Ebay Problem. Buyer won't accept item.

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R2D4

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I recently sold my HP Touchpad for $250 on ebay. I bought it for $99 so it was a nice profit. Anyway when I made the auction I set the shipping to ships only in the US. I didn't know I could block international bidders so I didn't. I know this is my fault for being ignorant.

So this person in France bids on it and I message them and say that I only ship to the US. I don't hear anything from them. A day later the auction ends and they are the winner. So I figure if they pay I'll ship it to them and it won't be much of a problem. I send them the invoice and it takes 3 days to hear from them. They kept asking how much they owed and that they weren't getting the Paypal invoices. Which was all bullshit because if they were getting my messages they were getting the invoices.

Finally they pay after a week and I ship the item. It was $50 shipping and I got insurance.

2 weeks go by and they ask when I shipped the item. I tell them that tracking says it has been delivered and they say they haven't gotten it yet.

Another week goes by and now they say they want to know why I am charging them $56 to pick up the item. I have no idea what they are talking about and find out that they have to pay tax to get the item. I call ebay customer service and they say that this is standard for international bidders and that they have to pay the import tax before they are allowed to take the item from the shipper.

The bidder will not accept this and now they want a refund. I told them that I will only give them a refund if the item gets sent back to me and it is in my possession. As per ebays advice. Then I will refund them. Of course I will have to pay return shipping and I will be out $50 from this whole ordeal.

So that's where it stands. It as been one week and I have not heard back from them.

So my question is, there isn't anyway I'm getting screwed on this right? With all the Pay Pal horror stories they can't get there money back from Pal Pay can they? I don't want to wake up one morning and see $250 missing from my account.

I have never had any problems with ebay buyers before. 250 some auctions. Any advice on what to do if they keep refusing the item? The biggest problem is they don't seem to know english very well and I don't know French so that might be part of the problem with the communications.

TLDR: Sold item on ebay. International buyer won't pay tax. What to do?
 
When you say the buyer "will not accept this" do you mean he refused to pick it up at the post office or he did pay the import tax and take it home and then he asks you for a refund?

If he signed for the package he basically accepted the item and you should be in the clear.

Conversely, you are being extremely nice to offer return shipping. He should have know his import duties before he bid internationally. Most buyers woulnd't offer to do this.
 
Rocket Punch said:
When you say the buyer "will not accept this" do you mean he refused to pick it up at the post office or he did pay the import tax and take it home and then he asks you for a refund?

If he signed for the package he basically accepted the item and you should be in the clear.
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No he refused to pay the tax so the post office won't give him the item. He doesn't want the item if he has to pay tax for it.

Also on the return shipping. Return shipping was something I got at the post office when I shipped it. This was in case they couldn't find the address or it was undeliverable the item would get shipped back to me. I will have to pay the $50 to pick it up from the post office if it gets shipped back to the US. The thing is I don't know if it's getting shipped back or not. I haven't heard from the buyer it over a week and I would think if it was getting shipped back I would have it by now.
 
Sounds like its stuck at customs and the buyer doesn't want it anymore. Hopefully you've kept a log of all this stuff, like email evidence and can proof to eBay what happened if the buyer files something.
 
Did they pay with PayPal? If so I would make sure I talked to someone there about it so that they don't refund the money and you are completely out of luck.

Edit: I see where you used paypal. I would call those guys and make sure you don't get screwed.
 
ReBurn said:
Did they pay with PayPal? If so I would make sure I talked to someone there about it so that they don't refund the money and you are completely out of luck.

Edit: I see where you used paypal. I would call those guys and make sure you don't get screwed.
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You're right. I will call Pay Pal about it.
 
Take your money out of Paypal if you don't want them taking it from you (unless you've given them bank account info, in which case I'm not sure what you'd need to do). They very well could, since so many of their policies are friendly to buyers and terrible to sellers. At the very least, leave bad feedback for the buyer so that future sellers can see how unprofessional he is.
 
Hmm...sounds to me like you screwed the buyer...

Isn't there a stamp/label where you put the value of the item? If it's less than $20 it gets waived but anymore and it will be required to be taxed...people tend to put the $20 label on even if it costs $100/$200/$500...

I know that's how I usually do it...but yeah really you didn't set the auction properly and left yourself open to this...I would be pissed if I was the buyer especially if you don't know about import tax etc and you the seller don't let the buyer know of the incurred possiblity of taxes...
 
F#A#Oo said:
Hmm...sounds to me like you screwed the buyer...

Isn't there a stamp/label where you put the value of the item? If it's less than $20 it get waived but anymore and it will be required to be taxed...people tend to put the $20 label on even if it costs $100/$200/$500...

I know that's how I usually do it...
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Well I never shipped internationally before and I thought I was suppose to put it correct amount. I also got it insured. Doesn't just putting $20 there effect that if you have to make a claim for it?
 
F#A#Oo said:
Hmm...sounds to me like you screwed the buyer...

Isn't there a stamp/label where you put the value of the item? If it's less than $20 it gets waived but anymore and it will be required to be taxed...people tend to put the $20 label on even if it costs $100/$200/$500...

I know that's how I usually do it...but yeah really you didn't set the auction properly and left yourself open to this...I would be pissed if I was the buyer especially if you don't know about import tax etc...
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I don't see how he screwed the buyer.Anything you buy import there is always a chance a border fee could be charged.You can mark the item as a gift but that does not always work (I have a friend in Japan and we send stuff back and fourth usually even as a gift I get hit 75% of the time). Also in terms of value if its for something of that price I would not list it a s 20.00 because if something does go wrong the insurance on the package could be significantly lower leading to the seller losing out on money.

It's not up to the buyer to tell the guy about import tax he should have researched before buying import.This sounds like the guy doesn't want to pay the border fee and is being stubborn it's not your problem he bought it fair and square and you sent it border fees are his problem.
 
yes, putting a $20 value on the item means you dont pay import tax etc but if you make a claim you can only claim the $20
I'd see what ebay says with regards to him paying the import tax and this is news to me since ive never had the problem so its something to watch out for in the future.
if worst comes to worst you should just pay the $50 and your still coming out ahead since you only paid $99 for it in the first place.
 
R2D4 said:
Well I never shipped internationally before and I thought I was suppose to put it correct amount. I also got it insured. Doesn't just putting $20 there effect that if you have to make a claim for it?
Click to expand...

My post office (UK) make me fill in the labels and stuff so I just put the $20 on the packaging and the post office covers me up to £500 as standard...the $20 on the packaging doesn't get checked and is purely for customs...
 
F#A#Oo said:
My post office (UK) make me fill in the labels and stuff so I just put the $20 on the packaging and the post office covers me up to £500 as standard...the $20 on the packaging doesn't get checked and is purely for customs...
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It's electronics though pretty good chance it's gonna be searched. Also I would not put 20.00 on this package if I was in this situation because as stated above if something goes wrong the seller is gonna be responsible.If someone says to me "can you mark it as 20.00 so I don't get charged" and something goes wrong I guarantee you that he will be the first crying fowl leaving you the seller in a awful position to lose alot of money.My advice is any future auction simply note any border fees or whatever is buyers responsibility.
 
Stuff imported to the EU that's over 150€ (it was 22€ before) can get stuck at customs and you have to pay a fee to pick it up.

You should have sent it as a gift with a lower value declared.
 
What shipping method did you use?

USPS? UPS?

I refused an item on ebay once because the seller's auction said they would ship by USPS and they shipped by UPS instead and I had brokerage fees that cost almost as much as the item.

With USPS I only have to pay $5 + sales tax and that's only if Canada customs inspects the package and 1/2 the time they don't. I don't mind paying the sales tax but brokerage fees? screw that.

In your case it sounds like you had an inexperienced eBayer(or at the very least one who hasn't made international purchases before). Sucks dude, but that's just something you have to put up with.

R2D4 said:
Well I never shipped internationally before and I thought I was suppose to put it correct amount. I also got it insured. Doesn't just putting $20 there effect that if you have to make a claim for it?
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Lots of sellers on eBay do this, but you should not be expected to do it and definitely don't do it with a $250 sale. If you do this, you're screwed if the package gets lost or damaged during transit.
 
Ebay/paypal will award your buyer a full refund if they ship the item back to you. Though, it sounds from your case that they'd have to pay 56 dollars to pick it up and then pay to ship it back. So obviously it's in their best interest to just pay for it and keep it.

You owe them nothing and it's their responsibility to know how their own country's taxing system works. Also it doesn't seem like they read your listing very well. You know the item was delivered and that's all that really matters. I wouldn't sweat it at this point as you have your money. Tell them to take it up with ebay/paypal if they have an issue. Considering they'd be out about 100 dollars with nothing to show for it, they'll end up keeping the item once they find this out. You're in the clear.

Also if you're curious to confirm what I've said. Go into the ebay "resolution center" forums and post your case. Members will give you feedback that is very reliable as to how ebay/paypal makes decision regarding disputes.
 
Sounds like the buyer is a cock, he's the one who should be aware of his own countries import tax, not you. Hope it works out ok man.
 
I deal with ebay all the time and it sounds like you are in the clear.

1. Tracking says it was delivered right?
2. If he wants a refund he will have to send it back himself per ebay policy and he will have to track it. If he does not, ebay will end the refund claim in your favor.

He will end up paying the tax (which he is responsible for) he should have known about it and you shouldn't have to lie.

I would cease all communication with this guy.
 
F#A#Oo said:
My post office (UK) make me fill in the labels and stuff so I just put the $20 on the packaging and the post office covers me up to £500 as standard...the $20 on the packaging doesn't get checked and is purely for customs...
Click to expand...
I'm guessing you've never actually had to claim insurance because if you did, you'd know that you're insured for the value of the package up to a certain amount. In your example, you were insured for up to 500 gbp or euros, but if something had gone wrong, you would only have received 20 in compensation because that's what the package was marked at. If you were to tell them the item was worth more, you would be admitting to customs fraud and could face a pretty hefty fine.

It's always the responsibility of the buyer to know the import laws of his own country. Sellers lying on customs form are doing you a favor only when things go smoothly (and usually, they do) but it'll be a headache for both parties if there's a dispute.
 
Takuan said:
I'm guessing you've never actually had to claim insurance because if you did, you'd know that you're insured for the value of the package up to a certain amount. In your example, you were insured for up to 500 gbp or euros, but if something had gone wrong, you would only have received 20 in compensation because that's what the package was marked at. If you were to tell them the item was worth more, you would be admitting to customs fraud and could face a pretty hefty fine.
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No. It doesn't work like that...

The compensation one receives is based on Royal Mail/UPS/FedEx/Parcel Force assessment teams who will decide on the items current market value.

If for example you provide a receipt of something you actually bought as a consumer which was intended as a "gift" and can provide proof that it isn't a business transaction or trade taking place but an actual gifting you will be fully compensated based off proof of purchase value from retailer.

Ebay transactions are seen as business/trading thus when an item gets lost/damaged the postal/delivery companies assessment team will only compensate you based on what they think is the cost price to you is or base it off the value of the item in the market. If you sell phones on e-bay and you buy a phone in for £50 but sell it on for £100 you will only get £50 as it's the cost price. So you may have sold something on ebay for £100 but postal/delivery company will ask you proof of the "cost price" to you.
 
Lord Ghirahim said:
Can you give negative feedback to a buyer that's paid?
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Sure you can. That's why most seller's wait until the buyer leaves feedback (which is ridiculous, as typically as the buyer if you pay immediately you've done your job and should get nothing but a "positive" feedback, though the OP's case is different) to leave their feedback. Most seller's hold the buyer's feedback hostage until they see they are in the clear.
 
not your problem. your terms were set forth. the shipping company is the one charging duty on behalf of the country. you were paid. it's the buyer's choice whether to accept delivery and the consequences of it.
 
Stories like this have convinced me to either give old shit away to freinds/family/charity or throw it in the trash. I can't stand hassling with strangers.
 
F#A#Oo said:
No. It doesn't work like that...

The compensation one receives is based on Royal Mail/UPS/FedEx/Parcel Force assessment teams who will decide on the items current market value.

If for example you provide a receipt of something you actually bought as a consumer which was intended as a "gift" and can provide proof that it isn't a business transaction or trade taking place but an actual gifting you will be fully compensated based off proof of purchase value from retailer.

Ebay transactions are seen as business/trading thus when an item gets lost/damaged the postal/delivery companies assessment team will only compensate you based on what they think is the cost price to you is or base it off the value of the item in the market. If you sell phones on e-bay and you buy a phone in for £50 but sell it on for £100 you will only get £50 as it's the cost price. So you may have sold something on ebay for £100 but postal/delivery company will ask you proof of the "cost price" to you.
Click to expand...
Doesn't work that way in North America, at least not for Canada or US Post. I mean, your examples are all situations where it's in the service's best interests to use higher discretion, where item value is over-declared. If it's under-declared, then it is on the buyer to prove the real value when requesting compensation, which is an inconvenience for him and puts the seller under the spotlight for lying on a customs form. I mean, realistically, I don't really expect post office workers to know the law to the letter, and the chances they'll actually enforce penalties is slim.

Either way, my point was that purposely declaring low value on a package so that the receiver doesn't incur import fees isn't of much benefit to a casual seller like the OP, and to suggest he was in the wrong for doing things the right way is silly. This is 100% the fault of the buyer. Unfortunately, eBay will probably side with French and the OP will be out $50 because his buyer is a moron.
 
It's really bs that you have to change the dafault shipping allowances every time you set on auction. This is exactly why I don't allow any non-US bidders. But it's ridiculous I have to manually do this for every auction and Ebay won't store this (in hopes that I'll forget and broaden things up).

OJdaKiller said:
Sure you can. That's why most seller's wait until the buyer leaves feedback (which is ridiculous, as typically as the buyer if you pay immediately you've done your job and should get nothing but a "positive" feedback, though the OP's case is different) to leave their feedback. Most seller's hold the buyer's feedback hostage until they see they are in the clear.
Click to expand...

Then they changed it back. Because there was a big stink a year or two ago when they removed the ability of seller's leaving negative feedback.
 
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