So I am going to be in deep shit with a buyer

I am a powerseller with over 1000 feedback. I sell watches on a regular basis in the $200-$500 range.

Ok, like 3 weeks ago I sold a watch for like $350. well the buyer opened a non receipt dispute like the day before he got it. he escalated it to a claim right away. when he got it he said he was returning the watch and wanted my address to return it right away because it was a gift and it was too late. gave him the info. paypal found in my favor anyway on the claim. so in anticipation of the return, i relisted the watch. sold it for like 330 the second time. well, this guy has not sent it back and will not respond to my many emails.

what should i tell this second buyer?

i was looking for a replacement watch for them but cannot find one.

i don't want to get negative feedback and don't think i should tell them what really happened. i have their money to refund, but don't want to do so without an good explanation.

any tips?

I'd be honest, and share that story. 99.9% chance they'll be understanding and either (a) wait for it to be returned or (b) accept a refund and if anything give neutral feedback. Just be very apologetic. It explains itself and actually gets you off the hook IMHO. At this point someone else's inability to adhere to an agreement is causing your business further problems.

Explain the story and mention that according to the person sending the watch back, it should of been in your post-box within the next few days, obviously hasn't been, offer a full refund, or explain for them to wait for it, or offer a full refund and you'll contact them when you have the watch back

I'd rather tell him a bogus story than try to explain why you listed an item for sale that you don't have. As a buyer I don't really care about your sad story, especially since you knew you don't have the watch. That's just my opinion.
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I would mix the above comments, and provide a bogus sob story I have done it a few times for various reasons. (Didn't ship because I was on vacation, etc.)

$$$ :sombrero:

mockba said:

I'd rather tell him a bogus story than try to explain why you listed an item for sale that you don't have. As a buyer I don't really care about your sad story, especially since you knew you don't have the watch. That's just my opinion.
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Have to agree. If I were the buyer, and found out you listed a watch you did not have, I would be very suspicious.

thanks for the replies. i was thinking of either the truth (which my brother advised against) or a bogus story like i threw my husband out and he took my merchandise. but it has been a week and half since i sold it and they inquired about the shipping status and i told them i would get back to them. i could say that i have been pleading with him to give me my stuff back, hence the delay in response.

i think i am leaning towards the "threw husband out" story.

Holy shit!

What would YOU WANT TO HEAR? Tell them the truth...fight like hell to get a watch your buyer wants (ya, even if it costs you) and burn the other phuckers house down! (just a joke ofcourse)

I don't care what you say...word of mouth reputation is still HUGE...especially on feebay.

Karmas a bitch!

The problem is you risk creating a story that's very hard to believe... and seeing as you just stated they've already been waiting a week, you better make sure your story is convincing because I'm certain they're already suspicious.

Let's assume you did tell the story. The buyer is still upset they didn't get their merchandise *and* that you waited a week to tell them, so the likelihood of negative feedback is already high. If you play this angle, you're not really achieving anything.

Telling the truth yields the same thing, except it's more believable (people fuck up every day, especially if you're dealing with high volume as a powerseller), and you can garner sympathy through the fact that you're potentially getting ripped off by a buyer who wanted a refund, received it, and then kept the merchandise after promising a return shipment. This scenario has more advantages because it's more plausible, it can illicit sympathy and understanding if conveyed properly, you have proof (PayPal statements), and most importantly it's based on honesty.

The only strike you can't overlook is that you took a week to notify them... it should have been the first thing you did once it sold. That's a strike you'll have to eat and try to brush over with the rest of the situation; minimize it. However a partial refund + expedited shipping when you finally get it should guarantee positive feedback.

Major edit: I overlooked that you said you'd get back to them. At this point, you have nothing to tell *but* the truth. When they inquired, the only response they get should be the status. The fact that you said you'd get back to them means there's no solid story and you're buying time. Responding with a confession will solidify that shadow of doubt you created by dodging a serious response to a routine inquiry.

i don't think i am getting the watch. i needed to give a good explanation with the refund. i thought of offering them some good faith money too.

well, crazy, you got me leaning toward the truth now again, i will let you guys know how this pans out.

I agree with takita, don't make up some sob story. Those are usually seen as obvious lies, and as much as you think you are pulling it off, high chance they know it's you trying to weasle out. Either tell them the truth, or go with takita's excuse.

You are way better telling the truth about what happened. Most buyers will be understandin.
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Having had a land biz for some time, it is true that "shipping happens." I would just say it was shipped then returned to me damaged on route before it reached its destination (which has happened to me before). This explains why it took so long for you to have an answer and it is not an unlikely scenario. I would do this before admitting I sold something I did not have. Good luck either way.

Just be polite and honest. If you level with the person chances are that they will understand. The worst thing you can do is avoid them.

Just be accessible and keep your story straight.

You really need to refund soon than later.
The longer you wait, the more impatient the buyer will get.
and that won't be good for business in the long run.

I would go with shipping returned damaged, you took it to a shop and they have just informed you that it is unrepairable.

refund with interest and time compensation on $350 I would go $20 extra


darn, i forgot I was going to post:

SO THAT IS WHERE MY F'N WATCH IS

just give him a refund and tell him the watch fell and broke. end of.

takita said:

Refund the second buyer and then like $5-10 and apologize saying that the watch screen was cracked or blemished and you refuse to sell a customer a watch that wasnt as advertise, so you included $5-10 more for their time, along with positive feedback (make sure you state that) -- they will be glad you did what you did, and wont mind at all. and most likely (95% chance) youll get positive feedback, worse case scenario youll get no feedback

goodluck it's really not a big deal, id just focus on getting that watch back from that faggot

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I agree. Refund the second buyer ASAP and make up a story got damaged in the packing process or so. Offer him a discount for another watch for the ones you are auction right now or in the future.

yeah in this case, just say while you were packing it up you noticed it was broken and scratched badly... and just refund the money. buyers are usually cool with that. MAKE SURE you appologize a couple times and offer them a discount on a future order. this usually satisfies them even know they will probably never order from you again.