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!

[wehavethatau]

The seller will reply to that Paypal case and tell you the same thing they already have - they will not be offering a partial refund.

[lyndal1838]

Just because paypal is prepared to open a dispute on your terms it does not mean that the seller is obliged to agree and paypal will NOT give a partial refund in that case.

[robinsonmarineparts]

This is ridiculous now so i'll add, "Sell the cat"

Seller stay strong, stand your ground.

[k1ooo-slr-sales]

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diamond-halo wrote: 

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

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If this happened to me when I sell an item MY answer to that PayPal question would be "No partial refund, happily provide full refund upon return of the item in the condition it was received" which seems to be the seller's stance in this matter.  In fact, if the item arrived back and I saw that it had been faulty when I sent it I would refund the return postage and toss it so that the buyer was not one cent out of pocket.

Sorry, you don't get to keep the item and get your money back (even if it is only part of your money).  If the buyer has outlaid money ordering parts BEFORE gaining a resolution with the seller then that is not the seller's concern, it is a decision the buyer made.

[2106greencat]

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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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I certainly hope so - you know what tickles me the most is that a self confessed 'newbie' went to the buying boards for advice.

Now same newbie is telling the experienced sellers and buyers how things will be done and what the outcome should be. Amazing.

One thing it has shown me is that maybe a lot of us are giving advice that is actually not quite correct in some instances as we can only go by what the OP has told us, but here is the perfect example of 'two sides to every story'.

[corduroy9]

the buyer put in a paypal claim this morning requesting a partial refund of 50% of the total amount shipping included, I responded to the claim offering as i have the last 5 times, a full refund on return of the item.....

and then i just got an email saying "The buyer cancelled this case and our investigation is now complete".

Im a bit shocked- I just dont understand the point they were trying to make or what they were trying to do?!....

[2106greencat]

monster, the buyer was basically trying to get something for nothing, paypal would not continue on with a partial case because you offered full refund on return which is policy so the buyer retracted the case.

Please, if the buyer leaves you a neg, contact eBay, show them all the messages and direct them to these  boards so they can see what the buyer has done from start to finish and it will be removed.

Ask to speak to a supervisor rather than try to explain to a phone drone, and if you haven't already, add this buyer to your BBL now and block all further communication - I imagine many sellers have already done the same.

[davewil1964]

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@2106greencat wrote:

monster, the buyer was basically trying to get something for nothing, paypal would not continue on with a partial case because you offered full refund on return which is policy so the buyer retracted the case.

Please, if the buyer leaves you a neg, contact eBay, show them all the messages and direct them to these  boards so they can see what the buyer has done from start to finish and it will be removed.

Ask to speak to a supervisor rather than try to explain to a phone drone, and if you haven't already, add this buyer to your BBL now and block all further communication - I imagine many sellers have already done the same.

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Not a great deal of imagination required. Probably 100% of those who have read this thread.

All this hassle over what, essentially, a $2 roll of gaffer tape would have fixed. For many months.

I also question the 'righteousness' of the buyer. Who bought something for $9.50, but was prepared to pay $30 for parts to repair it.

[lyndal1838]

The buyer was determined to prove that we did not know what we were talking about when we told him that while paypal was prepared to open a dispute on his terms (partial refund) they would not continue with it if the seller said it was full refund or nothing.

It does not pay to argue with experience.

[harley_babes_hoard]

Glad it worked out for you. They were just hoping you would cave and the would get the money + keep the item.
Silly

Edit: Oh I see the buyer left a red dot for you.............I hope everyone blocked the buyer.

Product faulty. Seller offered "full"refund, but net return postage refund = 41%