Need Ebay advice: buyer wants refund after 4 months

[JTalbain]

Ok so here's the story. I listed a tekken 5 arcade stick and tekken 5 game on ebay at the end of december. I tested the arcade stick and verified it working, and then I shipped it out to the buyer. On january 9, 2007, he emails me saying that the stick isn't working for him. We try to solve the problem without having to ship the stick back since postage on that thing is $20 one way.

Unable to fix it, I tell him to send it back to me on February 18, 2007 and I'll refund him everything - stick, shipping, and return postage. However, 2.5 months and nothing arrives at my door. Now today, May 8, 2007, he emails me back saying he's been busy with work and forgot to ship the stick back. He also asks me if he can ship it back for a refund still.

Now, I do offer a return policy on my auctions, but I state that I need it sent back within 7 days of receipt of package. Right now, it's been so far past the auction end that paypal disputes and ebay feedback are no longer valid, and I can't refund him the payment via paypal either.

Right now, I'm leaning towards not refunding him, saying that he shouldn't have kept the stick for almost 3 months if he wanted a refund. Any advice about what to do for this situation?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

his loss....

 

[halik]

Now, I do offer a return policy on my auctions, but I state that I need it sent back within 7 days of receipt of package. Right now, it's been so far past the auction end that paypal disputes and ebay feedback are no longer valid, and I can't refund him the payment via paypal either.

 

[compuwiz1]

He pounds sand at this point in the game. Too much time elased, and he did not do what he was instructed to do.

 

[Pabster]

No.

Unless you have such a liberal return policy. This is the reason why a clear, concise return policy should be stated and agreed to by each buyer. I won't give a refund after 7 days. 4 months? That's ridiculous. The old "I was busy" just doesn't cut it ... not for 4 months.

 

[Luthien]

too bad for him man keep the money and if you still have the shipping receipt hang on to it.

 

[Parasitic]

Offer him a refund at a straight-line depreciation of 4 months with a salvage value of $0.

 

[iRONic]

Hells no!!!!!

 

[ObscureCaucasian]

Offer 75% back or so due to interest over time.

 

[TheNinja]

tell him to "stick" it

 

[SludgeFactory]

I'd get "busy with work" and "forget" to reply to his email.

 

[oogabooga]

wait 2.5 months, then tell him no.

seriously though, if it didn't matter enough for him to send it not within one, but two months, then it doesn't matter enough to you to run a return.

 

[Kirby64]

Noone is busy with work for 4 months. Tell him (politely) to shove it.

 

[Canai]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
his loss....

 

[pcnerd37]

Ferengi Rule of Acquisition #1. Once you have their money ... never give it back.

 

[Luthien]

Originally posted by: pcnerd37
Ferengi Rule of Acquisition #1. Once you have their money ... never give it back.

LOL

oringal star trek Deepspace Nine and star trek next generation were the best

Deepspace Nine didn't get enough respect it was awesome series IMO.

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: Parasitic
Offer him a refund at a straight-line depreciation of 4 months with a salvage value of $0.

Accountants can be such dicks :laugh:

 

[daveshel]

Nope.

 

[Alone]

Not your problem anymore. I wouldn't even feel morally inclined to do it, either.

 

[zylander]

Originally posted by: pcnerd37
Ferengi Rule of Acquisition #1. Once you have their money ... never give it back.

ROFL.

His loss, he should have waited so long.

Originally posted by: Luthien

Originally posted by: pcnerd37
Ferengi Rule of Acquisition #1. Once you have their money ... never give it back.

LOL

oringal star trek Deepspace Nine and star trek next generation were the best

Deepspace Nine didn't get enough respect it was awesome series IMO.

Agreed, got really good in the last few seasons.

 

[pcnerd37]

Originally posted by: Luthien

Originally posted by: pcnerd37
Ferengi Rule of Acquisition #1. Once you have their money ... never give it back.

LOL

oringal star trek Deepspace Nine and star trek next generation were the best

Deepspace Nine didn't get enough respect it was awesome series IMO.

DS9 was by far the best. TNG was really good, but DS9 was by far the best. I never pass up an opportunity to to quote from the Rules of Acquisition.

 

[UberNeuman]

I think you'd be right not to refund his money after 2 months waiting for him to answer you.

and DS9 is highly underrated in Trekdom....

 

[pcslookout]

I think you should give him the refund. Only do this for people one time. Not more than once. If they can't learn the first time they will never learn.

 

[UberNeuman]

Originally posted by: pcslookout
I think you should give him the refund. Only do this for people one time. Not more than once. If they can't learn the first time they will never learn.

You're not the dude who bought it, are you?

 

[KarmaPolice]

No, anyone that expects to let you take it back this long from the sale is crazy.