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How do you deal with Refund Scammers?

by matthewd
17 replies
I have only noticed this a handful of times, but one is enough to annoy me...

People have bought my book and requested a refund before even possibly having a chance to read it... I am talking a matter of minutes; one was literally within about 2 minutes of purchase.

I have always just refunded these people and deleted them off of my list but man they piss me off.

I know there is nothing we can do to stop it but what does everyone else do to get over being heated about it? My first instinct is to email them and tell them off... but as a business owner, that is obviously not the best thing to do.
#deal #refund #scammers
  • Profile picture of the author dvduval
    We'll you can have a policy of a 30 day waiting period until a refund would even be considered, and then also make them fill out a form with the reason for refund request, etc. You can at least make them really work for it.
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    • Profile picture of the author matthewd
      Originally Posted by dvduval View Post

      We'll you can have a policy of a 30 day waiting period until a refund would even be considered, and then also make them fill out a form with the reason for refund request, etc. You can at least make them really work for it.
      That 30 day policy might be decent... but I am also on Clickbank, so people can get refunds immediately if they want to.

      I don't want to make it hard for honest people to get refunds. I don't mind giving someone a refund if they have a sincere reason, so I don't want to make it hard for these people.
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  • Profile picture of the author BIG Mike
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    • Profile picture of the author matthewd
      Originally Posted by BIG Mike View Post

      If you offer refunds, then you really have to refund them. it's just part of the cost of doing business. If you're selling through CB or PayPal, they have 60 day refund periods so there's nothing you can do anyways.

      I know it sucks. I know you get pissed off. But really, what are we talking about percentage wise? Just move on - it's not healthy to let that stuff get to you...
      Yeah, I would never deny someone a refund.

      That is probably the best advice though... just forget it and let it go. They probably wouldn't have bought my book unless they knew they could refund immediately to get it for free, so I guess I can just look at it as no loss to me.
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      • Profile picture of the author dvduval
        Originally Posted by matthewd View Post

        Yeah, I would never deny someone a refund.

        That is probably the best advice though... just forget it and let it go. They probably wouldn't have bought my book unless they knew they could refund immediately to get it for free, so I guess I can just look at it as no loss to me.
        Yea, my perception may be a little different because I sell software, not books. Don't get me wrong, I do give refunds, but I don't make it as easy, and I have actually found that sometimes people just got frustrated because of some small problem that I was able to quickly solve, and in the end I had a happy customer.
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        • Profile picture of the author Chri5123
          What I normally do if you literally get a refund request within a few minutes is address the point!

          You can ask them what they didn't like about the problem, and also say that since they only purchased a few minutes ago did they have problems downloading etc...

          Of course they will still get their refund there is notihng you can do, but I must admit it does annoy me too!

          Seems to be getting more common nowadays.
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  • Profile picture of the author dvduval
    Yes, but at the same time, you need to clearly understand why they are asking for a refund, and they need to provide a good reason. Having a request form should help you get a better understanding of the whole process and allow you to better track what is going on and why.
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  • Profile picture of the author marley
    You can usually tell the genuine ones whereas serial refunders will come out with something like "I am so sorry but i woke up this morning and accidently purchased your ebook by mistake can i have a refund" genuine refunds are one thing but scammers and freeloaders are another.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tuzic
    Banned
    hi,

    wish i coudl ban them for life, such time wasters & they do this on purpose.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sirius Lin
    Matt, you can use some sort of a software like White Knight Protector. Once a refund is issued, you can prevent the user from accessing the ebook/product ever again just by clicking a few buttons. Might be a good idea if you have an unusually high number of such refunders.

    ~ Sirius
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    • Profile picture of the author Instructor
      Originally Posted by Sirius Lin View Post

      Matt, you can use some sort of a software like White Knight Protector. Once a refund is issued, you can prevent the user from accessing the ebook/product ever again just by clicking a few buttons. Might be a good idea if you have an unusually high number of such refunders.

      ~ Sirius
      How does that work if they have already downloaded it?
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    • Profile picture of the author matthewd
      Originally Posted by Sirius Lin View Post

      Matt, you can use some sort of a software like White Knight Protector. Once a refund is issued, you can prevent the user from accessing the ebook/product ever again just by clicking a few buttons. Might be a good idea if you have an unusually high number of such refunders.

      ~ Sirius
      I will look into that. I don't think I have an unusually high number of these people... but it doesn't take very many for me to get annoyed with it.

      Thanks
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      • Profile picture of the author Richard Tunnah
        Originally Posted by matthewd View Post

        I will look into that. I don't think I have an unusually high number of these people... but it doesn't take very many for me to get annoyed with it.

        Thanks
        Hey Matt,
        No point getting annoyed...not worth your 'hot air'. Refunds happen to all of us - mostly genuine but the odd 'doughnut' that refunds...refunds..refunds.

        Rich
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  • Profile picture of the author Sirius Lin
    Each download is issued its own registration key that connects to the internet and back to your server to check that it's been activated. That happens each time you open up the ebook/product. By disabling the registration key, the next time the product is opened and it is unable to locate the key on your server, the product becomes deactivated and can no longer be accessed.

    ~ Sirius
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  • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
    As Mike says, iff you offer a guarantee, then it's just a matter
    of dealing with the refund.

    The best thing about a refund request is that it gives you the
    opportunity to contact the customer and get valuable feedback.
    That type of feedback is worth its weight in gold because it
    will help you to improve your product and/or your service.

    The ones that piss me off are the ones that go straight to PayPal
    and claim an unauthorized payment.. they are just time stealers.

    People who don't have the guts to ask for refund and who waste
    my time usually get added to my Fantasos ban list.

    John
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Mayo
      John,
      I agree with you 1000000000%

      Same Here!

      Have a Great Day!
      Michael
      Originally Posted by John Taylor View Post

      As Mike says, iff you offer a guarantee, then it's just a matter
      of dealing with the refund.

      The best thing about a refund request is that it gives you the
      opportunity to contact the customer and get valuable feedback.
      That type of feedback is worth its weight in gold because it
      will help you to improve your product and/or your service.

      The ones that piss me off are the ones that go straight to PayPal
      and claim an unauthorized payment.. they are just time stealers.

      People who don't have the guts to ask for refund and who waste
      my time usually get added to my Fantasos ban list.

      John
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Montgomery
    Here's the thing with those cereal refunders (in my opinion).

    They don't have what it takes to put your product to use.

    So they're not going to use your advice anyway.

    They're going to forget about it in a couple of days as if
    they didn't even buy it.

    So if they didn't even buy it they might as well have their money.

    I know I know, it takes up time but it's a small price to pay in this
    biz.

    mx
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  • Profile picture of the author AverageGuy
    if it was within money back gurantee, just issue refund. if not, then no.



    david
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