Can I change a cancellation request to an Unpaid Item dispute?

[terroxyboy]

In a nutshell:

Local buyer purchases a BIN pack of gemmae (seeds) for $5, and asks for pick up to save a whopping $2.50 on postage fees.

I agree, arrange for pick up from my workplace, buyer is a no show.

A few days later, I send a message offering to cancel the item, and open a mutual cancellation request.

Buyer then emails and syas she does still want the gemmae, and will collect this weekend.

I take the item to work, and once again, she is a no show.

Now I'm cranky. This is too much diddling around for a $5 sale, the gemmae is perishable and I had to throw the first lot away, and may have to do so with the second lot.

But it seems I can't open an unpaid item dispute because I have already started a cancellation request. What now? I no longer wish to deal with this person, and want to relist and sell before the gemmae becomes unviable. Do have to wait for the cancellation request to run it's course before I can do this? The 'buyer' has not responded, or agreed to it.

[curraone]

• The buyer has seven days from the time you opened your case to respond by either agreeing or declining to cancel the transaction.

• If the buyer doesn't respond within seven days, you can close the case and you'll receive a final value fee credit.

[curraone]

and put him on your blocked buyer list

[harley_babes_hoard]

as above but if the buyer declines the cancellation you cannot open a UID and you will not get your FVF's back. So don't send any messages and keep your fingers crossed they don't reply.

[terroxyboy]

Ugh! I really think they deserve a strike for this, and I was not aware that requesting a cancellation then rules out the option of later opening an unpaid dispute. I see from their feedback that this is not the first time they have failed to pick up an item they have won.

[chameleon54]

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@harley_babes_hoard wrote:

as above but if the buyer declines the cancellation you cannot open a UID and you will not get your FVF's back. So don't send any messages and keep your fingers crossed they don't reply.

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I got stung badly around twelve months ago. Husband buys a $90.00 vintage car part, wife says he cant have it cos they cant afford it. Seven days later Husband asks for extension in payment time, wife requests cancellation of sale. It is all going very pear shaped so I agree and send a cancellation request. Husband declines the request. No further contact from them, no payment and I learn an expensive lesson. I am now very circumspect about sending cancellation requests. If they dont pay, I just go straight to non-payment disputes.

[terroxyboy]

So disorganised DH buyer can decline the cancellation request, and then leave me a neg some time down the track?

Poop.

[trulyspecialgoodies]

Yes unfortunately they can.

The great advantage of an unpaid item case is that once it's closed without payment, they can't leave feedback.

The only time I send a mutual cancellation request is when I have had friendly contact with the buyer and I have it in writing that they are asking for a cancellation.

[thecatspjs]

They could leave a negative down the track.

However, eBay would be likely to remove it if the arrangements are reflected in eBay messages between the buyer and yourself.

I don't think it is acceptable that by issuing a cancellation that you forgo being able to open an unpaid dispute - and this is not clear at all in the resolution centre..

[terroxyboy]

Yes, I was trying to be diplomatic seeing as the buyer was local and they now have my address and workplace details. I thought by offering to cancel rather than opening a dispute I could avoid any kind of uncomfortable face-to-face encounter, but I won't make that mistake again.