All I asked politely was for the seller to describe what was not as described.
“I will be glad to cancel the return and instead leave negative feedback if that is better option for you.”
Clear violation of ebay feedback extortion policy. That’s basically the very definition of the violation in his response.
I’m not even trying to prevent a return! I just want to know what was not satisfactory.
I suppose after thousands of transactions you’re bound to run into a few of these.
@Uncle_Willie I can understand your perspective…gone are the days of just wanting the book to read, not so much caring about the condition.
It the collector market isn’t killed. It’s just different…evolved sort of. Maybe devolved in other ways.
I’d report them to eBay. If you had all those pics along with any flaws listed as well as being undergraded they have no leg to stand on. However we all know how eBay clearly favors buyers over sellers. I’d potentially offer a small credit just to be done with it.
I didn’t list the flaws…and typically don’t unless it’s NM- to NM+…VF+ even VF/NM have to many to detail. Especially for a $10 book.
Reported them and also told the seller they should review the eBay policy on feedback extortion. Also said I’d take the return back but wouldn’t refund hem until I got the book back,
Funny thing, the seller explained they felt all the flaws weren’t able to be seen in the photos…yet the flaws he described were consistent with the definition of VF+ to Vf/NM…
If someone describes a book as a grade less than NM I usually assume it’s probability over graded by 0.5 or so…even if the photos say otherwise…but that’s me…
Oh, another interesting side bit…I forgot to remove the $1 sticker on the new bag (I transferred it from the old bag) as I got it out of a dollar bin. Probably made the seller think a return would be easier.
Yup, for ebay listings and media mail, I just automatically say the package is 1 pound, it’s $2.75 no matter what up to that price. I think 2lbs is $3.17.
You’ve seen my packaging, I put so much cardboard I’m pretty sure the comic is getting a half ass pressing job being sandwiched between cardboard. 
That’s the difference between me and others … if I were selling lower cost items such as this, I’d simply refund the guy and tell him to keep the book with my compliments … it’s just too much hassle, frustration and blood pressure raising … not to mention time consuming … I prefer to just move on, block the buyer and go on with Life …
I did just that, minus reimbursement for shipping costs. Will also block.
In full disclosure I do not like selling books in less than NM condition because I think it’s pretty easy to identify a NM book. One or two minor flaws. Three or four you’re NM-. From there it’s a crap shoot.
The persons main argument was, despite the title and description stating it was VF+, the photos didn’t show all the flaws. I looked back at the pic and counted 8 spine ticks clearly visible…I mean, why are you buying a book that clearly has a number of defects visible and listed below near mint if your going to nit pick at it? And it’s not like this is Hulk 181 where the values of VF- to VF to VF+ can be $100s.
Hindsight I should have just said it was a reader copy and left it at that. This person did not pay close attention to detail and now is trying to stick me with their bad decision.
This is just me, but where I’ve been disappointed in the quality of grading assigned for a book I bought on eBay, I’ve asked NOT to be reimbursed for shipping, both to and from as part of the return process such that it goes more smoothly and fair.
That’s on me for either missing a detail in the picture or just being more anal about grading as it is subjective. I try to be fair, anyway. I’ve have far more positive experiences with that approach than negative. Almost zero negative.
Yet, if memory serves, a return based on “Not as Described” or some such, requires that a Seller pay the return shipping as well as the original shipping … I think anyway …
I thought it was buyer remorse. Not as described if they’re proven right I thought sellers pay. Who knows, eBay seems to change their rule daily…
If it’s not as described the seller pays it all. They have to refund the entire purchase price including the shipping. As well as the return shippings on them.
Well, I didn’t pay the shipping on my refund.
If the buyer pushed it they would. They also will just write it off and pay it themselves to keep both parties happy.
I recall selling a used video game and I had accidentally left one of the discs in my my gaming system. Buyer writes & I eventually find the disc in my system. Item not as described was filed and instead of me just sending the missing disc they refunded the buyer and he kept 2/3 of the games and I the other. It wasn’t my money they used to refund. eBay also isn’t consistent in enforcing their rules so who knows.
I’ve never had more than a few hundred listings at one time and only have 3 items for sale currently. I always take at least a front and back shot. If it’s an older book a centerfold shot as well. Any flaws found are photographed and listed in the description. If a buyer has an issue with grade they have no legs to stand on because it’s all in the listing. Sometimes I don’t even assign s grade. I give a general idea. As in Low, Mid, Higher & High Grade.
I never assign a grade myself. Mine are Always described as great book or excellent book. NM type condition but if I say NM I always throw in a “actual grade is not guaranteed, I’m not a professional grader”
@agentpoyo @D-Rog @Uncle_Willie @ToddW
I put NM in my listing headings (if the book qualifies) because if/when I buy on eBay, I put NM in my search. So I assume that others do as well. 
When I have to deal with an unruly customer, I find that killing them with kindness and giving them options helps. I’ll respond to their request for a return stating (this is for cheaper books, -$20) that I would like to offer them a partial refund of 50% of the purchase price of the book. I then follow that up by asking the buyer what percentage of a refund they would deem acceptable. Giving the buyer a chance to voice their opinion, I find, eases their mind. 95% of the time I can avoid the return all together, and typically the customer seems happy to have received a partial refund, and was able to keep the book.
Showing you genuinely care goes a long way.
I had a sell where the user contacted me saying the USPS tracking showed it was delivered but he said it wasn’t in his mailbox.
So I replied with, well, I’ll check with the USPS on my end but since tracking shows it went through your local branch, I can only suggest he open a lost mail inquiry on his end. I did warn him that USPS is very slow, so it could be several weeks and I think they have a minimum 2 week before they even deem it’s considered lost. He said he would check with his local branch. I told him to keep my in the loop but no matter, he’ll be taken care of.
About a week goes by and I haven’t heard anything so I do a followup email. The buyer replies with he didn’t have time to go through the USPS process and he found the book at a local shop, totally forgot about the comic he bought from me. I just did the right thing and refunded him.
I’ve never searched Near Mint personally. I’m sure lots of people do though. Killing with kindness is always a good option. I have a hard time doing that if I’m in the right though.
All good advice.
I also do not search near mint or NM discretely because many do not want to give a grade as they know it’s subjective…even if the book is actually NM or better. You miss out on those diamonds in the rough if you search for “NM.” Some of my 9.8s I bought had no grade…or “high grade.” Just gotta look at the photos and if there’s doubt move on…or ask for more/better photos.
Did anyone else get the $5 coupon promo ($50 or more purchase) from eBay if you text BINGO to 70799? I’m leery of texting to strange numbers.
That and i’m also pissed I just bought something for $50 late last night…
and I sat there contemplating “if I wait a few more hours there might be an eBay bucks promo…but it might sell at this price like the last one did very quickly…and then I won’t see another at this price again!..”
Come on…sign up for more headaches! You know you want to!
I just tried and this is the message that I got.
eBay.: Reply with your zip code to agree to receive autodialer messages at this number. No purchase necessary. T&Cs and Privacy: http://vbs.cm/l8HVQF