How Did I Miss That???

[i-love-my-sheep]

Goodness. I've just opened an unpaid dispute against a US buyer. Normally when someone bids, I check the feedback they have left for others. I thought I had this time, but obviously not!! There are toooooo many red dots to count. That's one disgruntled buyer!

Spoiler

[jensmanchester-australia]

I can see where an International buyer would assume it is free post as you have it in the title and also in the description you say free post but don't actually specify that it is for within Australia only.

If I was in your position I would apologise for the confusion regarding postage and explain that free postage is for within Australia only. Also point out to them in the description where it mentions Interrnational Postage.

You can never assume anything on ebay - it is important to make sure descriptions etc are very clear to avoid buyers being confused.

[beach_and_home]

Wow, sorry, but you have FREE POSTAGE and also PENDANT in the title. And the item is not a pendant and it is not free postage. I don't think your buyer is wrong to be upset. I'm sorry I can't just say what you want to hear, but I really think you are in the wrong, way in the wrong.

If you are going to sell internationally and charge them postage then you cannot have Free Postage in the title.

And if you list something as a pendant then it has to have a way to be hung from something, whether it's a hole or a bail attached. A gemstone with no hole is not a pendant. Sure it can be made into a pendant, but it's not a pendant at the moment.

I don't think you are a bad person I just think this particular listing is very misleading. You have to remember that a lot of people only read the title and look at the photo, that's all, they don't read the description. So the title has to be spot on.

For your sake I do hope she doesn't pay and you can wrap it all up soon

[curraone]

---

@ilovemychooks wrote:

"This is so odd. When I get the listing as paid, I IMMEDIATELY pay. Therefore, I did not receive notification that I "won". If I haven't paid it, then I will happily do so today, however, I have two big problems.
1. This is listed as a pendant. In order to be a pendant, it must have a hole drilled in the top. Otherwise, it's not a pendant.
2. It says free postage, however when I did go to pay for it today, there was a shipping fee. Please advise on both issues. I want the bead or I would not have bid on it. Please remove the shipping fee and I hope you have a way to drill a hole, or if not, I will figure something else to do with it."

Anyone know what I should do next?

---

In fact, I think I would write to her and offer to cancel the transaction "as it is not quite what she requires"   (not mentioning that the title is misleading 🙂   and apologise for any misunderstanding.

[i-love-my-sheep]

Thanks everyone!

I'm just a small seller clearing out personal items that I'd bought a few years ago with good intentions, and we know what can happen with good intentions! When I started to list these items, I wasn't sure what to call them, so I looked at other similar listings by doing a search. I guess there are a lot of sellers out there with misleading ads then! 😄

I've decided to not list for international any more, so am in the process of removing references to international postage and am also trying to fix up my titles so they aren't so misleading. 

I was going to try and offload this stuff at the Sunday markets, but by the time I got around to doing anything about it, they cancelled the markets *sigh*.

I think while ever there is postage attached to her invoice, she probably won't pay, which is what I'm hoping. I'm still in 2 minds as to whether to reply to her message. Even though it's obvious she's upset, I didn't really like the tone of her message. There are right and wrong ways to get your point across!

[i-love-my-sheep]

I sent a message to customer service this morning, when I was in a fit of panic, asking if due to the mention of free postage in the title, whether I was obligated to send it 'free' and I just got a reply. I was shocked at how quickly they replied!!! This is what they said:

Hello Jane,

Thank you for contacting eBay about the transaction that you have with the buyer XXXXXXX. Let me help you with this.

I checked the listing Jane and I can see it that you listed it correctly. Yes it's showing free postage on the title but the postage and payments page is showing that it's not for international buyers. You already opened an Unpaid Item Case against her. Close it on the 5th day from the date that it's opened and three things will happen.

1. You'll get a credit for the final value fee.

2. You'll be safe from getting negative feedback. Once an unpaid item case is recorded on the buyer's account, she'll be block from leaving feedback because the system will detect that there's no payment.

3. And lastly, an unpaid item strike will be recorded on her account which may result to restriction or even suspension if it progress.

So in this situation, I will not recommend that you send the item to her for free. If she wants the item then send her an invoice with the correct postage cost. 

I'm sorry this sale hasn't run smoothly and I hope I've explained everything clearly. If you need any more help, please let us know.

Thank you for chosoing eBay!

Cheers,

Angel L.

So, I will resend an invoice (assuming I still can with a case opened, I haven't checked) with the postage cost, explaing the best I can and if she doesn't want to pay, then I'll close the case in 3 days time and be done with it.

In the mean time, I will keep revising my listings........although some of them will have to wait to relist before I can revise.

[chameleon54]

Chooks, pleased to hear you had some success with ebay customer support. They are not all bad. I had a similar thing happen earlier in the week. Customer buys item and then starts complaining about various things. All of his complaints where covered in item description and photos. He purchased the item using his phone and it seems not all of the photos and description where showing ( or he just didnt read it ). Once he re-checked the description he was fine about it and left pos. feedback. Is this a common problem with mobiles ?

[i-love-my-sheep]

I think with mobiles people don't bother clicking on the item description, they just look at the photos. Maybe I'm weird, but if I do searches on my phone, I click on the item description! I think I'm one of the few that actually reads the whole description too, even as far as what they write about postage, returns, conditions etc. 

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

chooks, just sent you a PM

[i-love-my-sheep]

Just to update, the buyer didn't pay, so the unpaid dispute got closed this evening. Thankfully she didn't hit me with any feedback, so no issues there.

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

Thanks for coming back and letting us know.

Your 'buyer' didn't read the description and expected free postage to the USA for a low priced item.  They also have a horrid history of negging sellers.

I think you have dodged a bullet.