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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

aibu or is this person taking the piss..

74 replies

tinyturtletim · 25/10/2013 12:23

I sold an item on ebay, I had only used it twice and so decided it was clutter. Sold item, sent item, item delivered person leaves positive feedback saying 'item as described perfect thanks'

Excellent, however today I received a email from ebay stating that a case has been opened, a item not a described case the buyer wrote this note to me..

'I used the item and it worked great, went to use it a second time but I couldn't get it to work give me a refund'

Aibu to tell him no? I sold it working, it was at his own admission working perfectly when he used it. So how do I know he hasn't been rough with it or damaged it by dropping it or something like this and now wants his money back?

Ebay tend to side with the buyer so I am slightly concerned as it is not money I can afford to lose.

OP posts:
hiddenhome · 25/10/2013 12:27

It's difficult to say without knowing what the item actually is?

Objection · 25/10/2013 12:27

If you don't regularly sell on eBay then stick to your guns.

I'm a PowerSeller on eBay so have a lot to lose in this kind of case so would tend to just refund just to avoid any issues however if you are not a "business" seller and just sell the odd thing then it won't matter. Feedback has been left so it won't affect your rating. You have a strong case which eBay should respect.

Keep the money and don't pander to bad buyers (which there are plenty of, and eBay don't help with this - but that's a whole other thread!)

CoffeeTea103 · 25/10/2013 12:28

I went through something similar as I was the buyer. Item received (box stuffed with paper instead of gadget) and it seems as though it's up to the buyer to prove the case. I took lots of photos and had a good case. Since your buyer admitted that it works perfectly he would probably have to prove what happened.

Original poster
tinyturtletim · 25/10/2013 12:29

A hand held steam cleaner.

I sell alot but am not a business seller.

My thinking is that you can't buy a new top wear it get astain on it and go back to the shop demanding a refund.

OP posts:
Sallykitten · 25/10/2013 12:29

If I had bought something from ebay used it twice and it just didn't work the second time I wanted to use it I would want a refund.

If they've damaged it then they're taking the piss, but if it just didn't work then I think they have every right to ask for a refund.

Look at it this way, they may not be able to afford to lose the money on a faulty item either.

Sallykitten · 25/10/2013 12:31

Yes, but if you bought a top and you wore it twice and it fell apart at the seams you could return it as not being fit for the intended use.

Ditto this, if they've used it correctly and it's just packed up they have a case.

Original poster
tinyturtletim · 25/10/2013 12:32

sally how would you prove you didn't break it though?

OP posts:
Inertia · 25/10/2013 12:34

He's probably cleaned everything now and doesn't need it anymore...

Original poster
tinyturtletim · 25/10/2013 12:35

inertia that crossed my mind

OP posts:
WMittens · 25/10/2013 12:41

Sallykitten

Yes, but if you bought a top and you wore it twice and it fell apart at the seams you could return it as not being fit for the intended use.

Ditto this, if they've used it correctly and it's just packed up they have a case.

But if you bought the top secondhand from an individual (or a charity shop, although that's probably a different ethical question) would you expect a refund?

Seeing as he's stated it worked first time he knows it was sold in good working order, the OP (I'm guessing) is not an expert on steam cleaners and sold it in good faith, so I don't think there's much of a case.

I wouldn't bank on eBay agreeing with my point of view though.

Jolleigh · 25/10/2013 12:48

How couldn't they get it to work? Could easily be that the fuse needs changing.

If it's coming on but not cleaning properly, could be something they did to it first time round.

Money-wise, would refunding set you back much?

GhostsInSnow · 25/10/2013 12:55

You really aren't going to have much choice but to refund. If your buyer opens a case for 'not as described' he'll be told to return the item to you and when it tracks back to your door Paypal will issue him with a full refund including his original P+P.

You need to then take it up with whoever you bought it from or the manufacturer.

Original poster
tinyturtletim · 25/10/2013 12:57

If they refunded I wouldn't be able to afford it. Half a weeks worth of food shopping and we are short this month as it is.

Should I ring ebay? Will they be bothered?

OP posts:
Original poster
tinyturtletim · 25/10/2013 12:57

juice even though he admits it was working?

OP posts:
diaimchlo · 25/10/2013 13:10

Surely if he used it once and admitted it worked, he doesn't have a case.. unless the seller offered a guarantee. When you buy 2nd hand goods in an auction they are bought as seen. So as long as the description was spot on and it was sold as used how does he have a case. He left good positive feedback on receipt, trying it on IMO.

GhostsInSnow · 25/10/2013 13:12

Yep, even though he admits it was working.

Put yourself in his shoes, he's bought something that worked once and went kaput. It can and does happen (recently DD has had 2 brand new Nook's from Argos both of which worked marvellously for 3 days then died). It's perfectly possible he's telling the truth, in which case why should he be out a sum of money because the item doesn't work?

Unfortunately as the seller you have to give him the benefit of the doubt and if as I say he files through Paypal he will win. You can hope that he isn't aware of Paypal rules and doesn't open a case, but ultimately if he does then you will have to refund.

GhostsInSnow · 25/10/2013 13:14

When did you buy the item OP? Can you not take it up with the manufacturer when you get it back?

Just because it's second hand doesn't mean Paypal won't refund him, and again, why should he be out of pocket for an item that has only worked once and packed in.

judgejudithjudy · 25/10/2013 13:18

yanbu but ebay/paypsl always side with the buyer but ask for the item back via recorded mail.

AKAK81 · 25/10/2013 13:33

Unless you're a business seller or mis described the item then he has no right to a refund whatsoever. If he wanted a brand new one with a warranty then he should have bought one. Refuse to sign for any delivery. He bought it, his problem.

Original poster
tinyturtletim · 25/10/2013 13:35

I just called ebay,

They said that the buyer left me positive feedback and also admitted that they received it in good working order so I do not need to worry as they will decide in myfavour in these circumstances

OP posts:
WMittens · 25/10/2013 13:36

Good result.

AKAK81 · 25/10/2013 13:39

Juice I expect you're the kind of idiot who buys a used car privately and when it breaks a month down the line tries to return it or get the seller to pay for repairs when they sold it in good faith. You ask why the buyer in this case should be out of pocket? Because he took the risk of buying something 2nd hand privately that's why.

Original poster
tinyturtletim · 25/10/2013 13:39

I think there is a big difference between buying from a shop and buying second hand, if I had brought it from the shop and it stopped working I would certainly want a refund.

However if I brought second hand, I.e from ebay or a charity shop i think it is the risk you take, obviously it is not fair if it has just packed up but I cannot afford to take the risk that it has been dropped or misused refund on the basis of trust get it back through the post in broken pieces.

OP posts:
Objection · 25/10/2013 13:41

Good news, OP. I'm glad eBay are siding with the seller on this one. They need to do this more.

Original poster
tinyturtletim · 25/10/2013 13:43

She said I still have to go through the resolution centre as they cannot just close it but she said she will flag it to make sure it works in my favour whatever that means.

OP posts:
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