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This chap wants a refund on my free newsletter

by Andrew_Wardle
50 replies
I've seen it all now.

Yesterday, someone signed up to my email newsletter. It is a standard newsletter, sent through Aweber. You just enter your name and email address into an opt in form, confirm your subscription, and receive emails.

After about 15 hours on the list, and receiving nothing but the "Welcome" email, he send me an email saying that he is "unable to download the products he has paid for", and that he will "report me to PayPal to get a refund".

What do you do with a clown like this? I actually took him seriously, and asked him to forward his receipt and I would look into it.

It was tempting to tell him that if he was prepared to send me the money for an all-expenses paid trip to whatever part of the world he lives in, plus cover my time and add a little bit for spending money, I would come and deliver the cheque for $0 personally to him.

Has anybody else seen anything like this?

Andrew
#chap #free #newsletter #refund
  • Profile picture of the author Andy Fletcher
    Yeah. I've had a couple of refund requests for Free Link Cloaker. Some people are just idiots that don't track what they paid for and what they didn't so they just refund request everything.

    I just ignore them.
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  • Profile picture of the author peteinoz
    Hey Andrew

    funny huh, there is a lot of funny people in this world..

    I'd love to see his reply to your question in your email..


    Cheers

    Pete
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    • Profile picture of the author David_Thompson
      Hey Andrew,

      that is the best refund story I've heard
      in a longtime man....LOL LOL LOL

      Crack me up real good...

      --David
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  • Profile picture of the author seodeveloping
    That is hilarious! Great read to start the week!
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    • Profile picture of the author TheMagicShow
      Sniffing too much glue can make a customer want a refund on something that was free...it does happen..lol
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  • Profile picture of the author Ron Killian
    Maybe he thinks he'll trick some one?

    That is too funny.
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  • Profile picture of the author hebsgaard
    Wonder if you can send $0 through Paypal?

    I mean it wouldn't make much sense, but then at least he'd get his refund
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  • Profile picture of the author Kim Standerline
    Unfortunately numpty's like this have access to the internet. (this can become a problem when they don't own a single brain cell)

    I spent ages looking for a non existant transaction from someone the other day

    Kim


    Originally Posted by Andrew_Wardle View Post

    I've seen it all now.

    Yesterday, someone signed up to my email newsletter. It is a standard newsletter, sent through Aweber. You just enter your name and email address into an opt in form, confirm your subscription, and receive emails.

    After about 15 hours on the list, and receiving nothing but the "Welcome" email, he send me an email saying that he is "unable to download the products he has paid for", and that he will "report me to PayPal to get a refund".

    What do you do with a clown like this? I actually took him seriously, and asked him to forward his receipt and I would look into it.

    It was tempting to tell him that if he was prepared to send me the money for an all-expenses paid trip to whatever part of the world he lives in, plus cover my time and add a little bit for spending money, I would come and deliver the cheque for $0 personally to him.

    Has anybody else seen anything like this?

    Andrew
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    • Profile picture of the author Neil Morgan
      Often there's some sort of connection between you and something they bought.

      You sent your emails using AWeber.

      They bought something from somebody who uses AWeber.

      So you are both the same company.

      Or something.

      Who knows?

      What day is it?

      Just send me my refund NOW!
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    • Profile picture of the author Sean Donahoe
      I had one of these a little while ago and it left me scratching my head and having to mail them back with "So let me make sure I understand, you want a refund on a FREE product?" Strangly enough I never did get a reply


      Originally Posted by Kim Standerline View Post

      Unfortunately numpty's like this have access to the internet.
      Now that is a phrase I have not heard in almost 20 years. I have never heard anyone use Numpty outside my old home (The Orkney Islands) off the north coast of Scotland. Are you from "The North" Kim?
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  • Profile picture of the author Stanley Tang
    LOL... let see how he reports to paypal
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  • Profile picture of the author John Hillage
    I've had similar - people just click and sign on for so much stuff at times they don't know whether they're coming or going!

    John Hillage
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    • Profile picture of the author Peter Helps
      That is too funny.

      It's amazing what people will come up with.

      Peter
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      • Profile picture of the author ShayB
        Ask for his mailing address - and send him Monopoly money for a refund.
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    • Profile picture of the author ExRat
      Hi Steven,
      "Stupid people shouldn't be allowed to breed."
      There are quite a few ironic consequences attached to that statement, if it were to become reality. One of which is that many of the people in IM/marketing would have to work a lot harder to make their money.

      Eg Smarter people realise that continuity programs/membership sites traditionally offer ever diminishing quality of product over time (and the target market along with the underlying concept) - hence they generally avoid them.

      Smarter people generally spend more time selling than buying.

      Smarter people realise that hype is used to target a certain end of the market and the best products don't have room for hype on their pages amongst the feature list - hence they generally avoid buying where hype is present.

      Ad infinitum.

      Ever see a successful (non robotic) manufacturing plant where 100% of the employees work in the office?

      I think it's fair to say that things are a certain way for a reason. Which is why when it comes to breeding, it's more likely to happen accidentally through stupidity than the opposite.

      Hi Andrew,

      Send the buyer a refund of their email address - just email it back to them.
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      Roger Davis
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      • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
        Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

        Hi Steven,
        There are quite a few ironic consequences attached to that statement, if it were to become reality. One of which is that many of the people in IM/marketing would have to work a lot harder to make their money.

        Eg Smarter people realise that continuity programs/membership sites traditionally offer ever diminishing quality of product over time (and the target market along with the underlying concept) - hence they generally avoid them.

        Smarter people generally spend more time selling than buying.

        Smarter people realise that hype is used to target a certain end of the market and the best products don't have room for hype on their pages amongst the feature list - hence they generally avoid buying where hype is present.

        Ad infinitum.

        Ever see a successful (non robotic) manufacturing plant where 100% of the employees work in the office?

        I think it's fair to say that things are a certain way for a reason. Which is why when it comes to breeding, it's more likely to happen accidentally through stupidity than the opposite.

        Hi Andrew,

        Send the buyer a refund of their email address - just email it back to them.

        Roger, is this a roundabout way of saying we should be thankful for
        stupid people? :confused:

        You keep me thinking all the time.
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  • Profile picture of the author zoulkifl
    I see you decide to play with him a little. I would have told him right away that he was reading your free newsletter nd that there was nothing to buy.
    If he insists that ge bought something then ask him to forward the transaction receipt as well as the merchant's email address.

    I haven't had this problem personally but I get people who leave my list because aside from the free newsletter I'm promoting something and they give me this reason for leaving : "oh I thought it was a free service"

    Or after listening to an interview with an individual (mr. X) they leave and say "you're just a Mr. X wannabe

    People are weird and I learned you can't please everybody no matter how hard you try.
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  • Profile picture of the author logosi
    he could be an idiot, or simply like John said, not sure of what he's bought. Several things you could do...

    1. Ignore him (but then he might cause problems with Paypal, even if they are wrong)
    2. Issue him that monopoly money refund mentioned earlier.
    3. Explain the situation and send him something free (of value), perhaps he'll then realize the mistake and offer an apology.

    Above all though, don't reply in an angry manner (not that you would) as then you'd be operating in his arena.
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  • Profile picture of the author zoulkifl
    I see you decide to play with him a little. I would have told him right away that he was reading your free newsletter nd that there was nothing to buy.
    If he insists that ge bought something then ask him to forward the transaction receipt as well as the merchant's email address.

    I haven't had this problem personally but I get people who leave my list because aside from the free newsletter I'm promoting something and they give me this reason for leaving : "oh I thought it was a free service"

    Or after listening to an interview with an individual (mr. X) they leave and say "you're just a Mr. X wannabe

    People are weird and I learned you can't please everybody no matter how hard you try.

    Zoul
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  • Profile picture of the author Ronnie Nijmeh
    Come to think of it... he could be trying to scam you. Perhaps he's actually threatening to report you to paypal with the hopes of scoring your product for free?
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris_Willow
    I hate refunders!
    Easpecially the ones that just ask their bank for the money and there is not dispute in paypal. Other simply try to scam you by asking refunds and providing some random receipt numbers...
    Screw those guys, I'm doing business with normal people!

    Chris
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  • Profile picture of the author BrianMcLeod
    In a previous business, I actually received more than one complaint letter and refund demand about OTHER COMPANIES.

    Hello... McFly?

    Brian
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      I've occasionally offered a 110% refund if they can produce a valid receipt.

      You never hear from them again.
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      • Profile picture of the author neddag
        I once wrote a newsletter to my dog training list about why electric shock collars are a horrible way to train a dog.

        One subscriber wrote me back calling me an idiot and many other names not fit for a public forum. He then demanded his money back.

        I simply thanked him for his comments and told him to "Check your PayPal account. You will find that you have been completely refunded everything you paid for this free newsletter".

        I never heard from him again, although I have a hunch he resubscribed under a different name because one week after I unsubscribed him, I received a subscription from someone at the same IP in the same city. He's got a different email address and his name is now Robert and not Bob.

        Coincidence? I doubt it. At least Robert has not written me any emails yet.

        Ned
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        • Profile picture of the author Bruce NewMedia
          Free Newsletter?....and he wants his money back? TOO FUNNY!!!

          ______
          Bruce
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        • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
          True story.

          I once got an email from somebody who said...

          "I am NOT happy with your mentoring service. I am writing to request my
          money back."

          I had no idea who the guy was. But I wrote back to him and asked him to
          send me his receipt because I honestly had no idea who he was.

          Well, he sent me the receipt. It was to another Steven with another email
          address. I wrote to him and pointed out that he had the wrong person. I
          pointed out the email that he needed to direct his inquiry to.

          If this guy couldn't even figure out who was providing him with the
          mentoring, I would almost bet that the problem was NOT with the mentor.

          Wow, some people.
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  • Profile picture of the author lawton3920
    If everyone in this forum doesn't send me a dollar right Now i'll turn ya all in to paypal and google. hehe maybe it'll work what you guys and gails think.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Then
    I think he drank too much milk from China...
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    • Profile picture of the author Dixiebelle
      Good one, Joseph - I love it !!

      Dixie
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  • Profile picture of the author Andrew_Wardle
    It must be my day today to receive great emails.

    Not long after the refund request on my free newsletter, I opened an email with an offer in it. An offer telling me how many thousands of dollars I'd make if I just signed up to his program. You may have seen similar offers yourself!

    All I had to do was click the link.......

    only there wasn't any link......

    or even an email address.......

    or a website URL......

    or any other way of contacting them!

    Ah, well, I didn't really want to retire by the end of next week anyway!

    Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author rmholla
    Andrew,

    I probably would have had a little fun with the guy in a different way. My reply would have been something along the lines of "It is illegal to demand payment or refund for a product and/or service from a person who does not sell a product or service." So if you do not pay me $20 for wasting my time I am going to report you to authorities. LOL


    Rhonda
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Andrew,
      What do you do with a clown like this?
      Depends. Does the note sound like he's just confused, or is he "one of 'those' people?"

      I sent the most recent one, who wasn't easily identifiable by category, this note (Name changed):

      Mr Berfel,

      I'd be happy to refund your purchase. Please send me a copy
      of your receipt, or tell me your PayPal address and what
      product you ordered.


      Paul

      Proper caution, as some folks order things and then sign up for the newsletter after reading them. I try not to offend honest people over a simple mistake.

      He replied with:

      i ordered your newsleter you idiot give me my money back or paypal will hear about this!!!
      > I'd be happy to refund your purchase. Please send me a copy
      > of your receipt, or tell me your PayPal address and what
      > product you ordered.

      I told him I'd need the receipt, as "I don't use PayPal to handle order processing for my newsletter. I use Aweber. Do you have the receipt from Aweber, indicating the purchase price and length of the subscription?"

      His reply, two hours later, consisted of two words. They were NOT "Merry Christmas."

      I gave him the complimentary upgrade to the psychic edition.

      I then spent a few minutes contemplating the cheerful image of him spending two hours looking for a receipt from Aweber, and finding only the confirmation and welcome emails.

      A legitimate customer who got that kind of initial response would have no cause to think anything but, "Okay. He needs to know what I ordered." Nothing to get annoyed about. All proper, professional and respectful.

      Scammers will sometimes go along, sending fake receipts or other stuff that lets you play with them some more.

      A person who was just confused would be mildly embarrassed and probably not reply. They'd realize they goofed and write it off, with no more thought about me than that I'd treated it the right way.

      Idiots will just get frustrated, which is the market price these days for premeditated stupidity.


      Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author ahuddy
    Heh. Great story, there are some people out there that just aren't the brightest crayon in the box, but that is what makes life interesting every day.
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    • Profile picture of the author TimS
      I've seen similar. The only thing I could figure is that it was someone that was hoping that I would send them my product without checking to see if they were a customer or not.
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  • Profile picture of the author valerieSONORA
    Wow what an idiot. I would have some fun with him. Wow, just when you think people can't get any dumber. Ask him who you should make out his check of $0.00 to.
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  • Profile picture of the author BilB
    This is great that he wants a refund. You should be totally polite and send him a check, but make sure it's for $0.00. That would really rock his world.
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    • Profile picture of the author SolomonHuey
      Wow lots of funny stories on this thread.

      Luckily I don't have any personal stories like that to tell ... yet.
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      • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
        LOL... that cracked me up..

        And also..LOL @ Roger (ExRat)... dude you rock for sure.. I love reading your posts.. you have such a mind.. it always makes me evaluate things in a different light.. which is a good thing

        Peace

        Jay
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  • Profile picture of the author jasonl70
    When I look over my CB refund emails and read what the person says, I swear at least 85% are for products that are NOT mine, nor am I even an affiliate for!
    CB, in their equally amazing stupidity, don't even care. They will blindly refund the persons softare purchase from me, when they are complaining about a recurring fee from a membership site! So, guess what happens? that person will get another bill since they requested a refund from the wrong person, think it's me ripping them off, and may start talking bad about me!
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  • Profile picture of the author Amber Jalink
    You know what? This is funny - but it's happened with me too, although not usually with a newsletter.

    I have some free sites - people have joined, and like 1-2 years later asked for their money back.... and they've always been a free member. (Seriously).

    I have had the odd person do it by email too from newsletters (all my newsletters are free).

    BUT there's another thing that may be happening:

    Scammers - not so much even the person asking for the refund (although they very may well be attempting to scam), but it could even be sites that claim they get everything free (or for one price), have them join YOUR list, then when they expect it and don't get it, they want a refund.

    Take a look at this email I got last week (obviously private data removed):

    She joined one of my sites at free level (it actually puts her in 'pending' and provides payment options, unless they wish to remain free):

    ---
    "I had paid already when I purchased my packet from legit Jobs online I am suppose to have free access after buying that program why pay more"
    ---

    Uh... huh?? Who is this "legit jobs online", claiming to be giving them access to MY site??

    And too funny - "I'm supposed to have free access" - well you do! LOL!

    She DOES have free access to my site - AS a free member of course

    Just a thought. There are scammer sites out there. Maybe she seriously thought she was getting paid access free.

    I replied to her politely and explained to her that there must have been some mistake as she is in free access, but I also asked her to supply me with the link that promised it paid so that I could assist her.

    She never responded.

    Good for a laugh though

    Perhaps we should come up with some sort of response .... lol

    "Congratulations! You've just won our OxyMoron award...." (Refund on a Free Newsletter)

    Amber
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      "Congratulations! You've just won our OxyMoron award...."
      I should start attaching these to the responses:




      Paul

      Note: Graphic designed by Michelle Brouse.
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