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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,648 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1045 Posts |
Hello friends, I'll preface this by saying that I always do whatever makes the customer happy to retain my feedback rating but this one is kind of rubbing me the wrong way. Also, I would hate to openly offend or embarrass another member (if they happen to be a member here) so of course this is an anonymous rant. I bought these two coins a while ago and when they showed up they weren't quite what I thought they might be so I just listed them on ebay. The cost and/or loss wasn't any concern, just wasn't what I'd hope they would be. Anyways, after they sold, this is the message I got from the buyer. Buyers remorse? Kind of seems like a fishing trip where you throw back the fish that don't meet the required size. Just curious what some other members think. Thanks! Coins as pictured in my listing and accompanying message from buyer below   Hi. A few days ago, I received the two unknown Roman coins that I purchased from you. Typically, these Septimius Severus coins are the much larger and more desirable sestertius size, and so I, and quite likely your other bidders, assumed that was what I was buying. In retrospect, I should have sent a message to you asking the size but it didn't seem necessary at the time. I purposely let a few days go by to see if I might then feel less disappointed. But one coin is simply too rough to identify, and the other that I was betting on turned out to be a far less desirable and exciting coin. Truthfully, I can't justify having $16.24 wrapped up in this lot. I would consider keeping the coins with half credit, but there was another close bidder, so that wouldn't be fair to you. Therefore, it would be best that I return them for a refund. My disappointment in these coins is not your fault. Rarely are coins better in photo than in hand. Thank-you for your understanding.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
797 Posts |
It really looks like Buyers remorse. Your pictures were clear, if he had any questions, he should have messaged you instead of assumed. I think he is just trying to get a partial refund and keep the coins. Fishing expedition.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
I agree, fishing. I am assuming buyer pays return postage.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7646 Posts |
Definitely a fishing trip. Don't give in to the partial refund as it just gives them the "courage" to do it to other Sellers. Just reply with "sorry for your disappointment... Please return the coins, and upon receipt, I will issue you a full refund." As a Seller THAT is your only obligation. Once you get the coins back, issue the refund and then add them to you BBL and chalk the experience up to "just part of doing business on ebay." If the coins show up with no tracking then you can have some fun with it. But that would be a whole other thread of discussion.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1045 Posts |
Yes, buyer pays return shipping.
Honestly, from the language in the message it seems pretty clear that the buyer isn't new to ancients so I am not sure how you would think the bigger coin is a sestertius. In addition, unknown or not, any seller with any experience that has a big hunk of bronze for sale is going to say "sestertius" in the listing. It is pretty obvious the coin on the right is an LRB so assuming the other coin is a sestertius doesn't really jive with any logical reasoning.
Anyways, I offered to refund half and he keeps the coins too. The money isn't the issue it is the principle that's bothering me.
Thanks for the responses!
-Kurt
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I agree a fishing trip to try and get back half of what he paid. If he doesn't like the coins return them for a full refund. He has to pay the return postage also.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
567 Posts |
If you put a weight and diameter in the listing you don't have to give him anything based on his complaint. I had a guy buy something once and he made a big huge stink that it wasn't as described, but the listing was VERY clear, he just hadn't bothered to read the words (he only looked at the picture, and he made the mistake of admitting that in his screed that accompanied his complaint to ebay). He was really quite unnecessarily nasty about the whole thing, too. I offered a refund provided he would return the item, he pays shipping per ebay rules. He said the less polite equivalent of "no," so I called ebay and got it all settled in about 25 minutes. They closed his case out from under him and made him return the item if he wanted his money back - which he did.
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Valued Member
United States
432 Posts |
He was betting (in his own words), and the gamble didn't pay off. Should have told him to send them back and given the refund. Now he gets them for half price and he is probably satisfied with the one coin.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1045 Posts |
Thanks again for all of the responses.
I have never had a request to return an item so I am glad that you all gave me confirmation of what I was feeling about this transaction.
Cheers, -Kurt
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
946 Posts |
Return them.
What, seriously, is the point of a partial refund. He "sort of likes them" so will be happy with some of his money like?
No, if he does not want them he is entitled to a full refund. So send them back as receieved.
Next.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8904 Posts |
I understand the "Customer's always right" motto, but I find this buyer did not do his due diligence. He's disappointed in the coins because he thought he was getting something you did not offer. Bottom line: you did nothing wrong. He did. He should have asked questions, if he indeed had them. It's not your fault and, IMO, you have no further responsibility since you have delivered to him exactly what he bought. The buyer got what he bought. He's now free to sell the coins to recoup his expense if he chooses. The auction is over. Your involvement and responsibility is over. (Note: Before I get any 'Negative Feedbacks" myself on this opinion, I've been on ALL sides of this ebay dilemma and understand all aspects, buyer & seller).
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
Did you have a return policy stated on the auction? If you stated you accept returns, I think you should take the coins back.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4981 Posts |
as others have stated, "return coins at your cost and i'll gladly issue you a full refund", refund promptly when they return...block list.
Edited by chrsmat71 02/25/2014 10:18 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
If a return policy was stated in the listing, the seller must abide by it in it's entirety and the buyer must do the same...entirely.
...and the buyer pays the return postage, insured if it was sent to the seller that way.
Edited by oih82w8 02/25/2014 11:15 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7646 Posts |
If you give him half his money back to make him "happy" then YOU are now part of the problem. What part of "you've done nothing wrong!" do you not understand? All you've done with a partial refund is now enabled this scamming Buyer to go right out and do the same thing to other Sellers. Next time he'll go for the 3/4 refund since the last Seller (YOU) caved in so easily with the 50% refund!
This is the type of Buyer that will gripe and complain 'till they get what they want and will then still nail you on your Feedback and DSR's.
You have to draw the line somewhere.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1569 Posts |
Just as an extra point, when/if the items are returned, digitally film yourself opening the package. I buy a lot of metals via post and have been sent paperclips, modern 2 pence pieces and all sorts of junk metal, all claiming to have sent either gold or silver. They soon crawl back to scumville once they see a copy of the footage. This is generally good practice for anyone that sells coins or other metal goods on ebay. I personally film the wrapping process as general procedure. It's not a full guarantee against fraudsters but does cut down on the 'got the envelope but no coin, it must of fallen out' rubbish that seems to be trending at the moment. I have just removed a listing from ebay, it was for LRB's. There were 4000 total and available as 1 coin or more at £2.75 each - free postage. This was due to 2 buyers playing dumb with me. Now I am listing them, each and every one, as a separate auction at between 4.50 and 7.50 (gbp) each, and they are selling at that. So win, win for me, just a shame for the collectors that enjoy a bulk buy.
You will never soar like an eagle if you hang around with turkeys.....
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,648 |
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