Help: Buyer wants refund, but I said no refunds...

[Kitsune Sniper]

Hi.

I have a problem with a buyer. I got this message earlier today:


Hi,

I have recived the Sims 2 University game but when I tryed to install it a message popped up that said that a file having trouble installing and would not finish the instalation.
I made multipule unsucessfull attemps and it is obvious that the disk is falty.
I need to know if your are willing to make a refund or not.

MosaicTileSupplies

The item in question is this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8218339289). Now, I didn't say there were no refunds or returns accepted when I initially listed the item; however, I did answer a question when someone asked me about it and posted it on the auction so others can read it. It's located here (http://contact.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ShowAllQuestions&requested=kitsunesniper&iid=8218339289&frm=284&redirect=0&ShowASQAlways=1&SSPageName=PageAskSellerQuestion_VI). The question was asked, answered and posted on September 14. The bidder bid anyway - three days after the question was posted.

Now, I don't give refunds on software. I already said that in the question (and added a "No returns on software" policy in all my auctions afterwards). The winning bidder made his/her offer AFTER I posted the question. So what do I do? I'm afraid I'll be slammed, AGAIN, for something that is not my fault...

Help?

[dieourumov]

send it the cheapest pay possible that it can be tracked with insurance.

[Mayhem]

What's the weight of the package? For that size you should be able to send it letter airmail rate. Might squeeze into $10 there, have to see. Insurance would be whatever on top.

[jajaja]

Yes, if thats the way he wants it. But it will most likely get broken if you dont send it in a box. Then he will claim money from Paypal and give you a negative most likely :(
Did you list the shipping price in the auction?

The picture he gave you. It looks like it was shipped between 2 cartboard plates. And it was cheap. Can you send it the same way and for the same price?

[Kitsune Sniper]

Yes, if thats the way he wants it. But it will most likely get broken if you dont send it in a box. Then he will claim money from Paypal and give you a negative most likely :(
Did you list the shipping price in the auction?

The picture he gave you. It looks like it was shipped between 2 cartboard plates. And it was cheap. Can you send it the same way and for the same price?

That is the reason why I don't want to ship it like that. It's much safer to send it in a box. Less risk there.

I could try to send it that way, but see, I don't have such sturdy cardboard available. The only boxes I have are rather flimsy. I'll see what I can do about that.

dieourumov:
I can't send an item overseas with tracking via USPS. And if I choose another method, it'll cost MORE than GPM.

Mayhem:
I can send it via airmail letter rate, but not if I want it to get there intact.

[jajaja]

You can ship worldwide with USPS and get a tracking number :) I recently did this. I payed $26 to get one NES game sent from USA to Europe. It was fully insured and it had tracking.

Isnt there any way you can get good cartboard? Ask in a foodstore if you can, you probly get it :)

[Kitsune Sniper]

You can ship worldwide with USPS and get a tracking number :) I recently did this. I payed $26 to get one NES game sent from USA to Europe. It was fully insured and it had tracking.

Isnt there any way you can get good cartboard? Ask in a foodstore if you can, you probly get it :)

The jerk won't even PAY $12, you think he'll want to pay $26? :(

And the local foodstores do have cardboard but they throw them out rather soon, or they... well, have oils, fats, and such from food. >_<

[jajaja]

Hehe true, but I just wanted to say that it is possible :)
Ye, they might have food on them, but not all. Like cartboardboxes that contained chipbags or other stuff. Its worth a shot, you will probly get something if you ask.
Good luck :)

[Vectorman0]

You can get some semi-decent cardboard from the boxes the USPS gives you. I justify it as I am still shipping stuff through them.

[NESaholic]

What you also can do is make the box yourself with cardboard and some tape to make it fit around the record,the cheapest way right? LOL
Just use some old papers and cardboard inside also the to keep the record in one place and that it can't bend when mailed and your finished.

[Kitsune Sniper]

You can get some semi-decent cardboard from the boxes the USPS gives you. I justify it as I am still shipping stuff through them.

The local clerk told me that if I ever mangled a Priority Mail box and use it for another purpose, he'd refuse to ship anything I try to send.

So... not an option.

Nes-a-holic:
I want to do something like that... or maybe get a huge envelope and send it that way. Problem is, most cardboard here is not even sturdy at all.

[Mayhem]

I can send it via airmail letter rate, but not if I want it to get there intact.

It might be called "airmail letter rate" but it is what essentially replaced the old "small package" rate.

Airmail letter rate can be used for packages/parcels that have no dimension greater than 24 inches, a combined length/width/depth of no more than 36 inches and a weight less than 4 pounds.

It's how I get a lot of my smaller items sent from the US now. I can't imagine the dimensions or weight being outside those I've listed. And yes it applies to shipping in whatever box you want to use and how much you pack it to protect.

[Griking]

The auction description says "European, Asian, Australian and Canadian bidders must contact me to inquire shipping charges to their country". Did this guy contact you beforehand for a shipping quote? If not then its his own fault and not yours.

I'm assuming that the seller of the package that he provided a picture of used Global Priority Mail. For an 8 oz. package shipping would cost $5.00 (Link (http://ircalc.usps.gov/intl_speed.asp?CID=10357&MailType=envelope&Pounds=&Ounces=8)). Great price but only because you're sacrificing the weight of packaing material that will protect the record during shipping.

My recommendation is to package it up in a small box and ship it via Airmail Letter Post. As long as you can get it packaged within a pound shipping would only be $9.25 (Link (http://ircalc.usps.gov/intl_speed.asp?CID=10357&MailType=package&Pounds=1&Ounces=0)) If he doesn't accept that offer then tell him to pound sand.

[Kitsune Sniper]

The auction description says "European, Asian, Australian and Canadian bidders must contact me to inquire shipping charges to their country". Did this guy contact you beforehand for a shipping quote? If not then its his own fault and not yours.

I'm assuming that the seller of the package that he provided a picture of used Global Priority Mail. For an 8 oz. package shipping would cost $5.00 (Link (http://ircalc.usps.gov/intl_speed.asp?CID=10357&MailType=envelope&Pounds=&Ounces=8)). Great price but only because you're sacrificing the weight of packaing material that will protect the record during shipping.

My recommendation is to package it up in a small box and ship it via Airmail Letter Post. As long as you can get it packaged within a pound shipping would only be $9.25 (Link (http://ircalc.usps.gov/intl_speed.asp?CID=10357&MailType=package&Pounds=1&Ounces=0)) If he doesn't accept that offer then tell him to pound sand.

The guy never asked me for shipping costs beforehand.

The small Flat Rate Envelope is about three inches tall by seven inches long. The item would fit, yes, but in little pieces. Not to mention that there isn't any space for padding.

*kicks stupid USPS website*


Maximum length, height, depth (thickness) combined: 36 inches.

http://pe.usps.gov/text/Imm/immc2_017.html

The box I intended to use has dimensions of 11 by 10 by 3 inches. Can I use this box?

[Kitsune Sniper]

Sorry, this post is not meant as a bump. I decided to tell him that it's either $12 or nothing.


Hello.

I'm not reducing the price of shipping. I can't lower it any further.

I wrote "European, Asian, Australian and Canadian bidders must
contact me to inquire shipping charges to their country." on the
auction for a reason. Most bidders contact me before the auction
ends.

If you do not wish to pay the cost of shipping, then you must
definitely not want your item to arrive in one piece. I refuse to
ship the item in anything but a box with tons of padding inside. The
album is rare and I will not risk it be destroyed or damaged because
of bad packaging and awful handling by the postal service in both
your country and mine.

If you do not wish to complete this transaction, we can both agree to
not continue with it. Simple as that.

*prepares for the impending negative*

[Mayhem]

The box I intended to use has dimensions of 11 by 10 by 3 inches. Can I use this box?

Yep that's fine. None of the dimensions are over 24 inches and the combined dimensions is 24 inches (so under 36). So weigh it, and then calculate airmail letter rate on the UPSP website.

[anagrama]

Frankly, your original $20 quote for shipping a 7" record was ridiculous - I'm not surprised the guy wasn't happy. Even $12 is steep. It has usually cost me around $10-$15 to get LPs sent from the US to the UK, and I wouldn't expect to pay more than around $8 tops for a 7".

Why are you insisting on shipping it in a box? I've bought records from all over the world, and have never recieved one like that - an LP/7" mailer or a couple of bits of stiff cardboard does the job perfectly.

[Darth Sensei]

Perhaps you would be better off doing what others have done and refuse to sell to foreigners. :roll:

[Griking]

Frankly, your original $20 quote for shipping a 7" record was ridiculous - I'm not surprised the guy wasn't happy. Even $12 is steep. It has usually cost me around $10-$15 to get LPs sent from the US to the UK, and I wouldn't expect to pay more than around $8 tops for a 7".

Why are you insisting on shipping it in a box? I've bought records from all over the world, and have never recieved one like that - an LP/7" mailer or a couple of bits of stiff cardboard does the job perfectly.

Did you read my response? I included links to the USPS website with their shipping rates. $9.25 is the minimum charge for Airmail to Poland for a one pound package or envelope.

[anagrama]

Since when did a 7" single weigh a pound?

[video_game_addict]

Frankly, your original $20 quote for shipping a 7" record was ridiculous - I'm not surprised the guy wasn't happy. Even $12 is steep. It has usually cost me around $10-$15 to get LPs sent from the US to the UK, and I wouldn't expect to pay more than around $8 tops for a 7".

Why are you insisting on shipping it in a box? I've bought records from all over the world, and have never recieved one like that - an LP/7" mailer or a couple of bits of stiff cardboard does the job perfectly.

Did you read my response? I included links to the USPS website with their shipping rates. $9.25 is the minimum charge for Airmail to Poland for a one pound package or envelope.

A 7" in small box would be less than 1 pound. less than 16oz and the price is less than $9.25 Most of the weight will probably depend on the box being used. If the packaged ended up weighing in at half pound it'd be around $6 to ship.

[NESaholic]

Perhaps you would be better off doing what others have done and refuse to sell to foreigners. :roll:
That's just total BS,because this guy didn't ask him about shipping you want all foreign bidders banned,damn dude that's just plain discrimination. :/

[Daria]

I don't see what the issue is, ship it the way he wants and if it gets broken it's his problem. As everyone else has said taping together some cardboard and padding should definately do the trick cheaply, and as for your anal retentive shipping clerk, cover the box in brown shipping paper to hide the priority markings (which you'd have to do anyway when not shipping priority). Unless he's superman he'll never know the difference without ripping open your package.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Mayhem:
The size is fine... but the weight isn't. The box and the record, combined, exceed one pound. Dammit...

anagrama:
I knew that I was shipping the item in a box. I knew how much padding the item would have to have to prevent damage. The total weight was over one pound, which automatically gets a two-pound rate from the USPS. Yes, $20 was excessive, but I would've refunded the extra money anyway.

I'll say it again, this album is RARE AS HELL. And I refuse to ship it in a way that could bend or break it.

CueWarrior:
Most of my sales are to foreigners, so no. I get a lot of people from Europe in my auctions.

Daria:
See my reply above. I'm not like those people that ship stuff inside bubble mailers, I ship stuff in boxes so the item arrives in perfect condition. And that's that.

[anagrama]

I'll say it again, this album is RARE AS HELL.

No it's not, there's copies on eBay all the time. And believe me, I know Sonic Youth rarities.
(and it's not an album either).

I've bought much more valuable records than that in the past and had them shipped as I describe, and have NEVER had any kind of a problem. If the serious record dealers (Record Collector/Goldmine types) can ship their stock like that, I don't see why you can't for a 7" single worth less than $10.

[Daria]

Daria:
See my reply above. I'm not like those people that ship stuff inside bubble mailers, I ship stuff in boxes so the item arrives in perfect condition. And that's that.

I never said you were, nor did I suggest a bubble mailer. The flat cardboard and padding trick should definately be as sturdy as shipping in a box. It's just a little cheaper.

[anagrama]

Here's a different copy of the same single: http://cgi.ebay.com/sonic-youth-erase-errata-split-7-new_W0QQitemZ4767686339

$4.50 worldwide shipping.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Allright, allright, jeez.

I'm gonna see if I can do the cardboard padding thing.

I have another question, though - Paypal related. If in fact I can send the item in an envelope, how would I go about refunding the extra money paid? I mean, if I send it through Paypal, those jerks will just take a bit of money. So if I refund $5, the bidder will only get like $4.50.

Can I do a partial refund somehow? Their supposed help system ain't well, helping.

[loporjai2003]

Someone has to pay the piper (PayPal) .. even if you refund the whole amount, PayPal still takes it cut, they get their amount back minus the fee.

Stick a $5 bill inside maybe ?


Allright, allright, jeez.

I'm gonna see if I can do the cardboard padding thing.

I have another question, though - Paypal related. If in fact I can send the item in an envelope, how would I go about refunding the extra money paid? I mean, if I send it through Paypal, those jerks will just take a bit of money. So if I refund $5, the bidder will only get like $4.50.

Can I do a partial refund somehow? Their supposed help system ain't well, helping.

[yok-dfa]

Stick a $5 bill inside maybe ?


I don't think $5 bills are very usefull in Poland.

[Chunky]

i have shipped and bought alot of these from europe(ska 7" ones). cut cardboard 8" square and put the record in the middle and tape all around the sides.

little easy for me that i have tons of cardboard around, but any grocery store usually has nice boxes to go. the produce ones are usaully nice and thick but some are Waxed.

[Vroomfunkel]

Allright, allright, jeez.

I'm gonna see if I can do the cardboard padding thing.

I have another question, though - Paypal related. If in fact I can send the item in an envelope, how would I go about refunding the extra money paid? I mean, if I send it through Paypal, those jerks will just take a bit of money. So if I refund $5, the bidder will only get like $4.50.

Can I do a partial refund somehow? Their supposed help system ain't well, helping.

Yes, you can do partial refunds, and if you do so then Paypal refund the fee portion of it.

Just login to your Paypal account, click on the Details" link to the payment you received, and there is a link at the bottom of the page "Refund payment". Click on this, and you will get a page with all the details of the payment, and a box where you can fill in "Gross refund amount". There is a 'calculate' button next to it which will show you how much will come from your balance, and how much Paypal will refund from the fees.

Simple as that ...

Vroomfunkel

[Griking]

Here's a different copy of the same single: http://cgi.ebay.com/sonic-youth-erase-errata-split-7-new_W0QQitemZ4767686339

$4.50 worldwide shipping.

Yup and if you look further at this seller's feedback (http://www.toolhaus.org/cgi-bin/negs?User=peggedlegsrecords&v=60) you'd see that a few of the items that he shipped this method were received damaged or took forever to be received. Coincidence?

Even with shipping you get what you pay for.

[Griking]

Someone has to pay the piper (PayPal) .. even if you refund the whole amount, PayPal still takes it cut, they get their amount back minus the fee.

Stick a $5 bill inside maybe ?


Allright, allright, jeez.

I'm gonna see if I can do the cardboard padding thing.

I have another question, though - Paypal related. If in fact I can send the item in an envelope, how would I go about refunding the extra money paid? I mean, if I send it through Paypal, those jerks will just take a bit of money. So if I refund $5, the bidder will only get like $4.50.

Can I do a partial refund somehow? Their supposed help system ain't well, helping.


PayPal doesn't take a percentage of refunds. There's just a process that you have to follow. Look up the original transaction in your PayPal history and there should be a refund option as long as it's within a certain amount of time.

[Kitsune Sniper]

PayPal doesn't take a percentage of refunds. There's just a process that you have to follow. Look up the original transaction in your PayPal history and there should be a refund option as long as it's within a certain amount of time.

I found it out... I mean, I was having problems with their help system (it was down), but now I know, so tomorrow I'll send the guy a refund after sending the item. Thanks everyone. :)

[anagrama]

Yup and if you look further at this seller's feedback (http://www.toolhaus.org/cgi-bin/negs?User=peggedlegsrecords&v=60) you'd see that a few of the items that he shipped this method were received damaged or took forever to be received. Coincidence?

Even with shipping you get what you pay for.

You must have plenty of time on your hands to be able to search through the last 1800 feedback's he's received in order to find 2 that were damaged. That means 99.89% of items were received OK. Good enough odds for me.

[Griking]

Yup and if you look further at this seller's feedback (http://www.toolhaus.org/cgi-bin/negs?User=peggedlegsrecords&v=60) you'd see that a few of the items that he shipped this method were received damaged or took forever to be received. Coincidence?

Even with shipping you get what you pay for.

You must have plenty of time on your hands to be able to search through the last 1800 feedback's he's received in order to find 2 that were damaged. That means 99.89% of items were received OK. Good enough odds for me.

Not at all, I just use Firefox and eBay Negs (https://addons.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php?id=560), the negative feedback extension. All you have to do is right right click on a eBay users name and you'll have the ability to view all of and only his neutral and negative feedback quickly and easily.

[anagrama]

So, are you still saying you wouldn't trust a seller with 99.89% positive fb over the last 6 months? Or are you just trying to score points here for the sake of it?

[Kitsune Sniper]

*bump*

Got another problem, so help me out, y'all. :)

[Griking]

So, are you still saying you wouldn't trust a seller with 99.89% positive fb over the last 6 months? Or are you just trying to score points here for the sake of it?

Actually neither of the above. I've been using the eBay Negs extension for about a half year now and have gotten used to using it whenever I consider bidding on a person's auctions.

When a link was posted to an auction from a guy that shipped internationally for $5.00 I instictively viewed his negatives and saw that the ones that he did receive were because of poor packaging or other shipping issues.

Was there something wrong with me doing that?

[Kitsune Sniper]

*bump*

Dammit, help me out. :(

[Daria]

Tell him tough titty and eat the neg should he leave it? Doesn't seem like much on an issue to me, you clearly stated no software returns. Unless you're feeling generous and want to cut him a break, but you certainly don't have to.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I sent him this reply:


I am terribly sorry, but I specified that there are no returns or refunds on software items. It wasn't in my original auction listing, but another prospective bidder asked about such a scenario and I replied saying that I could not issue refunds; the question, along with the answer, were posted in my auction for everyone to read, three days before you made your initial offer. (The question was posted on Sep. 14; your initial bid was made on Sep. 17.).

But are you sure that the problem is not caused by your computer settings? I've read that the game uses Safedisk technology, which prevents the software from being installed if you have certain CD creation and backup software installed. Some of the affected programs are Alcohol Soft's Alcohol 120% and Ahead's Nero Image Drive. Since Nero is a commonly available program, I thought that maybe that could be causing the problem. There are also other steps when it comes to problems like these at The Sims 2's website - it's much more common than you'd think. I've bought brand new games that will not install from the CDs at times. Please try out the steps noted there, and let me know if you got the program to work. Again, my apologies.

I really don't care about a negative. It'll hurt, but I won't buckle. I'm just afraid he'll try to send Paypal and eBay at me and try to get a refund even if I said "no refunds". :(

[Griking]

Hi.

I have a problem with a buyer. I got this message earlier today:


Hi,

I have recived the Sims 2 University game but when I tryed to install it a message popped up that said that a file having trouble installing and would not finish the instalation.
I made multipule unsucessfull attemps and it is obvious that the disk is falty.
I need to know if your are willing to make a refund or not.

MosaicTileSupplies

The item in question is this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8218339289). Now, I didn't say there were no refunds or returns accepted when I initially listed the item; however, I did answer a question when someone asked me about it and posted it on the auction so others can read it. It's located here (http://contact.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ShowAllQuestions&requested=kitsunesniper&iid=8218339289&frm=284&redirect=0&ShowASQAlways=1&SSPageName=PageAskSellerQuestion_VI). The question was asked, answered and posted on September 14. The bidder bid anyway - three days after the question was posted.

Now, I don't give refunds on software. I already said that in the question (and added a "No returns on software" policy in all my auctions afterwards). The winning bidder made his/her offer AFTER I posted the question. So what do I do? I'm afraid I'll be slammed, AGAIN, for something that is not my fault...

Help?

First of all, you've got to stop editing your posts every time you have a problem. It's next to impossible to follow the thread when the replys aren't in order or are for a problem that you've already removed from the thread. Please, make a new post if you have a new issue.

Second of all, as unfair as it sounds you may not offer refunds but PayPal always will. If the buyer paid you via PayPal then you might as well just refund the guys money since he's going to get it anyways. At least that way you may not get a negative or neutral feedback.

Also, was the CD in good condition when you shipped it?

[jonjandran]

Second of all, as unfair as it sounds you may not offer refunds but PayPal always will. If the buyer paid you via PayPal then you might as well just refund the guys money since he's going to get it anyways. At least that way you may not get a negative or neutral feedback.

Also, was the CD in good condition when you shipped it?

Well Pay-pal is quick to refund on items not received they are not so quick to refund on " item is dameged or not as described".

Had that happen twice to me and I stated it was working and told them my policies on returns, and they told the buyers there was nothing they could do except go to SquareTrade.

So they may or may not get any results going to Pay-pal on this one.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Griking: I edited the topic because I had an auction ad -and- this topic. I felt it unnecessary to make another topic (and honestly, I didn't want to get yelled at by a mod).

I checked the item and even though the box was a bit torn and beat up, the CDs looked damn near new. They had light scratches at most. I don't own The Sims 2 so I couldn't see if the game worked or not. That, and since it uses Safedisk, it would be near impossible to get a proper copy of the game (for testing to see if some files are unreadable or not.)

I'm still hoping the guy will NOT go to Paypal or Squaretrade. I don't want to deal with them...