Private sale return etiquette question

on_the_edge

on_the_edge

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I sold a knife to a member who is dissatisfied with what he received. Never having personally encountered this situation before, I am not sure how things should go. I have no problem with him returning the knife to me if that is what he chooses to do. He paid via PP and I can refund him the full amount he paid by PP. But should he pay return shipping to me or should I pay for return shipping? Do I refund his $ first, does he send the knife first, or do I receive the knife before issuing a refund?

Thanks for any input.
 
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I would refund after the knife is returned and inspected.

Regarding shipping up to you, but I would think the buyer should pay for the return.
 
Yes, get the knife back and inspect it. Then, if it is the same, refund any money that he has spent. This is what I would recommend...making sure that he has not lost any money (PP and shipping) during his business with you. It seems fair.

Intron (above) said that the buyer should pay for the return. I would agree with that...IF he received a knife in exactly the condition that you described. On the other hand, if he was shocked and surprised to get a knife that was "less" than had been described during the sale, then you should pay for causing him needless trouble.
 
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Sonnydaze said:
Yes, get the knife back and inspect it. Then, if it is the same, refund any money that he has spent. This is what I would recommend...making sure that he has not lost any money (PP and shipping) during his business with you. It seems fair.

Intron (above) said that the buyer should pay for the return. I would agree with that...IF he received a knife in exactly the condition that you described. On the other hand, if he was shocked and surprised to get a knife that was "less" than had been described during the sale, then you should pay for causing him needless trouble.
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If he decides to return the knife and it is not the same as when I sent it, then what??? Buyers remorse is one thing, but if it's been used by the buyer, that's obviously another story.
 
Did he say why he is dissatisfied? If it's buyers remorse, the return shipping should be on him. If the knife is not as described, MAYBE you should pay for return shipping.

As others have said, wait until you see the knife before giving a refund.

Generally, return shipping is on the buyer unless this was discussed before the sale.
 
Hard to say what should be done without more info.
Was description in sales thread accurate?? Why is he unhappy with the purchase etc
Joe
 
Well, I thought the knife was described accurately. He pointed to marks on the handle that were (are) visible in my pictures, which remain in the FS thread unedited from when they were posted. However, more concerning was an apparent "chip" (his words) in the edge near the tip. His photo is very poor, but it looks like something is there. The thing is that I did not see it with the naked eye when I listed the knife nor is it visible in my pics that I took to list the knife.

Anyway, long story short, the buyer asked for $20 refunded and I have obliged. I don't honestly know what to believe. At this point, it does not really matter. I did not see anything wrong with the edge before I sold the knife, but he says there was something wrong with it. I won't get the knife back to see what it looks like when it is in front of me. I have no reason to disbelieve what he is saying, but cannot say that I know something is amiss in his claim either. All that said, I chose what I consider to be the "high road" and it seems that both of us are somewhat satisfied now.

Thanks for the input I've received. As I say, I've never had this issue before so I was not sure what the protocol was.
 
I have had "1" return in the whole time I have been here
I just chalked it up and covered shipping to simply complete
the issue
Good Luck Bud
 
My sales are: deals are not complete until buyer is satisfied. Returns are cheerfully accepted. Refunds are given after return is inspected. If there were issues left out of the description, then the refund would be full, covering shipping back. Otherwise, return shipping is on the buyer. If it's a case of buyer's remorse, shipping to and from is on the buyer.
 
on_the_edge said:
Well, I thought the knife was described accurately. He pointed to marks on the handle that were (are) visible in my pictures, which remain in the FS thread unedited from when they were posted. However, more concerning was an apparent "chip" (his words) in the edge near the tip. His photo is very poor, but it looks like something is there. The thing is that I did not see it with the naked eye when I listed the knife nor is it visible in my pics that I took to list the knife.

Anyway, long story short, the buyer asked for $20 refunded and I have obliged. I don't honestly know what to believe. At this point, it does not really matter. I did not see anything wrong with the edge before I sold the knife, but he says there was something wrong with it. I won't get the knife back to see what it looks like when it is in front of me. I have no reason to disbelieve what he is saying, but cannot say that I know something is amiss in his claim either. All that said, I chose what I consider to be the "high road" and it seems that both of us are somewhat satisfied now.

Thanks for the input I've received. As I say, I've never had this issue before so I was not sure what the protocol was.
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^ Happy to see that this transaction has been resolved amicably. I don't think anyone here would ever second guess your honesty, & what an upstanding respectable member your are to the BF community! :thumbup:
 
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on_the_edge said:
Well, I thought the knife was described accurately. He pointed to marks on the handle that were (are) visible in my pictures, which remain in the FS thread unedited from when they were posted. However, more concerning was an apparent "chip" (his words) in the edge near the tip. His photo is very poor, but it looks like something is there. The thing is that I did not see it with the naked eye when I listed the knife nor is it visible in my pics that I took to list the knife.

Anyway, long story short, the buyer asked for $20 refunded and I have obliged. I don't honestly know what to believe. At this point, it does not really matter. I did not see anything wrong with the edge before I sold the knife, but he says there was something wrong with it. I won't get the knife back to see what it looks like when it is in front of me. I have no reason to disbelieve what he is saying, but cannot say that I know something is amiss in his claim either. All that said, I chose what I consider to be the "high road" and it seems that both of us are somewhat satisfied now.

Thanks for the input I've received. As I say, I've never had this issue before so I was not sure what the protocol was.
Click to expand...

One good thing came out of this Chris.......I'm pretty sure, after seeing how you handled this, all of us would feel very comfortable dealing with a stand up member like yourself. This could've gotten real ugly.
I like the way you dealt with this....and is $20 worth a hassle??
Kudos to you.
Joe
 
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