All Sales Final or Refund???

**InspectorGadget** · 01-21-2004, 03:32 AM

It's 2 AM and I am faced with a dilemma.

I received an inquiry about a pair of used skis I had listed in the swap forum. Initially, the buyer inquired only about the price; I responded with a price and information about condition. We exchanged PM's, emails and spoke on the phone once.

I have never dealt with this person before; but, from our exchanges and his numerous postings, I believed then, as now, that he is a long time skier and has better than average product knowledge.

Ordinarily I would sell a ski or snowboard on an "all sales final" basis, but this person seemed to know the ski and never inquired about the dimensions or graphics. We agreed on a price and he sent me the money. I received a PM from the buyer after the skis arrived and he stated that he thought he was getting a different (fatter) version of the ski.

Well, they never made a fat and fatter version of this particular model ski. The buyer knows he goofed, but he wants to return the skis.

Do I tell him "I'm sorry, all sales are final" or do I give him a refund?

**Twoplanker** · 01-21-2004, 03:52 AM

Refund. Yeah, mebbe he screwed up, but we're all Maggots here and we've got to keep the karmic wheel of brobrah spinning.

Do you really want him to be dissatisfied? Just undo the sale and sell them to someone else.

**Samwich** · 01-21-2004, 04:09 AM

Tough situation, because it isn't easy to get rid of skis at this time of year. I vote give him a refund.

I also vote that whoever the buyer is should recognize that you refunding his money is a big favor to a stranger, and should repay that generosity by throwing you enough money for a twelve pack or something for your troubles.

Just my two cents... but i agree with 2planker. We're all friends here, for the most part, and it's all about spreading the stoke. Personally, I'd feel bad about someone being dissapointed, even if it is their own fault... tough call man.

**spanky** · 01-21-2004, 08:53 AM

I'd vote to refund the guy his money. But, he should cover your expenses to ship the skis to him and maybe through you a few bucks for your inconvenience. Also, if you decide to refund the money, make sure you do it after you receive the skis back.
________
Yamaha DT100

**acostiga** · 01-21-2004, 08:54 AM

make the buyer pay for the return shipping costs, and then shoot the hostage.

**altagirl** · 01-21-2004, 09:06 AM

You shouldn't have to take them back, but it would be nice of you to do it. Buyer should pay shipping costs for sure.

**phUnk** · 01-21-2004, 09:11 AM

Originally posted by acostiga
make the buyer pay for the return shipping costs, and then shoot the hostage.

I like this guy!

**Mcwop** · 01-21-2004, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by acostiga
make the buyer pay for the return shipping costs, and then shoot the hostage.

"Leave the gun; take the skis." - ClemenzaSkier

http://www.mikerisolisgodfatherpage.com/clemenza.JPG

**Oslo T. Norway** · 01-21-2004, 09:38 AM

They should also pay your shipping.
But don't kill the hostage, cut off a finger
and mail it to them.

**Beaver** · 01-21-2004, 11:28 AM

I dunno IG. If you passed on any other opportunities to sell the ski because it was already spoken for/sold then I would not be too keen to suck it up and return the cash. If no other opportunities arose you are out a bit of time if you refund him. If the later was the case you might consider returning them with a buyer pays shipping and a box of beer policy. Having dealt with you I can assume there was no pressure to hurry up and make up his mind as I know I took about a month to decide on which skis I wanted for the wifey and never felt you were getting impatient. He could probably find a buyer himself and come out alright if he got a deal like I got. I wouldn't be too keen to refund him (I probably would have already spent the cash). The skis are only depreciating as they get older. Tough call.

**tuffy109** · 01-21-2004, 11:33 AM

do you have anything else that he wants?

**lph** · 01-21-2004, 11:35 AM

Really tough call.

I agree with all of what beaver said. Especially the fact that now that we are in mid-season, you are going to have more difficulty selling them and they have depreciated.

That being said, i would refund him the money and agree he is responsible for all shipping costs and that he should throw you something for your troubles.

**InspectorGadget** · 01-21-2004, 12:28 PM

Originally posted by Beaver
If you passed on any other opportunities to sell the ski because it was already spoken for/sold then I would not be too keen to suck it up and return the cash.

Part of what I'm struggling with is that I did have someone that wanted the skis and I told him they were sold. Unfortunately, I didn't have anything else he wanted and, as a result, I didn't keep his contact info.

Originally posted by tuffy109
do you have anything else that he wants?

I asked, I don't have another ski he wants.

To make matters worse, these were my associates personal skis and I'm sure he won't be too happy about hearing the deal went south. I want to do right by any buyer, but I also don't want a revolving door. If I were to charge a restocking fee - as it were - what do you think is fair?

Thanks for the feedback,

IG

**splat** · 01-21-2004, 12:31 PM

Originally posted by lph
Really tough call.

I agree with all of what beaver said. Especially the fact that now that we are in mid-season, you are going to have more difficulty selling them and they have depreciated.

That being said, i would refund him the money and agree he is responsible for all shipping costs and that he should throw you something for your troubles.

Since I was the one hallucinating about the dimensions, thinking the ski would be fatter than it was (I have no idea what ski I was thinking of, obviously) and have offered to pay shipping and reimburse IG for his trouble, I'll go with whatever you guys think. I thought VSR's were fatter than what I got and simply proposed a return and a 'for your trouble' fee. Of course, being the oversensitive type, I look and feel like a JONG, but I've looked and felt like much worse.

**Hunterski** · 01-21-2004, 12:50 PM

Take the skis back, but they should have to pay all shipping, restocking fee, cleaning fee, Gas money, inconvienence fee, utility fees, port fees, late charge and any other crap you want to throw in there. My calculations say this should add up to be.... about $129.95 more than he paid for the stupid things.

**iceman** · 01-21-2004, 12:50 PM

I say it's an honest mistake, and ask if you really want an an unhappy customer out there.

I suppose this would be a good use for the poll function (pretty much the first good use I've seen).

**Pinner** · 01-21-2004, 12:56 PM

Originally posted by splat
I look and feel like a JONG, but I've looked and felt like much worse.

http://www.back-pack.org/ninja/PM/up...toners.tif.jpg

**board** · 01-21-2004, 12:57 PM

WOW Splat it was you !!!??? boy i'll never look at him the same way again
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**Buzzworthy** · 01-21-2004, 01:04 PM

Ask yourself what other maggots have done for each other and continually do for each other. Your answer lies within.

**tuffy109** · 01-21-2004, 01:04 PM

oh, it's splat? i wouldn't take 'em back then.

**Beaver** · 01-21-2004, 01:23 PM

Originally posted by Pinner
http://www.back-pack.org/ninja/PM/up...toners.tif.jpg

BWAA HAAA HAHAA

**InspectorGadget** · 01-21-2004, 03:43 PM

Originally posted by iceman
I suppose this would be a good use for the poll function (pretty much the first good use I've seen).

Oddly enough, I seriously thought about doing a poll. But I didn't want the discussion sidetracked by whether we should poll or not.

Okay, maybe the stars and moon are in alignment. I just received an email from a guy in the Big Sky state inquiring about the skis . . . my fingers are crossed.

splat ,

I really, really, really want you to be happy in your dealings with me. I know it was an honest mistake, but I likewise don't know what's fair and reasonable. You tell me and I'm good with it.

I'm hoping this other guy comes through and I can have you ship the skis directly to him. That would be good for all of us.

IG

**Henry Rollins** · 01-21-2004, 05:00 PM

http://www.comedyinmotion.com/images/gadget.jpg

If there is a problem in your town
Go gadget now
If you’re in trouble
There is no doubt
He’ll work it out.

Inspector gadget
Oh, if you knew the crime
You’re gonna do the time
Inspector gadget
Oh
When his on the case
You better hide your face
Inspector gadget
Oh, the city’s only savior
Inspector gadget
Oh, he’s number one.

**1080Rider** · 01-21-2004, 05:13 PM

My thinking was to find another person interested in the skis and sell them again. I guess that would be a three-way. Then you could say, "yeah, me and splat were in a three way last month." I think you both will work it out. In the mean time, put those bastards in the ski swap section.