is this feedback extortion?

[corduroy9]

I sold an item on the 26th march, the buyer emailed me the next day ( never before the auction end) asking if they could 'pick up the item?', I emailed them back stating it was postage only as the listing stated.
They have just received the item in the mail and emailed me immediately stating the following :

First, I have received the item. Thank you for mailing it so promptly.

But second, there is a fault with the item that was not mentioned: the arm keeps coming off the central hub. Even without my cat playing with it, if I just leave it running the arm frequently comes off and has to be reattached.

I have already ordered replacement arms from the US, although including shipping, this cost me an additional USD $29.99.

I wanted to give you an opportunity to offer redress before leaving negative feedback.



Is this feedback extortion? Are they annoyed that I wouldn't let them pick the item up? Are they also asking me to refund them an extra $29.99 on top of not retuning the item for a full refund?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the item,
I tested it intensely before posting it well packaged/protected! I just googled the product and it turns out that it's a common issue that the arm can fall off at times.

The buyer only has a feedback score of 4,
I'm just a bit confused as to why they are not using the resolution centre if the issue is real!

[2106greencat]

and you are using the threat of negative feedback to get this are you ?

Carry on people......

[lyndal1838]

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@lancelotlink666 wrote:

As I have said to monster_truck in a private message, I would be happy with a partial refund to reflect the fact that the good really were not as described. If monster_truck is expressly unwilling to provide this, then we advance to the next step in the dispute resolution process.

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What do you think is the next step in the dispute resolution process?

If you are going to open a dispute there is only one outcome......you will be required to return the item to the seller by fully trackable post at your own expense before paypal will give you a full refund.

There is no partial refund, no keeping the item...nothing but what the seller has offered you and you have refused.  Paypal does not negotiate at all.

And the fact that you have already purchased new parts does not go in your favour either as you are supposed to return the item in exactly the same condition as you received it.

A paypal dispute is very black and white....there are no shades of grey and no room for negotiation.

[chezzy]

That's interesting as I have gotten a partial refund via the Paypal resolution centre

[*crikey*mate*]

Hello,

Here's the thing, if the seller dopesn't want to offer a paertial refund, no matter how much sense it makes to you, it doesn't matter, he doesn't have to offer that.

Maybe his neighbour will be hapopy with it for $8, or maybe he will be prepared to keep it if he can't get the amount he wants, or maybe someone new entirely will come along and want the item so badly, that they don't care what the price as they are confident they can fix it and again, don't care what the cost.

So many scenarios and what ifs.

Allegedly, the seller made a mistake and missed a fault with the item. He has done the right thing and offered a full refund. He is an honest and honourable seller by the looks.

Everybody makes mistakes, he has tried to rectify his.

You're still quite new, and I do commend you for coming to the boards for help - that's a really positive step. You're not always going to get the answer that you want to hear though.

But here is the thing, you may not realize this being as new as you are, but there are some absolutely shocking sellers out there, and this guy seems to be one of the good ones.

No he hasn't bowed down to your demands, but he has offered to rectify the problem.

Trust me on this, this guy is a gem.

Save the negs for the sellers that deserve it, or maybe ask yourself if online shopping is the right place for you to be shopping considering your expectations are different to what you will probably get in most transactions.

Best of luck with your future transactions on eBay.

and as for the seller - keep this thread, and send it to eBay if the feedback doesn't reflect the true transaction.

It is feedback extortion to demand a service that the seller does not offer and threaten to leave a negative if he won't comply.

either return the item and take the full refund that has been offered, don't be concerned if the seller is out of pocket - that's his problem, not yours.

Or, keep the doobie hickey, buy a roll of gaffer tape and let your cat enjoy the thing.

[robinsonmarineparts]

We understand the post, it's as plain as day, i'm starting to think your not listening to the advice your being offered.

[harley_babes_hoard]

lancelotlink666

I think you are being very unreasonable. Seller offered a full refund for return of the item. If you dig your heels in you are bound to get nothing.

[lyndal1838]

Chezzy, the seller can offer and/or send a partial refund once a dispute has been opened but if it is escalated to a claim and involves paypal directly then the option is no longer there.  Paypal only deals in full refunds and whether the item has to be returned is up to the seller.

In this case the seller would be mad not to require the item be returned.

[lancelotlink666]

To be clear, so far I have done nothing. I haven't launched a claim. I am still hopeful I can come to a mutually acceptable solution with the seller.

However, things here seem to be teetering on the brink of a flame war, so I won't be posting to this forum further.

[chezzy]

Thanks - have not spent much time in the resolution centre but did receive a partial refund for a faulty item

last year (I kept the item and fixed it myself).

Let's be real. As a buyer it is pretty frustrating to not only receive an item that is not fully functional but

be faced with the prospect of having to repackage the thing and find time to get to the Post Office, not

to mention being 'out of pocket' to return the item even though you aren't the one at fault. And if it is a

cheap item one might find it difficult to justify the effort and expense.

I have been on the receiving end of a couple of faulty items. But I kept things polite (did not mention

negative feedback) and negotiated with the seller for a partial refund which would allow me to keep

but also repair the item so that it is usable.

Common sense is butting heads with formalities. Hopefully it won't be pistols at dawn.

[*crikey*mate*]

I'm really sorry that we didn't give you the answer that you wanted to hear.

We did however give you the right answer.

With a disopute, you will have to return the item. and pay return postage. That's how they work.

so either return and get refund and look for another, or move on.

Because obviously the fact you were prepared to spend another $30 for a replacement part indicates the item is wiorth far more than what you paid. Which is why you are digging your heels in here.

This could very well have been a case of the seller refusing to send as he didn't get enough money, but instead, he honoured his sale and sent it anyway when it was obviously worth a lot more.

as I said, best of luck with your future transactions.