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Need some help with a buyer trying to rip me off
 

This is on a good account of mine. 316 feedback. 100%.

I sold him a watch box a month ago. Shipped it out. He now is coming back to me with this. He's from overseas, so 50% of that is shipping cost

"Hi there,

I finaly received tag heuer box I ordered from you and was very badly surprised. I received old and damaged box!! Probably also not genuine, I'm not sure about that part. I'm attaching pictures as a proof.
I paid 100 usd for old and damaged goods! How could you do such thing and send something what is not as described in add.
Please be so kind and send me new one or send me back my money.
Best regards,
"

Pictures of a beat to hell watch box. What do I do?

his first ever question to me was
"It is new one and authentic tag heuer isn't it?"

I am not surprised, usual behavior for international customers. Don't let the flies smell a rotten goose; just pay his money and shake off the dust. Small things like this could cause your account to be reviewed by a human - not pleasant.

This is the first time this has ever happened to me like this. I've sent international stuff all the time. tracking, and it always seemed to work out. I'm a pessimist, and know ebay is horrible, so it has always surprised me to see such good interactions thus far.

How do I pay him his money and avoid getting feedback or any other negative consequences? My feedback for the same item has been perfect.

And to make matters worse, it's a watch box, which ebay doesn't technically allow to be sold on there.

This is why I only ship US only.

So far it's paid off for me to ship international. Up until now I mean. Don't have to offer free shipping, and I even get paid a little on the shipping cost AND no ebay fees on shipping charges. And more customers for certain items I sell, from international buyers

is the pic he supplied definately your box, any markings? maybe it got that way in the mail...is there any way you can claim from the postal service?

I would not fully refund, maybe offer partial refund or tell him to return it at his cost, which he probably would not want to do.

I've attached pictures. No way to claim it. Looks years old. He probably won't want to spend another penny on it. Pictures don't do the box justice. Much worse then it looks in the little pictures this site allows me to post

I don't even know what to say to him right now. I've worked so hard to build my ebay back up. I had an issue a year ago that I had to leave the country and left my ebay on. in 7 days, I will finally recover from all that. And then this pops up.

Offer the buyer some type of refund, either a full refund or partial. If you refund him the full the amount, will you lose out on a lot of $$$? If you feel you can afford to refund the buyer the full amount then I would do so but in the end, it's up to you.

yeah unattach those pics, you are getting advice so you can get upper hand...

you are making a bigger deal than what it is really, in a dispute it is 50/50 whether they would get full refund or be required to return it, so that is why I said call his bluff on return. A partial refund might be accepted. I would not offer any more.

Even if you got a neg or had to refund him, that is not going to collapse your account...

I'm making a big deal about it for 2 reasons

1. My seller status is below standard. Evaluation is in 7 days, which will put me back to standard or above standard. Probably same thing goes with paypal.

2. The item isn't really allowed on ebay anyways. Everyone has them, but they aren't allowed.

I could afford to refund the buyer the full amount. Really, i'm just trying to figure out how to handle it, and what to say to him, to avoid any problems in the end. The total deal will cost me about $100. I don't WANT to lose that, but I can at least afford it right now.

ok that paints a different picture.....if you have to refund him to cool the heat then do so and move on....

as far as what to say, all he wants to hear is, I will refund you!

If I refund him, can't he just ding me anyways?

Any advice on what to say to him to avoid that, if at all possible?

My emotional part of my brain wanted to say that I'd never sell a ⊗⊗⊗⊗, or beat up part, and that all my parts are real. But I have a feeling I'd piss him off.

Never dealt with a scam artist, so I don't know how to handle their mentality

complainants almost always, whether genuine or not, just want a refund etc...so unlikely to leave neg, but of course you cannot say for sure...

Any advice on how to respond to his accusation tho? Can't say I agree with him, but can't accuse him either.

I'm not the most politically correct person when it comes to these things.

Really cant do much OP - if you have postal insurance, maybe worth a try that way.

You got "got" by this buyer in all likelihood - it's sad but it happens.

Numerous similar stories with international sales, sadly.

What you did or he did or if it's authentic doesn't matter. Details are just not important. If you don't want to risk loosing the account and all the work and revenues give him what he wants. I'd ask him what he wants before I offer a 100% refund. A scammer might just go for a discount or be willing to negotiate.
The only time authenticity might even come into play is if you decide to report them after. But why raise a flag? Maybe eb decide to look at you hard. Good luck.

Seems like he already said what he wants tho. A refund or me to ship him another one.

Problem these days, is that scammer know they have us over a barrel, and don't even need to negotiate. A non scammer, would negotiate.

Right now I'm just trying to figure out the wording to use with him, which I'm not really good at.

For $100 on an account like that, let the buyer win the internet, block him and avoid any further issues.

its just not worth it for that sum and the feedback/age on the account.

Let this be a lesson learned and move on from this mistake.

Yes, I understand that its the principle of the situation, but its just not worth the investment when you could be making that money back 5, 10 or 20 fold is it?

I'm over the principle. Normally I wouldn't be, but I've learned my lesson. What do I say to him tho?

Dear PITA buyer,

I am so dismayed your watch box was so badly damaged in transit to you.

Please confirm your email adress so I may refund you xxxx and a packet of crisps.

I have reported this damage to USPS International Customer Claims to try to ensure no other person has this problem.
Once again, my apologises for the inconvience. With the refund I will enclose a voucher for a 10% discount should you shop with me again.

Yours in happy ebay trading

A hacked off ebay seller......................

Summat like that

:pound: