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!

[*crikey*mate*]

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@lancelotlink666 wrote:

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.

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Hon, there is nothing that you CAN do that will acheive a different result.

Launch a claim. The result will be the same as the seller has offered, maybe even worse.

I think the ship of hope has sailed.

If this seller backs down now, he'll be the next one either Mr Abbott makes into a Knight or the Pope Canonizes

[*crikey*mate*]

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@chezzy wrote:

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.

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unfortunately, that is one of the risks we take when shopping on line.

Itb is one of the factors we need to consider when deciding if we want to purchase.

Yep - frustrating, inconvenient and sometimes downright unfair, BUT - that's online trading.

[amber-eyed-girl]

Not always. Plenty of retailers have free online returns.

maybe that can be eBay's next step?

free post, free returns...that would be interesting, wouldn't it?

[harley_babes_hoard]

That might be true for NEW items. This was used.

[medalsbadgespatches]

Members new to ebay need to be familiar with their obligations as a buyer and a seller.

Take ten minutes to review the homepage terms & conditions before buying and selling and especially when there is a dispute in the making.

Live chat should be consulted as well.

[wehavethatau]

The buyer here is arrogant and wanting to make up their own eBay rules. I definitely see feedback extortion here and am amused that even on the buyers forum, buyers are favouring the seller here.

The seller has been nothing but polite, professional and willing to follow the eBay rules for returns.

What if the seller doesn't want to let you keep the item and receive a partial refund based on principal? What if the seller can easily repair the item and re-sell? What if the item is still under warranty and the seller can return it so that they have refunded you and also been refunded by the manufacturer?

[lancelotlink666]

This really will be my final post, since pursing things here appears to be counterproductive.

The one thing I wanted to say before departing is that I have contacted eBay, who put me through to PayPal. I explained to them that I wanted to keep the item and receive a partial refund. They were entirely happy to launch a dispute on that basis.

It appears the accusations of arrogance and of making up one's own rules may have been misplaced.

I bid you all good day.

[lancelotlink666]

Oh, and yes: I did tell them the seller had offered a full refund for return. Still quite happy to launch a dispute based on that not being my preferred outcome.

[gkam2]

Keep the item and buy a slower cat.

[*crikey*mate*]

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@lancelotlink666 wrote:

This really will be my final post, since pursing things here appears to be counterproductive.

The one thing I wanted to say before departing is that I have contacted eBay, who put me through to PayPal. I explained to them that I wanted to keep the item and receive a partial refund. They were entirely happy to launch a dispute on that basis.

It appears the accusations of arrogance and of making up one's own rules may have been misplaced.

I bid you all good day.

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Hello, I thought hard about responding again, and as I was not going to explain something that you wanted to hear, thought it best I didn't and just let you learn the hard way.

However, I felt it prudent to comment incase someone else reading this thread faces similar circumstances and would like to know what will happen from this point.

And yes, I have contacted PayPal and confirmed this.

PayPal will be very happy to open a dispute for anyone in this situation. That is a given, it is part of your Buyer Protection.

PayPal will then contact the seller and ask them "Are you prepared to offer a partial refund?"(sic)

If the seller says, no, I will only issue a full refund (and this is perfectly ok and does not cause bad vibes with PayPal)

PayPal will then require the buyer to return the item at their own expense, by a trackable means of post, to provide the tracking number to PayPal, and then once the package is confirmed as delivered, PayPal will provide a full refund to the buyer.

IF the seller does not agree at any stage in the dispute or claim to a partial refund, PayPal will not make the seller provide one or provide one on their behalf..