Sold Item on Gumtree, Customer Not Happy with 'How Item Looks'

billybilly81 on 04/04/2019 - 08:52
Last edited 04/04/2019 - 09:41 by 1 other user

Hi All

I'm just after some advice/people's thoughts on the following:

I recently sold a brand new golf driver head on Gumtree. Everything was going well and customer was excited when received. A day later, I get a message saying he's not sold on the looks/doesn't like the way it looks. Now, correct me if I'm wrong but you should know how something looks before purchasing something, right? It's brand new (literally in factory/showroom condition). I personally inspected it before sending and it was 100% blemish free. I double bubble wrapped it and placed it into two separate boxes for added protection.

The buyer insisted on Paypal. Could this be some kind of scam? I mean, I've delivered what was promised, I've actually included $80 worth of stuff for nothing when I sent it to ensure buyer was happy with everything.

What's people's thoughts on it? I mean I've done all the leg work to do stuff, I'm actually out of pocket $80 for two lots of postage and the stuff I bought and included for the customer. Do I just tell him to return stuff to me for a refund? Do I deduct my postage costs as I've given him what was agree on? Does he have a right to go to Paypal for a full refund?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

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Comments

  • dust on 04/04/2019 - 08:56
    +36

    Gumtree is cash only.

    (Please tell me he paid you using friends and family transfer?)

    • billybilly81 on 04/04/2019 - 09:01

      He paid using Paypal… Not sure what the friends and family transfer is??

      • AustriaBargain on 05/04/2019 - 18:29

        Friends and family transfer means you pay no fees for receiving the money and he has no recourse if he's scammed. Otherwise a normal payment means you pay the fees and he has buyer protection.

    • Master Bates on 04/04/2019 - 09:06
      +31

      Doesn’t matter, PayPal Buyer Protection does not apply to Gumtree (source)

      Just tell them too bad and they have to sell it if they don’t want it.

      • billybilly81 on 04/04/2019 - 09:16

        I read that too. Does that not mean that buyer can file a dispute with Paypal over the transaction?

        • Master Bates on 04/04/2019 - 10:39
          +1

          Pretty sure it means they cannot claim for things such as, "item significantly not as described", non-delivery, etc.

          They can probably still try a charge back from their card provider, but you should be able to argue against that with PayPal who take a firm stance against those users who initiate charge backs.

          • 4ksandknives on 05/04/2019 - 08:34
            -3

            @Master Bates: Actually, they can dispute on those grounds because that's exactly what I claimed through eBay.

            Item appeared to be 30 CM in circumference, but it actually said 30 CM in LENGTH.

            I acknowledge that it was my fault and offered to get partial reimbursement and pay for return shipping but, language barriers what they are, PayPal said full refund and now the Seller is playing dumb and won't pick up the damn parcel.

            TL;DR - Don't order from China unless you're 100% certain you're going to be okay with the item. Don't do Refunds with China.

      • freakatronic on 05/04/2019 - 20:15
        +1

        I live in Melbourne. I buy videogame stuff from all over Australia on gumtree. I've claimed two successful refunds in gumtree deals gone bad, both through PayPal buyer protection.

        1. I paid a Queenslander $70 for a 'new' 3DS XL and some games. He went silent on me as soon as I'd paid. I began the dispute process as soon as the first four days had elapsed (you gotta wait four days to start a dispute). I stated the facts, asked for the seller to respond, and waited 14 days. Refund straight back.

        2. I paid $35 for a copy of Zelda Breath of the Wild, case and game, froma guy in Mildura. Same deal, seller goes silent on me. Starts drip feeding me promises about sending as soon as he can. I opened a dispute four days in, told PayPal the story, and 14 days later I got my money back.

        In my experience PayPal gives protection to transactions that are marked as being for "goods and services", regardless of whether they're done on gumtree.

        • AlienC on 08/04/2019 - 22:47

          Does it cost more to do via buyer protection?

          I have been scammed for steam gift cards many times before and stupidly did via friends and family instead of goods and services which had buyer protection because I think it incurred a higher price via fees.

          • freakatronic on 09/04/2019 - 00:47

            @AlienC: It costs more for the seller. Family and friends payments charge no fees to the receiver of the funds. Goods and services payments have the fee for the payment receiver, and the protection for the buyer.

            • AlienC on 09/04/2019 - 03:37

              @freakatronic: Do you remember how much or is it a percentage

              Because that is probably why I opted for the friends and family method then.. cheaper no fees but more riskier

              • freakatronic on 09/04/2019 - 09:00

                @AlienC: Something like 2.9%

                Just enough to be offensive when you look at your bill.

    • tranter on 04/04/2019 - 09:07
      +1

      What's wrong with bank transfer?

      • billybilly81 on 04/04/2019 - 09:14

        That's what I requested initally, buyer insisted on Paypal.

        • Ughhh on 04/04/2019 - 10:13
          +32

          Should have insistent on saying bye bye then. You, the seller, makes the terms, not the buyer.

          Either way, buyer has no right to refund. But, allowing him to pay via PayPal opens a lot of doors for him, which is bad for you.

          • billybilly81 on 04/04/2019 - 10:35
            +4

            @Ughhh: Thanks mate. I appreciate the honest feedback! Lesson learnt.

          • Herbse on 04/04/2019 - 20:01
            +1

            @Ughhh: It opens one door. which is a charge back on their credit card claiming it wasn't them using it. The seller has proof it was.

            PayPal is not some monster trying to steal everyone's money. If sellers follow the rules, they're covered by seller protection against this sort of thing

            • spc12go on 05/04/2019 - 22:15
              +1

              @Herbse: I sold a brand new Logitech Mac Wireless keyboard to a guy on eBay. 5 months later the guy opens a disputed saying item is not as described.
              He stated the item was faulty from the beginning, if that was the case , I would be happy to take it back.
              So after 5 months to say the tab key doesn’t work, and opens a dispute is just not right.

              EBay said I’m don’t have to refund the money but PayPal took the buyers side, with no question asked, Paypal issued a full refund doesn’t matter what I say. I didn’t see the photo or anything no proof just an email.
              Even though the item has been used and could have been dropped or whatever. He would have swapped it with another keyboard.

              So PayPal is terrible for seller sometimes. There is no seller protection when they dispute the item is faulty within 6 months

  • 87percent on 04/04/2019 - 08:59

    This will be interesting…

  • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2019 - 09:06
    +3

    TLDR

    OP is seller that accepted PayPal for Gumtree sale.

    You have not done your due diligence. There are plenty of similar cases and even a summary of what not to do posted here just a day ago.

    • brad1-8tsi on 04/04/2019 - 10:05

      no mention of PayPal in that thread

      • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2019 - 10:13
        +2

        Because it's inconceivable that after all the discussions on being scammed, we would still consider PayPal.

      • jv on 04/04/2019 - 10:23
        +10

        no mention of PayPal in that thread

        3rd line

        1. The Gold Standard: In person, cash only. *^

        • T1OOO on 05/04/2019 - 13:10

          this is too risky now too, its only for things under $100 too unless you want to get stabbed.. and its only for meeting people at 1-2pm in a busy shopping mall (inside not out side)

          • jv on 05/04/2019 - 14:10

            @T1OOO:

            and its only for meeting people at 1-2pm in a busy shopping mall

            or outside your local police station

    • singlemalt72 on 04/04/2019 - 14:25
      +1

      If it was done through family and friends then the buyer can't go back on the purchase (as far as I am aware) unlike a normal purchase where they can log a dispute.

      • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2019 - 14:28
        +2

        If it was done through family and friends then the buyer can't go back on the purchase

        In this case, no.

        But in a different scenario where a stolen CC or hijacked account is involved, it can be reversed. For that reason, we (the people) just blanket rule "no PayPal".

        • magic8ballgag on 05/04/2019 - 08:19

          Also, in a completely different scenario, the world is overrun by aliens and we become slaves to their cruel experimental regime.

          All because OP used PayPal, tsk tsk.

  • brad1-8tsi on 04/04/2019 - 10:03
    +5

    Google search says PayPal buyer protection doesn't apply
    PayPal

    Politely tell the buyer that the item was in "as-new" condition and fit for purpose. Explain that buyers remorse and lack of research isn't grounds for a return or refund unless he want to fully compensate you for loss of time and potential "other buyers" being missed.

    I still wouldn't take it back as i wouldn't trust how it's packed.

    If he wanted to be able to return it he should have bought from a retail store.

    • Baysew on 04/04/2019 - 10:20
      +49

      Impolitely tell them that you didn't like the look of it either and that is why you sold it.

      • jv on 04/04/2019 - 10:25
        +17

        …and that you bought it with Paypal from another seller on Gumtree that didn't like the look of it.

        • Member 0230 on 05/04/2019 - 12:37

          Lol, jv you’re on fire today!

        • goms on 05/04/2019 - 16:28

          …and advice him to sell it on Gumtree like what you have done when you didn't like the look of it.

          vicious cycle continues…

    • AustriaBargain on 05/04/2019 - 18:31

      I wouldn't even reply to them.

  • AdamFury on 04/04/2019 - 10:34
    +2

    Yeah I wouldn't give into it. You've got (presumably) tracking info. Now you have proof that the buyer wants to return it simply because they don't like "how it looks".

  • Schema on 04/04/2019 - 10:37
    +10

    Ignore them and move on.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2019 - 10:44
    -2

    Strange you needed to throw in $80 worth of free stuff with the item to make sure the customer was happy. If you have 100% faith in what you are selling then there's no need to throw in free stuff to make up for anything…

    • billybilly81 on 04/04/2019 - 10:59
      +4

      Not strange at all…. I was selling a golf driver without head cover, I got the head as a free replacement and decided that $80 of my money (for a head cover and tool) was worth getting a $450 return on the product that I got for $0 (as a replacement).

      • Never Pay RRP on 05/04/2019 - 12:42

        Just curious (and not insinuating any wrongdoing at all), how did you get a free replacement that you didn't need?

        • macrocephalic on 05/04/2019 - 17:12

          Just speculating: it broke, he went and bought a new item straight away - then got a replacement for the broken one.

  • foxmulder on 04/04/2019 - 10:44

    I don't know thevalue if item is but from postage cost valueperhaps just offer $30-40 partial refund and move on.

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 04/04/2019 - 10:53
    +11

    Tell the buyer to foxtrot oscar - caveator emptor goes both ways.

    • billybilly81 on 04/04/2019 - 11:00

      Foxtrot Oscar, I love it!

  • Topdog on 04/04/2019 - 10:58
    +2

    Gumtree is buyer beware,Pay pal will side with you, (profanity) him

  • CyberMurning on 04/04/2019 - 11:02

    2 mistakes. Accept PayPal and posting item.
    Game over….

  • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2019 - 11:11
    +3

    PalPay is the safest method - if you get scammed scotty will refund you.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2019 - 14:36
      +2

      What if scammed by Scotty? I'm still waiting for my EneCoins…

  • GG57 on 04/04/2019 - 11:16

    I'm actually unclear about the buyer wants. OP states that "…he's not sold on the looks/doesn't like the way it looks…"

    Has the buyer asked for a refund, or to return the goods, or maybe a partial refund?

    • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2019 - 14:37
      +1

      The buyer sounds like a typical entitled prick. If you try to understand every, or even a few, entitled minds, you're going to need a "holiday" at your friendly local institution.

  • nimnomnimy on 04/04/2019 - 11:25
    +1

    as long as you kept the tracking numbers, if they file a paypal dispute then just provide the tracking number.
    paypal doesnt offer buyer protection for gumtree
    keep any communications you have had with them just in case you need it.

    i wouldnt refund them sierra hotel india tango.

    • brendanm on 04/04/2019 - 22:06
      +1

      I can tell you from experience that gumtree does offer buyer protection on gumtree. I had someone try to scam me out of a camera lens, had to get onto the financial services ombudsman to get my money back from PayPal.

    • dojomojo on 05/04/2019 - 12:48

      Won't help if the buyer does a credit
      card chargeback…

  • JimmyF on 04/04/2019 - 11:32

    A day later, I get a message saying he's not sold on the looks/doesn't like the way it looks

    Second hand item….. No change of mind

  • thatonethere on 04/04/2019 - 12:15

    You should be fine to ignore them but they could still try and raise a dispute. Check out this Whirlpool thread which turned out ok in the end for the seller https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2696712

  • Yummy on 04/04/2019 - 12:18

    … Everything was going well and customer was excited when received.

    A day later, I get a message saying he's not sold on the looks/doesn't like the way it looks.

    So your customer first sent you a happy message then later not a happy message?

    O_o;

    Sorry to be blunt but tell em to F off.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2019 - 14:38
      +1

      Sorry not sorry.

      • Yummy on 04/04/2019 - 15:51
        +1

        Was trying to be polite… and civilize. :p

  • jackofspade on 04/04/2019 - 12:27
    +2

    On another note, starting next month paypal will no longer refund their fees when you issue a refund.

    • Matwin23 on 04/04/2019 - 13:07

      Really! is that what was in their recently updated terms of conditions… glad someone read it!
      That is really poor form though

  • elgrande on 04/04/2019 - 13:58
    +3

    Ahh yes, that is one hell of an ugly head Frankie ;)

    https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/wantirna/golf/titleist-ts3-b…?

  • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2019 - 14:07
    +1

    Accepting Paypal for Gumtree is a bit like accepting cash with a string attached to it.

  • Cave Fire on 04/04/2019 - 14:21

    These are almost ethical tests at times… I have been in the same position where postage is a bit more but you wear it. Let them know you are already out of pocket $80 and maybe send some pictures of the club from a website? You don't have to accept a change of mind return?

  • KBZ on 04/04/2019 - 14:36

    What driver head was it?

    • AdamFury on 04/04/2019 - 14:58

      Looks like it was

      "TITLEIST TS3 BRAND NEW 10.5 DEGREE, GOLF DRIVER (HEAD ONLY)."

      • KBZ on 04/04/2019 - 19:20

        If true damn, I would've bought that. Thats cheap OP.

        • tryagain on 04/04/2019 - 20:26
          +2

          Get OP to put you in contact with the buyer!

  • Peanut money on 04/04/2019 - 17:58
    +29

    Maybe the girlfriend purchased it for him and he thought it was overpriced

    You can always offer refund less postage costs and 50% restocking fee

    • elgrande on 04/04/2019 - 21:47

      Classic!

    • Bargain80 on 05/04/2019 - 14:23

      LOL. mystery solved. turned it it's not a butt plug

    • Zachary on 05/04/2019 - 15:01

      Hahahahaha ….so it wasn't off facebook at all, but rather gumtree! That lying son of bitch! hahaha

  • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2019 - 21:32
    +1

    You're a private seller, not a store. Buyer's remorse over "how it looks" is not your problem. Do not refund. The sale is over and done.

    Also in the future Gumtree is cash-only, no-postage. Too many scams and some are subtle. PayPal is good for buyers. It's terrible for sellers.

    I've heard even direct debit is no certainty.

  • jason101 on 04/04/2019 - 22:50
    +1

    People's perception of what is reasonable when buying anything these days has been influenced by the easy return culture being pushed by eBay and Amazon.

    1st time in my life (business transaction) today I have a change of mind return via eBay which eBay automatically approved on my behalf and permitted the buyer to return post the item to me (hence I must refund in full) - ie At best I lose the postage component I have expended in sending the item to the buyer.

    Last weekend I sold something on Facebook marketplace. Typical buyer comes over checks out the item, haggles a price, pays cash, takes item - the buyer messaged me the next day insisting he had reviewed the item and determined it didn't meet some of his specifications, he was genuinely puzzled and surprised when I asked him "are you serious?" and refused to provide a refund. He genuinely thought I was compelled to give him a refund for a change of mind return ON FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE !!

  • gimme on 04/04/2019 - 23:28

    Gumtree. Meet on neutral ground as much as possible cash only. Approx 50+ transactions with no dramas. And yea never sell anything on ebay.

    • GregMonarch on 05/04/2019 - 03:26

      Why - has ebay changed? Last I knew, you could list items as pick up only - and that meant you could also request payment by cash only. (Before that sellers HAD to allow paypal but that was years ago. Has it changed back again?)

      • gimme on 05/04/2019 - 09:57

        Don't know but I don't like ebay. High fees and Paypal option etc. If it's going to be pickup, gumtree/mketplace are a much better option anyway.

        • GregMonarch on 05/04/2019 - 16:15

          Oh, ok. ebay has free listing days and no final value fees days. But yes, I tend to avoid ebay too just out of INGRAINED HABIT thanks to ebay's own foolishness driving me/us away. They spent years irritating people with their illogical changes - so now they have to do free days to try and counter that. (They should just change it back to when ebay was more of a community and they wouldn't have to. Goodness knows enough of their customers warned them in their own forum, but no - they always knew better. So people went looking for alternatives.)

          Anyway, if someone lists items on fee-free/no final value promotion days, and selects local pickup only, which means they can say no to painpal, it's the same as gumtree for someone with no preference. No way to claw back the money - only leave bad feedback (which ebay has destroyed too, LOL).

  • Alan Fartridge on 05/04/2019 - 07:09
    +1

    PayPal has covered Gumtree with buyer protection for ages now. Fortunately it doesn't cover change of mind though so you will be fine. The only way they'll won the claim is by fraudulently claiming "not as described" in which case they will need to return the item (at their expense) for a full refund. You will lose the original shipping cost.

  • Excelsior on 05/04/2019 - 09:41

    Rule #1 of Scumtree - cash on delivery and nothing else.

  • Micko179 on 05/04/2019 - 09:52

    I sell quite a bit of stuff on Gumtree & provide various Services (STRICTLY CASH ONLY). Although I have mates who accept PayPal mostly without incident, I just prefer not to have any hassles & if they've got any issues with what they bought from me bring it back to me & talk face to face or if I've done a wrap or key programming etc I'll go to them.

  • M1ndFu7 on 05/04/2019 - 10:56

    If you ever accept a refund, watch out for the returned item. There are plenty counterfeit golf drivers out there. make sure he did not switch it for a fake.

  • happirt on 05/04/2019 - 13:11

    im guessing this was a direct payment or did you go through gumtrees paypal payment system (did u send payment to his email address directly ?) also it depends on what the status of the paypal transaction if still pending or unclaimed

  • Bargain80 on 05/04/2019 - 13:31
    -1

    Quickly withdraw any money from your Paypal wallet and unlink any bank account or credit card on your Paypal

    • dojomojo on 05/04/2019 - 14:56

      Paypal will put your account balance into the negatives and will then sell your debt to a debt collection agency. Your credit rating may also be affected.

      • Zachary on 05/04/2019 - 15:03

        I don't think he cares….or paypal would bother…..

  • Never Pay RRP on 05/04/2019 - 14:20

    Now, correct me if I'm wrong but you should know how something looks before purchasing something, right?

    You are absolutely right! How lazy is this buyer if they didn't even bother to research what it looked like beforehand?
    Don't refund it

  • cloudy on 05/04/2019 - 21:03

    Gotta take cash on hand on gumtree. And gotta make sure your happy with what you take if you buy. No second chances.

  • HeWhoKnows on 05/04/2019 - 22:23
    +1

    Minor technically in the way the payment was here;
    PayPal says:
    "PayPal Buyer Protection does not apply to payments made through Gumtree"

    Now…..
    1. Did OP ask for payment with PayPal via Gumtree OR
    2. Did OP send the buyer a Paypal invoice OR
    3. Did the buyer initiate payment as payment for goods?

    The first method is not covered by PayPal Buyer protection.
    But it seems the other 2 methods are - correct me if Im wrong.

    So buyers should use methods 2 and 3.
    and Sellers should use method 1

    • xuqi on 06/04/2019 - 00:15

      No, everyone should use Method 4 with Gumtree:

      Four: Cash only & in-person in a secure or public area.

  • AdamFury on 09/04/2019 - 15:05
    +2

    Any update on this!? I'm invested in the story now.

  • JoniJoni on 18/04/2019 - 10:57

    I have just been scammed by a buyer on Gumtree and have now unlinked my Paypal account from there. She opened a claim to say item was defective ( it was a boxed vinyl ornament toy and definitely new and not defective in any way) and paypal ruled in their favour even though 5 photos did not show damage or defects! BEWARE.

  • jackthefrost on 01/11/2019 - 21:08
    -2

    Always deal in cash

    • Chickenleg on 02/11/2019 - 16:43

      OP hasn’t logged in since June, he’s probably forgotten all about asking for advice.

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