[weiwencheng]

I just wanted to ask a question to the forum and get some ideas. About a month and a half ago, I sold an item on ebay. The buyer was a prompt buyer and paid right after the auction closed, 3 days later the item was delivered. Now the buyer has emailed me stating said item was broken upon delivery. I have no problem with this if it is in a reasonable amount of time after delivery, but 11/2 months??? Does seem a bit long for me, and I am a pretty reasonable guy when it comes to complaints. But this seems a bit long? Any suggestions?

[1250ships]

1.5 months is a long time. I'd check the Ebay and (if he used it) Paypal policies for these things. If they have a cutoff time and he is past it I'd be tempted to say tough luck.

Did he leave you feedback?

[weiwencheng]

He did not leave feedback yet. I checked with paypal, and if I am reading it right there is a 45 day window from date of transaction as a buyer or a seller to file a dispute. My first contact with the buyer is 50 days after delivery!! I emailed a CSR just to be sure.

[PappyB]

Did the damage happen in transit -- if he was offered INS but declined, I'd say it's tough luck?

Is he being "tough" about it -- what does he want you to do?

[1250ships]

Just looked and Ebay's policy is 60 days from the date of purchase. However Paypal's is 45 days. Not sure what takes priority here. If you are close to the 60 days the buyer is looking at having to start a dispute within a few days or he is out of options through Ebay.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by 1250ships

Just looked and Ebay's policy is 60 days from the date of purchase. However Paypal's is 45 days. Not sure what takes priority here. If you are close to the 60 days the buyer is looking at having to start a dispute within a few days or he is out of options through Ebay.

Hard to say on this one, but the the PayPal section is pretty firm about having to file the dispute within 45 days. Did buyer ever explain why it took so long to open a dispute?

[weiwencheng]

He said he has been busy. I inquired if he has been so busy not to drop a 2 second email to me sooner. He hasn't opened a dispute yet, just sent an email. He said the shipping box was not damaged at all. I am wondering if he thinks I sent him a broken item.

[Martin Baker]

Originally Posted by weiwencheng

He said he has been busy. I inquired if he has been so busy not to drop a 2 second email to me sooner. He hasn't opened a dispute yet, just sent an email. He said the shipping box was not damaged at all. I am wondering if he thinks I sent him a broken item.

Ask him to take a photo of the damage
Paypal are not interested in damage claims so you should be all right

[trex0770]

Wei,
the way I see it you have two choices:1) eat it, refund his money all in the name of avoiding negative feedback or 2) telling him tough luck, you took too long. Option 1 isn't bad if you sell fairly often. For me, it didn't harm my selling or buying on Ebay, I have about 350 feedbacks and only 1 negative from a situation similar to yours..

People will still buy from you if they like your product enough. The Ebay dispute usually ends up being "you two work it out" if there isn't an obvious breach/fraud/misuse or Ebay policy. Besides, you also have the right to respond to negative feedback posted on your account and in your case, your reason to not refund him is pretty reasonable.

Now, I'm not trying to steer you in one direction or another but I probably wouldn't refund him b/c he took so long to report the problem. If it was that important I know I'd contact the seller right away. How are you to know that he didn't drop it himself?

My last suggestion is to include in your rules to bid "that insurance is optional and up to the buyer, but if you don't purchase insurance then you (the seller) are not responsible for damage incurred during shipping". Worked for me on a couple of occasions.

Good luck!