Buyer states one headlight no longer works past return and feedback date
I sold a pair of headlights for $700 which was delivered on Jun 23rd. The buyer sent me a message on 8/27 stating one light blinker and halogen doesn't work. I have 30 day returns and I believe feedback is good 60 days from delivery? I do happen to have a replacement in stock. I've sold about 9 pairs with no issues other than a damaged, via Fedex, item which was replaced/refunded. Should I replace for free, free and charge shipping, ask for a return before replacement? Suggestions
19 comments
gurlcat
·11 months ago@a_c_green I think she's working out with the Shake Weight.
DUDE when I just typed 'shake' (not even capitalized) into Google, it dropped a list of suggestions with Shake Weight at the TOP. Of all the things that could start with that word ... heck song titles galore! But no, it knows what a silly GenX creature I am apparently.
hardrhymer76
·11 months agoIt rightfully suggested "Shake Shack" for me.
a_c_green
·11 months agoFor $700 I would definitely ask to have the problem unit sent back first. Its shipping cost (for a mostly-plastic headlight unit) should not be too much. If it tests successfully when received, I would wipe off the fingerprints and ship it back out again as the "replacement." 😉
I have to admit I don't totally follow the buyer complaint about a "halogen" that doesn't work, as the Ford Explorer LED headlight unit looks like it's all LED (complete with controller) and I don't see any lens showing what appears to be a halogen bulb behind it. (I did get a laugh over what I did see in Photo 12 of your listing: a reflection of what appears to be a woman in the background, sitting at a counter next to a row of chairs and drinking a glass of wine...?):
That aside, if the buyer does send back the headlight for an exchange, I don't know if the claim system supports that...? In other words, you don't want to ship out a replacement and then have the buyer file a Not As Described claim and score a refund on the basis of the tracking of the package they already returned. I'm hoping someone else here can chime in to clarify how that would work.
1stprestigeworldwide
OP11 months agoThat is hilarious! I'm always avoiding taking pictures with my reflection that I didn't notice it captured my wife drinking wine. It's a common occurrence, lol. Your statement about creating another label may allow them to open a dispute again is brilliant. My concern is fraud and I've asked him to send a picture with the headlights on. I may just call support to see how I can ship a replacement. If I get bad advice, at least its documented. Thanks for the advice
onlinecentral
·11 months agoDear Buyer,
eBay considers all sales final at 60 days. That is our store policy as well.
Sincerely,
Seller
I have sent this message to numerous buyers and none opened a dispute through their financial institution.
Did the buyer get the pop up message about buying an extended warranty while completing eBay checkout?
If I went to my local bricks and mortar store beyond the warranty period, I would expect that my return attempt would be declined.
doc-holmes
·11 months agoRemember that song One Headlight by the Wallflowers? It's stuck in my head now.
bashort
·11 months agoits off topic but vehicles are quickly going to become unaffordable to normal people, no more simple $12 headlight replacement, the new improved vehicles it can be in the thousands.
My own way of dealing with this is I have 4 vehicles and the newest is a 2003
christworks
·11 months agoI'll offer my opinion, but you do what lets you sleep at night.
A seller in your situation is not obligated by eBay to do anything. I would not do anything except if this person was already a repeat buyer. I would want to keep their business as that is a gift that keeps on giving.
The reason why that is the very narrow exception is that I do not want to set a precedent. A buyer can always file a chargeback, but you can't make business decisions based on that fear. What is the point of reselling if you always worry about that? As long as your listing was accurate and you have proof of delivery, you can easily respond to a chargeback, should they even do that. As someone who had filed for chargeback recently, I can tell you it is not an automatic thing that the credit card customer wins. I was even in the right on mine and submitted documentation.
I'll end by how I started: Do what lets you sleep at night, whatever that is.
gurlcat
·11 months agoI agree 100% with every part of this^.
And yes if this buyer does file a chargeback, responding by posting the tracking number is exactly the correct way to get seller protection (from eBay, even if not from the buyer's CC company). I wish more sellers knew this, and I get why it seems illogical, like why submit the tracking number when it's not an INR but an INAD?? -Because all eBay needs to see is that the buyer definitely received the item, therefore could have returned it before the end of the return window. In this case, with it being even more than 60 days, I'm 99% certain that eBay would give a courtesy refund. And that's IF the CC doesn't find in the OP's favor, which they might.
bgt_masters_of_tiki_d
·11 months agoWell its beyond 30 days, its beyond 60 days. Do nothing. If they file with their credit card even if you lose the case ebay will have your back as long as you have tracking indicating when it was delivered. They are out of range for a return and they are out of range to leave feedback.
12345jamesstamps
·11 months agoAre you looking for any future 'repeat buyers'?
75+% are usually my repeat buyers from last month.
Can you afford to send it for free? or just charge for shipping?
Has item you can send...has it been in stock for a long time?
Maybe time to get rid of it.
Would I? Absolutely!
jdbelt1960
·11 months agoI would accept the return but also know some people put halogen lights on cars not equipped for them. Have him return them and if possible test them. I would suggest that to the buyer and if bad send him another one. But $700 for headlights! We have come a long way from the round sealed beams!
hardrhymer76
·11 months agoI wouldn't. 60 days is a long time for a headlight to be running on possible faulty wiring, or other components -- not to mention whatever jerry-rigging they did. The item was also listed as pre-owned and you made no claims about its potential longevity, and I'm sure they knew the risk they were taking by buying off eBay instead of directly from Ford.
Besides, with the new Free Returns policy now in effect for Parts & Accessories, I would save that money to help cushion the blow of future returns.
farmalljr
·11 months agoNot criticizing or saying you are wrong. However, right doesn't make might. The buyer can still file a chargeback and you aren't going to win it, in all likelihood. 700 loss, or send them a few replacement bulbs? I pick bulbs. I'd also pick an exchange and I would replace the bad bulbs or resell it without them and let the next guy buy their own.
The seller is likely to lose either way they look at it. Which way will cost them less?
hardrhymer76
·11 months agoJust offering another point of view.
I believe these are the sealed type of headlights without replaceable parts, so any return would just be a loss anyway. This should be taken into account for any cost-minimizing speculation/scenarios.
1stprestigeworldwide
OP11 months agoI agree, returns are expensive. These lights aren't cheap to ship and run the risk of getting damaged with Fedex. My only concern is fraud. The buyer doesn't have a lot of history with eBay.
jdbelt1960
·11 months agoYou are kind of right. I have a 97 Lincoln and the lights are no longer available. I have to buy should they go out used from another 97. There will be no guarantees.
farmalljr
·11 months agoYou aren't obligated, but it's pretty low brow to think 60 days later, a set of $700 lights quit working. If you don't do something, my bet is the buyer gives you a red doughnut.
Besides, remember a buyer typically has 6-12 months to file a chargeback. If you don't fix the situation, it's possible they could file a chargeback.
bashort
·11 months agoyou are not obligated to do anything, your call