Buyer wants a refund...

[DialsMavis]

Hi, can any experienced Ebayers give me some advice? Someone won the item (a BNIB laptop battery) then complained about postage costs, which I reduced. I sent the item the day after the auction ended. I didn't receive any feedback, so was slightly concerned that it hadn't arrived. The buyer has just messaged me to say that the voltage is incorrect for his laptop and making it overheat and that I am obliged to accept a return and offer a full refund. Is this the case? I am quite happy to, if It is the right thing to do, but as his first communication was to ask for a reduction in postage, & he didn't leave me any feedback, I just want to ensure he isn't just trying it on!

Was the voltage listed in your description? It sounds like the buyer made a mistake tbh.

Thanks for replying. I didn't mention the voltage, just put the make and model of laptop I bought it for. I never used it, as my lap top broke. So he may well be right. I had no way of checking it before sale, it was still sealed in the original packaging.

I think it's his mistake . You list an item and someone buys it based on your description . He should have asked about the voltage.

he could of course be wanting to return his old duff battery and keep your nice new one - but maybe I am being cynical!

I would ask him to return at his expense in the condition in which it was sent, and once you have checked your security marks, you will refund

Would overheating cause battery damage I wonder if he used wrong battery for his machine?

I have emailed and said I will check with eBay and get back to him and that if eBay say refund, I will first need to check the item he returns. He says it's my fault for not putting the voltage on the description

if the product fits its description, he should not be refunded, unless he can prove he ordered it for a specific purchase which you agreed it would suit, ie a certain type/model of laptop.

sale of goods act states item must be of merchantable quality and fit for its purpose, ie something advertised as waterproof must be waterproof.

If battery was bnib and he has opened it then he cannot return it in original condition.

This is on a par with someone ordering clothing the wrong size and expecting a refund, if there is nothing wrong with it then legally you don't have to refund. But if you want to go on to sell more stuff bad feedback really puts folk off, so I would try and resolve it amicably if possible, did you have other bidders, could you do a second chance offer?

Also the battery may be damaged if he has used it for the wrong purpose, so i would be a bit worried about refunding

Thanks, I phoned Ebay who said to offer a return would be at my discretion and like you say the battery could now be damaged and is no longer BNIB. As the guy has been a pain in the arse from start to finish and all my other feedback is excellent (saying that I go above and beyond whats necessary etc), I have very politely emailed and said that Ebay have suggested he opens a not as described case and that if they decide I should refund, then I will immediately upon receiving the battery back and checking it

as a private seller and in auction format goods only need to be as described.

the sale of goods act does not apply except for brand new goods from a business seller

if seller had said 5volts when 10 volts that is mis-described but if she said toshiba bettery for toshiba XYZ laptop if that is not enough information for you to be sure about compatibility you need to ask

I would offer refund but of item cost only not postage as a favour thing is that you can refund etc etc but he can still leave bad feedback to be honest no-one is that bothered about 1 negative feedback in lots of sales and you can always reply to neg feedback with polite note

" was BNIB buyer opened and after using decided it was not right, offered to refund once returned, " or similar