Help! eBay nightmare

[ScienceRocks]

I have sold a few bits and pieces on eBay but am no expert. I have sold some photographic equipment for my parents but one buyer has been a bit awkward, first wanting to lay cash and collect, then agreeing to PayPal and signing a receipt when he and I met to hand over the item. However, he is now claiming the item doesn't work, and wants me to refund him in full plus £5 for petrol.

I think I have made a mistake with the listing as I stated that the item was old and used, but didn't explicitly say that I hadn't tested it and therefore didn't know whether it worked. I know it worked when it was last used but that was many years ago, and I have stated this to anyone who asked (which this buyer didn't).

What do I do? I feel I should get the item back, and am prepared to go and get it, but am I right in thinking that I don't have to refund his petrol money? He's being a bit arsey with me and I'm starting to get a bit stressed about it.

oh crikey - never ever take paypal for a collected item - your receipt is useless. Cash only. You are lucky they aren't claiming not received.

You tell them to return it to you for a full refund. Have they opened a case?

He's calmed down a bit now and has agreed to charge it fully and then try again. If it still isn't working I will go and collect him and refund it. But new dilemma-he wants a cash refund, not just on PayPal I think I need to do it via PayPal because of the charges attached. Is that right?

No case opened yet, by the way. It's just going backwards and forwards via eBay message.

no you must refund him the way he paid - paypal only. And you do it by clicking on the payment in paypal, scrolling down and then click on refund. You need credit in your account to refund the buyer. No exceptions whatsoever. What if you refund him in cash and then he files not received and eBay refund him too - that means he gets refunded twice.

You can't reject payment with PayPal now even if it's collection. It is a common scam they pay with PayPal, collect and then say they have never received it. The only proof eBay accepts is from a courier company. I do sell cash on collection but only cheap items. Never prams or computers or iPhones etc. better try gumtree for those.

And yes you must refund with PayPal. Or he might say he hasn't got the refund. And you'd lose out twice.

Ok thanks. Having another nightmare in which someone is claiming an item I sold earlier this week isn't as described (sealed pack, he is claiming contents don't match packaging). I may give up eBay for good after this lot is done, it just isn't worth the stress.

tell that buyer to return in the condition it was sent and then you will check your security markings and refund

And tbh the first buyer you should get them to return the item - not the other way round

And sod the not being allowed to refuse a paypal payment for a collected item - best to get told off by eBay than lose your money and your item.