> So what would you guys do?

Precisely because of nonsense like you're going through with this guy, I dropped both ebay and Paypal months ago. Couldn't deal with all the aggravation. One way or another, this will end up costing -you- money. Screw that, screw ebay, and screw Paypal.

What I did was, I stopped playing in their casino. Don't kid yourself, you work for the House... and the House always wins! The fees are stacked in their favor. To them, -you- can be replaced!

John

That's a tough one....sorry to hear this is happening. Maybe you can contact the buyer through eBay asking him to send a pic of the damage for you to see what's happened. It's like now you have to take video of the cymbal/cymbals or any item for that matter, as you're boxing and taping it shut and handing it to the deliverer to have a record of it's condition before it was sent to the buyer. (It's just getting ridiculous) Maybe have insurance charges also to protect the items value for these issues. I'm not certain what I'd do either but keep on good terms with the buyer until you both have a reasonable agreement. I don't know how, but maybe you can get in touch with eBay and or find out if this buyer has a record of receiving so called, damaged items/previous cases of this matter. Being that he's a seller of vintage cymbals there's bound to be a couple...so yeah, tough one...Wish you luck..

Mikey, I'm approaching on 500 feedback and there are some buyers out there that are P.I.T.A's, they live to do that. They buy from you at a low price, then try to flip it higher. If you listed everything, had pictures provided and were as fair as you could be, I'd tell them to send them back at their expense (until eBay makes it mandatory for Seller to pay return shipping, I make the Buyers cough it up) refund all their money and block them. When you block them, make a list of who you block and why, so when they ask you have a reply.

Mike,

backbeatkeeper and Olimpass are spot on. Probably the best thing is to try to keep the buyer happy without completely caving in to his scam.

Actually, John probably has the best advice but in my situation my "market" area is so small eBay and Paypal are necessary evils.

I have over 300 feedback, and to this point still 100% positive. I have had a few, however (5 or 6), where I had to offer a small (usually $5 and no more than $10) refunds. Two specific issues where I DID NOT offer money back stick out in my mind, both involving items that I specifically pointed out obvious negative issues with the items and were selling them as "B" grade parts and "as is." Sometimes there's people out there that don't seem to be able to read, or can't seem to comprehend "this is not in good condition and I can't use this on any of my projects." I guess you might ask why I try to sell stuff like this, but there are a lot of "players" out there that just need something to get them by and are more concerned with functionality instead of looks...

Anway, good luck. I had to actually discuss one of the above issues with a customer service rep at eBay. I presented my "side" of the story, and believe-it-or-not that was the end of it. I don't know if the buyer tried to hit me with negative feedback and eBay stopped it, or if after that he never tried the negative feedback; I just know it never showed up.

My biggest problem with eBay, however, has been dead-beat buyers. I've had more winning bidders just simply NEVER pay for an item and seem to dissappear than I've had unhappy buyers. And, don't know if you knew it or not, but eBay now does NOT allow sellers to post negative feedback about buyers. I'm not sure where the "fairness" is in that policy....

Again, good luck.

Bill

im at the 500 mark also on feed back 100 % some people want it for free when they dictate to me i offer a end of transaction and if they get crappy i save the emails and ebay looks at them and if there badgering they loose if there is a problem i offer returns and they pay shipping cymbals can be replaced take pics of stamping color so as not to fall for the thieves on feebay

So i went ahead and emailed them.I asked for photos of the cymbal and box.They said that they would email me photos of the cymbal but could not of the box because a "worker" toss the box out in the trash..A funnt thing is that a member on this forum won one of these cymbals who lives in CT iam in cal the buyer also lives in cal about 500 miles from me.The member who is in CT got his cymbal with no problems i used the same box type same packing..Also in my listing i put good photos of the cymbals also on this forum..So iam thinking this Ebayer is trying to rip me off over the shipping cost...On Ebay i have over 800 feedback qith 99.2% the last Heg. feedback i got was not even for a drum part...Mikey

FYI Mikey, when I have something delivered at work, I inform my co-workers and if there is ANY damage to the box, I take photos of it. Just in case.

Hold your ground, tell them to ship it back and there cost and provide a full refund less the shipping back. If you note that on your auctions, you're covered.

I got into a HUGE disagreement and ultimately eBay stepped in. I told the person to send the item back at his cost and I would refund it, he kept holding out for a "discount". I told him no discounts, only refunds, but you ship back on your dime. I ultimately won the case with eBay, as he didn't ship it after they told him to. He left a negative feedback before he opened the case with eBay. I had eBay remove the feedback after a phone call.

Ebay is heavy laden with fees and sometimes a hassle, but if you have all your ducks laid out correctly (read:description like a lawyer did it) it can be profitable.

Those who know me personally also know that I rarely back down when I know I've done the right thing.......

Good Luck

I have to chime in on this one........I'm a new newie on EB, but I pride myself on my reputation. When I buy, I pay right away. when I sell I try to describe as best I can. I only have 32 stars, however I ran into a guy in Germany that gave me nuetral feedback, and made a nasty comment about me and ebay does not give you an opportunity to defend your self, what happens as I see it, the buyer gives you feedback, you can comment on his feedback, however the buyer has the last word and can comment on your comment, after that its done. I sold a zenjian cymbal, it measured 12.5" when I got it, I assumed older cymbals came in odd sizes, the buyer insisted I cut the cymbal down. we went back and forth, I was always nice about it, and even offered to take the cymbal back, but when I said he pays for shipping he flipped out. I ended up giving him a discount and he still was not happy. because of that I no longer offer international shipping, sorry this is somewhat off topic, but Mikey, maybe you will see some lesson here.