Scales of Justice
Boy, it seems eBay has not balanced the scales with the inability for sellers to leave negative feedback. What has been happening, is a mass exercise in good old fashion extortion. Just this week, I encountered 2 buyers who thought negative feedback was the same as a hammer to the knee.
In one case, a buyer wanted $40.00 for positive feedback and to keep a suspected broken item. The seller wrote the buyer saying:
Return item to us, we will pay for return shipping and give 100% refund as item is insured.
Buyer said, I don’t want to return the item I want $40.00.
The irony, it was sold for $78.53. Buyer left negative feedback for seller as the shakedown did not work. Here is another shake down:
From: redd8355
To: sellerx
Subject: Request to change an order: redd8355 sent a message #120787649506
Sent Date: Nov-21-11 14:19:40 PST
Dear seller,
Hello, I received this item today and it appears to be in great condition. I have not taken it out of the box yet because I found out that another seller is selling this for $15 cheaper. Rather then return the item to you for a refund I wanted to request a credit from you for $15.00 and I will keep the item and leave excellent feedback for you. Please confirm that you can give me a refund for $15.00 as requested. Thank you !
Here is the other seller’s posting:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/40025
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Dear redd8355,
Hello,
Of all the requests I have heard over the years! Well, we are not giving you a credit for $15.00. If you want a refund of the purchase price, please return the item to us. We price base on our purchase price and fees. We do not know what another seller pays for their item, the source or the quality.
Regards,
Seller
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From: redd8355
To: seller
Subject: Re: Request to change an order: redd8355 sent a message
Sent Date: Nov-22-11 09:00:19 PST
Dear seller,
I think I will return the part to you for full credit (it has never been taken out of the box) and I will leave seriously negative feedback about your unwillingness to stand behind your product and customer.
If you have any other proposal or solution please let me know right away. This appears to be a lose-lose situation for both of us.
Thanks,
Reddy
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Dear redd8355,
Hello,
We stand behind the product if there is a defect in the product. We do not know the brand the other seller has, where he acquires it, if it is the same quality so we do not price based on external factors unknown. We price based on fair market value and the quality of the product. If you review the listing further, you will see that even though he has a lower price, we have sold more than this seller perhaps because our quality and customer service is better.
At any rate, you purchase the product at the price listed. You have the option to return the product to us unopened of course and we refund the purchase price. We will not be BLACKMAILED into giving you $15.00 in exchange for positive feedback.
Regards,
