User wants to return an item that was shipped in good condition
Hello, I sold a perfectly working used video card (I am a private seller) and in good condition but the buyer says that the middle fan is causing problems (false or at least I shipped it perfectly) now since I have seen that eBay tends to always side with the buyer according to some testimonials I read online how do I protect myself in case eBay sides with him? I want the card back in the same good condition as I shipped it if needed
5 comments
actar80
·3 years agoUnfortunately, this kind of item can lead to this situation; it all now depends on the buyer's honesty. It could be that it no longer works afterward even though you shipped it working, or who knows what the buyer did to it, since being a technological item, moreover an IT one, it lends itself to various situations, e.g. firmware update, etc.
Has the buyer already left you positive feedback, which shows that the item was working upon delivery, or did they immediately dispute the malfunction?
If you have the positive feedback, this shows that the item was working and as described.
If that's not the case, try not to get into a confrontation with the buyer, because in any case the latter has a much better chance of having their return request accepted.
simoneserio
OP3 years agoThanks. I’m reading worrying things from you, unfortunately. If he returns it to me tampered with, I will definitely file a report with the postal police, showing the images before shipping; it won’t be of any use, but at least these people will get scared, then if I receive it back in good condition too, I’ll use eBay only for inexpensive items from now on... even though I’ll most likely delete my account. The guarantees are definitely one-way
actar80
·3 years agoIf you’re thinking of filing a complaint if you receive it tampered with (you need to have proof that shows what happened and anyway it’s a hassle) and if you think the buyer isn’t being honest, you can warn them in advance that, regardless of eBay’s verdict, you will proceed to file a complaint if the item turns out not to be working because of the buyer’s actions.
As for eBay, the platform has always been skewed in favor of the buyer, and that’s logical because if there are no buyers there can be as many sellers as you want but the site would shut down right away. It’s obvious that if you satisfy one side you upset the other; complaint evaluations are made based on whatever evidence is provided, but often it’s better to contact support by phone because the procedures are standardized and often don’t take everything into account, human contact is always better. Once they handled all the complaints through Paypal and in my opinion that was better since they specialize in that, now there’s eBay support and there isn’t enough well-trained staff; they already replied to me in the past by pointing me to an email address that didn’t exist, other times in chat they didn’t even understand the issue.
For the account, my personal advice is not to close it; you can stay on as a buyer and if in the future the situation improves for sellers you’ll be able to start selling again.
Last thing, when you sell “difficult” items like computer parts, sell them on sites with fewer obligations, maybe with in-person handoff if you can, and avoid incoming payments with Paypal because then they can file a claim against you for up to 180 days and, if I remember correctly, since 2020 they no longer refund fees to sellers.
Hoping I’ve given you good advice, I’ll say goodbye and if you want, keep us updated on how it goes.
actar80
·3 years agoIn using it I skipped 1 piece:
after the sentence "you can inform them in advance that, regardless of eBay's verdict, you will proceed to file a complaint if the item is not functioning because of the buyer's actions"
I should have written to you: It may be that the buyer, if they are not acting in good faith, will back down and close the claim.
Hi
sika700
·3 years agoUnfortunately... hard to say... if you "want" it back the way you sent it... you shouldn't have shipped it!
So, to avoid eBay automatically siding with the buyer, arrange the return and try to minimize the likely financial damage.
Best regards.