on 06-27-2015 04:22 PM
Received an item that was not the one shown on the offer to sell. Item was defective. Contacted seller, who has a no return policy, with my problem, including photos of the defect. Seller offered to refund or replace item. I accepted the replace option, since I collect the item as a hobby, and really wanted it. I offered to pay for returning the item, as well as reimbursing seller for shipping replacement, but only after I received the replacement item and was satisfied. Seller countered that he would ship the replacement only after I provide proof of shipment back to him of the defective item. QUESTION: If I ship the defective unit (at my expense, as I offered), and he does not send the replacement, I'm out the original cost of the item, plus shipping two ways. He does not offer hassle free returns. How can I guarantee I will get the replacement once I ship the defect back to him? To honor my inital reply, I will end up paying shipping three times: 1) initial delivery of defective unit, 2) shipping defective unit back, 3) paying for him shipping replacement to me. As you can tell, I am new to Ebay and the rules are complicated. I do not sell, so do not understand all the hoopla involved. I have read all the Ebay help and FAQ but it's over my head. I just want this to go as smoothly as possible without getting burned.