Buyer posted item to someone in China

[charliebrown76190]

Hi I’ve just learnt the hard way not to sell internationally on eBay.

I posted something to someone in the uk he got it on 12/12/24 not heard anything until he messaged on the 18/01/25 to say some items damaged. In the meantime some random person messages me from China he apparently has the figures and purchased them through an AGENT the man who is claiming damage to me. The man in China didn’t get them until 18th January 2025. The man I sold to is asking me to compensate but he sent them to someone else who is complaining to him. I’m confused what do I do? Ebay didn’t seem bothered said I don’t have to compensate as it’s well over 30 days but the man who purchased from me is blaming me because he is obviously getting grief off the person he sent the item to and is telling me I’m dishonest and need to compensate him. What would you do? 

[papso22]

I would ignore him and delete the messages.

I know he is outside the 30 day MBG window, but have a look at the exclusions from the MBG, there are some that are relevant here.

[buffster1963]

Just ignore and block him. 

[vintique*violet]

@charliebrown76190 Oh my.... Firstly stop communicating with the buyer... 

It is over 30 days - You do not have to refund, replace or offer compensation etc just as CS have told you...

I would do nothing, this was a UK to UK sale....   but possibly expect a " negative" feedback..( they may not). if you do receive one,  reply carefully and politely using the feedback reply button, to inform that the buyer re-sold or posted ( whatever it is) the item onwards to an international buyer in China and that you are not part of that transaction and the item sold was successfully delivered to your  UK buyer  ( give dates rec. in UK and then dates rec. in China if you can) .. and thank them for their custom and that you are not privy/accountable  for  a third party transaction. Something along these lines - you could probably word it much better than me....

I would then block the buyer on your block bidders list. 

I would also use the " Global Shipping Programme"  in the future if  you want to sell internationally. 

Edit to add sellers " handle" name. 

[lucy_farmer]

'Hi I’ve just learnt the hard way not to sell internationally on eBay.'

But you didn't post 'internationally' did you? you sent them to some bloke in the UK.

Whatever happened after that shouldn't have anything to do with you....

[4_bathrooms]

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@charliebrown76190 wrote:

I posted something to someone in the uk he got it on 12/12/24 not heard anything until he messaged on the 18/01/25 to say some items damaged. In the meantime some random person messages me from China he apparently has the figures and purchased them through an AGENT the man who is claiming damage to me. The man in China didn’t get them until 18th January 2025.

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Even if this had happened within the MBG window you would not have been liable for refunding. As per eBay's MBG policy:

That said you might have needed to point eBay's own policy out to them before they followed it.

[charliebrown76190]

No I posted to my buyer in uk and he got it on 12/12/24 never heard anything from him until the 18/01/25 because he posted it directly onto China as apparently was an agent for someone. Whilst getting to china it’s been damaged but he’s trying to come after me for compensation saying it was damaged before I sent. 

[lucy_farmer]

Don't refund your buyer; this is not your responsibility and nor (even if it were still within the 30 days) is it covered by the MBG (as per 4-bathrooms post above...)

If your buyer leaves neg feedback, do what 'vintique' suggests ; leave a calm and polite and truthfull response. When new buyers read your feedback (some of them do!) a good response will show them who the problem was with on this sale.... i.e. not you! 🙂

[vintique*violet]

@charliebrown76190 

To claim "damage" the buyer would have to claim upon receipt of the parcel being delivered to them in the UK. They did not do this by the sounds of it, and simply forwarded it to China, hence the delay in them notifying you because of the postal time. 

You are not responsible for your buyers third party dealings. 

Moreso you are not accountable for any refunds as it is over the 30 days. 

Try not to worry, it is " finished" with now between you and your buyer. 

What they do for the buyer in China is nothing to do with you. 

[jma2815]

Like the others said, ignore and block. 

You didn’t sell internationally. 

How is the man in China messaging you? 

[vintique*violet]

Third party dealings - as your buyer was an " agent" unbeknownst to you. 

You are not responsible. 

Please do not refund. 

[vintique*violet]

I would not delete the messages - I would save them in case anything comes up in the future. 

Yes, The MBG  ( not just because of the 30 day window) is not applicable as the buyer acted as an " intermediary"  to forward on to their buyer in China and third party dealings are not covered. 

[sml192]

As advised by @vintique*violet it would be best to keep/take screenshots of all the messages you have received in case your buyer decides to try a chargeback with their payment provider. 

[charliebrown76190]

The man in China originally messaged me and asked for photos but did not buy. He said he got an agent to do it for him. Then he contacted me the other day to moan about the cracked items that I sent to the man who purchased them in the UK. All very shady and my man has left me feedback today saying I’m dishonest! But have appealed it. 

[moldosgifts]

VERY CONFUSING

you - customer - another customer in China

China customer contacted you-yes ? Ignore them they are not your customer

Customer left feed back or China customer left feed back?

I'd have a conversation with the Irish CS tell them what's going on

You have to do it tomorrow first thing to have your best chance getting through to the Irish call centre

eBay Customer Service

[vintique*violet]

Hopefully eBay will remove it,  well done with your Feedback reply... at least it shows others the truth of the matter. 

[papso22]

It would have been better to appeal before you replied, but your reply is very good.

[charliebrown76190]

Yes I realised that afterwards. EBay sent me a reply after about 10 minutes saying they won’t take it off probably because I put the response on first but wanted to reply. I’m just going to leave it as I don’t think they will change it.