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AIBU?

AIBU to refuse to accept ebay return?

31 replies

MeDented · 06/03/2013 22:01

Not sure what to do, I sold a second hand tablet on ebay, full working order but it has a resistive screen which is nowhere near as good as a capacitive screen. Buyer bought it for £38 and is complaining it is faulty. All I had done since it was working properly was restore factory settings to erase our personal stuff. I did find info online that said the resistive screens could get unsettled when travelling through post and need re-calibrating so I forwarded the info to buyer. She is now saying she has taken it to a PC repair shop and he has told her it is faulty and she should send it straight back. My ebay post made it quite clear I don't accept returns. Where do I stand, can I dispute her claim that it's faulty, it certainly wasn't when it left here, annoyingly slow to respond when you are used to iPads or other capacitive screens but definitely working. If I have to refund her can I deduct the ebay fees I have had to pay?

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MeDented · 06/03/2013 22:10

Sorry bumping as it seemed to disappear and I really need to respond in the morning, what would you do? Please!

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HollyBerryBush · 06/03/2013 22:15

You might declare you dont accept returns - but I think you will find yourself royally screwed over by paypal if you dont refund.

The buyer has found the item not fit for purpose and has the right to claim monies back. They will open a dispute and win.

pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/cases.html

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MeDented · 06/03/2013 22:19

Thanks Holly, I wondered if that would be the case. So it comes down to their word against mine. I honestly wouldn't sell anything that wasn't working but I truly believe this buyer is expecting an iPad for £38! Do you know if I can deduct my ebay fees and just refund the balance?

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OhDearieDearieMe · 06/03/2013 22:22

As Holly says you'll probably have to return if she opens a dispute but tell her beforehand that you're happy to refund once you've checked your security markings and are absolutely sure that no alterations have been made to the machine - this might, just might, make her think twice if she's trying to pull a fast one. Ebay is a fucking nightmare for things like this!

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MysteriousHamster · 06/03/2013 22:22

You have to accept returns if a buyer says something is faulty, it's no good saying you don't on auctions, it's completely meaningless. Paypal would find against you.

As they are saying the item is faulty, you can't deduct fees. They might be lying/wrong but if you bought something from a shop and it was faulty you wouldn't want them deducting costs from refund. Just make sure they post it back to you signed-for first.

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someoftheabove · 06/03/2013 22:23

I always wonder about sellers saying they don't accept returns. What happens if the item is, as in this case, faulty? Do you just say sorry, your problem, I don't accept returns? I realise most people are private sellers, but, seriously, can you imagine a business refusing to refund on a faulty item? Maybe you could ask her to provide a written declaration from the PC shop that the item is, indeed, faulty. Then at least you know she's not pulling a fast one.

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Bananapickle · 06/03/2013 22:29

If they open a case through buyer protection you will end up having to refund the full amount and maybe even the original postage.
We were on the buying side of an ebay sale and they sent us a completely broken computer item and thankfully we got our full refund.
I do feel for you though as you are so positive it was working before you sent it. I think it is one of the downsides of using eBay to sell items.

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ReallyTired · 06/03/2013 22:29

If the buyer send a crock of shit through the post then Ebay can force the Seller to refund the item. Sellers are bound by the trade descriptions act whether they like it or not.

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Bananapickle · 06/03/2013 22:30

Oh and as others have said get more information. Ask them exactly what the fault is and a copy of what the pc shop have said.

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MeDented · 06/03/2013 22:34

Thanks banana, I'm also suspicious as she mentioned in her first message she had a friend who worked in a PC shop, I think this is probably who is saying it is faulty. It's more like she has realised these tablets aren't as good as iPads or even other capacitive tablets and doesn't want it and that seems unfair I lose out on the fees plus I posted it out first class which cost me more than the P&p I charged. Don't think I'll bother with ebay again.

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MeDented · 06/03/2013 22:35

Really tired I most certainly have not sent a crock of shit through the post, I agree buyers should be protected in cases like that but what about sellers being protected from buyers.

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delilahlilah · 06/03/2013 22:36

Cancel the transaction via ebay. Then you don't lose the fees.

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delilahlilah · 06/03/2013 22:37

Oops, should add you need the buyer to accept that afaik, so try no to get too cross as yet! If it comes back and it is fine, you can always report the buyer to ebay afterwards

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OhDearieDearieMe · 06/03/2013 22:38

The lack of protection for sellers against fuckwitted buyers is the singlemost aggravating problem with ebay at the moment. I now have to send every single thing - even with little value - via Signed For otherwise the amount of non-received items would beggar belief. It IS a nightmare. I take it reallytired isn't an ebay seller else she wouldn't make such a stupid dismissive comment!

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MeDented · 06/03/2013 22:41

Ooooh thanks Delilah, can I ask how I cancel the transaction? And thanks oh dearie, it's nice to know some people understand there can be 2 sides, I wouldn't try and rip anyone off but don't want to be out of pocket myself. Yes, that's why I ended up paying extra postage because I didn't want to risk them saying it hadn't arrived.

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sarahtigh · 06/03/2013 22:42

private sellers with auction are obliged to sell goods as described the only thing no returns means for a private seller is that legally the buyer can not return an auction item because they do not like it or change their mind as distance selling regulations do not apply to auctions

when goods are faulty/ not as described or break /damaged in post all sellers have to accept returns

legally auctions are classed as second hand so have to be as described

brand new goods on BIN also have to be fit for purpose and last reasonable length of time this does not apply to auctions/2nd hand

I would suggest that you accept it back and relist

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GregBishopsBottomBitch · 06/03/2013 22:46

My mum and stepdad are avid ebayers, they sell loads, and the shit people pull to try and get their money back is shocking, they dont sell shit, they are honest about what the sell.

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MeDented · 06/03/2013 22:48

Yes I will accept it back and refund and will try and cancel the transaction, don't think I'll bother resisting though can't face this hassle again. Will see if my local charity shop wants it. Thanks everyone you've been a big help (mostly)

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purplekaz · 06/03/2013 22:49

I'm pretty sure she's meant to post it back to you with proof of postage before you're meant to give any refund, it's all in the the ebay rules (if you can be bother to read all the small print, I can't but my hubby has!!) There are better sites than ebay now, gumtree is a good one with no fees!

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MeDented · 06/03/2013 22:49

Oops relisting no resisting!

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oaks2012 · 06/03/2013 22:55

Have you thought it may have actually have been damaged during transit?!!

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MeDented · 06/03/2013 23:02

Maybe oaks but it was extremely well protected and wrapped

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Raum · 06/03/2013 23:12

Either refund them or expect to get a box of shit through the post, be forced to refund them anyway and probably still not get your tablet back. EBay/PayPal are entirely weighted towards the buyer.

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MeDented · 06/03/2013 23:15

Which is good when you are the buyer I guess ;)

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SquinkiesRule · 07/03/2013 00:11

Can't you wait and do the refund on receiving it back? I've only had one person not like what I sold, even though I stated the condition carefully and bolded the words and said no returns, I told her I'd refund the purchase price when I got the item back her cost to mail it. She did, it wasn't damaged at all and I refunded her. No way I'd refund without the item back in my hands. I'd also say I needed to check that is the exact same item as you sent out.

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