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 Replies: 18 / Views: 3,736 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
560 Posts |
In September of 2013 I won an auction on ebay for a banknote from Mauritius. The package had tracking but seemed to be perpetually stuck in between Mauritius and the US. After about a month I opened a case with ebay for an unreceived item. My money was refunded and I went on to win 2 more separate auctions to acquire the banknote that I desired. Ok, fast forward to February 28, 2014; on this day I find a notice in the mailbox that I have a registered letter to pick up. Lo and behold, it was the banknote from Mauritius! I haven't notified the seller yet because I wanted to ask you all advice on what to do. I already have 2 of the banknotes but this third one is much nicer than the other two. Would you send the note back to the seller; and if so, who pays the shipping? Would you pay the seller full price or ask for a little discount for the note? Thanks for your replies and advice. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3453 Posts |
That is a tough one. If it were me, I would feel obligated to contact the seller of the "missing" note and arrange to pay him/her for it if I liked it or arrange to send it back explaining you had already acquired the note elsewhere. I would treat this independently from the other two notes. It should be interesting to see how others will handle it.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1391 Posts |
If it were me I would contact the seller and pay the full price we agreed upon. But that's me and I'm old fashioned like that and value honesty and my word highly.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Me, I'd re-pay the seller the agreed-upon price and flip the non-necessary note. You get a nicer note than you had, and the seller gets a boost in confidence.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1949 Posts |
Who actually paid for the refund, ebay or the seller? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
500 Posts |
Presuming it was indeed the original package ( with the dates showing that ) I'd definitely contact the seller and either pay them in full - if you still want the note - or arrange to send it back - if you don't want it because you have bought two others in the interum. You could ask for the postage costs from the seller - if you send it back - since you are being honest and ethical they should at least pay to get it back - IMO. Due to the extreme delay it is fully understandable if you no longer want it, but it is also not yours so the ethical thing to do is pay or return it. If the dates confirm it was in-transit and not the fault of the seller, then he is entitled to getting it back to re-sell or keep. Let them decide what to do with regard to ebay and fees/refunds they may have gotten or paid. JMHO |
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
I recently had a Morgan dollar show up after being lost for 4 weeks and after receiving a refund from the seller. I contacted the seller and re-sent him the full payment. In your case I would not feel obligated to pay return shipping if a return is mutually agreed upon and I would not expect a discount from the buyer if I decided to keep it. my opinion is re-pay the full auction price or the seller pays return shipping (with tracking). IMHO of course. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
560 Posts |
Thanks everyone. I contacted the seller and asked for his email so I can paypal the original amount to him. I hope he is just as happy to receive the money as I am to receive the banknote after 5 months and I hope I make a new friend in Mauritius!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1130 Posts |
If it was me, I would just pay the seller and be done with it. If you don't want the other note, then I would sell it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1949 Posts |
My question is though who actually got stuck paying out originally? Wouldn't the seller have been covered if the tracking showed it was shipped?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2124 Posts |
jdmern: Only if it had insurance.
And about the original question, as other have said, I'd pay the seller the original price.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
560 Posts |
jdmern, I would assume that the seller lost out because after the case was closed and I'd received the refund he contacted me and claimed that "my" post office had it and asked if I could check again, which I did.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
539 Posts |
yeh pay for it. you can never have to big a collection :)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
560 Posts |
I always intended on paying for it or returning it. I was just wondering who should pay return shipping, if I decided to send it back.
The second part of my query was, If I decided to keep it, am I entitled to a small discount. My rationale was that I didn't really need the note and he might otherwise need to pay for shipping for the note's return, why not give me the return shipping as a discount. I now realize my logic was flawed and I was being petty.
I've offered the seller the full price. Everyone wins.
Edited by ichirensha
03/04/2014 8:44 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3453 Posts |
Quote:
I've offered the seller the full price. Everyone wins. Nice!  |
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Valued Member
Australia
491 Posts |
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Replies: 18 / Views: 3,736 |
Posted 03/04/2014 11:14 am
