Being called a 'scammer'.

[strength40]

Hi everyone,

I just need to vent. A buyer was impatient at not receiving goods, so I offered a refund as he was starting to get nasty. I said I would refund as soon as he sent stamps back to me after they had arrived. He said if I didn't refund he would open a case against me and threatened a negative feedback, and report me to the bank as he paid by direct deposit. Apparently the stamps never arrived. A few weeks later a get a neutral rating saying 'items never received'. I was so angry and retalliated which I probably shouldn't have saying 'buyer very rude, Australia post out of my control, not recommended and sellers beware'. I believe he received and kept the stamps but can't prove it. I'm then called a 'scammer'. I have sold over 4000 items and only received 2 negatives in the whole time. It really degrades my good name and is slanderous. I am an honest person and respected very much in the community where I do a lot of volunteer work and it is so upsetting. I contacted Ebay and they said they won't remove it as it's within their guidelines. I would question that but its pretty hard to argue when you're up against a huge worldwide company like that. 

thankyou for listening.

Debra.  

[*crikey*mate*]

I feel your pain.

sorry that this has happened to you

[kopenhagen5]

I wouldn't have refunded until a little further down the track.

People that call members scammers are often the scammer, especially if you are polite.

You can have the reply removed as it mentions a dispute which is against the rules. Point that out to ebay.

To anyone half intelligent, it's not you that looks like the bad guy anyway.

Doubt it will effect your account very much and it will soon be on page 2 by the looks of it.

Hold you head up high and know you provide a very good service. 

[horizon1907]

Debra, You've had 2 great replies from 2 very experienced Members. Can I ask, were they sent with tracking? 

[*crikey*mate*]

They only charged $1.50 for post, so I'm not thinking so.

Plus, considering their experience they would know if they had used tracking that they would (or at least should - if AP did their job correctly) be able to check if an item was delivered.

I was trying to think of ways removal might be possible - even thought I had one for the other one, but the policy says tracking number, NOT item number

*sigh*

was hoping I had some good news for them

[phorum_junkie*]

 I said I would refund as soon as he sent stamps back to me after they had arrived

And just how were they meant to do that if they never received them? On the rare occassions I send things as unregistered letters I refund after 10 working days.

I don't know if you are aware but buyers who use bank deposit so have no recourse through ebay (if they are buying on the Au site) can make a report through the QLD police site for auction fraud and without any proof of delivery you could theoretically end up in trouble although they are unlikely to do more than contact you for a relatively small, one off sum of money.

The feedback was nothing but factual in the first instance and your comment that you could not be blamed for AP is probably what incensed them and caused them to call you a scammer. You are responsibl for delivery and if you don't want this type of thing to happen you have to refund without question or registr.

[strength40]

I was wanting to wait a few more days over Easter to see if they arrived and yes I usually do refund straightaway but when someone says ' I've paid in good faith for my goods and they haven't arrived' wouldn't you just be a slight bit angry? Blaming me when australia Post isn't delivering on time. I was also threatened by him with negative feedback if I didn't refund money, he left a neutral anyway. How did I know whether he just kept the stamps? The buyer is always protected no matter what. My feedback has now been removed by Ebay and his feedback calling me a scammer is allowed. Gee thats fair.   

[strength40]

Thanks for your mostly understanding replies. You try and do the right thing by buyers, and most are great but there's always one that ruins it for everybody. It really makes me feel like not selling sometimes. Its only a hobby for me which I find so relaxing most of the time!

Thanks again,

Debra. 

[khani808]

Oh no, I'm sorry this happened 😞

You're right, this sort of thing really does take the wind out of your sails.

[cherry*135]

How long did the buyer wait after the item was posted,  before they contacted you OP?

It really annoys me when sellers write Aust Post/ delivery is out of their control once the item is placed over the counter or in an AP Post Box (in their listings).

What not to do

You should not: Hold postage if PayPal places a temporary hold on payments you receive for an item you sold. Note: Holding postage may affect your detailed seller ratings and buyer satisfaction, which increases the chances of future PayPal payments being held. Say that you're not responsible for item delivery, or for ensuring that the item is delivered. For example, these statements aren't allowed: 'I'm not responsible for the item once it's been dropped in the mail' 'I'm not responsible for items lost in the post' 'Without insurance, I can't be responsible for items lost in the post'

http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/policies/selling-practices.html