Refunds?

[moxiepuppy.livejournal.com]

So somebody purchased something from me and I shipped it out via PayPal/eBay shipping.
Turns our usps asked for COD collect on delivery. This person has been extremely rude the entire time I've dealt with them and now they want a refund.
Is it scummy to not refund shipping because I did ship the package and usps fucked up?
I offered to reship it once I got it back, but they just want their money. So I'll end up loosing money if I refund with shipping.

Thoughts? I don't want to be a scumbag about this but I can't really afford loosing money. Thanks :/


Edit: Worked it out. Thanks everybody! I apparently used a flat rate express box and didn't realize it. I'm surprised they didn't just go by the actual shipping label, and went by the box instead but I don't ship that often. Going to refund them the total amount when I get my package back in my hand. Thanks everybody for the advice!

Comments

[alisea.livejournal.com]

Do you have proof they were asked to pay again? This seems a bit odd as I have not even seen cod as an option I a very long time...I would say buyer needs to take it up with usps and get a refund from them if it's their error not yours imo.

[breakspire.livejournal.com]

why did they want more payment? did you weigh the package incorrectly? that's the only time I've heard of them wanting more money, if the shipper paid for a lower weight.

if that was the case then yeah you owe them a full refund with shipping, since it was your error

[bigblued.livejournal.com]

Refund it all. Yes you shipped the package, yes, USPS messed it up. But the customer has done nothing that would warrant them being out of the money either. It's one of the costs of doing business. Eat the cost, learn from it, and move on.

However, do not refund one cent until the package is back in your hands.

[feropup.livejournal.com]

Have the provide a receipt from USPS for the supposed COD.

If they can provide a receipt, then refund them. You made an error and they had to pay. They might be annoying, but their complaint is legit.

If they cannot provide a receipt, then they might trying to scam you. You need to then look and see if they are someone you want to keep as a customer. If you don't mind losing their business from now on, then tell them to try to scam someone else, and that you fulfilled your end of the contract. If you want to keep them, then bite the bullet and refund them.

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

As for a receipt. I'm confused how they were issued a COD, because from my experience that's something you have to initiate before you ship it. It sounds like they're trying to scam you. If you have a tracking number for the item, you can also call USPS and ask about it.

[ljmydayaway.livejournal.com]

If you were shipping to the US and USPS decided you underpaid, then they will try to charge the receiver for the excess shipping costs. The buyer should have contacted you and (in my opinion) you should have fronted the extra cost (after verifying this with USPS).

If you were shipping the item internationally, such as to Canada, then the amount they were being charged was due to Customs/Duty fees and not due to your error. If this is the case, then I would not refund them the shipping costs.

Basically, if it's your error, you eat the shipping costs. If it's them being ignorant, they eat the shipping costs.

I hope you contacted USPS to verify this.

[tylociraptor.livejournal.com]

It doesn't sound as much like a scam as much as potentially, buyers remorse.

As for customs/duty, that typically happens when you deal with fedex or other courier companies- I've never had duty fees on anything I have received from standard mail!

If I were you, I would wait until you receive the item back in the mail, and make sure like others have said, that there is some marking to indicate that it was sent back, like insufficient postage, and refund MINUS the shipping costs.

[jakejynx.livejournal.com]

Since you did it through eBay: was it in the listing that refunds would be minus shipping cost? If not, well... probably going to have to refund the shipping cost. If you didn't actually have a listinglisting and you're saying you just used PayPal to ship... Hm. It would kind of depend. I would try calling USPS with the tracking number to find out more about it. If it was something you messed up on, yeah, you should probably refund.

[moxiepuppy.livejournal.com]

I sold them my old wacom tablet, and I shipped it flat rate box, which is guaranteed up to 70lbs.
Sorry I know this isn't really 'artist' but I figured people might have a good idea.

I think its buyers remorse tbh. They're now saying they need the money for their sister's chemo.

[teekchan.livejournal.com]

Do not give them any money until you get the item back.
COD is pretty sketchy as an excuse. It's likely customs fees and they werent aware of them. These can get pretty high.

Or, they may be trying to keep the item and the money.

[hawaiian rain (from livejournal.com)]

OK, with ebay, they get the entire purchase price back. Item plus original shipping regardless of what your auction states. This is part of the eBay protection bs program. There is no as-is, all sales final, no returns, no refunds. This is the crap part about ebay. You will be accepting those returns, like it or not. Secondly, if this lovely fella 'Refused' the package he has voided the eBay protection guarantee. I will believe if a case is opened the seller should win this one hands down as long as tracking shows it. Third, you are not required to refund his shipping back to you.

COD. Sounds ultra 'odd' to me unless an error in the label OR a USPS flat rate envelope was used. They are cracking down on those folks who use those trying to cram items that don't actually go in there for that small of a size. You stated you shipped in a box. So....

Anywho really wondering what that tracking says! Last of all, like a few folks have stated, do not refund until your item is back with you.

Quick question, did your buyer open a case up against you?