Automatic Approval Is Garbage
So I sold a computer hard disk drive. On the ad were many pictures along with a screenshot of the space available on the disk after formatting it.
The buyer initiates a return stating it is defective and doesn't work. Without having to provide ANY proof that it's defective, the return is automatically approved. Why? Because eBay is all about the buyers. Now, when I get the item back I have TWO days to test it and see if it's defective or not. Then I have to provide proof by taking a picture and sending it to ebay. Why do I have to provide proof it's working yet the buyer doesn't have to provide proof it isn't working? And plus, I've already provided proof in the ad. Wth?! Not only is it automatically approved WITHOUT PROOF IT DOESN'T WORK and a defect strike automatically put on my account, but I have to prove it does work and only have two days to do so.
The lady I just spoke with said I'll have to provide a picture of the item and the picture will be sent to an expert. How the heck can you tell in a picture if a disk drive works or not?! Are you kidding me? This is how top rated sellers with 100% feedback are treated. I've been perfect for 3 years and it means nothing to them. Automatic approval without proof and an instant defect mark against your account.
Thanks, ebay.
hughescollectingcompany
OP3 years agoWell, what do you know, it works.
Proof.
https://youtu.be/iiE_U5GPpYs
I contacted ebay support once I received the item and told them I had proof that it works and offered to give them the video link.
Their response?
"We have closed the return in your favor. It will not affect your account negatively and you do not need to refund the buyer."
FYI: They cannot view video links on their end as the representatives are not allowed to access youtube from their stations.
Basically they are going by my word and my overall account status and taking my word for it.
sapphire_studio
·3 years agoCongrats. I know they give everybody one freebie when you tell them someone is abusing an INAD claim. They don't actually Take the money away from the buyer they just eat to cost themselves and pay you both. They will only do this one time as a courtesy.
I wonder if this was just your freebie (Since the message didn't mention anything about the buyer not being refunded).
lakefor94
·3 years agoCongrats, this means you collected on a chump change item out of principle. eBay refunded you and the buyer, thus your mulligan is likely used for this year and possibly more.
Way to go, man.
hughescollectingcompany
OP3 years agoI only get one a year?
Aww man...
kensgiftshop
·3 years agoYou offer free returns, so they can return it for any reason, even if it does work.
hughescollectingcompany
OP3 years agoYes, I know this. That's not my issue. My issue is the reason for the return automatically putting a strike on my account before I even get the item back to see if it is indeed defective.
lakefor94
·3 years agoYes, she was kidding you. Sending to an expert, that was a funny one. Your submission of proof will mean nothing.
The buyer does not EVER have to prove anything other than they have sent the item back to the seller.
Accept the return and provide a return shipping label IF you want the drive returned before refunding.
If you have never had a INAD return, you have been doing a great job, though that has absolutely no effect on this case.
hughescollectingcompany
OP3 years agoI understand their need to protect the buyer, but it's like there's no protection for the seller, at all. And then the seller has to do all of the work to prove it's not defective. And has two days to do it! I about lost my mind and was actually laughing when she said the picture will be sent to an expert. Unbelievable.
lakefor94
·3 years ago@hughescollectingcompany @ There are very limited protections for the seller. Especially true in INAD cases, nearly none.
What do you think providing proof that it is not defective is going to accomplish in this INAD transaction?
Just curious.
hughescollectingcompany
OP3 years agoProviding proof it's not defective will get rid of my defect strike, which ebay didn't hesitate to put on my account as soon as it was reported defective. The only thing I can do is provide of video of me plugging in the HDD to a port and showing that it starts up and that I can access the storage. BUT, if it IS defective then I'm sol because I can't prove WHEN it became defective, which was of course after it left my possession. It's just a ridiculous circumstance that is 100% in favor of the buyer.
stainlessenginecovers
·3 years agoA video? Who's going to prove that the one you are 'putting in the computer' to 'show it' is the one that you sent or the one you received back.
Sorry, but that 'plan' is flawed. There is NO PROOF, video or pictures, of anything anyone sells, that is EVER accepted as ANY proof of ANYTHING.
Ever!
You sell, you refund, you re-sell. When you can't because it's not the same? That's when you can deduct up to 50% if you a.) accept returns and b.) are TRS (and NOT abusing that privilege).
hughescollectingcompany
OP3 years agoThe serial number. It is in the original ad. All I would need to do is show that HDD with that exact serial number being plugged into a port and accessed on screen.
buyselljack2016
·3 years agoNot saying that you would, but the fact that someone could is why eBay does not accept showing such.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seller shows serial # item plugged in and working.
Seller sends buyer some piece of garbage. Buyer returns piece of garbage.
Seller again shows serial # item plugged in and working.
No "chain of custody". No proof or what was sent/returned.
kensgiftshop
·3 years agoYa, but how can you prove that is the item you shipped?
How do they know you didn't keep the working one and shipped them one that didn't work?
lakefor94
·3 years ago@hughescollectingcompany
@hughescollectingcompany @What you are not grasping here is that eBay does not accept video or whatever as proof. There is not anyone at eBay that would even know what they are looking at in the video.
You can only hope the buyer neglects to follow through.
If the buyer sends the drive back, what kind of compensation do you hope for if you have the drive?
I admire your perseverance. If this goes completely south, eBay will sometimes grant a courtesy refund to a seller. Don't waste that opportunity on a $22 hard drive.
Is that what we are looking at? The $22 HD?
hughescollectingcompany
OP3 years agoI just don't want a negative strike on my account just on the word of a buyer. They didn't have to provide proof it doesn't work, so why is my account immediately given a strike? It's ridiculous. I'm trying to maintain a top rating yet I'm getting strikes without proof and ebay just going by their word and asking me about anything prior to the strike. It's just ridiculous how much the system favors the buyer.
lakefor94
·3 years agoThere are 2 types of "strikes" that I know of.
Seller Account defects and Service Metrics defects. And there can be late shipping strikes.
Sellers get defects on their Seller Account for various reasons such as out of stock cancellation, having eBay step in to decide a case, leaving false positive feedback for a buyer, etc. Etc. Those are bad defects.
Sellers get defects on their Seller Metrics for any INAD case that is opened. These are minor defects and only cause harm if you get 10 or more within a year and are rated very high as compared to peers.
As long as this case is settled without eBay having to step in to refund the buyer, there is no defect on the seller account.
Thus no real harm.
Though the Service Metrics defect usually remains regardless of what happens or decision comes about.