seller agreed discount for multiple purchases but has now said no

[pinkandred]

I purchased 3 identical items from an ebay business seller. I asked for a discount whilst buying 3 and the seller agreed and gave me an email address and said to pay via paypal.

I proceeded with the order on ebay and when I got to the checkout the amount requested was the full amount. I couldnt alter this manually so I paid the full amount and then messaged the seller to explain this and asked him to refund me the amount that he had agreed to discount.

He has emailed me back to say that I cannot have the discount as I have paid via paypal on ebay. Apparantly what he wanted me to do was to go into my paypal a/c without going through ebay and pay him directly so he could avoid ebay fees.

Now, as far as I know, that is against the rules. And I didnt know this is what he meant. He is now refusing me the discount and has been quite rude in his replies and is saying that he made it clear and that I have misunderstood.

As a result, I have asked him to cancel the order (it was only made 2 hrs ago) but he is saying it is too late because it has been packaged and dispatched.

What should I do? I do need the items that Ive ordered, but I was going to go to another seller on principal for what he has done. However, if the items turn up, I will have to have them and will have bought them on the understanding that I was getting a discount when in fact I havent.

[SecretCervix]

That is against the rules, deliberately trying to avoid ebay fees.

[SecretCervix]

Definitely speak to ebay about this. Open case etc.

[fergoose]

he should have sent them in 3 separate parcels if he refused to combine

and yes, he is avoiding ebay fees - you can report him to ebay using the reply he has given you

plus you can leave 3 neg feedbacks and low stars, and if you leave them 8 days apart they will count as 3, leave all on the same day they will only count as 1.

[pinkandred]

Thanks for replies. I am definitely considering leaving negative feedback. The thing that worries me though is that if I report him for trying to avoid ebay fees, this person has my address. And, I am also selling some items on ebay at the moment. I would be a bit worried about him getting back at me in some way.

[fergoose]

add them to your blocked bidder list - and if they harass you in any way go to the police. don't let fear stop you reporting them - what are they going to do? Not likely to come knocking are they.

[pinkandred]

I have just messaged him and offered him the opportunity to cancel the order and issue full refund by 5pm (I dont think they've been packaged and posted so quickly) or else I will have no alternative but to report to ebay.

[fergoose]

If you log into paypal now you can open a dispute in the resolution centre for your payment - you can't escalate straight away, but as long as you don't sign for a parcel from this seller, you will get your money refunded once the case has been escalated in paypal.

[pinkandred]

Thanks Fergoose

He's just replied and agreed to cancel the transaction & do a full refund. And, he said he's not at all bothered because there is a big demand for what he is selling and I wont get a better price any where else.

Purely because of his tone I think I am going to report him to ebay anyway for trying to get away without paying ebay fees. What do you think?

[fergoose]

Yep I would report him - and if he sends you a cancellation request for the transaction you can refuse it, then he won't get his fees back plus you will still be able to leave feedback. Just make sure you get your refund back.

[pinkandred]

Thanks Fergoose. Ive checked paypal & he's done a full refund. Thanks for all your help.

ps, he's right though about him being the cheapest around. Still, I'd rather pay a couple of pounds more to someone else now just on the principal of what he's doing.

[fergoose]

He may send you a cancellation request within ebay too - wanting to claim his fees back.

[TinyDancingHoofer]

Hey OP, for future reference if you agree a discount with a seller, they can send you an amended invoice that goes through ebay. Rather than you pay full amount and get a partial refund.

[pinkandred]

thanks tiny

[Pinot]

pinkandred - can you link what he sells please? I'd like to know to avoid him. Thanks.

fergoose - GREAT tip about waiting 8 days to make the negs count individually!