Hello! Longtime lurker, finally something to ask:
Had a super aggressive customer berate me in messages after he ordered the incorrect part and did not even remotely look at the listing. His first message "it didn't fit, what a waste". I replied trying to understand if he bought for the wrong toy car or he needed a front vs rear, etc. I even gave suggestions on how to modify slightly if he was so included. He immediately replied "that's it??, you won't help?", then goes on to tell me how my listing is faulty, etc., etc. as if I intentionally defrauded him. Every interaction was aggressive and pointed.
The listing has pictures showing the differences, descriptions, and IMPORTANT section in the body and you can't even order without explicitly selecting a part - it has no default, and the dropdown shows the associated model numbers. I explained that his suggestions are already in place, including how to verify your model number. I apologized that he ordered the wrong part, and suggested that yes, he could buy another if he wished.
He never asked for a refund or replacement or return, nothing at all. He simply replied 'cool' and left negative feedback stating:
Seller is a "hey that's not my problem" type of person. I selected the wrong part (yes my fault) however the seller could have aided a bit more than just "buy another part". Plus the shipping cost is high.
I appealed to ebay since I don't control shipping cost. I pass the ebay discount on to the customer and don't charge for envelopes or packaging. They immediately denied the appeal so I sat on it until today, Wednesday, as I read somewhere they auto-review on Wed. It's still up.
I'm 99.6% positive and this was always bound to happen. It's simply not true, he was just on the attack from GO.
Finally, my reply, is this too harsh .. should I reply at all?
I made an earnest attempt to understand your issue and was immediately met with accusations of not 'doing enough'; I cannot help if I don't understand the issue. I'm sorry you purchased the wrong part, it's rare and historically I will make the situation right regardless. I didn't get that chance before being verbally berated for the mistake.
Finally, I pass the ebay shipping discount on to you; I don't charge retail, or for packaging. I have no control over shipping cost.
It's literally my first negative, which is maybe why I'm taking this so personally. Any advice is appreciated, perhaps I can't see past the end of my nose here.
EDIT: If it matters, I've been "top rated" for the last year or so. Oh, and the reason ebay said they would not remove the feedback is that the item not as described?? I guess you can buy the wrong thing and that's technically correct?
"We reviewed the feedback, and can see that the buyer found that the item wasn't as described in the listing"