Feel bad not refunding....

Guru

Okay, I sell a bit on Ebay. Not just cards, but other things too. But mostly cards. Last week I posted a sell for a college classroom response card. It's basically and remote control you use in the classroom to answer questions that the professor asks to the whole class. I started back to school last year for the first time in five years and I had to get this thing for class. I used it only once and the bookstore wouldn't buy it back, so my wife said I should try to sell it on Ebay. I put it up for auction with a Buy It Now. In less than 5 minutes it was bought. Some dude in PA got it. There was no return/refund on it because I would loose money in this case if I did that.
Today he emails me to tell me it's the wrong one and if I hadn't shipped he wanted a refund. I said no. Feeling a bit remorseful because I really am a good guy, but it wasn't my fault that he bought the wrong one. I am glad that I got delivery confirmation on just in case he decides to say he never got it to just get his money back. Anyone else deal with something similiar?

WinPitcher

There was no return/refund on it because I would loose money in this case if I did that.

not sure i understand. you would still have it to sell, no?

are you implying you would lose fees? if so tell the guy he has to eat them. ebay paypal his postage etc. you return only the actual BIN.

tell him to send it back, and you will refund him a check. That way he won't have paypal fees.


Steve

Guru

The problem with the situation is, classes at most universities are now back in session and most people have already bought this item if they already needed it. I just got in on the right time. Unfortunately they are going to discontinue this model after this year, which means that most colleges/universities will not use this after this year. So, I would have to bite the bullet in not being able to make a dime off of this. It would just go into the garbage. My feeling is this, and it may seem insensitive, but do your homework to know which one you really need. He bought it almost a week and a half ago. You would think by then he would know if it was the right one or not. I personally do not feel responsible for his mistake. That's why most prof's put what is needed on the syllabus. So, 10 days have passed and he's just now contacted me about this. My remorse is gone now.

MikeyLikesIt

Things sure have changed in the 7 years since I was in school.

calaban7

I don't know what kind of rating you have on Ebay, but depending on your volume, A negative from an impulsive student , may not be worth it. Even if you're in the right, it may be better to eat crow. to protect your rating. This item will sell again.

I sell on Ebay as well, mostly coins. 2 years ago I had some bozo from NJ who paid for delivery confirmation and insurance. Being new , when I pulled up his payment details, Ebay had a warning that his address was changed or deleted and to contact the buyer. I tried but he never responded. I was trying to make a good name for myself, so I sent out $600 worth of morgans. They were mailed to the most recent address that paypal had. They made it there in I think 4 days. About 2 weeks later ,the buyer says he never received them. Post office said it was delivered to the right address. Buyer said he changed his address and doesn't live there anymore. I was F**ked anyway you looked at it. I refunded his money. I know in my heart , he got the coins too. It was not a cheap lesson. Now when I see that warning , I stomp on the emergency brake, and get absolute confirmation on the proper address. I've had one in NOV and JAN, both gave me a very hard time, but it got done in the end , the right way.

The long and short of it is, I'd chalk this up to a cheap lesson. You probably may have to change lines on your buyers desription, but down the road, much fewer problems.

Guru

I know what you mean with everything you said. I did get delivery confirmation (something I do now for everything because of these boards and all the stories). I also confirmed with him via email that he was at the address I sent it to. So, I have proof that he said that. If it comes down to it, I'll refund and eat crow. I won't be able to sell it again though. I have no doubts about that.

goose3

how much is this thing you're talking about?

I sold a textbook a couple of years ago at the end of a quarter/start of a new quarter. The clown that won it actually wrote me a few WEEKS later and told me that she wanted a refund.

I told her to go pound sand.

Southerncards

I sold a hard drive for a laptop. I listed every detail accurately. A buyer purchased it for about $22. She emailed me a week later saying it was the wrong thing, she wanted a hard drive for a desktop computer. I should have said no refunds on electronics but I didnt so being a good guy, I refunded the money and sold it to the next highest bidder at a $6 loss.

Guru

It cost me $75 when I bought it. My gov. prof. (who's worthless) made us buy it and then never used it. The bookstore refused to buy it back because it was opened. We had to open it to test to see if it would work. But the universities in class software wasn't compatable and they refused to update. So all of us got screwed because of it. I sold it to the guy for $30.

MorrellMan

From your posts, it sounds like the window of opportunity to sell this item was taken up by the buyer. You're not responsible for his mistake. This is no longer a product issue, it is a sales issue - you have to determine within yourself how you feel about having a dissatisfied customer.

goose3

Tell him to go pound sand and sell it himself on ebay. It's not your fault he's an idiot.

eyebone

Respectfully, Guru, I think you should take it back. It was only a $30 sale for goodness sake....though admittedly it was his fault. I am sure you could relist it and probably recoup most of the $30 even if your window of opportunity has begun to close.

Eyebone

themetalsign

He's a one and done customer. He bought it and now doesn't want it. You win, he loses. He should be studying more so he learns how to read descriptions better. Damn college kids. You can't be nice all the time.



Dave D.

grote15

If, in fact, you are truly unable to sell this item in the future because it has been discontinued, I can see your point, otherwise, I'd accept a return, and relist it as ebay will refund you FVF and the listing fees. Be prepared to absorb a less than positive FB because of it, though.

brian26

I have to agree with the poster above. This guy is one and done. Also, from your detailed description, I don't think you'll be able to sell this item again.

Make this analogy. This guy purchased tickets to the NFC Divisional Championship Game, but now he is emailing you that he made a mistake and actually meant to but tix to the NFC Conference Champsionship. Meanwhile, the tickets you sent him no longer are of any use.

earlycalguy

without seeing the listing he says the description was accurate and no returns was stated. the item was bought within 5 mintues (and listings take a few minutes to even show up on an ebay search). sounds to me like the seller did everything correctly and it's a done deal.

Guru

Well, I appreciate all the advice everyone has given me. The money's there to refund, but it's not going to happen. In my message to him I stated if he was dissatisfied with the outcome and thinking about leaving neg. feedback, that (since he's new to Ebay) it would do more harm for him to have it then me. All is well and it has been settled. We had a phone conversation which included me helping him figure out what he was going to do with it. He's a freshman and is really green about life. So, I help him set up a selling acct to sell that and some other things. Situation is taken care of and hopefully he won't do the same again. Lesson learned all around. Thanks!