Suspicious Damage

[ganesh]

Short story - I've sold a car stereo to someone, it was in perfect condition when I sent it and I packaged It well in a box with lots of bubble wrap and polystyrene peanuts.
The buyer received it today and says that it's all smashed up and sent me the following pictures -

I really cannot see how a slightly crumpled box translates into the kind of damage that he's taken photos of? The box was fully packed out so there was zero room for movement, it looks like the front of it has been forced off or it's been dropped from a height onto a hard floor.

What do you chaps think? i can't help but feel he's done this himself and is trying a fast one.

 

[mattyprice4004]

Depends how you sold it, if by a forum etc and not via PayPal then tell them to do one.

If it was eBay, they'll probably side with the buyer once he's returned it.

 

[PistolPete]

Claim from the delivery people??

 

[ganesh]

It was initially an auction but I ended up selling it outside of eBay, though the payment was made with PayPal.

I didn't realise that PayPal could intervene in payments made outside of eBay.

 

[JonJ678]

It looks more likely that he tried and failed to fit it.

 

[Narj]

Did you note down the serial number of the one you sent?

 

[mattyprice4004]

It was initially an auction but I ended up selling it outside of eBay, though the payment was made with PayPal.

I didn't realise that PayPal could intervene in payments made outside of eBay.

They can, but was it paid for by PayPal Gift? Check the payment.

 

[jackthezipper]

Did he make a note to the delivery driver (if relevant) that the box was bashed when he received it?

 

[ganesh]

They can, but was it paid for by PayPal Gift? Check the payment.

The money was sent as a gift, I think I'm going to tell this guy to bugger off, I'm convinced that this couldn't have happened in the post.

 

[On Holiday]

As a shop would say "If the box appears damage, decline the delivery" etc

 

[ZXSpectrum]

If he paid as a gift he doesn't have a leg to stand on.

 

[Raumarik]

To be fair to the guy it's possible someone has stood on the box, not much he can do though if he was daft enough to take it outside ebay and pay by PPG.

It's up to you OP - ethics or cash!

 

['Harry]

That damage wasn't caused by any drop or otherwise. The way the metal is bent outwards shows that.

 

[LizardKing]

Did you note down the serial numbers?

 

[Uther]

PPG= bad luck for the buyer.

 

[Twirlywoos]

Did you note down the serial numbers?

This. It looks like they may have swopped the back unit with their faulty one and are trying to pull a fast one. When selling anything always use forensic water pens to mark your goods as serial numbers held on with a sticker can be easily removed and swoped.

 

[Twirlywoos]

To be fair to the guy it's possible someone has stood on the box, not much he can do though if he was daft enough to take it outside ebay and pay by PPG.

It's up to you OP - ethics or cash!

This is also a probable cause. If he paid by PPG and if it was damaged in transit then all he can do is go through his bank.

 

[Zenduri]

i call bull on that that's been forced open. i suspect he forced and broke his, bought yours and tried sending his back for a refund

 

[arknor]

i thought paypal changed the paypal gift policy ages ago?

 

[martian_aphid]

It sucks to be put in this kind of position were you have to make a judgement over whether someone is lying to you or not :S

But in my own personal opinion and based on your description I too would be suspicious of how the product was damaged in that particular way - in my experience a box like that would have taken most of the brunt of the force and if it was well packaged within then it would take a hell of a blow to damage metal that way from within. Tough call mate