So, for whatever reason, I've noticed a pattern on Amazon - anytime I sell one of the random Frank Lloyd Wright Books my aunts and grandparents have given me as gifts through the years, purchased from whatever mall bookstore was closest to their house, I usually end up having some sort of issue with the buyer.
Below, is a recent excerpt from a e-mail chain between me and one unhappy buyer who purchased a nearly new copy of "The collected Writings of Frank Lloyd Wright - Volume 4" for 11.95. In one of his pieces of correspondence, he notes:
"I'm uncomfortable with holding in my hands because of its condition".
While the condition of the book is nearly new, I was uncomfortable holding it for reasons other than it's condition.
Start at the bottom and work your way up...
What do y'all think - am I being fair here?
Dear ,
I assure you, if you send the book back to me, I'll promptly refund your money. I'm not about to steal your 12.00 and keep a 10 year old copy of a book I no longer wanted.
I understand your unhappy with the book - you will receive a full refund, plus the cost of USPS media mail shipping, once it's sent back to me.
For the record, this is not an argument because I agree that you are owed a refund because you are unhappy. I am ready and willing to refund your full purchase price, plus 4.00 for return shipping once I receive the book back.
Thanks,
Marlowe
***********
On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 6:55 PM, wrote:
Dear Sir,
with all due respect, I understand it's a matter of trust now, but you are asking me to send back your book and pay for shipping and all that with a hope that you might refund me afterwards. I did it once and received no refund, losing the book in addition.
I trusted you in the first place, why can't we take turns now? Otherwise, I cannot do it. We are arguing about the ridiculous sum, but for me it's a matter of principle and customer respect. If you don't want to make the refund before I send the book, please don't bother to write back.
***********
--- On Wed, 2/17/10, Marlowe wrote:
Please mail the book back to this address:
Once I receive the book, I'll reinburse you 4.00 via paypal for return shipping and refund you the cost of the book via amazon.com. USPS media mail should be less than 4.00 to ship the book back to me.
I've sold about 20 or so books on amazon and this is the first instance where my grading of the book was not accepted by the seller.
Thanks,
Marlowe
***********
On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 2:45 PM, wrote:
Dear Sir,
the $4.00 will not make the book's condition better or acceptable. When a seller gives an incorrect description, he's responsible, not the seller. It happened to me as well in the past, and I had to pay the price. Nobody would be satisfied with the item, if description was incorrect, not to say misleading. Imagine you buy an item in a box "as new", come home and find a dirty/damaged thing instead. Will you be satisfied with a refund of a 50% of what you paid, even if you keep it? I do not need the book I'm uncomfortable with holding in my hands because of its condition.
The $4.00 you are offering is enough to send your book back, and I'm ready to do it, If you also make the refund. You seem to be new to selling on Amazon, and it would help if you call their staff and ask about our case to protect your rating. Otherwise you will leave me no choice but take steps that I have already mentioned.
Sincerely,
***********
--- On Wed, 2/17/10, Marlowe wrote:
Hello,
I received your e-mail today about the Frank Lloyd Book you purchased from me on Amazon.
I apolgize that your dissatisfied with the condition of the book it has been siting in my bookshelf for the past 10 years and my feeling was that the book was in 'like new' condition since I don't think it was actually ever read or opened much.
Currently, the cheapest copy of this book listed for sale is 9.85 on Amazon.com. I see on your invoice that you paid 11.94 (7.95+shipping) which is a full 2.00 cheaper than any other copy of the book currently for sale.
I'll refund you 4.00 if your unhappy with the condition of the book. I received 8.00 from the sale of this so I'll split my earnings in half if you find this acceptable.
Thanks and please let me know how you'd like to proceed.
Did you tell them that it was signed in Cherokee Red by the fellow himself?....just joking as I recently been buggered by a book purchase ... and I might just have to give the fellow a visit.
You're having this dispute over a $12 book? Refund his account and tell him you'll pay shipping. Not worth getting an A to Z claim or having him give you a poor rating. Choose your battles. This one isn't a high stakes game.
If you're worried about your rating, send the money ahead. If not, F- it and him!
If you're more concerned with the typical business transaction, you are correct: you first resend anything that you've received and then you're refunded the money. That's normal business routine.
I'm with FP. Pick your battles. The fact that he played the "matters of principle" card over $12 suggests to me he's very young. When I was younger, I would be bothered by something like this, but since I've been through the ringer with work, health insurance, landlord disputes, student loans, bills, etc., dwelling over $12 is simply not worth the time and thought, no matter what "principles" are involved.
I mean, seriously...how bad can it be for 12 dollars. I wouldn't even write an email to complain if the book was in 'bad' shape. I'd say fuck it, I can read it, has all the pictures...I'm cool. Its only $12, wow. That can barely get me a pack of cigs....
Feb 18, 10 6:02 pm ·
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The Joys of selling used FLLW Books on Amazon
So, for whatever reason, I've noticed a pattern on Amazon - anytime I sell one of the random Frank Lloyd Wright Books my aunts and grandparents have given me as gifts through the years, purchased from whatever mall bookstore was closest to their house, I usually end up having some sort of issue with the buyer.
,
wrote:
wrote:
Below, is a recent excerpt from a e-mail chain between me and one unhappy buyer who purchased a nearly new copy of "The collected Writings of Frank Lloyd Wright - Volume 4" for 11.95. In one of his pieces of correspondence, he notes:
"I'm uncomfortable with holding in my hands because of its condition".
While the condition of the book is nearly new, I was uncomfortable holding it for reasons other than it's condition.
Start at the bottom and work your way up...
What do y'all think - am I being fair here?
Dear
I assure you, if you send the book back to me, I'll promptly refund your money. I'm not about to steal your 12.00 and keep a 10 year old copy of a book I no longer wanted.
I understand your unhappy with the book - you will receive a full refund, plus the cost of USPS media mail shipping, once it's sent back to me.
For the record, this is not an argument because I agree that you are owed a refund because you are unhappy. I am ready and willing to refund your full purchase price, plus 4.00 for return shipping once I receive the book back.
Thanks,
Marlowe
***********
On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 6:55 PM,
Dear Sir,
with all due respect, I understand it's a matter of trust now, but you are asking me to send back your book and pay for shipping and all that with a hope that you might refund me afterwards. I did it once and received no refund, losing the book in addition.
I trusted you in the first place, why can't we take turns now? Otherwise, I cannot do it. We are arguing about the ridiculous sum, but for me it's a matter of principle and customer respect. If you don't want to make the refund before I send the book, please don't bother to write back.
***********
--- On Wed, 2/17/10, Marlowe wrote:
Please mail the book back to this address:
Once I receive the book, I'll reinburse you 4.00 via paypal for return shipping and refund you the cost of the book via amazon.com. USPS media mail should be less than 4.00 to ship the book back to me.
I've sold about 20 or so books on amazon and this is the first instance where my grading of the book was not accepted by the seller.
Thanks,
Marlowe
***********
On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 2:45 PM,
Dear Sir,
the $4.00 will not make the book's condition better or acceptable. When a seller gives an incorrect description, he's responsible, not the seller. It happened to me as well in the past, and I had to pay the price. Nobody would be satisfied with the item, if description was incorrect, not to say misleading. Imagine you buy an item in a box "as new", come home and find a dirty/damaged thing instead. Will you be satisfied with a refund of a 50% of what you paid, even if you keep it? I do not need the book I'm uncomfortable with holding in my hands because of its condition.
The $4.00 you are offering is enough to send your book back, and I'm ready to do it, If you also make the refund. You seem to be new to selling on Amazon, and it would help if you call their staff and ask about our case to protect your rating. Otherwise you will leave me no choice but take steps that I have already mentioned.
Sincerely,
***********
--- On Wed, 2/17/10, Marlowe wrote:
Hello,
I received your e-mail today about the Frank Lloyd Book you purchased from me on Amazon.
I apolgize that your dissatisfied with the condition of the book it has been siting in my bookshelf for the past 10 years and my feeling was that the book was in 'like new' condition since I don't think it was actually ever read or opened much.
Currently, the cheapest copy of this book listed for sale is 9.85 on Amazon.com. I see on your invoice that you paid 11.94 (7.95+shipping) which is a full 2.00 cheaper than any other copy of the book currently for sale.
I'll refund you 4.00 if your unhappy with the condition of the book. I received 8.00 from the sale of this so I'll split my earnings in half if you find this acceptable.
Thanks and please let me know how you'd like to proceed.
Marlowe
You know... this is why I never participate much in online business.
Someone is complaining about a slightly yellow, beat-up-corners and possibly dusty book that is at least 10 years old?
I mean... is it even a hardback? Does it have a leather cover?
Did you tell them that it was signed in Cherokee Red by the fellow himself?....just joking as I recently been buggered by a book purchase ... and I might just have to give the fellow a visit.
You're having this dispute over a $12 book? Refund his account and tell him you'll pay shipping. Not worth getting an A to Z claim or having him give you a poor rating. Choose your battles. This one isn't a high stakes game.
If you're worried about your rating, send the money ahead. If not, F- it and him!
If you're more concerned with the typical business transaction, you are correct: you first resend anything that you've received and then you're refunded the money. That's normal business routine.
well at least you arent trying to sell him the ones in prairie avenue book shop that actually are falling apart for like 700 dollars
I would just tell the person to F off.
I'm with FP. Pick your battles. The fact that he played the "matters of principle" card over $12 suggests to me he's very young. When I was younger, I would be bothered by something like this, but since I've been through the ringer with work, health insurance, landlord disputes, student loans, bills, etc., dwelling over $12 is simply not worth the time and thought, no matter what "principles" are involved.
I mean, seriously...how bad can it be for 12 dollars. I wouldn't even write an email to complain if the book was in 'bad' shape. I'd say fuck it, I can read it, has all the pictures...I'm cool. Its only $12, wow. That can barely get me a pack of cigs....
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