Possible eBay nightmare unfolding

ScarySquirrel

ScarySquirrel

ScarySquirrel

Soldato
Joined
13 Jan 2004
Posts
23,917
Location
South East
Hi all,

I just sold all of my camera gear on eBay (first mistake probably, I just thought it would be easier), including my Canon 5D2.

Camera was in great shape, boxed, with everything - I sent it yesterday and I get a message from the guy today saying that he put a card in the CF slot but it isn't being read and he cannot format it. He's checked the CF slot and says there's a bent pin and whether I've had this issue before.

Well, no, in the many years of ownership and even 1 week ago when I formatted a card in there, I have NEVER had this problem. He has it 5 minutes and suddenly it's broken.

I've asked him if it's one of the CF cards that I included in the auction or if it was his own and if he can send me a picture.

I feel like I'm screwed already, eBay always side with the buyer. It's not like I have pictures of inside of the CF card slot showing straight pins, so it's just my word against his. The camera was 100% working. I'm so annoyed about this, I sold it because I'm skint and I desperately need the money and now I feel like I'm going to be massively out of pocket.

Any advice?
 
He just sent me this picture, and said it was using one of my cards. The picture really doesn't help as it's tiny.

RLPeic9.jpg


What the hell do I do?
 
spoffle said:
Withdraw the money from your PayPal account right now.
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I already have. That isn't really going to help though, I've had a charge back before years ago when I was scammed and your PayPal account just ends up in negative balance, I'd owe them the money so that isn't going to help.

I feel like I need to offer him a refund, he posts back at his expense, and I get it repaired, which will probably cost me hundreds. I'm so annoyed about this right now, it was fine when I sent it.
 
ScarySquirrel said:
I already have. That isn't really going to help though, I've had a charge back before years ago when I was scammed and your PayPal account just ends up in negative balance, I'd owe them the money so that isn't going to help.

I feel like I need to offer him a refund, he posts back at his expense, and I get it repaired, which will probably cost me hundreds. I'm so annoyed about this right now, it was fine when I sent it.
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Do you have the serial number of the camera recorded anywhere just in case he sends you a different camera back.
 
Yes I do, fortunately.

I paid £25 to post it to him, if he wants a refund then I'll have to pay postage back and I'll refund him in full and have a broken camera on my hands. I really don't need this right now. I feel like crying I'm so upset about it all :( I need the money FFS!
 
He's just sent me this better picture

ZO3ULAt.jpg


And this:

There's a closer photo if you can see. It does seem to just be the one pin. Resetting doesn't seem to have done anything, still get the same message.

I've phoned a camera repair place nearby called Fixation and it would cost £140 for repairs. Not sure how you want to proceed, as that's quite a lot of money but I don't want to have to go through a return and refund process - the rest of the camera seems to be in good condition!

Sorry about this.
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He's in North London, I'm in London next week for a meeting so I might offer to go and see it in person. Is that pointless?

I could offer to go halves on the repair with him, or is that risky too?
 
I think I might say that I'd rather just have it back to sort out myself and I'll refund him. I'll offer to collect it in person so I can a) check the serial number and b) save money on postage return as I'm in London next Thursday already.

Thinking of sending this back:

Wow, that is seriously bent! As I said it was working last time I used it, and I can't see how taking a card out would have caused that. That being said, I appreciate you don't want a camera that doesn't work.

I'd prefer to just have the camera back so I can get it fixed myself, I will of course provide a full refund. I really cannot afford to be paying for the return postage right now (I sold all my gear as I needed the money), so seeing as you're in London I wondered if you'd be willing to allow me to collect it back from you? I'm in London next Thursday for a meeting anyway so could come any time after 1pm if that works for you?

I would refund the money there and then when I collect it so you can be sure you have it back before I leave with the camera.

Failing this then I'd ask that you return the camera with everything that was included and in the same condition and send it back with the appropriate insurance and using tracked postage.

Nick
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Last edited:
His reply is reasonable, as is your intended solution so do that.

e: probably don't mention that you're desperate for this solution due to money, he doesn't need to know that however well intentioned he is.
 
How does on pin in the middle bend but none of the others :confused:

I would ask to see a photo of the whole camera including the serial, He could have bought a dodgy one to repair and is trying it on with you.
 
jimjamuk said:
You might want to mention the serial number - just so they know you recorded it so there isn't any funny business
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[FnG]magnolia;29664088 said:
His reply is reasonable, as is your intended solution so do that.

e: probably don't mention that you're desperate for this solution due to money, he doesn't need to know that however well intentioned he is.
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Thanks, I've gone back with what I posted and mentioned the serial number and making sure everything is still in the box etc. Part of me hopes he is trying to scam me and that this will put a stop to it.
 
I had this. Got the camera back and fixed it myself and resold the camera. You can get a new socket for £20-30 and use a youtube guide to replace. I did it in 30mins.
 
I would do the refund via PayPal, not cash in person.

tom_e said:
Leave out the stuff about needing money and make it clear it'll be a paypal refund done.
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Already sent it :(

Spit said:
I had this. Got the camera back and fixed it myself and resold the camera. You can get a new socket for £20-30 and use a youtube guide to replace. I did it in 30mins.
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Good to know, hopefully I get it all back in decent order and can get it fixed.
 
Well it does help in the context of you "owe" PayPal who will have to chase you for the money and prove that they were just in offering the buyer a refund and then expecting you to reimburse them.

This covers you and allows you to control what's going on at least with regards to your money.
 
That's seriously annoying, from the replies you have shared he doesn't seem to be the typical knuckle dragging scammer type but who knows. Definitely make sure the serial numbers etc match up before you issue a refund.
 
Right, he's being cool about it all so I don't thinkhe is trying to pull a fast one of me, but I'm not going to collect in person, I've asked him to post it back to me - gets it resolved quicker and means I don't have to bother going to get it in person. I'll be sure to check the serial number on its return and I'll just try to fix it myself before selling again.

What a nightmare.
 
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