I'm in the middle of a quagmire with a buyer at Half.com and I simply wanted to get some feedback on it from other forum members.

I sold a DVD listed in "Like New" condition, that had been viewed once. The buyer contacted me to let me know that they had received it and that the inner hub of the case was broken and that the DVD wouldn't stay in place. I asked if the DVD was alright and they responded that they hadn't tried to play it yet. I got the feeling that I was dealing with a DVD newbie. They replied that the disc played fine, but they wanted to return it to me and get a refund because the case was broken. I informed them that replacement cases are easily available at any electronics or computer store, or that if you ask nicely, the folks at Blockbuster will give them to you. They responded that they shouldn't have to get a new case. So, I offered to send them a case, with me paying the shipping fee. Once again, they refused, stating that they didn't know how to transfer the cover art. I stated that offering a new case was my final offer. I just got a message from the buyer stating that they've filed a complaint with Half.com over this purchase. They wrote "I do not want to try to install the media in a new case, as I really do not see how that can be done. " I responded that I understood their concern, but my offer of a replacement case was more than fair.

So, what does everyone think of this? Was I wrong to not issue a refund?

I think you were right, but unfortunately half.com will always side with the buyer. This is also a very fortunate situation if you are the buyer. The sad reality is that people will try to take advantage of the situation. Your best bet is to make the refund conditional that the item is returned in the condition it was sent. Once you receive it back, if it looks good, issue the refund, if not negotiate with half.com - You also have to look at the big picture. Will the negative feedback affect you? Keep in mind people will read the feedback but won't get the whole story. If you know what I mean...

Maybe suggest the buyer return the item for you to "install the media in a new case" ? It might be more trouble than it's worth, though, since this buyer sounds a little "half.com" himself.

I agree that it sounds like the buyer is trying to take advantage of you. Tell them to send it back to you, and your 4 year old daughter will "install the new media" for them. Let half.com sort it out, and hopefully they will side with you after you have explained the whole situation and what you offered to remedy the problem.

"install the media in a new case"

That's great. Wow...

Either the buyer is taking advantage of you or they are mentally retarded.

The buyer just wanted a rental, tell them to go to Blockbuster next time.

I am surprised they didn't ask for directions on how to use the DVD player too!

Thanks a lot for the feedback guys! It's made me feel much better. And since you enjoy it so much, here's some more nuggets from the buyer.

"I want this movie to be in an original case so that when the time comes that my daughter does not want it any longer that I may re-sell it."

Hmm...that's interesting...


"My daughter has been waiting to watch this movie and I keep putting her off because I want to return it. It has been very hard, as she has waited for this and we all were so excited. It has not been played other then by me putting it in to see if it played the other day."

You won't let the kid watch it because the tab is broken?

"I do not have any DVD's that have the tab broken in the center, so am unsure of how common it is as we are very careful with our video items. "

Welcome to the world of DVDs.

Was it a snapper case or something special?

That's insane he won't let his daughter watch it because the case is supposedly damaged.

With a kid in the house, bull****

No, that's the point. It was a standard keepcase. Who amongst hasn't had to replace at least one keepcase because the center hub broke? And who amongst us couldn't figure out how to slide the art into the new case?

I agree with Neiname. This person wanted to watch the movie and return it, despite the fact that they claim that they haven't shown it to their daughter yet.

This is just a jerk wanting a free lunch at seller's expense. I suggest you leave the appropriate feedback so other seller's like myself will be weary when dealing with a person like this. This guy must be some moron if he doesn't know how to transfer amaray..or an even bigger moron if he expects someone to believe his story.

I recently sold a DVD to some guy in Australia. He chose the 4-6 week mailing option and is complaining that it's been 3 whole weeks and he hasn't gotten it yet. That's why I keep all receipt and tracking info more 6 months to prevent something like this.

dumb people shouldn't have kids

I used to make a living on eBay and I got so fed up I quited when a fellow seller was giving me more trouble it was worth. Between stupid customers and unfair sellers the only one making big money was eBay

Well, boc4ever was right. Half.com sided with the buyer. But, here's the bad part. They NEVER contacted me to get my side of the story. I got an e-mail stating that the buyer had been authorized to return the item and that my account was being debited, the day that the DVD came back in the mail. Of course, I fired off an angry e-mail to Half.com alerting them that they had just allowed me to get used so that some twit could have a free rental, but I doubt that will change anything. I've always liked half.com in the past, but I can't trust a company that will let honest sellers get screwed.

That's how half.com works- the buyer will always win on a complaint.

Not to worry, Half.com is on its way out, so by this time next year it will be "Buy Now" on eBay, or nothing.

I am a huge seller on half.com so I know the seller side of the story.

I once bought a disc listed in "Brand New" conditition, yet it had scratches on the box, the shrink wrap had been removed. It definitely looked used, although the disc seemed to play OK. My problem was that if I buy a DVD in "brand new" condition, I don't expect all these defects.

I wrote the buyer back and gave him negative feedback. I decided not to even send the disc back since it wasn't worth all the hassle!

I see a lot of stuff overrated on Half.com The easiest ones to spot are former rental VHS tapes in "Like New" condition.

I sold an OOP DVD once and the buyer claimed he did not receive it. When I forwarded the delivery confirmation to prove that he did receive it, he claimed that he meant that he received an empty box.

I went back and forth with Half.com as I seemed to get a different CSR every 2 emails. They couldn't deny the delivery confirmation so they told the buyer to return exactly what he got from me, packaging and all, and they would refund his money. Basically, they were taking the buyer's word against mine to wash their hands of it. They didn't even email me about their decision. I found it out when I got a package from the buyer (this time actually empty with del confirmation - not even the original box). I didn't open it, but could tell by shaking it that there was nothing (too light as well). I refused it so that the buyer couldn't get his refund and put a stop on my bank account for debits from Half.com. Suddenly, Half.com wants to talk about it now and asks for my delivery confirmation info again for the fourth time AND asks that I provide them with a valid bank account (yeah right).

It wasn't a loss as I don't plan to sell/buy anymore from them.

houtx67 that's exactly why I won't waste my money with Delivery confirmation as a seller on half.com. At least i'll save .40 cents if someone tries to screw me over since the seller alway's gets the short end of the stick on half.com. Buyer's like your's really take the incentive out of "Honest" online trading and just leave the kiddies and bootleggers to fill the void when honest traders call it quits.

That's why you print the label from online free delivery confirmation. Plus under a pound can just mail it from a dropbox.