So, I sold an item, sent it (as described, i.e. brand new, tags attached), and transferred the payment money ($250+) to my bank account. In my ad, I stated that I would honor returns for 7 days. This item sold on 12/17/10 (Friday) and was shipped the following Monday and was received on the 22nd or 23rd. About a month later, the buyer leaves me negative feedback, sends me a message stating that s/he wants a partial refund, and then opens a case all in the same day. This obviously does not give me much time to do anything, even just respond. I messaged him/her back saying as much. S/he then says that s/he can change the feedback if I give him/her the partial refund s/he requested and "Do you choose to make this rite?" I feel this is somwhat in conflict with eBay's feedback extortion rule which states that a buyer cannot threaten negative feedback to receive goods or services not promised in the original listing. I promised a return within 7 days, which I feel is plenty of time to discover an issue and at least MENTION it. S/he is saying if I give him/her this partial refund, s/he will remove and/or change the negative feedback. In his/her message s/he said that when the package was received, s/he didn't inspect it, but sent it directly to a family member out of state as a gift. Here, I just have to wonder, who doesn't check out something that they bought on the web for over $250 and is a Christmas gift for a family member? Did s/he not want to wrap it or make sure there was no receipt in the package when the 'giftee' received it? Or, hey, make sure it was the right item? So, obviously, I have my doubts about THAT. Anyhow, I would suppose the 'giftee' opened the gift on or around Christmas. Apparently, according to the buyer, he discovered food particles on the collar and tag, indicating it had been worn. (First of all this was a XXL jersey, and I am a pretty petite, short girl. I didn't wear the d*** thing! Much less wear it out and eat dinner in it! Anyhow, who wears a jersey with the tags still on it while they're eating?) So then he tells the buyer, which is when all this goes down, the 19th of January. I don't feel it should have anything to do with me at this point, since when the 'issue' was discovered, it wasn't even in the buyer's POSSESSION any longer, and had not been for some time! It wasn't until after s/he him/herself shipped the item that something was 'wrong' with it. Not to mention, it was well after the 7 day return period. So Paypal has put a 'hold' on these funds, but since I have already transferred them, there is a significant negative balance. Isn't there like a 3-day period that eBay/Paypal gives the recipient after delivery to report an issue or state that they plan on returning the item? I had even offered to give a full refund to the buyer if s/he returned the item in the same condition it was received (or claimed to have been received, with tags attached). I feel I've offered a more than fair choice for the buyer. My personal belief is that s/he spent more than s/he wanted and is now trying to get a portion of the purchase price back. I'm sorry this was so long, but I wanted to give the whole story. Any thoughts about what may happen? (I still have a hold on my account and it's been a week since any notice or anything from Paypal/eBay.) I don't know how they could possibly side with the buyer on this one. Thanks guys!
