What would you do?

Lori

I ran this auction Link and it had a winner. Notice how I say in my payment info that there is no returns on coins, as is.

I shipped the coin and the buyer must have go it because today there it sits in my mailbox with a note inside saying the coin does not compare to image and wants a refund. This coin to me is butt ugly and that is what I stated. I blew up the pictures and held the coin to my monitor and it looks JUST LIKE THE COIN. Also the buyer never emailed me prior to sending the coin back. Just showed up.

1. Would you send the coin back and state that the auction was as is, no refunds. Read the auction details more closely and probably get neg'd.

2. Give the money back and be out selling fees, listing fees, and shipping fees.

I opt for #1 because I feel I stated clearly enough in the auction that there is no refunds. I also feel the coin is just like photoed. BUTT UGLY!

I was just wondering what you would have done in this situation. I also have a email into ebay to see if feedback removal is an option on this auction if I get neg'd.

Thanks.

Lori

CThomas

I would send it back to them with a note that says sorry but read the auction terms before you bid!

Chris

ksteelheader

I would make a printout of the auction, highlight pertinent items, and send it back!!!.......... People need to be responsible for their actions!!!!!!!!!!...........Ken

izzy452

See if the other bidder wants the coin for 49.00 first, if yes, refund the amount less your costs. This may keep you from getting a neg.

Walt

coinguy1

Hi Lori,

I certainly think your description was fair! If you are going to send the coin back, I would recommend letting the buyer know by email, before hand - try to communicate with him before taking any other action. Also, send it in a way that you can verify receipt so that he doesn't later claim he didn't get the package.

If you decide not to send it back, my understanding is that you can get at least some of your fees back from Ebay, by letting them know your item was returned. Good luck, either way.

fcloud

Lori,

I would probably send them a check less the shipping fees, and choke on the eBay fees. I think there is a way too to block bidders, as I would block the bidder from ever bidding on the stuff again. If you do decide to send the coin back, you will probably get a neg.

Some people can't read, and don't know what they are doing, and the honest people pay for that.

sinin1

Did they send it insured? Did they send it delivery confirmation? If they didn't, you could do what a seller did to me (ANACS said it was a copy and the seller said send it back) - play dumb and don't do anything, after they email you, say you haven't received it and to check your post office numbers.


P.S. Stop bidding on that Columbian half, can't you tell it is painted on colors? The seller even says it may not holder, I love the reverse and don't want to have a bidding war.

FC57Coins

Lori:

I agree with FCloud. I'd send them a check less the expenses you incurred and point out to the buyer that the coin was an "as is coin" but that in the interest of good customer service you would refund part of the purchase price. They might still turn around and neg you - but at least you can post that you tried to work with the customer, even though they did not abide by the original sale rules.

Frank

PhillyJoe

I would send an email reminding him that all sales were final and it is expensive to send coins out for what he interpreted as approval. Technically, you aren't obligated to refund, but you will contact the underbidder who really wanted the coin in the first place and a refund will be forthcoming net of expenses. Bidding on ebay is a contract and he didn't fulfill his part.

Joe

MadMarty

The only E-Bay fees you would eat are the listing fees. You can put through a credit for a refund. But I would E-Mail the buyer and let him know that he will get his refund (less a 10% resotcking fee!). Point out that your policy is that the coin was sold AS IS! But you being the super seller you are will accect the return this time. Send him a check and block him from ever bidding on your auctions again.

Lori

I also have a feeling this buyer KNEW there was no returns and that is why he just mailed it back without emailing me first. He probably thought I would rather give the refund then the hassle of sending it back to him.

Lori

Gilbert

I have to wonder just how different coin images appear on differing monitors. I've noticed many times forum members pointing out things or impressions of a coin that just doesn't look as obvious on my monitor.

Coin doesn't look "ugly" at all to me, but, whe you as the seller say its ugly, I'll have to take your word on it.

I wonder just what this buyer expected though, since he/she bidded 64+ money I would be reluctant to send the coin back to this person though -- it's apparent they aren't into following the established rules -- indicates the potential for unnecessary heartburn.

Refund and neg the bidder; well, that's what I'd do.

Dog97

Hell, it's only $50. Refund his money, get your credit from ebay, relist it and be done with it. I would offer a return from now own because even though you have good pictures maybe the buyer thinks the strike or marks don't look like the pictures or otherwise not agree with your description of the coin.
You could be hardcore and send it back to him & neg him but mailing a coin back & forth saying "you keep it" "no, you keep it" "no, you keep it, I don't want it" "no, you keep it you bought it" really doesn't make sense.

FatMan

Life is too short to bother over this. Send them back their money. File for a refund from ebay for a returned item. Re-list it and it will be over next week. Who needs the hassle of fighting with people who do not take the time to read auction listings. If they are too stupid to read a listing before bidding on an item they are probably too stupid to be reasoned with. Being in business is does not require the resolution of right and wrong. You will usually be more successful following the path of least resistance. IMHO

Lori

I already gave this person great feedback. I do all my auctions when they pay. I don't wait for their feedback first. I am not a dealer and that is why I say no refunds, coin as is. If they dont like it they should not have bid. End of story. I am aware that photos might look a little different on peoples monitors. But what I was considering ugly is the rev is toned black and looks dirty. The obv has little and long scratch marks on the cheek. They clearly show up on the bigger picture along with some more dirty looking toning on the obv.

I guess I will stick to selling my suncatcher and nightlights and keep my coins I dont want. I just have way to much trouble with selling coins and customers who cant read.

Lori
Just a tad P'd off today.

DCAMFranklin

Be the bigger person. Don't sweat the small stuff. Send the man his refund, less the shipping costs. You can apply for a credit of your Final Value fees from Ebay. Let them know the coin was returned for a refund.

You cand remind him of the auction's terms, if you like. Though I suspect you were right in your previous post. I think he already knows the coin was auctioned without a return priviledge. Good luck!

coinguy1

Lori,

Did you ever consider the possibility that the buyer thought you had misrepresented the coin when you described it as "ugly"? Maybe he was looking for an ugly coin but thought it was too good looking to keep.

FatMan

Mark,

You are an incredibly open minded person. I would never have considered that. Always thinking outside the box. If you ever get tired of being a dealer, I need a person like you on my staff for strategic corporate planning.

SarasotaFrank

I would send the buyer an email stating you would be happy to send it back to them upon receipt of the re-shipping fee.

Depends how badly a neg will bug you.

Lori

Well I issued a refund of the $50 only and not the shipping cost. I think that is fair. I am still extremly upset but I dont want a neg feedback on this so I just did it and will relist the coin and put in even bigger print that I dont take returns. Thanks for the feedback. You changed my mind. I was going to be a jerk and send the coin back before I asked this question. Lori

Dog97

Maybe the buyer thought the <<<little and long scratch marks on the cheek>>> was unacceptable. Even when I enlarge the picture I don't see scratches and your description doesn't mention anything but the toning.
<<<Just a tad P'd off today.>>>
You have 850 other auctions running (850? Wow!) that will probably be pleasant transactions so I wouldn't let 1 bad deal aggrevate me much. You have 6,000 positive feedbacks and only 1 neg which is a great record so consider that when deciding what you will do.

coinguy1

Lori,

I think you were very fair with the buyer and I congratulate you for being open minded about things. Some people ask for opinions and then argue with and/or ignore the responses if they differ from their own opinions. You asked, listened with an open mind and hopefully benefited from it.

Lori

Thank you. I just hope the buyer thinks the same way and does not give me neg feedback. Coins are not my business and to get a neg for it would bother me because I do not have any negs that are from my true ebay business.

Thanks again everyone for opening up my eyes!

Lori

PS: Link to new auction. I think I made it clear enough. Link

SarasotaFrank

<< <i>You have 850 other auctions running >>



carumba! when do you sleep?

Lori

A few hours. I also have a 3 and 4 year old. Between them, my auctions, and looking for coins there just is not enough hours in the day! They nap in the afternoon so I can get my coin fix then and at night when they go to bed.

Lori

darktone

Hi Lori, I would not have returned the buyers money on a coin sold as is with no returns after all if you were giving a return priveledge you would have got more money for it at auction. In fact I would have taken the package back to the post office and refused to accept it if I knew what is was before I opened it. If I had already opened it before I knew what it was I would have waited for the buyer to contact me and tell him if he wanted the coin back to send me return postage and a few dollars for my trouble to go to the post office to send it back or I would consider it a gift from him. This guy will most likely give you a negative no matter what you do. mike

braddick

Seriously? What I would do is keep the coin- currate off that ugly toning and I think you've got an MS65 hiding there.
Clean cheek- no problems.

Honest. The coin looks good (minus the toning) and these are tough in GEM.

Dog97

Yeah if I were the seller I would have at least emailed Lori before sending the coin back to at least see if she would change her mind. Most sellers are reasonable when you communicate with them. Agreed that just packing it up and sending it back was not the proper thing to do.
850 auctions is no small feat! When I sell my extra stuff on eBay I usually do about 10-15 listing @ a time & it drives me crazy trying to keep up with those.

Keyrock

email them saying it will cost an additional xx dollars to send it back, or refund it minus ALL fees (listing, selling, postage etc)

coindaughter

I'd refund the money; I think you are right to do that. But send an email first, stating all that happened and the resolution, and keep a copy. Also capture your auction page.

I'd also consider allowing returns from now on. Makes more bidders have confidence in you. From what I hear here, there aren't many who do send them back, and you potentially have more bidders when you accept returns.

Once when I sold a collectible pez on ebay, I posted a positive right away, upon payment. The buyer returned it but still gave me a positive for my handling of the return. It pays to be a good gal.

Good luck in the relist.