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Flippa - question

by minimo
10 replies
So after a friend recommended using flippa to sell my established website, it sold for a BIN price of $1,400 and the buyer seemed really keen.

After talking about how to do the whole process, I pack all my files up in an archive .tar and give him the download link. He pays me through paypal as soon as I give him the link, I then transfer the domain to him and offer my help to upload the files to his host or with any other assistance.

10 days later, he says he wants a refund because he doesn't know how to upload the website which is complete BS, it's a relatively simple WP website. I write back offering my help again but of course I would need his host account details if I were to upload the files myself via FTP and no reply. So now it's been almost a month since the end of the auction and nothing has happened. The website is still hosted on my server. I really regret selling it to this guy now since he seems to be clueless.

Can anyone assist me in what I should do next? Nowhere in flippa's buyer-seller agreement does it say that I should offer a refund just because he wants to. I have email confirmations of the domain transfer and the conversation is all saved on the flippa website with the download link for the databases and the archive still active. The only worry is that he'll initiate a dispute with paypal which will be a pain the ass. For how long after the transaction can paypal reverse the transfer or mess with the funds in any other way?

Thanks in advance!
#flippa #question
  • Profile picture of the author trytolearnmore
    You shouldn't give a refund. Unless you promised to install this website, it's his problems.
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  • Profile picture of the author Micah Medina
    Clearly, he needs to spend a little extra money and get a guy to do the install for him.
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  • Profile picture of the author BinaryQwest
    That's a tough situation. I have never had someone ask for a refund but lots of people talk about Paypal refunding to the buyer. Did you have a sales contract for the sale? Usually you can state in the sales contract or in the auction description itself that the buyer will be responsible for moving the site.
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  • Profile picture of the author minimo
    This was meant to be a simple sale so we didn't have a proper contract, we just discussed how it would go on the flippa website. I wouldn't mind installing it because it will take half an hour at most BUT he has not replied to the messages in which I was offering to do it for him.

    Isn't there a time limit in which he can dispute the sale?
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  • Profile picture of the author blillard
    For a sale bigger than $500 it is advised to use escrow because paypal is more loyal to buyers and many flippa buyer will pay you then you transfer the site or something then they ask for a refund. That is a big deal with that market since most of the transactions are digital paypal will require you to refund the money should there be a dispute. Really not fair to sellers but thats the game these days.
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  • Profile picture of the author minimo
    So maybe if I send him a physical DVD with the website files and databases to the address on his paypal and keep the tracking number that should keep me safe?
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    • Profile picture of the author cashcow
      Originally Posted by minimo View Post

      So maybe if I send him a physical DVD with the website files and databases to the address on his paypal and keep the tracking number that should keep me safe?
      Yes, that is a great idea.

      You did your part, and even went above and beyond offering to install it for him. You shouldn't feel like you have to give him a refund.

      That being said, some people seem to have more money than sense and I can't tell you the amount of times I have sold a website (granted not for as much as yours) and the buyer never even responds to my emails at all! They never take ownership of the site, I never hear from them - no chargeback or anything. They just pay me the money and disappear. Strange.

      Lee
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      Gone Fishing
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    • Profile picture of the author shabit87
      Yeah this is def a tough one.
      It may just be easier to return the money..after of course he gives you the domain back etc.
      Did you use a contract before exchanging hands?
      Were you clear on stating any clauses entitling him to a refund?
      If not no worries, but be sure to do so the next time.

      Okay so dude says he wants a refund cause he can't uplaod the files. Of course we gotta believe its an excuse. This guy may be having doubts about his purchase and its the best he can do.

      But if its easier and you had other interested buyers just relist and inform others that its been relisted, others meaning those who were bidding earlier.

      If its not to much trouble, just upload the files. This guy obviously made a bad choice but thats not your issue. Upload his files and call it a day. He isn't requesting a refund because you as a seller did anything wrong, he's wanting a refund because he's either too lazy to learn how to uplaod files, too cheap to hire someone to do so, or too silly to just say he made a mistake and be honest about it.

      Either way, work with him to the best of your ability and make the decision you feel is fair and not too much of a loss as far as time and funds are concerned.
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