What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Michigan
First, thanks to everyone involved for this very useful site! I sold an (small plastic toy-not more than 6 inches long and not electronic) on ebay to a customer in my state, the buyer purchased over 3 months ago. Customer paid using paypal. Buyer received the item and was angry that it was not "new". The item was very rare. It was used for display and 30 years old; out of production value of 80 dollars (all indicated in the ad). My listing had pictures of the item, 2 or more pics, and stated that it was in very good condition for its age, which the pictures indicate. Moreover, no chips, cracks etc.. Customer received and said it was received damaged and wanted refund. I obviously did not want customer to lose money so I felt the shipper should be contacted for claim. I am not sure why, but the buyer went right to war with me rather than assuming logically that it was damaged by shipper. I have hundreds of satisfied customers so how would it benefit my business by shipping an item out after damaging it? Very strange when also considering the fact that it was a one of a kind item--rarely if ever seen on ebay, and the ad stated it was in good condition with pictures. It is not like I have 5 of them to spare.
Along with demanding a full refund, customer began sending harassing emails on a weekly basis. Buyer claimed to be friends with someone connected to Michigan's Attorneys' General. I continued to be cordial and said that everything would be fine and that a damage claim could be filed, but buyer refused saying that they would "get me" for this. Buyer was offered insurance for shipping and she paid, which I pointed out. As stated, I was very nice and responded with only facts and no personal attacks. Buyer tried a resolution claim on paypal and lost a month ago because I presented paypal with emails, pics and tracking information for item. Immediately at 90 days, 23rd hour after sale customer posted negative feedback on ebay thinking I could not respond. I was able to post negative to ebayer based on the facts, no slander, e.g.===buyer's neg.feedback is most likely in retaliation for losing paypal claim, and that she refused to file shipping insurance claim.
I think I already know the answers to these questions but I will ask anyway because of the confidence, passion and "assured" tone of my customer. The questions are:
QUESTION 1. Customer paid for shipping insurance, buyer has the damaged item and is able to contact the post office for claim, do you have any idea why this ebayer isn't doing that?
QUESTION 2. Customer has not said exactly what they are suing me for but, in effect, they are definitely suing me (in their words!). I have never received a summons. They have claimed punitive damages for defamation regarding negative f/b-but they are not sellers, and also they were going to tell the U.S. Government I was defrauding them (postal service) by shipping nonpriority items in a priority box. This is not true and customer virtually indicated in a threatening email that they would make this up to get me in trouble and that it was my word against theirs. Also, here is a direct quote from customer email
--You know that you'll also have to pay all court costs? It's $37 filing fee, $22 serving summons. Plus amount judge awards me for defamation..I wouldn't waste my time if I wasn't 100% sure
Here is more:: I contacted all your customers and have all their replies to submit to the court. I asked you twice to send me the insurance form, which your reply was to never contact you again or you'd report me to eBay for harassment. (Which, by the way, legally, that's not considered harassment). Just figured I'd sit back and let you make my case for me. Thanks!----
Does this individual have a case?
QUESTION 3. Final question--Customer lives in my state and I am very concerned for my family. They have threatened me in other way too on numerous occasions (exactly how, I do not want to post here). I have contacted ebay and I am sure they will warn buyer, but that is all they do. Do you have a suggestion on how to protect my family?
Thanks so much for your time!
First, thanks to everyone involved for this very useful site! I sold an (small plastic toy-not more than 6 inches long and not electronic) on ebay to a customer in my state, the buyer purchased over 3 months ago. Customer paid using paypal. Buyer received the item and was angry that it was not "new". The item was very rare. It was used for display and 30 years old; out of production value of 80 dollars (all indicated in the ad). My listing had pictures of the item, 2 or more pics, and stated that it was in very good condition for its age, which the pictures indicate. Moreover, no chips, cracks etc.. Customer received and said it was received damaged and wanted refund. I obviously did not want customer to lose money so I felt the shipper should be contacted for claim. I am not sure why, but the buyer went right to war with me rather than assuming logically that it was damaged by shipper. I have hundreds of satisfied customers so how would it benefit my business by shipping an item out after damaging it? Very strange when also considering the fact that it was a one of a kind item--rarely if ever seen on ebay, and the ad stated it was in good condition with pictures. It is not like I have 5 of them to spare.
Along with demanding a full refund, customer began sending harassing emails on a weekly basis. Buyer claimed to be friends with someone connected to Michigan's Attorneys' General. I continued to be cordial and said that everything would be fine and that a damage claim could be filed, but buyer refused saying that they would "get me" for this. Buyer was offered insurance for shipping and she paid, which I pointed out. As stated, I was very nice and responded with only facts and no personal attacks. Buyer tried a resolution claim on paypal and lost a month ago because I presented paypal with emails, pics and tracking information for item. Immediately at 90 days, 23rd hour after sale customer posted negative feedback on ebay thinking I could not respond. I was able to post negative to ebayer based on the facts, no slander, e.g.===buyer's neg.feedback is most likely in retaliation for losing paypal claim, and that she refused to file shipping insurance claim.
I think I already know the answers to these questions but I will ask anyway because of the confidence, passion and "assured" tone of my customer. The questions are:
QUESTION 1. Customer paid for shipping insurance, buyer has the damaged item and is able to contact the post office for claim, do you have any idea why this ebayer isn't doing that?
QUESTION 2. Customer has not said exactly what they are suing me for but, in effect, they are definitely suing me (in their words!). I have never received a summons. They have claimed punitive damages for defamation regarding negative f/b-but they are not sellers, and also they were going to tell the U.S. Government I was defrauding them (postal service) by shipping nonpriority items in a priority box. This is not true and customer virtually indicated in a threatening email that they would make this up to get me in trouble and that it was my word against theirs. Also, here is a direct quote from customer email
--You know that you'll also have to pay all court costs? It's $37 filing fee, $22 serving summons. Plus amount judge awards me for defamation..I wouldn't waste my time if I wasn't 100% sure
Here is more:: I contacted all your customers and have all their replies to submit to the court. I asked you twice to send me the insurance form, which your reply was to never contact you again or you'd report me to eBay for harassment. (Which, by the way, legally, that's not considered harassment). Just figured I'd sit back and let you make my case for me. Thanks!----
Does this individual have a case?
QUESTION 3. Final question--Customer lives in my state and I am very concerned for my family. They have threatened me in other way too on numerous occasions (exactly how, I do not want to post here). I have contacted ebay and I am sure they will warn buyer, but that is all they do. Do you have a suggestion on how to protect my family?
Thanks so much for your time!