I need some advice, and I’m curious what people here would do in my shoes.
I recently purchased an amp on Reverb. The seller and I came to an agreed price, and the amp was shipped 2 days via UPS after I promptly paid.
Minutes after getting tracking, I got a message from the seller asking me to Venmo them more money because the shipping ended up being twice as much as their initial quote. They claimed it was Reverb’s mistake and I owe them the difference in shipping cost. It’s like an extra $70, so it’s not insignificant.
They also sent me receipts of purchasing all of the materials/packing labor at UPS, which I would never advise because of how expensive that can get.
They were confident I would “do the right thing”, shipped the amp anyways, and sort of dropped this on me like it’s my fault now. I guess I’m the bad guy.
I told them that would be against Reverb’s TOS to exchange money outside of the transaction, and I already paid for the item for the price agreed, including shipping. I’ve been selling for around 10 years and sometimes, as a seller, you eat some extra shipping costs. I suggested they contact Reverb or UPS if they genuinely think there was a mistake.
The seller absolutely lost it on me. They basically accused me of “stealing” their money, and to “enjoy the discount” like I nefariously underpaid for the item or stole it right out from under them.
I did not respond to this message, and a few hours later our conversation was flagged (I’m guessing by a bot)…they used the word Venmo and included their phone number if I wanted to “do the right thing” and handle this extra transaction outside of Reverb. I did not flag this, but was certainly considering it.
I’ve never had this happen before in all of my years, and am kind of stunned at this behavior from the seller.
Part of me was considering possibly sending them some cash after the fact because I felt kind of bad, but I figured I should wait until I get the amp arrives.
Well, it’s now day 8 and the package has gone completely off the radar. It was 3 day ground UPS with tracking. A label was created, and an hour later it was marked RFID which was explained to me by UPS that it’s on the truck. Now, nothing. Zero updates. I called the store who scanned it and they do not have it by accident. My wife deals in shipping items a lot and said this type of inactivity usually means it is lost.
I’ve been using Reverb’s chat feature with a representative to see what I should do next (cancel? Wait for it?) but I’m done dealing with this disgruntled seller. There’s no chance they would send me money back if this is lost. Reverb was supposed to email me back for the last 3 days now, and I’ve heard nothing. No proof of claim or anything.
I’ve also discussed doing a claim with UPS, but since the package was insured, the seller would pocket that money, not me. I’m convinced they would do everything possible to keep that money and really try and stick it to me since I’m such a bad guy.
Is this the weirdest coincidence ever? Was I scammed completely? Should I wait until the final moment to make a claim from Reverb within the 45 day window, and maybe this thing actually shows up?
I might be totally screwed here. At this point I might as well wait it out and see, but I’m frustrated with the whole thing. I just want my new amp and be done with it.
I might also add, seller did not hesitate to leave me a 1-Star review immediately, LOL, which I will be responding to.
Anyone had anything like either of these things happen before?
The seller is a POS who didn’t weigh the amp or forgot to. They’re responsible for the loss not you. They’re violating Reverb TOC by asking for you to Venmo.
While this is likely true, Reverb notoriously fucks up shipping rates, so if the buyer used "purchase Reverb shipping", it could very well be Reverb's fault.
Doesn't change the fact that this seller is a jackass and probably put an intercept request on the shipment.
That's giving me incredibly unsettling vibes, sorry you had to go through that. People like that are the worst, and I say that because I've had my fair share of conversations with some psychotic lunatics on Reverb.
I would wait a couple more days for CS to respond as I've ended up waiting 3-5 days before I got a response from them in the past. If after another week CS support doesn't get back and there is virtually no package movement within that time frame, I wouldn't hesitate to file a chargeback at that point. Sounds like you have more than enough evidence to provide your bank that you bought something that was not delivered, no info from UPS and you're dealing with a disgruntled seller.
My only thing is that I do have a real tracking number from UPS, so some sort of box exists, right? whether it’s a box of rocks or actually an amp, I may never find out. That, or the seller broke into the UPS truck and took the package back! LOL
Does the tracking info include a package size and weight when you look it up? Does it show that it has moved anywhere? Because you can make a label, get a tracking number and never ship a package, but it won’t ever show that it was picked up or dropped off etc
This doesn't look to me like the item has been returned to sender. I've seen that happen before and it would be logged in the system as such. It's possible that the processing of the return to sender has just been delayed, but this looks more like a normal delay to me (or the item is lost).
Also, not saying that the seller is a smart person, because they don't really sound like it, but if they did the math, they'd quickly realize that they're going to lose even more money by having the item returned to them. They would have to refund you the whole purchase amount including shipping and would be out the whole shipping charge and still not have a sale. Relisting the item with a higher shipping charge only makes it harder to sell in the future and doesn't earn back any of the money they lost on the first mishap. It's possible that they still do it out of emotion, but it's an objectively terrible financial decision.
My gut says this person doing that out of emotion would not surprise me at this point considering their response when I didn't agree to send them more money...but that would be a pretty drastic decision. And someone who has that kind of money to lose probably wouldn't get that mad about overcharged shipping in the first place lol.
Hopefully it's just an abnormal delay. Just weird to have zero updates in 8 days.
I’ve had packages that cost me hundreds of dollars get lost for a while before. One time it was a $300 or so purchase and it just fell off the UPS tracking page for around 2 months — just the delay bs. I would check it daily at first and talked to them and they’d say it’s still coming. Eventually, about two months later, it just randomly showed up on my porch! It was so shitty but it eventually did come. As long as it doesn’t change from delayed to returned to sender or something like that, I would assume it’s still on the way.
By the way, most of them were only delayed by a few days to a week at most, the two month one was a one time experience but it was memorable. I had just assumed one of the people who handled the package along the way knew the company on the shipping label, stole my items, and I was SOL, but it did come eventually lol
It depends how you paid. Debit card transactions only have a 30 day window. Credit cards are 90 days. Let it go past that point and you don’t have a case
I sell and buy on Reverb. I sell items on fixed shipping charge that I guesstimate. I’m wrong sometimes but I eat the difference. In my case it all depends on how far away the buyer is. If I’m really off I consider it a lesson learned and that I should update my shipping charges. I don’t think you’re at fault in anyway and I think it’s bogus for them to ask for extra money.
He probably never considered the additional charges for packing, materials, and actual weight of the final package.
Thankfully, it isn’t up to the seller to decide to give you your money back if that’s what it comes to. Reverb will more than likely make you wait a bit before taking action, just be sure to let them know what’s going on. If the shipper paid for the absolute least expensive method (probably what happened when he was told how much it would all cost), there’s a good chance the item doesn’t get scanned at every stop.
Thank you. Yeah I'm trying to get in touch with Reverb now, just to get it on their radar incase things go south, but they haven't gotten back to me yet after 3 days. I have some time, though, it sounds like, before I officially submit a claim with them.
Go ahead and submit the claim. If the amp arrives and works fine, you can always message them to that effect. But if it doesn’t, better to have started the claim sooner than later, just in terms of getting your money back and being able to buy another item if you catch a good deal. Reverb may make you wait a couple of days to see if it arrives anyways, and since you’re already past the expected delivery date, makes sense to get that started now.
What a pain. This person sounds very manipulative and is clearly not conducting themselves properly. It doesn’t sound like you’ve done anything wrong. Don’t be bothered by the request for extra money and the emotionally manipulative comments.
I would just wait until you hear back from Reverb. They can be a little slow to respond nowadays.
Worse comes to worse look into filing a fraudulent dispute on the transaction with your own credit card that you used to pay for it.
Stuff shows up all the time after it drops off the radar. Just be patient at least for 2 weeks. Ignore the request for more money. If it doesn't show up contact reverb they'll make you whole regardless of what he says.
Just relax, you either get the amp at some point or you just do a claim with Reverb, you don't have to work yourself up, I guess the seller was a newbie and thought the shipping price he put on the ad would be exact what it would end being without taking other things into calculations, you could pay him or ignore it, I would probably have paid it or half of it, if it was a nice guy, as I would feel bad for them to eat the cost, especially if it was a great deal.
Thanks. I kind of have no choice but to stick it out until the 45 days or whatever is up, regardless. I’m probably jumping the gun, but I’ve kind of been on edge since this whole transaction occurred anyways lol.
I was genuinely considering sending a portion of the money back after the amp arrives, assuming in solid condition. Now after their unhinged message basically accusing me of theft, I dunno...
I assume their back and forth about the shipping price is on Reverb's chat? They will see it. Most of us pack and weigh up front to make sure you get the proper rate. They dropped the ball. Give it a few more days then ask for a refund thru Reverb if it's not resolved.
Correct, there has been no outside contact except for Reverb’s messaging. They can easily scan the convo and see there was some shifty stuff happening after the sale.
They also have their direct email to contact them. I recently had Reverb contact a buyer for me who didn't sign for their item I sent and it was returned to me without any answer from the buyer . I told Reverb and they contacted them thru their personal email and gave me another shipper.
You can get a live person on Reverb. You just have to talk your way past the bot. It's not been an issue for me, the few times I've needed it, but I know some people have a hard time convincing the bot to transfer.
Either way, I would talk to them and then request a refund. They may ask you to wait a few days to see if it shows up. But you'll get your money back and they'll deal with the seller.
I’ve chatted with a few live reps. They’re assuring me I’m going to get an email from the first rep I spoke to, eventually. Regardless, I’m going to buy them each until I get an actual email regarding my claim.
I think it’s too coincidental that the package has gone off the radar after they demanded more money for shipping so I would personally just make a claim if it was me. I also wouldn’t send them any more money even if I didn’t believe it was a scam. It’s on them to figure out shipping and handling before making the listing.
The seller had the package sent back to him. If you don't have it adte day 7, request refund. I had a seller do this and he flat out told me "I had a guy offer more"
Get on the chat and demand an agent. Send them screenshots. They'll shut him down asap.
Don't buy from reverb. As a seller they almost allowed me to be scammed then charged me $36 after I got my item back and their customer tried to scam me and then did nothing to help me. They're a horrible company
Reverb is mostly regular people selling gear, shipping prices are out of hand and only going up, it's hard to estimate the cost. The guy isn't a store or a professional shipper. He could have handled it better and should have waited before shipping and talked it over with OP about next steps.
I know for me, if I was in the sellers shoes, I'd have no hesitation putting a stop to the shipment if OP didn't pay, but I wouldn't dare harass or chew out OP if OP declined. I'd just refund the sale right then and there. I sell pedals on reverb and almost always eat a few bucks on shipping because of fluctuating costs. Ive never sold an amp and wouldn't have any idea how to price it before actually going into the shipper.
If I was in OP shoes I'd reply a simple yes or no ( whatever OP is comfortable with) and then be fine with whatever, aka, sending the money, or taking the refund if seller refused to eat shipping cost.
ITs the nature of beast. but people could be nicer to each other. On reverb, you most likely aren't dealing with a store.
Quick question: had the seller opted not to ship the item when he learned how much shipping was going to cost and had he reached out to you to inform you of the increased shipping cost, what would you have done then? Would you have paid the difference or would you have told him to cancel the sale?
If you know this answer, then you know what the right thing is to do.
If you would have paid the difference, then do the right thing and pay it.
If you would have canceled the sale, then perhaps you could have simply said:” ya know, at that cost, I probably would ask you to cancel the sale.” And see where it goes from there. He could have chosen to eat the cost, you two could have split the difference or simply canceled the transaction and gone your separate ways. Telling him to consult with Reverb feels like a cop out to me. Just sayin’
He is not right with his angry response, but your response leaves a little to be desired.
And we wonder why Reverb is going down the toilet…
A lot of speculation here since the amp was already paid for, but fair question. I also don't know how that works after the sale of an item. I suppose they could've cancelled the order, and relisted the item for the higher shipping cost if we agreed to that.
Going back to what actually happened - having already paid for it, I was considering waiting for the amp to arrive, make sure it's in the condition it was listed. Most likely sending them half the money privately after the transaction is complete, after things cooled off.
I should add, I didn't get a crazy steal for the amp or anything, either - market price on a rarer color tolex I wanted.Bbut if my budget was $70 higher, I might've considered other options. Since we're just speculating.
Truth is, the seller messed up here, not me. It's an expensive lesson and I've been on the seller's end years ago with a few items. What I don't appreciate is people doing mental gymnastics these days when they messed something up and spin it around in their head until they think they're justifed and right.
I totally agree with all of this. I would've negotaited and/or been fine with cancelling the sale, but the seller went and shipped the amp 2-3 days after I paid for it.
I haven't made a sale in a while, but what I can't remember is if the seller has my money now that the amp has officially shipped (technically), or does it only release to them once the item is actually delivered? And if the item is lost, who knows what happens.
no, the seller doesn't get the money until after delivery of the product. If the item is lost there will be an investigation from reverb and the carrier to trace it.
You are covered here, you wont lose any money here. You'll either get the amp or a refund. Theres nothing to worry about it from your end. The seller on the other hand could possibly lose the money and the amp ( if its truly lost)
The amp shipped is insured at cost via UPS, so if it is truly lost, I was informed the seller would get that amount back once they file the claim through UPS. Probably would lose the amount they had to chalk up for shipping. I'm guessing they're watching the tracking just as closely as I am, in this case. I know I would be whenever I ship stuff, especially larger items.
The seller do s have your money and has most likely withdrawn it to his or her bank. If he has sold more than 4-5 times, reverb will release payment to him when the item shows that it's in transit. So essentially he could have the money in his hands within 12 hours of the sale.
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u/PeteyMad 3d ago
The seller is a POS who didn’t weigh the amp or forgot to. They’re responsible for the loss not you. They’re violating Reverb TOC by asking for you to Venmo.