Buyer wants compensation instead of returning item

[jeclements99]

Hi all, I just had a buyer who claims that there's something wrong with a camera I sold and that he has been quoted $100-$150 to get it fixed. He wants a refund of between $70-$100. Instead, I asked him to initiate a return and told him I would pay for the postage and refund his money. I checked his feedback to others and there seem to be a lot of 'thanks for being reasonable and fixing the problem' posts as well as several negatives for various problems. He has told me that he is very disappointed that I will not compensate him and that he will keep the camera as it is because it is too inconvenient and he is too busy to return it. I fully expect to get negative feedback for this. Is there anything I can do?

[kopenhagen5 · Accepted solution]

Could look like he is very good at getting discounts on items.

I would stick to my guns and insist the camera is returned before refunding anything.

(In other words call his bluff, there might not be anything wrong with it)

And put the member on your BBL.

[whoisbiggles · Accepted solution]

When the negative or neutral feedback is posted - ask eBay to remove, use the conversation trail as evidence to support your request.

Once all sorted add to your BBL.

[jeclements99]

Thanks Kopenhagen5. Good idea anot adding him to my list. I'll just have to worj out how to do that!

[jeclements99]

Thanks whoisbiggles, I'll do that.

[digital*ghost]

You handled it the best way you could - this is a common tactic of some buyers, unfortunately. It's relatively obvious when they leave a clear trail behind them, can find the time to get a quote, but can't find the time to return, and make it seem like they're reasonable / doing you a favour by accepting less than the quote to fix the "fault". 

It's alway tempting to call their bluff more directly (requesting a verifiable quote from a known business that you can confirm the fault and cost to fix with, or countering with a bluff of your own like saying you have a relative who can fix it for free), but minmising engagement with people like this is the best way to go.  

[imastawka]

---

@jeclements99 wrote:

Thanks Kopenhagen5. Good idea anot adding him to my list. I'll just have to worj out how to do that!

---

https://www.ebay.com.au/help/selling/resolving-buyer-issues/blocking-buyer?id=4082&st=12&pos=1&query...

[jeclements99]

Thanks digital*ghost, you make an excellent point about finding the time to get a quote but not having the time to return it and buy a new one. I think your advice about minimising engagement is also good. I will stick to the simple 'please return it' response.

[jeclements99]

Wow, that made it quick and easy. Thanks, imastawka.

[shoppingbag*]

Make a shortcut to the Blocked Buyers list, it saves having to search for it every time.