Final Value Fee credit denied.... options?

Socalguy1967 · February 22, 2010 10:15AM

I sold a card that has been in my ebay store for $45. The problem is that I can't find the card. I think I sold the card at a show last year and forgot to remove it from my ebay store. I refunded the buyers payment immediately, let them know that I can't find the card and am very sorry. I then cancelled the transaction in ebay. However, the buyer denied the cancelation and says they want the card! Now ebay has declined the FVF credit of $5.40 and says the case is closed. So since the buyer declined the cancelation (after I refunded his money) am I now out an additionl $5.40? Is there anything else I can do?

otwcards · February 22, 2010 10:42AM

Basically, you're going to eat the $5.40 AND probably get a NEGATIVE from the buyer. I had a similar situation where I relisted a bunch of cards from my TurboLister inventory and forgot to pull one out that I sold offline previously. The buyer bought 9 cards, including the one I no longer had. I immediately contacted the buyer, explained and apologized for the oversight, advised them that they would get an immediate refund and that I would include a reasonable substitute at my cost for the inconvenience. They promptly accepted the cancellation request and I got my $5 FV Fees refunded. Granted, it cost me a $20+ card, but since it was my error, I needed to make it right by the buyer and I think I succeeded.

What I don't understand is when someone makes an error, it seems the primary concern is about themselves rather than the person that they inconvenienced. Why is that?

Rogermnj · February 22, 2010 10:59AM

I have done this a dozen times at least. I always issue an immediate apology and refund and dont even request the FVF refund.
I dont want to inconvenience the buyer anymore then i already have.

I usually also tell them that if they decide to buy from me again i will give them 10% off and free shipping.

Blacklabelsociety · February 22, 2010 11:03AM

Why in the world should the buyer decide if the seller get a FVF on a cancelled item?? Silliness of ebay.

Boopotts · February 22, 2010 11:04AM

<< <i>I have done this a dozen times at least. I always issue an immediate apology and refund and dont even request the FVF refund.
I dont want to inconvenience the buyer anymore then i already have.

I usually also tell them that if they decide to buy from me again i will give them 10% off and free shipping. >>

Every time I do this I see if the buyer would rather get a deep discount on something else. If they don't, I end up sending out a bunch of free stuff. My thinking is that if I punish myself often enough for this, and severely enough, then maybe at some point I'll get my act together and try to make a better effort at inventory control.

storm888 · February 22, 2010 11:18AM

"...am I now out an additional $5.40? ........Is there anything else I can do?...."

/////////////////////

Yes.

No.

.........................................

You might wait a few days and try to sneak a UPI-claim past the buyer.

If he misses it, you can close the claim and try to file another FVF request.

It will only work if the CS-monkey is asleep.

OTOH, it is really best to just fugedaboutit, lest you be NEGd.

................

When I used to mess up like that, I refunded immediately and sent 'em a $10 coupon
to buy anything in the store.

I never had the guts to go for the FVF.

otwcards · February 22, 2010 11:21AM

<< <i>My thinking is that if I punish myself often enough for this, and severely enough, then maybe at some point I'll get my act together >>

Self mutilation is another reasonable alternative (typing this with two fingers -- the only two I have left...).

Brick · February 22, 2010 11:28AM

I know it shouldn't make sense because the card was priced in your store however the buyer may have felt you had "sellers remorse" after the fact and you indeed do have the card. Hence his reluctance to work with you.

SDavid · February 22, 2010 12:17PM

That's the worst feeling. It's like that dream where you show up for the test unprepared.

Luckily, when it happened to me, the buyer was cool about it. I ended up giving him a comparable card for free. No FVF refund, but the FVF was nominal anyway.

Even worse is when you get orders switched, and you know you've screwed up *two* packages. I've done that twice, and both times I felt like a complete arse. However, it's happened to me as a buyer several times.

WinPitcher · February 22, 2010 11:06PM

Do without your starbucks coffee for a day and you will get the 5.40 back that way.

Next....

Steve

packCollector · February 23, 2010 1:00AM

OAKESY25 · February 23, 2010 1:06AM

I have found the post office interprets do not bend.. as, please torture this package and mangle it unmercifully

bking · February 23, 2010 2:44AM

<< <i>I have found the post office interprets do not bend.. as, please torture this package and mangle it unmercifully >>

Yes, my PO seems to use that label as "please find the edge of the cardssaver/toploader and bend the envelope right there, and hope the seller actually secured the card so it didn't slide out a bit".

I'm afraid this current frenzy of sellers trying to offer free shipping as an inducement is going to cause a spike in PWEs. I've received more in the last month than I can recall in a long time.

gumbyfan · February 23, 2010 3:00AM

<< <i>I have found the post office interprets do not bend.. as, please torture this package and mangle it unmercifully >>

I need to buy some of those "We're sorry we destroyed your package and it's contents, but here is 1/3 of the mailing address and a packaging peanut so we can say we delivered something" bags that the USPS has and just ship my stuff out already in them.

Final Value Fee credit denied.... options?

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