eBay thread - but not catastrophic! Strategy advice please

[hughtrimble]

Afternoon Overclockers,

I'm looking for your advice on how to approach a seller for a partial refund.

I recently ordered a second hand phone from the US, via eBay, as they weren't released here (but support all the bands anyway). It was from a pretty major eBayer (close to 50k transactions, 99.2% positive) and described as:

'10/10, in like new condition, no sign used.'

They also sell 9/10 phones which are described as 'Very small and light scratches, no excessive signs of dirt or wear' for $30 less.

This 10/10 phone has arrived, with a dent in the outer casing, with shiny metal showing through (as the rest of it is coated).

If I ask for a refund of $30 (plus the additional difference in import costs due to the higher price paid) via eBay does this mean that any future issues, e.g. if the phone dies within a week etc. will not subsequently be covered due to a partial refund already having been granted?

I have zero interest in sending it back as the condition is otherwise good (9/10...how handy!) and reclaiming import costs etc. will be a right headache.

Any advice?

TL;DR - phone arrived in not as good condition as advertised, will getting a partial refund invalidate any future issues?

 

[wedrum]

not worth the hassle, you want to keep the transaction clear in case you do really need to claim.

 

[MrRockliffe]

Best way to ensure it won't affect it is to contact eBay direct

 

[jpaul]

make them aware of the mark with a photograph asap, and also say you have not yet fully checked out the phone .... and see what they say ?
edit: I normally ask them how they want to proceed, as opposed to asking for anything
in the unlikely event the phone did have a problem it would be weird if you had not remarked the dent

 

[hughtrimble]

Best way to ensure it won't affect it is to contact eBay direct

Thanks for this MrRockliffe - can you clarify what you mean by this? As far as I can tell, I can only contact the seller through eBay and not do a claim through eBay without involving the seller?

 

[hughtrimble]

not worth the hassle, you want to keep the transaction clear in case you do really need to claim.

This is my primary concern. It does look to be the case that if you open and resolve a case on a sale, that is it for that sale, no more claims can be made.

 

[hughtrimble]

make them aware of the mark with a photograph asap, and also say you have not yet fully checked out the phone .... and see what they say ?
edit: I normally ask them how they want to proceed, as opposed to asking for anything
in the unlikely event the phone did have a problem it would be weird if you had not remarked the dent

Agreed that it would be very odd for me not to mention it, and to be honest I'd think they be able to say that I've damaged the phone in my possession if I claim much later that the case was damaged upon arrival. Photograph taken the very moment I opened the box.

My concern with leaving it open to them, is that they could poker face it, and just say return for a full refund. If I was them, I'd be pretty damn confident that the buyer wouldn't go through this due to the financial faff of doing so given it's an international sale with customs charges involved.

I suppose I could contact them as evidence that there was an issue cosmetically upon its arrival, and then leave it at that for if something else does arise. But then I've still paid for a 10/10 phone that they'd charge at least $30 less for as it's not in that condition.

Tricky.

 

[MrRockliffe]

Do eBay not have a customer service line or something?

 

[CREATIVE!11]

Do eBay not have a customer service line or something?

They do but it's utterly terrible.

Indian call center etc.....I want to never deal with them ever again.

 

[Bug One]

Either keep and give negative feedback, or send it back for a refund.

Ebay won't be interested in any middle ground.

 

[Semple]

Do eBay not have a customer service line or something?

Have you never used ebay or something?

It's tricky for quite a meagre amount. I would do as Jpaul mentions and send a nice open message that you've received the item and upon inspection it's slightly damaged which you'd not expect with a 10/10 advertised phone. They'll likely come back suggesting remedies first.

 

[MrRockliffe]

Have you never used ebay or something?

I was replying to his question about what I meant about contacting eBay direct

From memory, they have a call centre, and so it's worth contacting them direct to see what they recommend.

 

[dirtychinchilla]

:/ balls

 

[hughtrimble]

I contacted the seller but not through the option that initiates a return (I'm keeping that one back for if the seller doesn't play ball).

They've offered 10 bucks compensation! Naturally they need to substantially improve on that given they basically sent they charge rather less for.

 

[AHarvey]

I contacted the seller but not through the option that initiates a return (I'm keeping that one back for if the seller doesn't play ball).

They've offered 10 bucks compensation! Naturally they need to substantially improve on that given they basically sent they charge rather less for.

Personally, if it's dented with the underlying metal showing that's not a light scratch or similar so more a 5-7/10.

I'd be returning it and wanting a 10/10 phone that I had ordered.

My response to the seller would be, "sorry, that's not enough for the damage it's got, i'll just return it for a full refund thanks !"