eBay advice :(

joxang · 18 Jun 2011 at 16:15

Three years, more than 60 sales and 100% positive feedback and not a single problem. Now three problems come up in the space of two months (posted about one of them here before).

The latest one is as follows. Sold a guy a camera lens, £580 odd. Very nice and sharp lens (Leica D 25mm for 4/3), mechanically perfect condition. Guy received it, left positive feedback. Now, 18 days later, he wants a return because 'it's not sharp enough, it must be damaged'. I told him quite plainly that when I sent it out was as sharp as factory condition, and I couldn't refund him as it was obvious that he'd just changed his mind.

Predictably, he's launched a paypal dispute.

Is there any way I can get out of not having to give this guy a refund and get a return? I'm also slightly afraid that he's going to return the item broken or busted in some way

.

UnworthyBean · 18 Jun 2011 at 16:23

As far as Im aware if theyve left positive then they cant do anything?

However in the world of Ebay/Paypal it generally sides with the buyer.

Jimz · 18 Jun 2011 at 16:25

This is where Ebay becomes annoying for the sellers, I really do hope you can have some kind of control here as the Buyer could have sent it back ages ago but hes waiting this long since.

So whats stopping me from buying a game from a seller, completing it 1 month later then saying i want a return then i open up a paypal dispute?

There has to be some rights for the seller here

Neil79 · 18 Jun 2011 at 16:28

You would think he wouldn't have a leg to stand on, leaving good feedback and 18 days later complaining about it. But then it's paypal/ebay they only care for the criminal not the victim

joxang · 18 Jun 2011 at 16:32

Main problem is I can't even afford to refund at the moment. No way in hell. I guess I'm going to be spending a lot on phone bills in the near future...

Phenomenologica · 18 Jun 2011 at 16:34

Give Ebay your side of the story, offer to forward them any relevant communication that has occurred, and hope for the best I'd say.

nshire · 18 Jun 2011 at 16:40

Make sure you got the money out of the paypal account and unlink bank acount. £40+ I always move money out ASAP. When you sell always be on the cautious side.

BringTheRain · 18 Jun 2011 at 16:41

it doesn't matter about feedback.

They can open a dispute up to 45 days from the day the listing ended, so they are still within the time frame.

Cleeecooo · 18 Jun 2011 at 17:01

nshire said:
Make sure you got the money out of the paypal account and unlink bank acount. £40+ I always move money out ASAP. When you sell always be on the cautious side.

BringTheRain said:
it doesn't matter about feedback.

They can open a dispute up to 45 days from the day the listing ended, so they are still within the time frame.

Expect to pay the money back OP

Neil79 · 18 Jun 2011 at 17:34

Where's that lulz hacking ground when you need one...

I hate paypal with a passion

joxang · 18 Jun 2011 at 17:47

So the buyer's just admitted in the dispute that he's taken the lens on holiday with him, and that's where he noticed it wasn't sharp.

Wtf is eBay nowadays. A free-hire shop where you can get an expensive lens for a three week holiday, then dispute and return it for all your money back?!

BringTheRain · 18 Jun 2011 at 17:53

joxang said:
So the buyer's just admitted in the dispute that he's taken the lens on holiday with him, and that's where he noticed it wasn't sharp.

Wtf is eBay nowadays. A free-hire shop where you can get an expensive lens for a three week holiday, then dispute and return it for all your money back?!

This is why I don't sell on Ebay any more. I just buy

Icm76 · 18 Jun 2011 at 18:07

nshire said:
Make sure you got the money out of the paypal account and unlink bank acount. £40+ I always move money out ASAP. When you sell always be on the cautious side.

Agreed, if it's not too late and you can clear the PayPal account. I usually make take video and lot's of photos (with a current newspaper in shot) proving the condition of anything valuable a day or two before posting it out, just in case I get unlucky and encounter someone trying a con.

If you lose the money I would seriously consider initiating a claim using the online small claims process and go to court. Got any good proof of the condition before sending it? Though in a civil claim I believe you only need to prove what's more likely - and if the guy conveniently wants a return after having a loan for his holiday his story does sound very suspect. Who buys something for hundreds of pounds and doesn't check the condition thoroughly before accepting it?

Brookert · 18 Jun 2011 at 18:17

don't use paypal, cash on collection for something that valuable.

Icm76 · 18 Jun 2011 at 18:18

you don't get a choice, it's compulsory to offer PayPal for eBay sales.

Pawnless Endgame · 18 Jun 2011 at 18:37

Neil79 said:
You would think he wouldn't have a leg to stand on, leaving good feedback and 18 days later complaining about it. But then it's paypal/ebay they only care for the criminal not the victim

This.

Cleeecooo said:
Expect to pay the money back OP

And this.

Happened to me about a year ago. Sold something for £105. Buyer confirmed all working fine via positive feedback. A month later, buyer opens Paypal dispute without forewarning me. I get £105 chargeback, item came back to me faulty and I also had the £10.50 final-bid fee. My bad that I didn't check serial numbers though, which I have since learnt on similar threads on GD.

Efour · 18 Jun 2011 at 18:59

7 Years ive used ebay and ive sold 1 thing because of this reason.... Its hideous really its completely faceless and people abuse it.

id email this bloke and call him a c word tbh... how can he think he can get away with this... and its a big purchase... too.

joxang · 18 Jun 2011 at 19:06

I'm hoping his actual 'yeh I didn't contact you bout it sooner cos I've been using the lens on holiday for 3 weeks' will go against him. If it doesn't, and eBay force a return then their customer service simply must be monkeys.

If the item arrives damaged...then well, I'll probably have to look at going to a small claims court. I'm hoping now that it really is a case of "seller changed mind and doesn't want it any more", rather than a case of "seller dropped it out of a window on holiday", or "seller damages on purpose to get a return".

Thanks for letting me vent anyhow. Will keep updated.

StoutMeister · 18 Jun 2011 at 19:11

What is his feedback rating like?

Jay.D · 18 Jun 2011 at 19:13

What would happen if joxang were to unlink his card/bank details to stop this being reversed?