Home › Forums › Customer Issues › Buyer asking for partial refund after eight weeks
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T-Satt.
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07/03/2018 at 8:45 am #44279
I sold a vintage boombox on May 9 for $177 plus $58 shipping. I disclosed that one speaker was not working. I got this message today.
Hi,
I just got around to examining the boombox I purchased from you. I was disappointed to find out that the tape deck does not work. It makes a whirly noise that overpowers the music when trying to play cassettes. I was aware of only one speaker working, but the cassette issue was not disclosed in the description. I would not have purchased the boombox had I known this. I am not interested in going through the hassle of returning it to you if we can work this out. I am requesting a partial refund. Let me know what you would like to do. I look forward to hearing from you soon.I know he can’t open a case on eBay. Would you send him a partial refund to avoid a case in PayPal? P S. I figured whoever bought this would have the skills to fix the speaker.
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07/03/2018 at 9:39 am #44285
To be clear, he’s not concerned about the speaker. The issue is the tape player. Why can’t he open a case on eBay? Even if you dont take returns, he can force a return because its “item not as described”.
Choices:
–Ask him how much of a partial refund he wants. If its reasonable, pay him.
–Call his bluff and say “return for full refund”. You may get lucky and he just goes silent.Either way, its always smart to give the buyer an option so eBay sees that you’re open to solving the issue.
PS. we’ve sold old tape players where they seem to work for us, but break for the buyer. My guess is that the rubber belts are old and break easily with use.
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07/03/2018 at 9:40 am #44286
First thing I ask is did you test the cassette tape player?
If you did and it worked great, explain that this is a vintage piece of equipment with aged rubber drive belts that can fail at any time. You tested the unit and the buyer had a reasonable 30 days to test the item and verify working condition. Item was sold as-is and described to the best of your ability. You can’t be responsible for issues that pop up 2 months after delivery.
…or you can simply ask what would be fair to him as a partial refund and make him go away. Never just offer an amount. Ask them to name what is fair and work from there. You’d be surprised at the paltry amounts folks ask for sometimes.
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07/03/2018 at 9:43 am #44287
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07/03/2018 at 11:49 am #44313
If you didn’t test the tape deck fully then I’d offer a partial refund. Unsure what your experience with them is, but I recommend buying a book on tape and using that to test anything that plays tapes in the future. You need to listen for “wow” and “flutter” that sometimes only really shows up in audio that you can clearly listen to without the distraction of music.
Also entirely possible it broke in transit.
Since they waited so long I’m assuming they were just listening to AM/FM radio for a long time and decided to check out some tapes only to find it wasn’t working correctly.
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07/03/2018 at 3:24 pm #44331
It was a double tape deck. I tested both sides with an audiobook tape. They sounded OK to me, but I am by no means an expert in electronics. I was mostly just testing them to see that they worked. I don’t remember any red flags in audio quality, but to be honest I wasn’t really searching for that. He waited two months to even examine the boombox. I have messaged him asking him how much he wants. I have not heard back.
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07/03/2018 at 3:27 pm #44332
Selling older electronics is tough. We’ve had these issues before.
As you said, it cant do anything on eBay because the 30-day return policy is over. But he can open a case on Paypal.
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07/03/2018 at 3:51 pm #44335
Jay: To that end, have you had an INAD case through PayPal? The only PayPal cases we have had were for Item Not Received.
Just not sure what PayPal wants for documentation on an INAD. At that point, I would only offer refund on a return of the item.
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07/03/2018 at 4:24 pm #44338
Only a couple times have we had a buyer tried to claim INAD on Paypal. We’ve always offered to accept a return. Buyers have never taken us up on it and Paypal doesnt do anything because we’ve given the buyer an option of a full refund on return.
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07/03/2018 at 5:08 pm #44344
Jay: Thanks. Good to know. I would hope PayPal would back us if we are offering full refund for a return.
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07/03/2018 at 5:35 pm #44347
All eBay/Paypal want are for us, the Seller, to give the buyer choice (immediate refund or return/refund).
Sellers who rage against buyer cases usually havent offered the buyer a choice, so eBay/Paypal make the choice for them.
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07/03/2018 at 5:40 pm #44348
Amen to that.
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07/03/2018 at 7:32 pm #44362
Buyer wants $117. It would cost $58 to pay return shipping. Would you offer a return (2 mos later) or give him $117? He has offered no proof. It’s a desirable model, even for parts. I am worried about fraud through substitution, etc.
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07/03/2018 at 8:11 pm #44364
How much did he pay for the item?
I would call eBay and get them involved. Say you’re willing to work with the buyer, but you’re ding them a favor since it’s outside the return window. They may just say you dont need to do anything and will back you up.
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07/03/2018 at 8:27 pm #44366
has this buyer opened a case on ebay or paypal?
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07/03/2018 at 8:41 pm #44367
No cases have been opened. He can’t open a case on eBay because it’s been 2 months. The $117 is half the purchase price plus half the shipping. My nagging thought is, he bought it knowing one speaker didn’t work. But he’s willing to keep a device he regrets if I give him half back? He could resell it for more than $117. I think I could too — if he doesn’t defraud me by switching or failing to package properly. I’ve never had an INAD case with Paypal and don’t know what they would do.
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07/03/2018 at 8:59 pm #44369
Yeah, it’s a tough one. This is why we use the Silent Method for buyers trying to work outside eBay rules. It’s unfortunate the buyer is asking for so much.
–Do you just ghost him on eBay? And call eBay to doublecheck that he cant open a case? He can then message all he wants.
–What happens if he opens a case on Paypal? Just offer a refund once he returns it? Make sure Paypal is aware of the return in case he sends back the wrong item?
–Or do you just refund 1/2 his money and be done?If this was us, Ryanne and I would probably have a big argument about our choices.
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07/03/2018 at 9:52 pm #44374
For what it’s worth, I called ebay just to see what the rep would say. She advised me not to give him any refund at all because he’s outside the 30 days and never messaged or opened a case. She thought his request for half back after 2 mos was “fishy.” He is five days away from being unable to leave me a negative feedback. She said if he does leave me a negative, I could try to get it removed. If all Paypal does is force a return, I guess that’s okay. I think I need to sleep on it before deciding what to do.
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07/03/2018 at 10:01 pm #44376
Cool. I was hoping eBay would have your back.
Now its just a game to see if the buyer wants to spend time going through Paypal. Take it one step at a time. I’d ghost him until then.
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07/04/2018 at 4:21 am #44391
my hypothesis-
buyer gets item, doesnt open it or test it for 2 months.
realizes one speaker is faulty. reads listing and sees that you fully disclosed that (probably didn’t read the listing when they bought it).
has buyers remorse.
now wants a partial refund, but doesnt want to return the item.so, they can’t open an ebay case or ask for anything through ebay except through messages.
you can, according to ebay, ignore this request.if they open INAD in paypal, you can ask them to ship it back. they probably won’t.
if they do, you refund them and re-sell it or part it out of too damaged -
07/04/2018 at 7:56 am #44393
Careful of Paypal getting involved, they are very pro buyer in my experience.
I would call Paypal customer service and explain the situation, get their take on it.-
07/04/2018 at 8:02 am #44395
my last experience with a Paypal INAD in the last month–
buyer says INAD, item damaged and not as described.
i say, ok, mail it back.
they never mail it back, paypal closes the case in my favor.-
07/04/2018 at 1:00 pm #44438
I had a return for size and when I refunded minus restocking fee and shipping the buyer opened a case in Paypal stating item damaged and wanted all the shipping and the restocking fee.
I pleaded my case to Paypal with proof of reason messages but they sid d with buyer, I appealed and lost. -
07/06/2018 at 4:31 pm #44631
Ryanne – Who was paying for shipping (both ways) on that?
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07/04/2018 at 10:46 am #44403
Thanks for the responses. I called Paypal and it was very frustrating. She just said if the buyer files a dispute, they would ask for documentation from both parties. (Yeah, I know). I explained it would be a “he said, she said” situation because he doesn’t like the audio quality. She just kept reading the script.
I found another sold listing where the seller said there was a whirring sound and that one sold for $199 and free shipping. It’s not the same person or state as this buyer — I checked.
I was glad to see Steven chime in. It’s a Panasonic RX-5150 boombox. If he could post again telling me what he would do in my shoes, I would appreciate it. I’m willing to take a loss if I have to, but I’d like to not lose everything if Paypal sides with him.
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07/04/2018 at 1:14 pm #44443
If it were me, I would think about how much I paid, usually I get those for $5-$10, and then just give them the partial. That way your head is clear, you’ve made some money and your onto the next thing rather than waiting for the return and relisting or worrying about them opening a Paypal case by doing nothing.
I wouldn’t have much confidence in Paypal siding with you as they are stating a problem that was not described. Those belts can go at anytime. I usually run a few 90 minute tapes before listing as working otherwise it goes in the For Parts or Repair condition with no returns.
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07/04/2018 at 12:44 pm #44431
funny, i just listed a Panasonic RX-5050 today!
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07/04/2018 at 1:46 pm #44456
Thanks for all the advice. I refunded him the amount he asked, mostly for the mental benefit of being done with him. Lesson learned.
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