:I am truly sorry. This is the first time I have used ebay. Thanks for understanding and sorry for the inconvenience.. I have the pos feedback for being "Very understanding business person". I will send the money order back tomorrow. I would have sent it back anyway .

Tony