What should I do? (eBay, e-mailing a code, and fishy bidder)

bigdaddybruce44

bigdaddybruce44

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I picked up the Mass Effect 2 CE today. I already downloaded all the content when it was mistakenly up on the XBL MP, so I decided to throw the code for the Collector armor and rifle up on eBay. I have done this with several redeemable codes over the years and have never had an issue. In the back of my head, though, I knew that eventually there would be a problem. Simply the law of averages.

Anyway, the user with the highest bid, which is $15 already, has 0 feedback and just created the account today. To me, it's pretty obvious that he's just gonna file a dispute and say the code didn't work. Besides the fact that the account is brand new, I can't see why anyone would want to pay $15 for the code. The CE only $10 more than the regular edition. You'd be better off just picking that up.

So, what do you think I should do? Not e-mail him the code and eat the negative? Or e-mail it and hope for the best? If I e-mail him, and he screws me over, am I out any money, like eBay fees? I've never had any issues selling stuff on eBay, so I don't know exactly what happens if you're on the losing end.
 
[quote name='bigdaddybruce44']I picked up the Mass Effect 2 CE today. I already downloaded all the content when it was mistakenly up on the XBL MP, so I decided to throw the code for the Collector armor and rifle up on eBay. I have done this with several redeemable codes over the years and have never had an issue. In the back of my head, though, I knew that eventually there would be a problem. Simply the law of averages.

Anyway, the user with the highest bid, which is $15 already, has 0 feedback and just created the account today. To me, it's pretty obvious that he's just gonna file a dispute and say the code didn't work. Besides the fact that the account is brand new, I can't see why anyone would want to pay $15 for the code. The CE only $10 more than the regular edition. You'd be better off just picking that up.

So, what do you think I should do? Not e-mail him the code and eat the negative? Or e-mail it and hope for the best? If I e-mail him, and he screws me over, am I out any money, like eBay fees? I've never had any issues selling stuff on eBay, so I don't know exactly what happens if you're on the losing end.[/QUOTE]

Hi, new here but I have a lot of eBay experience so maybe I can help. It's my understanding that selling "virtual" items is actually prohibited via eBay rules, so you may have no recourse whatsoever if the buyer attempts to dispute the item even if receiving a fully functional code via email. That being said, I've never had an issue as a buyer, but I've never sold a code without the card and without shipping a physical item to the buyer. Here's what I'd do in your situation if you really want to protect yourself:

Either end the auction and re-list it as follows OR revise your item to add a disclaimer that you're selling the card itself and will ship the physical item complete with an unused code. Add another disclaimer that, due to the nature of download codes, you will not accept returns for the item and that the winning bidder needs to contact the game manufacturer should any issue with the code arise. You can note that you're willing to email the code prior to shipping the card, but that the auction is for the card itself.Revising an item is cause for bid retractions, but if you offer to do that, I doubt anyone would retract.

You have to ship the card and add delivery confirmation to ensure you have proof of delivery for a physical item (the DLC Code card). That should protect you. Sorry for the long message, but I hope that helps.
 
Thanks for the advice. You are right that selling virtual items is suppose to be prohibited, but everyone does it, and like I said, I've never had a problem in the past.

The reason I don't bother shipping it out (I do offer it as an option usually, though) is because I figure they can screw you either way. If you ship out the card, they can still just say the code didn't work. Sure, you can tell them the manufacturer is responsible, but that doesn't seem like it would mean much. I am sure eBay and PayPal would still likely side with them and refund them the money.

What would happen if I end the auction with bids already having been made?
 
[quote name='bigdaddybruce44']I picked up the Mass Effect 2 CE today. I already downloaded all the content when it was mistakenly up on the XBL MP, so I decided to throw the code for the Collector armor and rifle up on eBay. I have done this with several redeemable codes over the years and have never had an issue. In the back of my head, though, I knew that eventually there would be a problem. Simply the law of averages.

Anyway, the user with the highest bid, which is $15 already, has 0 feedback and just created the account today. To me, it's pretty obvious that he's just gonna file a dispute and say the code didn't work. Besides the fact that the account is brand new, I can't see why anyone would want to pay $15 for the code. The CE only $10 more than the regular edition. You'd be better off just picking that up.

So, what do you think I should do? Not e-mail him the code and eat the negative? Or e-mail it and hope for the best? If I e-mail him, and he screws me over, am I out any money, like eBay fees? I've never had any issues selling stuff on eBay, so I don't know exactly what happens if you're on the losing end.[/QUOTE]

I was in the same boat as you when I tried to sell my Juggernaut code. My auction ended same day I listed it to a brand new user. They paid promptly and I sent the code over. I freaked out at not being able to draw my funds immediately but it was because of a combo of me not selling on eBay and him being a new user.

It eventually worked out and we both walked away happy people.
 
[quote name='bigdaddybruce44']Thanks for the advice. You are right that selling virtual items is suppose to be prohibited, but everyone does it, and like I said, I've never had a problem in the past.

The reason I don't bother shipping it out (I do offer it as an option usually, though) is because I figure they can screw you either way. If you ship out the card, they can still just say the code didn't work. Sure, you can tell them the manufacturer is responsible, but that doesn't seem like it would mean much. I am sure eBay and PayPal would still likely side with them and refund them the money.

What would happen if I end the auction with bids already having been made?[/QUOTE]

If you end an auction early, not much happens. I don't like doing it, but I've done that myself if there was an error in the listing. However, I use the BIN for all my auctions, so no bidders would get upset regardless if I end the auction before someone buys an item.

Please keep in mind that if you advertise that you're selling the card itself, add the right disclaimers, and ship it (with Delivery Confirmation), there's virtually nothing a buyer can do to recoup funds from you. PayPal disputes follow very specific guidelines and as long as you hold up your end, they'll side with you every time.
 
[quote name='SteelSD']Please keep in mind that if you advertise that you're selling the card itself, add the right disclaimers, and ship it (with Delivery Confirmation), there's virtually nothing a buyer can do to recoup funds from you. PayPal disputes follow very specific guidelines and as long as you hold up your end, they'll side with you every time.[/QUOTE]

I hear what you're saying, but I think about it like this. If the person uses it and then says that the code was no good or already redeemed or whatever, you have no proof otherwise. And unlike a physical product, where they would at least have to send you the thing back, there is nothing to send back here. The card becomes worthless once they redeem it.

Anyway, I see a bunch of people have already paid $10 to $20 in BINs for this code, so I think I'll just take my chances. If he screws me, I really won't be out much.
 
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[quote name='bigdaddybruce44']I hear what you're saying, but I think about it like this. If the person uses it and then says that the code was no good or already redeemed or whatever, you have no proof otherwise. And unlike a physical product, where they would at least have to send you the thing back, there is nothing to send back here. The card becomes worthless once they redeem it.[/QUOTE]

You're right to look at it that way from an ethical perspective. If a seller advertises a physical card with a working code, that's what the buyer should receive. But PayPal doesn't really care about the whole "working" part as a matter of practicality. There's no way for them to verify whether a code did or didn't work, so they only focus on whether or not the physical item was delivered as described. At that point, if the seller can prove the physical item was delivered and has provided the appropriate disclosures (no returns, issues with code must be resolved with manufacturer) in the auction listing, it's extremely unlikely that PayPal will rule in the buyer's favor.

Basically, sending out a physical item is the only way a seller can protect themselves. Then it's "buyer beware" rather than "seller loses every dispute".

Does that mean a dishonest seller could potentially get away with mailing out used codes? Yes, but PayPal isn't the only legal recourse open to a buyer and mail fraud is a serious offense.

Anyway, I see a bunch of people have already paid $10 to $20 in BINs for this code, so I think I'll just take my chances. If he screws me, I really won't be out much.
Click to expand...

I think you're right that your exposure is limited. In any case, thanks very much for a good conversation.
 
Thanks for all the advice, Steel. I've sold plenty of stuff on eBay over the last couple of years, but never really remotely ran into a problem, so I appreciate the help.

Anyway, someone actually outbid the brand-new user. This person only has 5 feedback, but the account is a year old and has a couple of recent positive (about a week old) feedbacks, so we shall see. Also, like I said before, a bunch of these already went for high amounts, so maybe people are just stupid. One or two of the sellers even have positive feedback already, so I guess the e-mail exchange went off without a hitch for them.
 
[quote name='bigdaddybruce44']Thanks for all the advice, Steel. I've sold plenty of stuff on eBay over the last couple of years, but never really remotely ran into a problem, so I appreciate the help.

Anyway, someone actually outbid the brand-new user. This person only has 5 feedback, but the account is a year old and has a couple of recent positive (about a week old) feedbacks, so we shall see. Also, like I said before, a bunch of these are going pretty high amounts, so maybe people are just stupid. One or two of the sellers even have positive feedback, so I guess the exchange went off without a hitch.[/QUOTE]

No problem, bd. And yeah, the prices for some of the DLC codes get weird sometimes. I'm sure not everyone was able to grab a collector edition, so the codes are definitely worth something to someone, eh?

Now it's time for me to go enter my own codes. Have a good one!
 
Yes, the dlc prices get very weird. It's not all that surprising that these are already up to 15 dollars. My FF13 Chocobo code got 30 dollars buy it now. Guy left me a positive and it worked out so I was happy.
 
I already have all of those blocks set-up, but I don't think there is anything you can do about new users. Under the "Buyer Requirements" setting, there are:

- block bidders without PayPal
- block bidders with unpaid strikes
- block bidders from countries I don't ship to
- block bidders with negative feedback
- block bidders who may bid on several items and not pay for them (under this one, you can block users with feedback under 5, but it seems tied to protection from one person winning too many of your auctions, especially if you're selling a similar item)
 
Wait, block bidders with negative feedback? That just makes no sense, I have had sellers with 97%+ feedback buy my items and everything worked fine.

But I just sold two blood armor codes today and both were fine and got feedback already after I emailed the code.
 
dont email codes!!! always send a hard copy. I sold my killzone costume on ebay for like 30 dollars, I emailed the code, thought all was fine and then a couple of days later the guy filed a complaint against me. Turns out he did it to about 5 different people who he purchased costumes from and paypal still found in his favor. Always send physical copies with delivery confirmation.
 
[quote name='edson13']dont email codes!!! always send a hard copy. I sold my killzone costume on ebay for like 30 dollars, I emailed the code, thought all was fine and then a couple of days later the guy filed a complaint against me. Turns out he did it to about 5 different people who he purchased costumes from and paypal still found in his favor. Always send physical copies with delivery confirmation.[/QUOTE]

Yep, ebay doesn't even allow virtual item or selling of codes, it has to be something physical that is sent. Most of the time nobody cares, but if a bidder did decide to file a complaint they will always win.
 
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