Very Specific Piece Of Equipment returned under ebay's Money Back Guarantee.
I sold an expensive, and heavy, piece of embroidery equipment. It is a large, heavy piece of 'industrial plastic' with a few metal fittings and was listed as a part number and the models of machinery it works with. It does not receive wear-and-tear. About as no-nonsense of an item as exists, so I did not offer a return policy, and I accepted an offer from a buyer.
A few days later, he demanded a return saying it didn't match photo or description.
In conversations, he confirmed that it was the product and condition I said it was, he just 'assumed it would be bigger'.
Ebay sided with the buyer and let him return it, costing me about $100 in shipping. They have not informed me what about my actions as a seller entitled the buyer to the money back guarantee and seem to not want to review the conversation where the buyer confirms he received what I listed.
I have thousands of dollars worth of things I am about to sell as a liquidate equipment but this seems so absurd I am questioning selling on ebay any further.
Any tips on getting my $100 back from ebay?
tradermoes
OP3 years agoThe buyer bought and received what they ordered based on the description, but 'assumed' it would be bigger. They didn't challenge that it was the wrong product or bad condition. I don't believe there is a bigger unit and the model number was part of the description.
Thanks everyone for the help. Been on ebay for decades but I'm done.
tradermoes
OP3 years agoThis is the product sold.
https://www.brother-usa.com/products/prwt1
Ebay will not answer my simple question about which of these MBG policies I violated:
eBay Money Back Guarantee applies when:
soh.maryl
·3 years agoIt seems like you have been on eBay long enough to know that eBay doesn't require the buyer to actually prove an item is not as described, and that eBay is heavily biased in favor of buyers.
dqdistribution
·3 years agoThe obvious answer is the middle one.
"The item received by the buyer doesn't match the listing, for example:"
This is evidenced by the buyer opening an INAD return on you. eBay doesn't evaluate the legitimacy. This is why it sides in buyer favor. You can't prove the buyer got what he got.
Sure you got some messages that show that you may have sent everything as stated, but the majority of eBay is all automated, and very limited resources given to actually investigate each and every claim.
house*of*paws
·3 years agoHi @tradermoes
The only 'embroidery tool' I see is 4.25" x 13" in size ... and shows a shipping cost of only $13.05. [I live across country from you.] I don't understand how you could have been charged $100 for shipping.
eBay will always side with the buyer if they've claimed the item is 'not as described' in some way. The way a seller really loses significant money is if they refuse to accept a return ... and eBay does it for them. eBay usually will refund the buyer with the seller's money, allows buyer to keep the item, forfeits the seller's fees, and provides a 'defect'.
You could protect yourself a bit by listing heavy equipment as 'Local Pickup Only'. That way you avoid expensive shipping ... and returns as well, since the buyer can inspect the item before buying.
soh.maryl
·3 years agoPlease ignore my messages here. Thought you were referring to your latest sale, not the one that was $500.
stainlessenginecovers
·3 years agoSince this would probably be a tough sell anywhere else and I see others are also listing them, when you get it back I would list it again with this:
State Shipping Amount
Allow Returns (buyer pays return shipping) (may help stop a 'not as described as some buyers know this forces the seller to pay for return shipping; although you can still have that happen again)
List the Size in the Title (18"x12" for example)
Show 2 more pictures with a Tape Measure (1 for width, 1 for length) so buyers know more of what they are getting (yes, anyone spending $500 on a table extention for a particular item, where that 'attachment item' has a part number, you would think the buyer a) knows what they are getting b.) google it if they don't; before buying)
ms.rodriguez*
·3 years agoThere is NO conversation to be had with Ebay. When a buyer opens an item not as described case, they will win. It does not matter if you a have million positives and the buyer registered 2 days ago, the buyer will prevail. Be grateful if you get your machine back in the same condition that you sent it. There have been stories here where buyers returned items w/o parts or simply sent back any piece of garbage.
Goodluck.
simba6
·3 years agoThat is just a risk you take selling here. Your wagering the cost of shipping for the profit of the sale. In some cases it's a poor bet to place. May have to rethink shipping items that are large of heavy.
The buyer is always right, no way to get your shipping back.
soh.maryl
·3 years agoALL sellers should read eBay's Money Back Guarantee, preferably BEFORE beginning to sell here.
It has an effect on them as well as on buyers.
Buyers can open item not as described cases even if the item is exactly as described. They aren't required to prove anything. They can receive a prepaid return label and be refunded in total when the returned item gets back to the seller. These are the terms of the MBG.
You are free to appeal your case to eBay, but it seems like not many appeals are successful from the seller's point of view.
soh.maryl
·3 years agoaddendum: Thought I'd posted this previously, but guess not.
As an avid sewer, looked at your listing with interest. Not sure I would ever buy an auxiliary piece of equipment for a sewing machine without assuring myself that it would fit the actual machine I own.
You did not use the word "Brother" in your title. In fact, as I recall, only saw it once in the listing.
May I very humbly suggest that, when you get your item back, and relist it, you need to state exactly what machine it fits. I have six machines. They have names and numbers like "Singer 6268" and "Brother 425".